10 Things to know about planning this pricey vacation to Santa’s home turf
I admit it, I have a thing for polar regions. In just the last two years, I’ve visited Alaska, Iceland, and Antarctica. And I’m just back from my second visit to Lapland in Finland. Lapland is a region in the far north of Norway, Sweden, Russia, and Finland – much of which is inside the Arctic Circle. But Finnish Lapland has an extra claim to fame. It’s the official home of Santa Claus, giving it an even more magical aura.
My family and I have done things in Finnish Lapland that we’ve done nowhere else: seen the Northern Lights on Christmas Eve, been pulled in a sleigh by reindeer, mushed our own team of sled dogs, fished on a frozen lake in sub-zero-degree temperatures, and developed a true appreciation for Finnish saunas.
But let’s get real for a moment: a trip to Lapland can be challenging and very expensive. If you and your family go, you’ll want to get the very most out of the experience. I’m about to answer 10 of the most common questions that I get about traveling to Lapland. I hope the answers help you plan a once-in-a-lifetime trip for your family.
1. Where specifically should you go?
The answer to that question is not as straightforward as you might think. There are several clusters of tourist centers in Lapland. First, you have the capital of Lapland and the largest town, Rovaniemi and nearby Ranua. Rovaniemi has the official designation as “the hometown of Santa Claus,” and as a result, it has the most developed tourist services. It’s probably best for a young family where convenience is of paramount importance. Personally, my favorite area is Ivalo-Inari-Saariselkä further north. The area is home to Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort amongst other attractions. If you want skiing to be part of your winter escape, Ylläs and Levi are go-to destinations. Kemi is home to the Sampo icebreaker, SnowCastle and Bothnian Bay National Park.
Also know that nearly all these areas will offer some of Lapland’s mainstay activities for tourists: reindeer sleigh rides, dog sledding rides, ice fishing, and snowmobile tours.
2. When’s the best time to visit?
Lapland is a year-round destination. You’ll find that lots of Finns head north in the spring, summer, and fall. But from an international visitor’s perspective, I think that your first visit to Lapland should be in the winter. For me, that’s when the magic is in full force. Plus, you’ll be in the middle of the Northern Lights season, which runs August until April in Lapland.
That being said, I wouldn’t recommend going over Christmas like my family did for one simple reason: it’s hellaciously expensive. Everything is more: airfare, hotels, and tours. And often during the holidays, you have a mandatory, minimum night stay and/or mandatory Christmas Eve/Christmas Day/New Year’s Eve meal add-ons at your hotels. It really adds up.
Knowing what I know now, I’d opt for Thanksgiving or even January-February.
3. Should you rent a car?
If you’re visiting Lapland during the winter, I’d strongly advise against renting a car. The weather inside the Arctic Circle is extreme and unpredictable. Even if you’re an experienced winter driver, you take a risk being on unfamiliar roads in white-out conditions. Plus you’ll be driving in the dark most of the day. Know that speed limits drop in the wintertime because of concerns over ice and darkness.
Most of the activities that you’ll be participating in will either be on the resort property, or the tour provider will provide transportation.
If you’re still convinced that you want a car, read tips for renting and driving in Finland here.
4. Where’s the best Santa experience
If a Santa experience is an important part of your visit, you’ll probably find yourself in Rovaniemi with Santa Claus Village and SantaPark. But I will say this, during the holidays, all the tourist destinations celebrate with Santa-inspired activities. My family and I spent one Christmas at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort which has its own version of Santa’s house that I found more authentic and less commercialized than the offerings in Rovaniemi. And Santa did make an appearance on Christmas Eve night before harnessing up the reindeer.
5. Should you stay in a glass-topped igloo?
Staying in a glass-topped igloo with a chance of seeing the Northern Lights is a bucket-lister, for sure. So I’d say, yes, book a night… but only one night. Why? Again, it’s very expensive. During high season, you could pay over $1000/night at some resorts.
