Where to Travel Alone for the First Time: 19 of the Best Countries
Finland is a fantastic destination for first-time solo travelers, not only because of its beautiful scenery but also because it's one of the ...
Finnish Lapland
From idyllic cities like Helsinki to small coastal villages and wintry Nordic scenes, Finland is perfect for travelers who love the outdoors and don’t mind chilly temps. <anchor>Finnish Lapland</anchor> is one of the best places to visit in Europe in the wintertime too, because of the unique celebrations in the region and the possibility of catching the northern lights.
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# 13 Reasons to Visit Finnish Lapland

Before I finally resolved to visit more cold spots this winter, after fully experiencing my first winter of life (in my 30s, I know. I’m late), I came to realize that it’s actually one of my favorite seasons.

There are so many things that you can only do when it’s really, truly cold outside, and Finnish Lapland is the perfect place to do them all. From playing in the snow to all of the adrenaline activities and cool things you can do either solo or with friends, I was really impressed by the offerings there and found myself fantasizing about renting a little cottage there next winter, just so that I could ski on those uncrowded slopes and stare up at the sky hoping for the aurora borealis.

Here are 13 things I tried and that I have a feeling you’ll love too when you visit Lapland:

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## 13. Throw boiling water into the air and watch it turn into icy vapor

boiling water freezes in airSee?!?!

I’ve wanted to try this trick ever since seeing it on YouTube. If you’re somewhere cold enough, you can actually throw boiling water into the air, and it will immediately turn into icy vapor. It feels like a magic trick! It got down to -27°C/-16.6°F while I was in Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland, so it was just cold enough to work.

Tip: Try throwing a small amount away from you first to make sure it’ll actually work so that you don’t burn yourself if it’s not cold or dry enough.

## 12. Visit (or stay in) a hotel made entirely of snow and ice

Snowman WorldAt Snowman World

I visited two ice hotels while I was in Finnish Lapland – Snowman World Igloo Hotel in Rovaniemi, and SnowVillage in Kittilä. What’s really cool about these is they change every year with new designs and ice sculptures. It takes a team of 30-ish people about two weeks to build them, and each was so big that it had at least a dozen or so themed rooms, plus an ice bar, restaurant, and snow art. There are also several glass igloo hotels in Finland too!

snow villageThe space-themed room at SnowVillage. Wow

SnowVillage even had a church where several people have gotten married this year:

snow village finlandWorshiping the god of ice in the church of winter

snow villageOne of the super cool corridors

## 11. Go snowmobiling

snowmobiling in laplandSnowmobiling in Lapland

In Lapland, snowmobiling is a way of getting from point A to B. Plenty of locals use snowmobiles as their main mode of transport in the winter, which I found pretty cool! You can even do multi-day explorations heading all the way into Sweden or Norway, which I’d love to try out next time I’m in the ‘hood.

It’s pretty easy to drive the snowmobiles, and they’re quite stable as well. I took one out on a frozen lake in Rovaniemi with Lapland Safaris (which is located in Ylläsjärvi as well) and totally had the hang of it after a couple of minutes. If you’ve ever driven a motorbike, you’ll find this to be even easier.

## 10. Go dogsledding

husky sleddingIn beautiful surroundings, to boot

huskiesHey cuties!

Dogsledding is actually a tradition from North America, but naturally it took me heading to the other side of the world to give it a try. The conditions in Lapland are perfect for the dogs, who do best in solid, dry snow, which occurs when it’s particularly cold outside.

If you’ve interacted much with huskies then you’ll know how energetic they are. These guys were absolutely dying to run, and it was surprisingly peaceful, which I didn’t expect, to be on the back of their sled. Book your dogsledding adventure here.

## 9. Snowshoe in the stillness of the night

snow shoeingShining flashlights in the night

Finland is one of the safest countries in the world, particularly Lapland, so it’s no big deal to just go for a hike with some snow shoes on (you know, so you don’t just sink right into the thigh-deep snow) and go for a nighttime walk. I did so several times when I was there, and it was so peaceful – I didn’t really want to leave. Book here

## 8. Go for a sauna gondola ride

Ylläs sauna gondolaIt was pretty cool

The Finnish sauna is a huge part of the culture and to be honest, the thought of going into a little wooden room and sweating my brains out didn’t appeal, but I suppose that’s because it wouldn’t appeal in the warm climate I come from. When it’s crisp and cold outside, though, it’s wonderful.

At the ski resort in Ylläs, you can actually rent a sauna gondola, and afterwards, you can drink beer, go in a jacuzzi outside, and use the other sauna inside as well. It doesn’t make much sense financially for one or two people, but with a group of 12 and 4 trips around on the gondola, plus the VIP room inside, it’s actually a really cool idea costing only €112.50 each. Contact them here if it piques your interest.

## 7. Then roll in the snow or dip into a freezing lake after

aurora estatePost-sauna hot tub in the snow

I almost refused to run outside and jump into the hole cut in the ice of a lake after my first sauna, but this is the other side of the coin when it comes to Finnish tradition. After the extreme heat, you have to experience the extreme cold, then heat up again after and repeat. Some people jump into an ice lake, others roll in the snow. I ended up doing both and felt so relaxed after – it’s actually something I’d do now without hesitation.

