A vacation to Lapland requires a little extra preparation. It’s likely that you have a few questions before booking your trip to Lapland. For example, how cold is it in Lapland? How do you dress for such extreme cold? And can you always see the Northern Lights there? In this article, we will answer the 8 most frequently asked questions by Lapland travelers, give our tips, and hopefully, get you excited to embark on this adventure! 

Is Lapland a Country?

Although the name may suggest that Lapland is a country, it has not been one for a long time. Once, it was the land of the Sami people, but nowadays, it is a region. Lapland extends over the most northern area of Scandinavia and a small part of Russia. Most people go on vacation to Finnish Lapland, but also a quarter of Sweden is located in Lapland. We went on vacation to Finnish Lapland, and all the photos in our articles were taken there.

What Is the Best Time to Travel to Lapland?

While Lapland is also beautiful in the summer, most people opt for the ultimate winter experience. When planning a vacation to Lapland, you should also consider the number of daylight hours. In a significant part of Lapland, the sun does not rise above the horizon in December. From January onwards, the number of daylight hours increases, and the sun appears just above the horizon. The best time to travel to Lapland is from mid-January to March. January generally sees the most snowfall, and in a typical winter, the snow remains until spring. February is usually the coldest month in Lapland, but the sun starts to show itself more. We chose the first week of February for our trip. The sun was shining between 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM, but it was still light before and after those times.

How Cold is It in Lapland?

Generally, the temperature in Lapland during winter ranges from -5°C (23°F.) to -35°C (-31°F) . It can vary widely, but in the winter months, the temperature rarely goes above freezing. While occasional above-freezing temperatures may occur, especially as the Earth is getting warmer, it remains exceptional. Weather forecasts are not always accurate in Lapland, and there can be significant local temperature differences. During our vacation in Lapland, we experienced both -2°C (28°F) and -35°C (-31°F) on different days, even though the weather forecast before our trip indicated an average of -18°C (0°F) for the entire week.

Do Your Telephone and Camera Work in Lapland?

Indeed, in extremely cold temperatures, batteries may not perform as efficiently in Lapland. If you’re bringing a camera, it’s wise to carry an extra battery as a precaution. Your phone might also shut down or deplete its battery quickly. Bringing a power bank can be helpful, allowing you to recharge your phone if it struggles in the cold. There’s no need to worry about permanent damage to your devices. Just be prepared and take necessary precautions to ensure they function optimally during your trip.

How to Plan Your Holidays to Lapland?

A vacation to Lapland can be planned in multiple ways. You can opt for a trekking adventure, travel around by car, or, more commonly, visit a destination and engage in activities from there. That’s exactly how we approached it, too. We booked a week-long trip to Lapland with Lapland Travel. We stayed in a cozy log cabin surrounded by snow in a beautiful small village located high in the northern part of Finland. Throughout the week, we embarked on various bucket-list activities and had the most amazing experiences. If you want to know more about our journey in Lapland, you can read about our experience with Lapland Travel.

Can You Always See the Northern Lights in Lapland?

The Northern Lights is a phenomenon that you definitely want to witness when you go on vacation to Lapland. The Northern Lights are always present to some extent in Lapland, but that doesn’t mean you can see them all the time. Firstly, the sky must be clear, and there should be enough geomagnetic activity and solar wind. Using the Aurora app, you can check the likelihood of seeing the Northern Lights on a particular day and the best time to go outside. Find a location as dark as possible, away from artificial lights, and preferably somewhere with a wide-open view of the sky.

How to Dress During Your Holidays in Lapland?

If you’re traveling to Lapland in the winter, it’s essential to be prepared for extreme cold. While it might not be as severe as expected, it’s better to bring more clothing than you think you need, as the cold can also be dangerous. To help you prepare adequately, we have created a packing list for Lapland, where we share tips for essential items and the type of clothing you should bring along.

What Are the Total Costs for A Holiday to Lapland?