My advice: stay one night at a place that doesn’t require a multiple night stay and then spend the remainder of your vacation someplace less expensive. See my recommendations here.
KidTripster Tip: I think you’ll find that one night is plenty in an igloo. It’s kind of like sleeping in a fish bowl next to your neighbor, who’s also in a fish bowl!
6. How can you make sure to see the Northern Lights?
One of the highlights of any trip to Lapland is a Northern Lights sighting… if you happen to have one. Mother Nature doesn’t have a schedule, and there are no guarantees. In general, the lights are visible in Lapland starting in August through April. I’ve seen them in September and December, the later sighting being a bit more vivid. They could last five minutes; they could hang in the sky for hours. They can come and then go and then come again. It’s far from an exact science.
Here are some general tips for better viewing:
- Download an aurora app. It will let you know how likely you are to see the Northern Lights in your location on any given night. Know that you need a clear, cloudless sky for good viewing.
- Select a spot to view in advance. The darker it is, the better – though I was able to see and photograph the lights in downtown Rovaniemi.
- Dress warmly. You may have to be outside for an hour or more. Here’s where that glass-topped igloo comes in handy.
- To photograph the Aurora Borealis, a tripod is an absolute must. If you don’t use a tripod and a long exposure, your photos simply won’t turn out. For more on the correct camera settings, read this article by our friends at Dotting the Map.
- Sometimes, it’s difficult to see the lights with your naked eye. But if you see faintly-colored, green wisps of clouds, take a photo. When you view the photo, you may see the lights! Boost the color when editing, and those lights will start to pop.
KidTripster Tip: Set a timer (or have a friend take the photo for you) and jump into the shoot wearing a headlamp. The headlamp will illuminate your spot, adding a nice effect to the photo.
Finally, some companies will advertise a “Northern Lights hunt” via snowmobile. While this is a way to get out in nature away from city lights, you don’t really hunt the lights. They’re either on or they’re not. Know that snowmobiling at night can be extremely cold and unpleasant for your passenger.
7. Just how cold is it?
When Santa decided to locate his headquarters in Finnish Lapland inside the Arctic Circle, I have to think he was betting that the frigid temperatures would cut down on visitors and ensure a certain degree of privacy. And while I highly recommend a visit to Lapland during the winter, go prepared.
When my family visited Finland during the holiday season, the temperature hovered right around -5°F. (Did you catch that negative sign?) After spending three hours snowmobiling and ice fishing, I remember sitting around a campfire eating salmon soup for lunch – wishing that I could actually stick my boots in the flames! (That reminds me, don’t opt for the full-day ice fishing trip! It’s too long and too cold.) Layering is key – like at least four layers. And then when you participate in the outdoor activities, the tour operators will give you a snowsuit to put on over your parka and snow pants. Don’t ask questions… just do it!
KidTripster Tip: Invest in the warmest gloves or mittens, socks, and boots that you can find. They’ll be worth every penny that you spend.
8. Should you schedule outdoor activities?
Part of the fun of a Lapland vacation is experiencing this winter wonderland in new ways – mushing your own team of huskies, snowmobiling through a Finnish forest, and having reindeer pull you in a sleigh. But because of the cold temperatures, choose the shortest tours and rides possible. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.
Also during the winter, book your tour early in the day, say 11 a.m. Remember, the sun goes down by 3 p.m., and the temperature will drop. I also found some activities, like snowmobiling and mushing, to be a little nerve-racking when doing them in the dark.
10. What’s up with Finns and saunas?
To say that saunas are a part of Finnish culture is an understatement. In a country of 5.3 million people, there are approximately 2 million saunas! They’re places of cleanliness, purity, and wellness. Despite the fact that some Finns enjoy saunas in the nude – and tourists in towels – there’s nothing sexual about saunas for Finns. Apparently, Finns grow up being told to “behave in the sauna as you would behave in church.”
So don’t be shocked when you find a sauna in your hotel room, your cabin or even your igloo. Believe me, you’ll come to appreciate it quickly!
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