It’s mainly praised for its detox benefits, but athletes even use this method for endurance training! (Note: This is not for people with heart problems).

## 6. Admire the trees in Äkäslompolo

ÄkäslompoloThe scenic drive at Äkäslompolo

One of the most exciting things for me about visiting Lapland was that I would get to see what I call the Whoville trees. They’re tall, thin trees that have ice caked to their branches, and at certain altitudes, they look other-worldly.

ÄkäslompoloA frosty tree bathed in gold light

In Äkäslompolo, a village near the Ylläs ski resort, you can get high enough to see them and even hike through them at night. Several are lit up and they’re quite cool-looking.

## 5. Go skiing

skiing in YlläsLoved skiing in Ylläs

The Ylläs ski resort had some really nice slopes, mainly because they go through those really cool trees, and there’s so much snow! I also had a few runs where I didn’t see another person my whole ride down.

I was also able to do four red runs in Ylläs, officially graduating from the blues I had been on when I learned how to ski in Austria just a week earlier. Skiing down those dreamy, wide, and powdery slopes in Finland without the crowds gave me such a great opportunity to keep learning.

If you’re more into Nordic skiing or snowboarding, you can do both there as well. Backcountry skiing and boarding are also popular there for the more advanced guys. There’s also this awesome skiing and photography excursion that I would have loved to do.

## 4. Go on a sunrise reindeer safari

reindeer safari I think his name should be Blitzen. I know, real original

The people who live in Lapland used to use reindeer as their main mode of transport. The animals gave, and still do give, a lot to the local people in terms of food, warm clothing from their hides, and even tools from their antlers, which they lose and re-grow every year.

I loved learning that the reindeer are actually semi-wild, and each winter they voluntarily return to their ‘home’ stables because they know they can find food there. In the spring and summer, they live out in the forest where they forage and give birth to their young.

If you’re not into waking up before dawn for this excursion, you can also book a reindeer safari at a later hour.

## 3. Catch the Northern Lights

lapland northern lightsThe Northern Lights!

It’s never a guarantee that you’ll see the Northern Lights, of course, but Finnish Lapland is one of the main places where people go to catch them.

I got a bit unlucky with the weather and had cloud cover for most of the trip, but thankfully at around 12 midnight on my second-to-last night there, the clouds cleared and there was a little bit of aurora activity! That’s something you never get tired of seeing.

There are also tours available like this one which includes transportation to one of the best spots in Lapland, plus dinner.

## 2. Say hi to Santa

santa rovaniemiSanta and me (I’ve been naughty, but he told me he doesn’t really put coal in stockings)

Betcha didn’t know, Santa’s official hometown is in Rovaniemi, Finland. You can visit him for free if you want (but photos with him do cost €).

I noticed, thanks to the celebrity wall, that Conan O’Brien did.

## 1. Play with fire

Steel wool photographySparks fly

It’s so snowy everywhere in Lapland, and there’s plenty of hours of darkness, so you can try the steel wool trick without risking burning down a forest.

Step one, tear off a piece of steel wool. Step two, insert into an egg beater. Step three, tie a string to it so that you can swing it around. Step four, cover your head and arms. Step 5, light it on fire and spin it around. It’s how I get my kicks!

Have you been to Lapland or tried any of these? Would you add to the list? Let me know below!

## What Else to Know About Lapland

### How to get there

Fly into either Rovaniemi or Kittila via Helsinki. The flights are surprisingly convenient, especially through Helsinki.

Though there are busses and taxis, renting a car will give you ultimate freedom. Driving in that kind of weather is, shall we say, interesting but not impossible!

### What to eat

Reindeer and salmon are the most common offering. Besides the food at Aurora Estate, the best food I had was at Pihvikeisari where everything is local and homemade. It seems like it wouldn’t be good because it has a big ‘souvenirs’ sign and appears touristy, but it’s actually, delightfully, quite the opposite!

### Where to stay

I can’t say enough positive things about Aurora Estate. They just opened a few months ago, but the owners are two young entrepreneurial women with an absolutely beautiful location and very cozy BnB, plus the food is incredible.

### What to pack

Here are 13 awesome things to do in Finnish Lapland in the winter. Stay in Ice hotels, go dog-sledding, snowmobiling, and catch the northern lights if you are lucky | Be My Travel Muse | Europe winter activities | Finland travel tips Pin me!

_\*In the spirit of full disclosure, this post was brought to you thanks to  VisitFinland and  Visit Ylläs. The above thoughts are my own, and you can always trust that I will never promote something I don’t love._

#### About Kristin Addis

Kristin Addis is the founder and CEO of Be My Travel Muse, a resource for female travelers all around the world since 2012. She's traveled solo to over 65 countries and has brought over 150 women on her all-female adventure tours from Botswana to the Alaskan tundra.

#### Hello There!

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Welcome to Be My Travel Muse, one of the top female travel blogs in the world, welcoming over 5 million readers annually.

