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Holidays in Lapland in winter with children. Winter holidays in lapland

In the snowy restaurant there are seats made of ice and covered with reindeer fur. Here you can taste Lappish cuisine or visit the ice bar, which is located in a corner with a 10-meter snow cover, and drinks are served in ice cups.

And of course, a variety of Finnish vodka is presented here. There are ice statues in the art gallery, children will love the play park and snow tunnels. For entertainment, we recommend visiting a reindeer farm and trying a reindeer sleigh safari - an unforgettable experience. Reindeer are the national pride of the country, they are an integral part of the life and nature of the Arctic, and reindeer are also considered to be Santa Claus's helpers. Reindeer teams used to be the only means of transportation on snowy terrain. Before the trip, you will need to go through a briefing. Passengers are offered reindeer skins to make it comfortable to sit in the sleigh. By the way, all reindeer in Finland have chips, but there are not so many reindeer farms in the country. Horns and hooves are used to make jewelry and furniture, and venison dishes are served in the best restaurants in Finland. By the way, you can get the rights to drive a reindeer team. They are valid for 5 years.

Lapland: Levi

Talking about Lapland, one cannot fail to mention Levy. It is the largest winter recreation center in Lapland and is located in the Kittilä region in western Lapland, where the highest mountains are located. The place is located 100 meters north of the Arctic Circle, 15 kilometers from the airport of Kittila. This resort is the venue for the World and European Cup competitions in various types of skiing. It has already been voted the best ski resort in Finland three times already. It is an international tourist center and also the most fashionable ski resort. It is more reminiscent of Alpine resorts than others: all services are concentrated in the Lapland village, and hotels, cottages and bungalows are located in close proximity to the slopes. In general, the resort is very cozy. Everything is nearby - spa hotels, many snowmobile rental companies, excellent cross-country trails and snowmobile trails.

Aquapark Spa Hotel Levitunturi

The magnificent nature of Lapland is preserved here, there is a wonderful water park Spa Hotel Levitunturi. This is the water center of the Levi resort, decorated in the Lapland style, here you will find 17 (!) types of pools, as well as 9 saunas.

Levi provides wonderful opportunities for outdoor activities, here every amateur and professional will get their dose of adrenaline: fishing, hiking in the surroundings, dog sledding, more than 600 kilometers of snowmobile trails, traditional reindeer farms. Thanks to the artificial snow preparation system, the season can continue until early June. Experienced skiers can try their hand at the World Cup track with a final section slope of 52%. Here, on the slopes of the Levi Hill and its surroundings, there are more than 200 kilometers of excellent skiing trails. From entertainment - shops, spa-salons, restaurants, nightclubs, there is also the largest dance floor in Lapland - "Hullu Poro Arena".

Finland is the land of the northern lights. And in order to comfortably observe such an event, special cottages - igloos - were invented. This is a completely glass house with a glass roof in the middle of the forest, on a hill. Despite the thin transparent walls, the house is protected from bad weather by special thermal glass, which, thanks to special technologies, never gets cold or fogs up. The glass igloo offers a gorgeous view of the northern lights, only the stars are visible. By the way, you can live in such a house. It has a lovely large bed, armchairs, a small bathroom and a kitchen. Around only a snow-covered forest, silence, peace - in short, complete relaxation.

When planning your itinerary in Finland, don't forget to include the Hand. And you can stay in Ruka Village. Here you will find beautiful large rooms with a kitchen, a sauna and even a washing machine. The famous Hand is the gateway to Lapland, which is located on the threshold of the Arctic Circle. This is 450 kilometers of beautiful flat trails laid over rough terrain. The ski slopes are mostly red and blue, there are also some black ones. The ski center is located on the territory of the Oulanka National Reserve. This is one of the best parks in Europe for snowboarding and freeskiing. Here in 2005 the World Freestyle Championship was held.

