Winter multi activity holidays in Finland

The Arctic wilderness of Finnish Lapland is about as exciting a destination as you can find during the winter. A multi activity holiday is the best way to experience this incredible environment. Every aspect of these trips has been planned to help you understand more about the relationship that Finnish and Sámi people have with nature, as well as offering a whole range of outdoor exercise in temperatures often below -20°C.

While there are lots of holidays that focus on looking out for the Northern Lights, on a winter multi activity holiday in Finland, seeing the Aurora Borealis is more of a bonus than the focal point of the trip. You will of course have the opportunity to scan the night skies for the green glow, but only after you’ve enjoyed a full day of snowshoeing, cross country skiing, husky sledding or tobogganing. From ice fishing and ice swimming to Finnish saunas and fires illuminating dark pine forests, a winter multi activity holiday in Finland allows for authentic experiences in sublime, snowy surroundings.

In Lapland, snowshoeing is simply the best way to get around in winter. Anyone that can walk can snowshoe. The great thing about it is that you get to explore – in deep, deep snow – places usually only reserved for elite off-piste skiers. It’s a great work out for the thighs and one of the least disruptive winter activities for the environment. Think sleek and light rather than strap-on tennis racquets.

After a full safety and instruction briefing you’re good to go – as long as you have a current driving licence. It’s usual to have two people per snowmobile, and you can take it in turns as to who’s in control. Snowmobile safaris get you deeper into the Finnish wilderness, covering more ground over frozen lakes and Arctic tundra – very handy at night when searching for a break in the clouds. Also, from a sustainable tourism perspective, in remote regions, snowmobiles are absolutely vital. Find out more in this impassioned response to the environmental impact of snowmobiles by Finnish tour guide Timmo.

Hunkering down in a log cabin on the banks of Finland’s third largest lake is just as much a highlight as a full day of outdoor activities. Lake Inari is surrounded by snowshoe and cross country ski tracks, through snow-bowed pine forests, as well as being an integral location for Sámi cultural heritage, especially at the Siida Museum. Reindeer rides, ice skating, Aurora watching – you name it and Inari’s got it.

Although snow can start to fall as early as September on Finnish Lapland’s higher ground, for many, the best time of year to go is when the snow is at its deepest during March and early April. This is most definitely the favoured time of year for local people as well as travellers on multi activity holidays as there is increased daylight, less cloud cover and ‘warmer’ daytime temperatures – OK, 0°C – certain to get a mitten-covered thumbs up. The Northern Lights can appear at any time from September onwards, but just remember to keep eager expectations on the back burner. Our winter multi activity holidays run from Christmas through to Easter – so families have plenty of opportunities to make the most of school holidays and half terms.