Scandinavia is not a budget-friendly travel destination, but a vacation to Lapland doesn’t have to be very expensive. The cost depends on what you want to do, but with Lapland Travel, prices start from $1276,36 per person for a week. We found a week to be sufficient to experience everything, so we wouldn’t recommend staying much longer. This price includes flights, transfers, accommodation, and five activities, with additional fun activities available to add on. We cooked in our log cabin, so local expenses were reasonable. Keep in mind that supermarket prices in Lapland are a bit higher than for example in Europe.

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Lapland had been on our bucket list for a long time, mainly because of the abundance of exciting activities you can experience there. We spent one week in Lapland and made sure to only try activities that we had never done before. It turned out to be a week filled with adrenaline, astonishment, and wonder. We managed to tick off almost all the activities available, and it was absolutely amazing! In this article, you can read all about these thrilling activities in Lapland.

A Must Do in Lapland: Going on a Husky Safari

Of all the activities we did in Lapland, this was definitely our favorite. What we didn’t know beforehand is that you get to steer the sled yourself. One person sits in the sled while the other stands at the back, leaning in the curves and using the brake. Speeding through frozen lakes and snowy forests is an exhilarating experience. At the halfway point, you can switch roles, and the other person gets to steer the sled. It’s an amazing feeling to be in control! The husky dogs are incredibly enthusiastic and all they want to do is run. They have an impressive endurance, and when you stop the sled along the way, they impatiently wait for the signal to start again. After the safari, you get to spend some time cuddling with the dogs and asking questions about the husky culture in Lapland. It’s an unforgettable experience!

Tip: Dress extra warmly for this activity. Since you’ll be sitting still but still catching the wind, it can get very cold.

Embark on a Snowshoe Hike

During a snowshoe hike, you can enjoy the breathtaking landscape of Lapland in peace. You wear special snowshoes that you attach to your snow boots, so you don’t sink a foot deep into the snow in the wilderness. Walking with these special snowshoes is a bit heavier than normal, and you may need some time to get used to these enormous things on your feet. Fortunately, you’ll quickly get used to them, and you can easily walk a few miles through the snow.

Spot the Northern Lights in Lapland

Observing the Northern Lights is an activity that ranks high on many people’s bucket lists. It is truly a spectacular and otherworldly phenomenon. Green and sometimes purple bands create a magical show in the sky. Paired with the clear starry night, it undoubtedly brings a moment of pure joy when you witness this phenomenon in person.

But what exactly is the Northern Lights? Throughout history, there have been numerous explanations for the Northern Lights. Some believed it to be the spirits of the deceased, others thought it was a fiery mountain on the North Pole, or even compensation for the absence of the sun in winter. However, science has provided a different understanding. Enormous explosions occur on the sun, releasing electrically charged particles. Our planet’s magnetic field largely shields us from these electrically charged particles, but there are weak points at the north and south poles. At these points, the particles can enter the Earth’s atmosphere, giving rise to the Northern Lights.

To witness the Northern Lights, you need some luck. It has to be clear skies, and the lights must be visible at your specific location. Sometimes, the Northern Lights are visible for hours, while other times they may disappear within minutes. Due to cloudy nights, we had the chance to see them only once. The period between the end of December and early March offers the highest chances to see the Northern Lights in Lapland.

Tip: Download the app “Aurora” to check the predictions for the Northern Lights.

Combine the Sauna With Swimming in a Hole in the Ice

Did you know that there are more than 3 million saunas in Finland? In Lapland, you simply can’t leave without experiencing a sauna. The sauna originates from Finland and has been around for over two thousand years. Many holiday cottages have saunas, and there are plenty of public saunas or saunas that you can rent.

If you’re a frequent sauna-goer, you know that it’s essential to cool off after a sauna session. What better way to do that than in icy natural water? We rented this private sauna located by the lake in Äkäslompolo. The sauna was a tiny wooden cabin with a sitting area and a wood-fired sauna stove. In front of the cabin, there was a hole made in the ice with a little ladder for you to plunge into. A pump keeps the water in motion, so it doesn’t freeze completely. The water is at 0 degrees Celsius (32°F), and when the pump stops, a thin layer of ice forms within a minute. Swimming in icy water is a super fun physical and mental challenge, and the temperature difference of about 90 degrees (50°F) gives an incredible rush. You’ll notice that the more you go from the sauna into the icy water, the easier it becomes.