Ski tours start already in October, and the weather is perfect for skiing until May. It is here that the longest ski season in Finland (9 months of winter). You will find modern ski lifts, excellent service and well-prepared slopes. 30 slopes Ruka is a varied skiing for everyone: gentle slopes and children's areas with free lifts for beginners, steep black slopes, a freestyle center with excellent instructors who give lessons in Russian, an excellent snow park.

And even the polar night does not prevent you from enjoying skiing - out of 30 slopes, 28 have artificial lighting. The pride of the Ruka resort is a high-speed lift with 6-seater chairs Ruka Express. Ruka is the training base of the Finnish snowboard team. And this is one of the reasons why special attention is paid to the condition of the tracks.

Kuusamo, one of the largest northern cities in Finland, is located 25 kilometers from the ski center. It harmoniously combines the peace and quiet of untouched nature with the conveniences of a modern urban center.

The highlight of Lapland excursions is snowmobile safaris. This is not a luxury, but not only a means of transportation. This is a great opportunity to cross snow-covered forests, feel nature, touch its pristine purity and get a huge boost of vivacity and vitality, which gives the unique beauty of the surrounding world.

Dog sledding is one of the favorite pastimes of tourists. If you have time, visit a husky farm. These are amazing creatures, outwardly similar to wolves, but completely tame. Huskies are loyal, hardworking, conscientious friends and helpers.

Lapland: Vuokatti

From Ruka to Vuokatti can be reached in 4 hours. This small town and resort is located in the heart of Finland, in the midst of the stunning beauty of lakes and hills. This is one of the most modern and versatile winter recreation centers not only in Finland, but throughout Scandinavia! Thanks to its varied activities (mountain skiing, Santa Claus village Kuhmo, snowmobile and dog sledding, restaurants with traditional cuisine), Vuokatti resort is ideal for families. Today the resort is a city of 4 hotels, many cottages, nightclubs, sports facilities, shopping centers and a market. Ski slopes are designed for any level of skiing, these are 200 kilometers of ski slopes, special tunnels for skiing and snowboarding. In summer there is a high quality golf course which is one of the most beautiful golf courses in Finland.

You can also visit the world's largest indoor adventure park. Angry Birds Activity Park Vuokatti. It is a fun and exciting place for children and youth of all ages. It opened in December 2012 and quickly became a very popular family destination. There are various exciting bridges/slides, tunnels, game screens, zip lines, football arenas, floorball, trampoline, pedal car track, golf course, training area for all types of freestylers of all ages. .

What to say in the end? Coming here, to Finland, a person becomes a part of nature. The unique climate, the wild northern nature - all this we, the inhabitants of megacities, do not have enough of. That's why Finland is the perfect holiday destination.

Traveling around the country allows you to see it in a real way, not just as a beautiful background outside the hotel window, but as a land full of secrets and beauties with ancient history and untouched nature.

Impressions of endless forests and countless lakes fill the soul with purity and energy, and memorable photographs will undoubtedly arouse the admiration of relatives and friends. They say that the one who saves real beauty will remain happy. The Finns have managed to keep their entire environment clean while living in a country of high technology and comfort, where you suddenly realize with great surprise that winter is clean to the human eye, with exceptionally white snow.

Where to stay: We advise those who like to conquer the slopes to stay right at the chosen resort. The arctic hotels of Saariselka are an interesting experience to live in one of the northernmost resorts in the world. It's a little pricey, but the views are amazing. There is also a spa and even a water park. Vuokatti is perhaps the most family-friendly of all Finnish resorts, the choice of housing is very, very. And very close - Kajaani and Kuhmo, there is also housing for tourists. We are going to Kemijärvi with children - to visit Santa. For fun urban adventures - welcome to Oulu. Hotels - for every taste, fresh sea air - for free. Rovaniemi hotels are the choice for those who want everything from Lapland at once. Here and nature, and sports, and culture with art, and shopping, of course.
What to see: Sometimes it seems that stop anywhere in Lapland, get out of the car, there will be a ski resort nearby. There are only more than a dozen of them known and popular here. Out of season, almost every ski resort admits that there are wonderful protected forests and national parks around. For those who are looking for a more traditional tourist adventure (or who came in the summer), we advise you to pay a visit to Rovaniemi - the historical and cultural center of Lapland. Although there are ski slopes here, it seems that Lappi is nowhere without them. Visit Arktikum Arctic Center, deer and husky farm, Santa Park and other notable sights.
Oulu is considered by locals to be the most fun place in Finland. Affects the notorious student spirit.

