Finnish Lapland Winter Adventure

Our escape into the arctic wilderness begins in Inari, a village nestled in the heart of Finnish Lapland. Situated approximately 120 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, this area has been inhabited for centuries by the indigenous Sami people. On the shores of Inari Lake, the third largest lake in Finland, the landscape of dense forests, rolling hills and frozen waterways is one of the most sparsely populated places in Europe. During winter months it is blanketed by snow and illuminated by the dancing aurora overhead. We'll be staying at Hotel Inari, owned by the Lappalainen family for over 40 years offering modern cosy rooms, authentic local food and of course the obligatory Finnish sauna to provide the perfect introduction to life in the north. If you would like to receive an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Ivalo airport (IVL). The hotel runs a regular shuttle service to the airport, a journey of around 50 minutes. For those arriving on the 5.55pm flight or earlier, your tour leader will be waiting in the terminal. For those not arriving at this time, the transfer shuttle, run by Ilmaris Slant Ky will be waiting in the dedicated bus parking area. Your leader will arrange a welcome briefing in reception for your first evening and arrange for you to pick up your winter gear, this will be at approximately 7pm.

During our stay we'll mix activities lasting a few hours with free time to enjoy these unique surroundings. There will be a specific activity leader for each excursion, as well as your Explore leader. The surroundings here are simply beautiful, far removed from what we're used to. Spending time in nature is key to Finnish society, giving the opportunity to relax and enjoy the tranquility. The hotel's snowshoes and cross-country skis are available throughout our stay for anyone wishing to make use of them to explore the area, though a walk near the hotel can be just as enjoyable. The hotel's indoor sauna is also avaible for a few hours each afternoon, another key pillar of Finnish society. For our first activity we try snowshoeing. This essential piece of kit was created to help locals traverse deep snow by spreading weight across a wider surface, long before snowmobiles were invented. Originally made from wood and animal hide, these days snowshoes are a light composite material, and easy to attach over your winter boots. No previous experience is necessary, so we soon head out for a two hour walk into the Narnia-like landscape that surrounds us. Our local guide will share their passion for this unique habitat, and we'll make a stop for a hot drink along the way. As we make our way through the snowscape we can begin to understand why the Finnish culture is so closely tied to nature.

Our morning is free to spend as we like because this afternoon we visit the home of Tuula, a local reindeer herder, on the shores of nearby Muddus Lake. First you'll be introduced to the reindeer and learn how they have been central to the Sami way of life, and indeed their survival, for centuries. Roaming free in the summer months, the herd is then brought in for winter. Tuula will then take us into her home to show more of the traditions associated with the Sami way of life. This will include examples of traditional Sami winter clothing, along with other implements made from the reindeer, such as fur boots. We'll be back in time to enjoy dinner in Restaurant Aurora at the hotel. Finnish food is a reflection of the natural surroundings and Inari is no different. Fish and reindeer feature on the menu as do a mix of local berries like blueberries and lingonberries.

Often the headline act, husky sledding is simply unmissable for any trip to this part of the world. Born, as most winter activities are, out of necessity, today is our chance to travel to a local husky farm. These hugely energetic dogs will be almost literally pawing at the ground in anticipation of the chance to venture out. Armed with some basic commands, it's time to play musher as the dogs eagerly take us on a safari like no other. Once back at the farm, we sit around the fire with a hot drink to learn the details no one sees and begin to understand how the packs are formed, trained and cared for. We're proud to be visiting a farm that was one of the first to receive the internationally recognised Green Key eco certification. We return to our hotel in the early afternoon, though the day is far from over. At around 20:30 we'll tog up again and head out. Light pollution is minimal up here, so all we need is clear skies and fair solar winds for a display of mythical beauty. Whilst this cannot be guaranteed, the aurora is a regular sight in Lapland and gave rise to a myriad of myths and stories over the centuries. These days most smartphones will have cameras capable of capturing the lights but for those looking for a more comprehensive approach, take a camera with a long exposure.

For many of us, the winter Olympics is the only time we see practitioners of this ancient mode of transport. With long, thin skis and accompanying poles, this was the most effective way to cover longer distances for years in the winter landscapes of northern Europe. Our instructor will give an introduction to the basics of cross-country skiing, aiming to 'push and glide' before setting off on a sortie across the snow. A quick lesson in how to get up after a fall is also crucial as soft snow and long skis can prove a challenge at times. We'll stick to flat terrain and in no time the group will be sliding through the forest. Of course there will be a hot drink along the way, though participants are often surprised how warm they already are with the full-bodied effort required.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel, you are then free to catch the shuttle back to Ivalo airport (IVL). The shuttle service departs approximately 2hours before the flight departure time.