Family Christmas in Lapland

On arrival at Ivalo Airport you'll be met for a group transfer to Saariselkä, approximately thirty minutes south through the heart of Finnish Lapland. This region lies well above the Arctic Circle and is known for its vast protected wilderness, sparse population and exceptional Northern Lights visibility. The drive itself is an introduction to the landscape, passing through snowy forests and open tundra.

You will check in to Santa's Hotel Tunturi, one of the most established properties in the village and particularly well suited to winter stays. Your Superior Room in the Gielas building includes a private sauna, an essential part of Finnish culture and an ideal way to unwind after time outdoors. Saariselkä is a compact Arctic resort community, making it easy to explore on foot this evening as you acclimatise to the polar night atmosphere.

Welcome dinner at Santa's Hotel Tunturi

After breakfast, you begin your introduction to Lapland’s winter landscapes with a guided snowmobile safari. Two guests share each snowmobile, with approximately one and a half hours of driving time. The route is selected according to snow and weather conditions, which play a significant role in daily operations in the far north. A stop is made along the way for hot drinks and biscuits, offering time to appreciate the silence and scale of the surrounding wilderness.

In the afternoon, it's time for the Santa Experience! During this festive time, the elves are up to all sorts of fun things. Let Santa's helper led you to a hideaway cottage, where you will enjoy the magic of powder snow. You can also decorate gingerbread to your liking. Hot drinks are served throughout the excursion. The highlight is meeting Santa in a log cabin for a chat and take photos Each child will receive a small gift straight from Santa himself.

This morning you travel by bus to a local reindeer farm for an introduction to one of the defining traditions of Lapland. Reindeer herding is closely connected to Sámi culture, the Indigenous culture of northern Europe, and remains both a livelihood and a cultural cornerstone in the region. During your visit you will enjoy a short reindeer sleigh ride through the forest and hear about seasonal migration, herding practices and life in Arctic conditions.

In the evening you head to the slopes of Kaunispaa Fell for an Aurora tobogganing experience. A chairlift carries you to the summit, where you gain elevated views over Saariselkä and the surrounding fells, rounded Arctic hills that define this landscape. Tobogganing down Finland’s longest run under the polar night sky combines gentle adventure with the chance, weather permitting, to witness the Northern Lights away from village light sources.
This is an optional activity for extra cost and min. age is 7 years (3 hours lift pass).

Today begins with a visit to a husky kennel for a five-kilometre sled safari through the surrounding forest. Huskies have high endurance and thrive in cold climate performance, and their enthusiasm before departure is part of the experience. Two guests share each sled, with one standing behind as the musher and the other seated as a passenger. The trail winds through quiet woodland, offering a deeper sense of the Arctic environment beyond the village.

Later, you travel to a frozen lake for a relaxed introduction to traditional winter activities. Ice fishing remains a common pastime across Finland, and your guide will demonstrate how to drill through the ice and try your luck beneath the surface. Snowshoeing and marshmallow grilling by an open fire round out the experience, highlighting the Finnish concept of enjoying simple outdoor moments regardless of temperature.

After breakfast at the hotel, you transfer privately back to Ivalo Airport for your onward journey. Depending on flight time, there may be an opportunity for a final walk through the village or a last sauna session before departure.