If you enjoy snow-white snow, skiing or sledding, or enjoy walking in a fabulous winter forest, you definitely need to visit Finland in winter. Almost untouched nature, a variety of opportunities for outdoor activities in winter, comfortable living conditions - both in hotels with a full range of services and in self-catering cottages - make Finland attractive to people with different income levels.

Ski resort Vuokatti / Vuokatti - ski resort for families

The distance of 630 km from St. Petersburg to Vuokatti can be covered in a day by car or in 1 hour by plane from Helsinki to Kajaani/Kajaani airport.

Vuokatti is a popular ski resort for families, there are 13 ski slopes of varying difficulty and 8 lifts, especially for children there is a 50 m long magic carpet lift. In addition to the ski slopes, the resort has year-round tunnels for cross-country skiing and snowboarding.

Fans of a comfortable stay in Vuokatti will find the high-class Holiday Club Katinkulta SPA hotel. The hotel has a water park with various slides and a bath complex with several saunas. In summer, the hotel welcomes golf lovers, and in winter - ski holidays. The presence of an indoor sports complex allows you to engage in various sports at any time of the year. It offers indoor tennis courts, squash and badminton courts, a gym and group fitness programs with an instructor.

Vuokatti is a great place for a family vacation! In December 2012, the indoor Angry Birds Adventure Park opened here. The park's adventure trails feature climbing routes, crawl tunnels, bridges, slides, and abseiling trails, all of which are sturdy structures that can handle adults. To relax after sports activities, there is a fast food restaurant, lounges and wi-fi - here you can have fun with the whole family all day long!

Iso-Syöte resort / Iso-Syöte - on top of the mountain

At the very top of the hill stands the Iso-Syuote hotel, surrounded by many cottages located in a fairy forest. The restaurant windows offer a panoramic view of the surroundings - you can watch sunrises and sunsets, and if you're lucky, you can even admire the northern lights.

The ski slope is located right next to the hotel. If you brought your ski equipment with you, then you will not need a car at this resort at all. True, beginner skiers and children still have to get to the foot of the slope by transport in order to start skiing on simple gentle slopes, of which there are a sufficient number.

The smallest skiers are invited to visit the children's snow country "Lumimaa", where not only special lifts are provided for children, but also many other entertainments.

Resort Ruka - Alpine skiing in Lapland

Resort Ylläs / Ylläs - ski resort in the Arctic Circle

"Snow Village" beyond the Arctic Circle

As a northern exotic, you can visit the "Snow Village". Every year, at the beginning of the winter season, a team of Chinese craftsmen come here and, together with Finnish colleagues, build another snow masterpiece in a short time.

The snow hotel has several rooms where you can spend the night on ice beds - special sleeping bags are issued for this. Each room has an original design, however, there are no toilets and other amenities in the rooms.

Especially popular in the hotel is the bar, where you can warm up, for example, with blueberry vodka. And in the restaurant you can order national Lapland food.

New Year in Finland. Cottage or hotel room?

If you are used to staying in hotels, please - all Finnish ski resorts have such accommodation options. But Finland is just interesting because you can try out a new format - a vacation in a cottage in the middle of a fabulous winter forest. The cottage is not a hut "on chicken legs", it is a spacious 1-2-storey house with all amenities - you will have an equipped kitchen, a sauna, several bedrooms at your disposal, there will most likely be a fireplace in the living room, next to which it is pleasant to spend an evening with a glass of wine and for a pleasant conversation with friends. Of course, cottages are not only in the forest, but also in resort villages close to shops and restaurants. Which option to choose is up to you.