Cross-Country Skiing

If there’s one activity popular in Lapland, it’s cross-country skiing. You see it everywhere. There are many cross-country skiing trails created, which are tracks of two grooves in the snow, about 5 cm wide. You place the two skis in these grooves, and cross-country skiing can begin! It’s not a problem if you have no experience in cross-country skiing because you quickly get the hang of the technique. In the beginning, it might take some getting used to, and from our experience, you might lose balance and fall a few times. However, you’ll soon notice that you’ll get better control over cross-country skiing. It’s a fun and active way to explore the surroundings. Oh, and expect some muscle soreness the next day!

Drive a Snowmobile!

It’s time for some action! Riding a snowmobile is an activity that truly belongs to the ultimate Lapland experience, right? A snowmobile can easily drive through a thick layer of snow, but often, special trails have been cleared. Snowmobiling is easy to handle, and this way, you can see a lot of the beautiful snowy landscape in a short amount of time.

Visit a Reindeer Farm in Lapland

The keeping of reindeer is an ancient tradition of the Sami. The Sami are the indigenous people of Lapland and live scattered across Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Russia. Despite living in different areas, they share the same culture and speak the same language, Sami. In the past, this people lived as nomadic hunters, moving with their reindeer. The reindeer were and still are their most cherished possession. Nowadays, they no longer roam and most of them run reindeer farms. The reindeer remain very important to many of them. There are still many reindeer farms, and some of them can be visited. During such a visit, you can learn a lot about the reindeer while enjoying a cup of warm berry juice. For example, you’ll learn that the reindeer roam freely in nature for most of the year and that the herders can always find their own reindeer again. After hearing all the ins and outs, you will, of course, go for a ride in the sleigh and have the chance to feed the animals.

Tip: Dress extra warmly when going for this activity. Since you’ll be sitting still but exposed to the wind, it can get very cold.

Fatbiking Through the Snow

In Lapland, the bicycle is a popular means of transportation. The fatbike is not a regular bike but is specially designed to ride through the snow. With its extremely thick tires, you have a lot of grip, and the bike is easy to handle. Don’t dress too heavily, as fatbiking can be quite intense, and you may start to sweat. If you prefer a more relaxed approach, you can also choose an electric fatbike. Equally enjoyable!

Skiing or Snowboarding

The most popular activity in a winter destination is, of course, skiing. Whether you are a beginner or advanced, skiing in Lapland is highly recommended. The ski resorts are small, much smaller than in the Alps, but on the other hand, the slopes are also much quieter. Long queues for the ski lift are not common here. Ideal! Did you know that skiing was invented in Lapland? Prehistoric skis have been found at archaeological sites, and more than 10,000-year-old cave paintings depict people on wooden skis.

How to Travel Through Lapland?

We had an amazing trip through Lapland with Lapland Travel. Some of these activities are included in the standard price, such as the husky safari, cross-country skiing, snowshoe hike, snowmobile ride, and the Northern Lights expedition. Other activities can be booked separately, like fat biking and the reindeer farm visit. This way, you have a lot of freedom to choose the activities that suit you. Are you curious about our experience with Lapland Travel and want to know what our week looked like? You can read all about it in this detailed article.

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If you’re going to Lapland in winter, be prepared for cold temperatures. This packing list for Lapland will help you with that. It may not always be the case, but temperatures in Lapland can be extremely low. During our week with Lapland Travel, we experienced a day with a temperature of -31°F (-35°C). If you’re not dressed warmly enough and feel cold, you won’t be able to fully enjoy your time in Lapland. Such a shame, of course! Here, we share a comprehensive packing list and extra tips for Lapland and describe the clothing we wore ourselves during these extreme temperatures.

Note: This packing list does not include the basics like underwear and a toothbrush, but only items that are specific to this destination, such as gloves and a headlamp.

