A trip to Finnish Lapland in winter is a dream come true for many, isn’t it? It was near the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park that I spent a fairly sporty week of vacation with my friend Héloïse with whom I had done my road trip in Iceland in winter .

Between cycling, hiking or forest skiing, or even hunting for the northern lights, we didn’t get bored for a second. What activities to do in Lapland? Here is a detailed review of the must-sees.

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What to do in Lapland in winter?

There are many outdoor activities possible in Lapland in winter. Whether you are sporty or not, here is an overview of all that is possible:

• Floating on a frozen lake under the northern lights
• Chasing the Northern Lights
• Go snowshoeing
• Learn forest skiing or cross-country skiing
• Visit an ice hotel
• Fatbiking on marked trails
• Learn to swim in ice water
• Relax in the sauna at the end of the day
• Take a snowmobile ride
• Dog or reindeer sledding

5 Must-Do Activities in Finnish Lapland in Winter

1- Floating on a frozen lake under the northern lights

This is an activity that made me laugh and that I wanted to try. The idea is simple: you keep your thermal underwear and put on a wetsuit that protects you from the water and allows you to float. If you have ever dreamed of looking like a Teletubbies, this is the night.

You stay around 20 minutes in the water to empty your mind and look at the stars. If you are lucky, you can even see the Northern Lights.

2- Introduction to swimming in frozen water (ice-swimming)

Ice-swimming or swimming in frozen water is a fairly common practice in Finland. It was during a stay in Helsinki a few years ago that I was able to try it out with a group of retirees who were fans of this activity.

Even if the idea of ​​going to put on a swimsuit in 0° water may seem crazy, it is an experience that I will absolutely never forget. From the mental preparation to getting out of the water, this adrenaline-filled activity provides unique sensations and it is only in the Nordic countries that you can try it! And then having a little sauna before or after is not to be refused!

3- Observing the Northern Lights, a must-do in Lapland?

Observing the Northern Lights is an essential activity to do at least once during a stay in Finnish Lapland. This exceptional phenomenon is reserved for regions located above or near the Arctic Circle, so it would be a shame to miss out.

However, I would like to demystify this activity a little, especially in winter, because going there at -20° requires a crazy amount of energy to fight against the cold, find places without light pollution and that all the conditions are met to see them (clear weather, solar activity, etc.).

You are absolutely not guaranteed to see them. You also need to know where to go and observe them and be brave enough to take your fingers out of your mittens to adjust your camera and photograph them.

Don’t expect to go outside and see the Northern Lights dancing in the sky. Most of them are barely visible to the naked eye. Having done it in Iceland and Lapland, I really admire those who go out to observe the Northern Lights every night to increase their chances of seeing them.

If you have never been hunting for the Northern Lights, I recommend that you do this activity in a supervised manner but if, once again, you are not guaranteed to see any.

I also advise you to bring the right equipment to see the Northern Lights . Even though I was covered like never before, I can assure you that -23°C stings!

4- Snowshoeing in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park

Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is a giant Nordic area , making it the ideal destination in Lapland for fans of sports activities such as Nordic skiing, snowshoeing or hiking, fatbiking, etc. During a stop at the park house , we were strongly recommended to hike to the summit of Mount Kuer from Äkäslompolo. It is certainly the most beautiful hike I have done during this stay .

After a climb through a coniferous forest, the vegetation is less dense and the cold more intense. The summit looks like a snow desert with a big wind catch but an incredible view of the frozen lakes and the other peaks of the national park.

It takes about 3h40 to do the loop of just over 8km . In case of fresh snow it is essential to wear snowshoes, we did not need them, on the other hand I would have liked not to have forgotten my crampons for the descent because it was a little steep (and I did not have poles).

On site you will find a map of the park sold for €10 with all the trails to do on snowshoes, Nordic skiing, by bike or on foot. The price may seem high but the funds go to the maintenance of the trails (and they are very well maintained).

5- Visit a reindeer farm and take a sleigh ride

A visit to a reindeer farm followed by a sleigh ride through the snowy forests is another popular activity in Lapland. While the reindeer roam free in the summer, in the winter they are often gathered on their farms where they are fed and pampered.

Behind these farms, there are often stories of families of the last indigenous people of Europe, the Sami, going back several generations. If you go to Rovaniemi, you can combine the ride with a visit to Santa Claus Village.

Finnish Lapland in winter offers many other opportunities for activities, such as fishing on frozen lakes, also called ice fishing, visiting Santa Claus’ village in Rovaniemi, learning cross-country skiing… In short, it’s limitless, at least if it’s your budget.

In fact, all these activities are quite expensive, so it’s up to you to choose according to your preferences. You should also know that it’s quite easy to hike alone on marked trails in dreamlike winter landscapes, and that’s free!