It is especially convenient to travel to Finland with a friendly company - renting a large cottage is much cheaper than a hotel room, and even more fun. Spending evenings in the sauna, relaxing after skiing - what could be better?!

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History of the region

Finnish Lapland or Lappi is only part of a vast historical region, which is divided between Suomi, Norway, Sweden and Russia. Despite the fact that Lapland has never been an independent state, the unique and original culture of the indigenous inhabitants of the region, the Sami, a small northern people, has been preserved here.

A special page in the history of Lapland is the attacks of the "gold rush", which in the last hundred years alone covered the region three times. Precious metal mining in the northern region continues today. By the way, just over twenty years ago, the fourth largest Lapland nugget was found on a tributary of the Ivalojoki River - this “treasure” weighed more than 140 kilograms.

Lappi has a particularly harsh climate: most of it is located north of the Arctic Circle, winter lasts almost half a year. In the cold season there are long polar nights, and in the warm season - polar days.

Lapland in winter

Lapland in our minds is inextricably linked with the winter fairy tale and the New Year: that is why huge flows of tourists rush here in December and at Christmas. On New Year's Eve in Lapland, you should definitely visit the Santa Claus village in Rovaniemi: in the official residence of the fairy tale character, you can send a congratulatory letter, ride a roller coaster, play snowballs and even take a picture with Santa himself. Also in the region you will find a lot of opportunities for an active and eventful winter holiday. First of all, you should pay attention to the ski resorts of this region: here you can enjoy clean snowy slopes, landscapes of pristine nature and plenty of snowboarding and skiing. The most popular winter sports destinations are Levi, Ylläs, Saariselka, Salla, Lapin, Luosto, Ounasvaara and Ukkohalla.

In winter, dog and reindeer sledding is also very common in Lapland: the so-called "winter safaris". For example, not far from the Lapland town of Ivalo there is a dog kennel for 140 dogs: from here you can go on an exciting multi-day trip. Farms where you can ride reindeer with a breeze are located in the town of Luosta, in the municipality of Kuusamo, near Rovaniemi and in many other parts of Lapland.

Snowshoeing and snowshoeing are also popular in Lapland, where you can take trips to the Arctic Ocean and even drive to and from Norway.

For especially brave tourists in winter Lapland there is also such entertainment as swimming in the hole, which, by the way, is a centuries-old tradition for the peoples of this region.

Lapland in summer and autumn

In the warm season, it is worth going to Lapland to relax in the pristine nature without the extreme conditions of the harsh polar winter. The only thing is that you should be well prepared for a meeting with numerous Finnish midges and mosquitoes.

If you are a fan of extreme recreation, then in the summer in Lapland you can go rafting down the Muonionjoki and Tornionjoki rivers. Connoisseurs of more peaceful leisure should go to the local forests for berries and mushrooms. Also, these northern regions are a great place for hiking with tents.

In autumn, you can go hunting in the pristine forests near the city of Rovaniemi and bring real hunting trophies from here. In September, October and November you can hunt hare, capercaillie and even elk here.

By the way, two interesting events take place in Finnish Lapland in the summer. From June 27 to July 1, Rovaniemi hosts the Yutayaset International Folklore Festival, where you can see performances of musical groups performing songs and dances of the northern peoples. The city of Sodankylä hosts the Midnight Sun Film Festival from 13 to 17 June: during the wonderful white nights you can see films by famous Finnish and foreign directors.

National parks

National parks are a special pride of all Finland, and, of course, Lapland. These places are worth visiting both in winter and summer, depending on what you want to see: snowy expanses or green forests. The largest national park in Lapland is Lemmenjoki, covering an area of 3000 km²: here you can see bears, lynxes, wolves, otters and other representatives of the rich Finnish fauna. Reindeer herders and gold diggers also work in the park.