Choose Clothing Made of the Right Materials

If you’re ordering clothing for a trip to Lapland, pay close attention to the materials the clothing is made of. Clothing keeps you warm by trapping warm air close to the skin. When cotton gets wet, it loses its insulation properties because all the air pockets in the fabric fill with water. If you’re walking and sweating, cotton clothing will absorb your sweat like a sponge. When the air is colder than your body temperature, you’ll quickly feel cold because your cotton clothing is saturated and no longer provides insulation. Your sweat can even freeze, leading to potential hypothermia. Scandinavians have a saying, “cotton kills,” for this reason. Hypothermia can occur even at temperatures well above freezing. Modal, viscose, rayon, lyocell, and tencel are all manufactured fabrics made from cellulose fibers, and they absorb water even faster than cotton.

It’s also best to avoid clothing made from bamboo. Bamboo is often marketed as a green product with properties similar to wool, but many bamboo fabrics are simply a form of rayon and share its less desirable characteristics. Silk is also highly absorbent and not recommended for cold climates. So, what are good fabrics for cold climates? It’s best to go for synthetic fabrics like fleece. Wool is also an excellent fabric that keeps you warm effectively. While wool can absorb moisture, it has the unique ability to retain air as well. Merino wool, in particular, is very warm and makes for excellent cozy socks.

Clothing Packinglist Lapland

Have you never been on a winter destination trip before? Then there is a good chance that some items on this packing list are not in your wardrobe. That was the case with us, and we ordered almost everything from Decathlon, except for a few things. Here is the list:

– Ski jacket or thick parka
– Ski pants
– Snow boots: buy these one size larger than your normal size. In cold weather, wear 2 pairs of socks, and if your boots are too tight, your feet will get cold quickly. There should be some room for air in your shoes.
– 2 or 3 pairs of thermal pants: on cold days, we sometimes wore two pairs on top of each other.
– 3 or 4 thermal shirts for a week, unless you sweat quickly.
– 2 fleece vests
– 2 warm sweaters to wear under your fleece vest in extreme cold.
– 1 or 2 sets of ‘normal’ clothes to go to a restaurant or café.
– A few cotton t-shirts to wear indoors under sweaters.
– Indoor socks: thin socks that are preferably made of wool.
– 3 pairs of thick woolen socks: it is worth buying these a bit more expensive at Bever because they are of good quality and keep your feet warm.
– Sports bra: nice for active activities such as cross-country skiing, skiing, and fat biking.
– Buff or balaclava: we found the thin balaclava very comfortable as it provides extra coverage for your head and face in the wind.
– Thick hat that covers your ears well.
– Waterproof mittens: gloves can also be used, but mittens keep your fingers together and therefore keep them warmer.
– Thin gloves: wear these under your mittens so that your fingers don’t get very cold right away when you want to take a photo or have a drink.
– Swimwear for the sauna or ice swimming.
– Slippers: also for the sauna.

Through Lapland Travel, you can rent a warm overall and thermal snow boots for the whole week for $42 per person. This is highly recommended if you don’t have proper snow boots, a ski jacket, and ski pants. However, the overall can be bulky and awkward for activities that require movement. Therefore, we recommend bringing a thick jacket and waterproof pants for the more active activities.

Other Useful Items for Your Lapland Packing list:

• Hand and foot warmers: These pouches are placed inside your shoes and mittens, providing 5 to 6 hours of warmth. Perfect for the coldest activities!
• A sturdy and comfortable backpack
• Sunglasses for when the sun is bright and reflecting off the snow
• Thermos flask: Keeps hot drinks nice and warm
• A few fun games, as it gets dark early in Lapland
• A good book or e-reader
• Hammam towel for the sauna
• Driver’s license, as you need to show it for snowmobile driving
• Power bank, as the cold temperatures can quickly drain your phone’s battery
• An extra battery for your camera is also useful for the same reason
• Body lotion, day cream, hand cream, and lip balm, as your skin can get very dry from the cold
• Headlamp for the Northern Lights expedition
• Tripod to capture the Northern Lights in photograph
• With these additional items, your Lapland experience will be even more enjoyable and comfortable!

