Information about Travelling to Lapland

click here for a ski insurance quotation

Visiting Lapland

Travel to Lapland

Lapland is not a country in itself, but a region of northern Europe. It is mostly in the Arctic Circle, northern Norway, Sweden, Finland and some of Russia. Lapland is the last big wilderness in Western Europe. High mountains, open plateaus, forests, rivers and waterfalls meet the cultural landscape of the Sami people, making this an outstanding place to visit. The Sami are the indigenous people of the northern Scandinavian peninsular and there is a population of 7000 in Lapland. They settled in the north about 4000 years ago and during the Middle Ages the Vikings drove the Sami up to the Arctic Circle.

For more information visit Lapland Holidays

Weather in Lapland

Visitors to Lapland will find extreme temperature variations. It is mild in the summer with temperatures reaching 20C and a snowland in winter with -30C in the coldest months. Due to the Gulf Stream, though, the climate is sub-arctic. All the seasons are clearly defined, displaying a variety of interesting natural phenomena and culture. Lapland is called the Land of the Midnight Sun. North of the Arctic Circle the sun does not set in midsummer or rise in mid-winter. Winter in Lapland starts in November with the ‘kaamos’ when the sun barely rises over the horizon and the first blanket of snow covers the land. When spring comes, the ice melts and the sun hangs low over the horizon, casting light day and night. The elongated days make it the perfect place for al-fresco activities and between June and the first half of July the sun does not actually set. During winter there is the chance to see the Aurora Borealis – the Northern Lights. This phenomenon is nature’s most beautiful light show, with quickly changing colours, power and changing form. The strongest and brightest of the Northern Lights will give as much light as the moon.

Lapland scenery

Lapland has the last remaining expanse of wilderness in northern Europe, including the coastline, forests, mountains and unspoiled rivers. Most rivers till run free from the mountains to the sea, following channels cut ten thousand years ago by the melting inland ice. The enormous forest areas are sparsely populated, but there are plenty of wild animals such as moose and bear. Visitors from around the world visit Lapland for recreation and relaxation. Some find it in mountain climbing, hiking or alpine skiing, some by fishing by a quiet woodland pool. You can snuggle under reindeer skins in a dogsled and watch the magical dance of the Northern Lights across the heavens. Or if you feel more energetic, try Nordic touring or ice fishing.

Lapland Coastline

The coastline of Lapland is also easily accessible. You will find numerous bays, long sandy beaches and picturesque fishing villages. Off the 300 km seacoast lays an archipelago of hundreds of islands. If you are looking for peace and contentment, find a secret cove with a shallow water beach. You can paddle a kayak silently from one island to another or enjoy a swim under the Midnight Sun. When the surface of the sea is covered in ice an exciting new landscape is created. Go for a moonlight tour on long-distance skates or take the ploughed road out to an idyllic island.

Santa Claus in Lapland

Lapland is, of course, famous for the Santa Claus village, near the town of Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle. It is an enchanting winter wonderland where you and your family can go in search of Santa Claus. Enjoy husky and reindeer sleigh rides and enjoy all the sparkle of an old-fashioned Christmas. Holidaymakers also visit the village of Jukkasjarvi. Temperatures in the Lappish wilderness can go as low as -40C and the village is made of ice. The Ice Hotel has been re-built every year since 1989. It started off as a 60 square metre igloo and has grown to almost 5000 square metres. As the hotel melts in the summer and is rebuilt in the winter, it is never more than six months old. Inside the hotel you will find an art gallery, ice bar, cinema and chapel. The Ice Church is a consecrated room of snow and ice in which church services, weddings and christenings take place. Since 2003 the ‘Ice Globe Theatre – a replica of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre on the Thames – has added a new chapter to the Ice Hotel. There are also architects and ice artists who are constantly sculpturing and reshaping tons of sawn ice from out of the nearby river Torne.

Holidays lapland, Santa holiday Lapland - skiing in Lapland - Arctic Discovery

We specialise in Lapland Holidays, lapland day trips and lapland christmas time, Snowmobiles in Lapland and Dog sleigh holidays, skiing, fishing and hunting in winter - Arctic discovery

For more information visit Lapland Holidays

back to ski guides