Pallas-Ounastunturi Park will impress you with its numerous gorges, in Pyhätunturi you can see some of the most ancient mountain formations on the planet, and in Urho Kekkonen you will get acquainted with the taiga nature and its numerous inhabitants: for example, finches, partridges and bears. In the northern waters of the Baltic Sea, Peremeri Park is located, with about 30 wild islands and picturesque reefs. You can get to it only by boat: you can take a boat taxi in the coastal villages of Kemi or Tornio: there is also a chance to see seals while traveling. In Lemmenjoki Park, the magnificent Ravadasköngas waterfall awaits you, and in Riisitunturi you will see the famous Korouoma Canyon, which stretches for 30 km. Urho Kekkonen is worth a visit in order to enjoy the view of the Korvatunturi fell: according to legend, it is the home of the Finnish Santa.

Museums

Arktikum, located in Rovaniemi and dedicated to the life of the Arctic region, is considered to be the main museum of Lapland. Also in the capital of Lappi is the Lapland Museum of Lumberjacks, and in Kemi - an interesting gallery of precious stones. In the town of Tankavaara, located in the Sodankylä region, there is a museum dedicated to gold. Here you will get acquainted with the history of gold mining, and in an artificial pond you can try yourself as a gold sand hunter. Five kilometers from the resort of Luosto, on Mount Lampivaara, there is an amethyst mine, which can also be visited as a tourist. By the way, Lampivaara is the only place in Europe where these stones are still mined.

From Lapland, in addition to unforgettable impressions, it is worth bringing original souvenirs as a gift to friends and family. Usually products from deer skin and antlers, crafts from arctic birch bark, famous Sami hats, and mittens are brought from these regions. For representatives of the strong half of humanity, Finnish knives, for example, from Marttiini, will be an excellent gift. In the capital of Lapland, in the city of Rovaniemi, there is an exhibition hall located near the Arktikum building, where you can see the collection of knives and purchase your favorite products.

Related material

Seeing the Northern Lights in Finland: New Opportunities

Northern Finland is a truly fabulous land. And even if you have already visited the residence of Santa Claus, tried the local cuisine, rode a dog or reindeer sled, this region will still find something to surprise you with.

Svetlana Shirokova

Finland and Lapland. Same? Why do people often get confused? To be precise, in the broad sense of the word, Lapland has never existed within the boundaries of one state: it has always united separate plots of land in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia, which are inhabited by indigenous people - the Sami.

In the tourist world, Lapland means exactly one of the provinces of Finland - Lappi. The terrain is a subarctic plateau with small hills in the east, gradually rising to the west and reaching a height of up to 2 thousand meters above sea level.

So, the topic of today's article is:

Holidays in Finland

Lapland in winter

The cold season is a traditional time for holidays in Lapland. Local travel companies that provide a lot of related services will not let you be disappointed in the chosen direction.

First of all, it is worth noting the close proximity of many tourist sites from the capital of Lapland - the city of Rovaniemi, which also includes the Ounasvaara ski resort.

The resort of Ylläs is famous for its longest ski slopes, and in addition it offers sleigh rides with reindeer or dogs. The settlement of Tornio is one of the few settlements in the world divided between two states.

One part of Tornio belongs to Finland, the other to Sweden. During the rest on the territory of the settlement, you can not only rent skis, skates or a dog sled, but also go fishing for salmon.

For leisure activities during the winter holidays in Lapland, tourists will have the following entertainment available:

Skiing, snowboarding on slopes of varying difficulty - from small hills for children and beginners to difficult trails for extreme lovers.
Safari on dog or reindeer sleds.
Walks on snowmobiles, snowshoes, cross-country skiing.
Winter fishing.
Rent of everything necessary for recreation: from equipment, equipment and special equipment to a log cabin.

Tourist business owners in Lapland strive to please even the most demanding clients. Resort Levi, for example, offers a wide range of modern services.