Our Own Packinglist For Lapland

In Lapland, temperatures can vary greatly from day to day. During our one-week stay, we experienced temperatures ranging from -31°F to 28.4°F (-35°C to -2°C). How you dress depends on the temperature of the day, but it also heavily depends on your planned activities. If you’re engaging in a sporty activity like snowshoe hiking or cross-country skiing, it’s important not to overdress as you may start sweating from the physical exertion. Sweating can cause moisture to freeze, leading to a drop in body temperature. Always remove a layer if you notice you’re starting to sweat. On the other hand, if you’re not doing any sporty activities, such as visiting a reindeer farm, going on a husky safari, or snowmobiling, you should dress more warmly as you’ll be less active and may get cold quickly.

Ensure you’re always prepared for extremely cold conditions. Here’s what we wore during a non-sporty activity:

– Rented overall (ski pants and ski jacket can also be used)
– Thermal snow boots
– 2 pairs of woolen socks
– 4 pairs of indoor socks
– 2 thermal pants
– Ski pants
– Jeans for the journey to and from Lapland
– Thermal shirt
– 2 fleece vests
– 1 thick sweater
– Thin balaclava
– Warm hat
– Thin gloves
– Waterproof mittens
– Hand and foot warmers

By dressing accordingly, you can stay comfortable and enjoy your time in Lapland, no matter the temperature or the activities you choose to do!

During a sporty activity where we were active and in motion, we wore the same clothing as mentioned before, but without the rented overall.

Extra Tips to Keep Yourself Warm During Your Stay in Lapland

Nothing is as annoying as getting cold, as it can hinder your enjoyment of all the beauty in Lapland. Below are some quick tips to stay warm in extreme cold:

1. Don’t skimp on clothing. Good clothing may be expensive, but it’s worth every penny.

2. Squeeze your hands regularly to promote good blood circulation in your fingers.

3. Wiggle your toes frequently to keep the blood flowing in your feet.

4. Stay as active as possible when you’re outdoors.

5. Bring a warm drink in a thermos flask.

6. Always have hand and feet warmers in your bag, just to be safe.

By following these tips, you can ensure that you stay warm and comfortable while exploring the wonders of Lapland!

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If you ask us, Lapland is one of the most enchanting places on Earth. This northern part of Scandinavia is a stunning winter destination when the pristine landscape is covered with a thick layer of snow. We traveled to Finnish Lapland with Lapland Travel to experience the most incredible activities in one week, such as a husky ride, snowmobiling, a northern lights expedition, and much more. It was an unforgettable journey, and here we share our experience with Lapland and the travel organization Lapland Travel so you know what to expect.

Why Did We Choose Lapland Travel?

You could describe us best as do-it-yourself travelers, and we usually plan all our trips ourselves. We enjoy the freedom of exploring and finding beautiful places and activities on our own. However, when it comes to Lapland, it’s a bit different. When traveling to Lapland in winter, you typically don’t do a road trip but rather visit one destination from where you’ll undertake activities. Moreover, almost everyone wants to experience similar activities. A trip to Lapland requires less research and more careful planning. This is where Lapland Travel comes in and takes care of the arrangements, ensuring you have the ultimate Lapland experience in one week. They handle the flight, accommodation, activities, and transfers, leaving you with the opportunity to check off your entire Lapland bucket list and enjoy the experience to the fullest without any hassle.

The Lapland Travel Concept

At Lapland Travel, the accommodation and five exciting activities are included in the package. There are various types of accommodations to choose from, such as a log cabin, a glass cottage, a bed in a hostel, or an apartment. The prices depend on the type of accommodation you choose. We opted for a log cabin and one night in a glass cottage. The log cabin was simple but very cozy, and the glass cottage was incredibly beautiful. You can find more information about the different types of accommodations available and their corresponding prices on their website.

The activities that are always included in the package are:

1. Husky safari
2. Snowmobile ride
3. Northern Lights expedition
4. Cross-country skiing
5. Snowshoe hike

Additionally, there are many more optional activities that you can book, such as fatbiking, visiting a reindeer farm, skiing, and horse riding. You can also choose to book the flight to Lapland through Lapland Travel or arrange it on your own if you prefer. Once in Lapland, the travelers are divided into groups of about 12 people. You will do the five included activities with your group, which we found enjoyable as you get to know the same people throughout the trip. The optional activities often consist of a mix of participants from different groups. You can choose between two different destinations: Äkäslompolo and Rovaniemi. We chose Äkäslompolo because it is a smaller village, but Rovaniemi is also just as beautiful, as we later discovered.

Our Lapland Experience

The first week of February, the time had come, and we set off for Lapland. We flew from Amsterdam around sunrise, and we could enjoy it throughout the entire flight. The sun only rises a short way above the horizon around this time in Lapland. On a clear day, you can enjoy up to 6 hours of sunrise in February. That alone is magical, isn’t it? The constant low light enhances the beauty of the winter landscape even more.

After arriving in Lapland, the Lapland Travel bus was already waiting, and we drove to Äkäslompolo in about an hour. This is a very small village, surrounded by 7 hills and the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. The village has everything you need for a pleasant week. There is a large supermarket, a bar, and several restaurants. Not that we tested them because we enjoyed preparing our own meals quickly in the cabin after a day full of activities. The cabin was a delightful place to relax. It had its own sauna, a well-equipped kitchen, and a cozy seating area. Everything was well taken care of!

The weather forecast indicated that it would be around -0.4°F (-18°C) throughout the week. However, once in Lapland, it turned out to be quite different. There was a day when it was 28.4°F (-2°C), but there was also a day when it was -31°F (-35°C)! So, make sure you are prepared for all types of weather and check our packing list for Lapland before you go. At -35°C, it was so cold that the condensation from our breath immediately froze on our faces. After an hour of cross-country skiing, our toes were freezing, and we quickly bought thicker woolen socks and hand and foot warmers. With those, the rest of the week, our shoes and gloves were wonderfully warm.

The activities were all fantastic experiences, with the husky ride being the highlight for us. What an adventure it was! Each day, one or two activities were scheduled, and there was enough free time to explore on our own. In the surroundings, you can go for beautiful walks in the national park, go skiing, or visit a sauna. We rented this adorable sauna by Lake Äkäslompolo where you could also take a dip in the icy water. It was a really cool experience and perfect in combination with the sauna!

The communication from Lapland Travel was excellent. One week before our trip, we received our itinerary, which provided an overview of how the week would unfold. Then, we received an invitation to join the group chat, where everyone from our group and a Lapland Travel representative participated. Each day, we received messages in the chat with all the information we needed for the following day. Everything was organized to perfection, so we didn’t have to worry about anything, and we also received some great tips for exploring the area.

When Can You Visit Lapland and What Are the Costs?

There are various dates available from late December to March. The prices vary and depend on the type of accommodation you choose. The prices start from approximately $1380 per person. This includes five activities, accommodation, and flights. If you are excited about this amazing trip, take a look at www.laplandtravel.com for more information or to register.

The post Lapland Travel: The Ultimate Lapland Experience in One Week appeared first on TRAVELREBELS.

Lapland is the ultimate destination for those seeking an ultra-romantic getaway. You’ll find yourself right in the middle of a fairytale, and who better to share that with than your significant other? We have a tip that will make your trip to Lapland even more unforgettable. Nestled in the untouched wilderness, there is a tiny, charming glass house. Even the roof is entirely made of glass, allowing you to admire the starry sky from your bed and, with a bit of luck, even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights!

Our Experience in the Glass House

We spent one night in this glass house and had a delightful stay. The house may be small, but it exudes a cozy and intimate ambiance. The walls surrounding the double bed are entirely made of glass, allowing for a breathtaking view of the surroundings, while the glass roof, equipped with heating, ensures no snow accumulates and lets you gaze at the sky from the comfort of your bed. At the back of the house, there’s a small bathroom featuring a refreshing rain shower.

The overnight stay in the glass house includes a delectable 3-course dinner and a delicious and extensive breakfast. The food served in the restaurant is truly exceptional, adding an exquisite touch to your overall experience. All in all, our stay in the glass house was an unforgettable experience, and we highly recommend it to anyone seeking a unique and enchanting getaway in the heart of Lapland’s pristine beauty.

How to Make a Reservation?

We booked our trip to Lapland through Lapland Travel and wrote a detailed piece about our entire experience of this journey. This glass house can be added to your booking through them, and they provide transportation to and from the house by car. This way, you can fully enjoy your time here to the fullest!

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