High class restaurants and hotels can compete with the best European tourist sites. Spas, swimming pools, bowling are an integral part of recreation areas. The most desperate daredevils should test themselves during a winter dive in a heat-resistant suit from the Sampo icebreaker.

On the territory of the border commune of Kemi, there is the most famous winter attraction of Lapland - the Snow Castle, the largest of which has no equal in all of Europe.

The most interesting thing is that you can even live in it for some time, but only until the snow melts. Also in Kemi, an exhibition of precious stones, a museum of history and culture are open to visitors all year round.

The kids will love the Husky farm tour. Bearhill Husky farm, located a few kilometers from Rovaniemi, is considered more affordable. In 2003, when husky breeding was just beginning, the farm was located in North Karelia.

These cute dogs will not leave indifferent even adults. On the farm, you can get acquainted with the conditions for breeding huskies, their varieties, disposition, hand-feed the young, take part in a dog sledding safari through the snowy desert of Lapland.

The journey can last from a few hours to eight days. The route of the longest crossing was laid from Finland to Sweden along the Arctic Circle.

Inveterate romantics will have two options for a suitable winter holiday. The first one is in a cozy log house with a sauna, a fireplace and an ice-hole nearby. Comfort and privacy will exceed all expectations.

The second way to relax and unwind is to rent a small glass-walled igloo, illuminated by the natural rays of the Northern Lights. Despite the apparent fragility and insecurity of the structure, quite comfortable conditions are created in it, although a little cool.

To watch this mysterious and bewitching spectacle, you may have to spend more than one evening waiting. In these parts, the aurora borealis - Aurora borealis - occurs every 2-3 days.

Celebrating Christmas and New Year in Lapland

If travelers manage to be in the heart of the action during the celebration of the New Year and Christmas in Lapland, they will get a lot of pleasant experiences. Children are especially delighted to meet the real Santa Claus.

You can visit him at other times of the year, but you can feel real fun only in a festive atmosphere. A cozy wooden house with a gabled roof is full of wonders and mysteries - there are many books and ancient household items within its walls.

The fairy tale will continue during a tour of the Santa Claus Village. On its streets there are cozy cafes, bars, as well as shops selling all kinds of souvenirs, toys, gifts, products of local craftsmen.

The largest Christmas gift mall in the region and the fabulous Santa Claus post office deserve special attention and are definitely worth a visit. In the first of them, you can choose an original souvenir for every taste as a keepsake or as a gift.

At the post office, everyone will be given a fabulous message from Santa Claus with his personal seal. From the same post office, you can send congratulations to your relatives and friends with the same seal.

school of elves, where you can learn and get a diploma;
a chocolate factory with a machine that makes this delicacy;
a souvenir workshop where you can not only buy, but also make memorable items;
machine for minting coins with the image of Santa;
hall of ice sculptures;
the cave of the Snow Queen with her throne;
game and concert halls;
restaurants.

Among the children's audience, the Snowman Park, funny slides from which you can slide down on cheesecakes, Santa's facebook are very popular - you can replenish it with a Santa Claus figure made by yourself by attaching it to other similar crafts hanging on the wall in a special room.

Adult tourists are delighted with the ice bar, which offers strong drinks from ice dishes for warming up. A walking Christmas train runs through Santa Park, in which you can ride from one object to another.

Walls, ceilings, floors, improvised tunnel windows are decorated on all sides with colorful decorations with winter symbols, a huge number of fairy-tale and cartoon characters, and bright colorful illumination.

In the labyrinths of Santa Park are the gates of the Arctic Circle Crossing. In memory of this wonderful event, each traveler receives an official personal document certifying this fact.

On the surface in the village of Santa Claus, the line of the Arctic Circle is marked with stylized columns with luminous lanterns on their tops. Various fairs, shows, music and dance performances are offered to the attention of young guests.

Conclusion

As you can see, a lot of interesting and unusual things can be seen and not only seen, but also personally take part in many events. If the family budget allows, you can safely go on a winter holiday to Lapland. It definitely won't be boring.

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