I'm Kristin, and my vision of a better world is one where more women are empowered and living out their dreams. Solo traveling is the best method I've found to become the best, bravest version of me. This site is all about how YOU can have the adventure of a lifetime in an easy, fun, approachable way, so that you can feel empowered, too. Want to learn more about me?



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### Comments

1. Stephen Garonesays

   02/29/2016 at 7:20 am

   Great post! I had the chance to spend a few days in Finnish Lapland during the summer, and it’s a completely different experience — hiking with husky puppies instead of dogsledding; driving without headlights at 1 a.m.; enjoying an outdoor meal on a lumberjack island at midnight, without any artificial lights. But Santa was still there, even in July. Can’t wait to go back in winter!

   Reply

2. Ijanasays

   03/01/2016 at 12:19 am

   You may have seriously just made up my mind on where to go next winter. I’ve had several trips I’ve thought about making in December/January and Lapland might just push them all aside! You’re right, winter is just magical, and I think it’s so cool that you didn’t just go in with preconceived notions about winter and hate it on principle. You’re one of the few travel bloggers who have really gone into depth about winter, so I hope you continue going cold places!

   Reply

3. Sherisays

   03/05/2016 at 9:12 am

   Whoa. Another awesome post. Love those trees. I love light painting too, need to still try that steel wool. Looks like you found the perfect spot to do it in.

   Reply

   - Kristinsays

     03/09/2016 at 9:34 am

     Definitely a great spot. You can’t burn anything down accidentally with the sparks when it’s all covered in snow!

     Reply


4. tarjasblog.desays

   03/06/2016 at 2:32 pm

   so true! just true! Lapland is a place of silence and dreams come true…

   Reply

5. Paulasays

   03/06/2016 at 5:37 pm

   I’ve had the absolute pleasure of visiting kitilla twice and I must say it’s my favourite place in the world! Everything about Lapland is just magical!! I’d giv anything to spend a few days there. My children loved it too! Once we were there we didn’t wanna leave!!

   Reply

   - Kristinsays

     03/09/2016 at 9:25 am

     I definitely want to go back too! It really is magical.

     Reply


6. Kristine Lisays

   03/17/2016 at 6:17 am

   You stirred my wanderlust in this post! So beautiful!

   Reply

7. Karensays

   03/20/2016 at 12:14 pm

   Hi Kristen I’ve just been to Norway which is just as fab as Finland. I’d like to visit both in the summer to get a different perspective and see the midnight sun. Happy travels

   Karen x

   Reply

8. Katherine Csays

   11/27/2016 at 5:07 pm

   What place did you stay at?

   Reply

   - Kristinsays

     11/27/2016 at 8:52 pm

     Aurora Estate which is linked in the bottom of the post now. Thanks for asking 🙂

     Reply

     - Rachelsays

       01/09/2017 at 2:17 pm

       Hi

       Loved the video and blog on Lapland.

       You said you did the above in a week.

       Did you stay in Aurora Estate Yllas for the whole week? If yes

       Are the other areas easy to drive to? How far between main capital Rovaniemi to Yllas and snow village etc?

       I’m decided on Levi or Yllas to stay and if they are close to each other than it doesn’t matter.

       Thanks Rachel

       Reply

       - Kristinsays

         01/09/2017 at 2:48 pm

         I flew into Rovaniemi where I stayed for one day before driving to Yllas which was a few hours. You could also just fly there directly. I stayed at Aurora for 5 or 6 days and most of the activities listed I did within 10-20 minutes of Aurora Estate 🙂

         Reply




9. Rosesays

   12/09/2016 at 1:42 pm

   Hi I just want to ask where do you book the activities? And how much does it cost??

   Reply

   - Kristinsays

     12/10/2016 at 6:28 pm

     I’d book them with the individual companies that I linked in the post 🙂

     Reply


10. Paulasays

    12/11/2016 at 2:41 pm

    Lapland looks absolutely stunning. Thanks for sharing these photos.

    Reply

11. GGsays

    01/02/2018 at 8:49 am

    Enjoyed this post, makes me consider another place to visit, especially with companions who want to first try out “safe” countries while having loads of winter fun! The video was awesome and was such a great example of corroboration. Those people who make the ice sculptures and hotel are amazing and winter started late that year too, so they had to work fast. The boiling water trick is great. It has become a real craze this winter being so cold in the States. Here are some helpful hints on that for others for those of us sometimes lacking the common sense gene (me included sometimes!):

    1. Throw the water away from you, not above you or onlookers, and beware of onlookers! (e.g., I saw a You Tube video of someone tossing it off an upper floor apartment balcony, don’t do that! 🙂 ).

    2. Don’t think of doing this with cold water, it won’t work (the mist from vapor exposes each vapor molecule to the full extent of the cold, larger surface area, so then freezes on this by contact).

    3. Beware that any of the vapor that doesn’t freeze, strangely enough, is still very hot, so you can have ice next to hot water in same plume!

    4. If there is any wind, stand upwind of where you are going to toss (wind blowing on your back ideally even though when this cold, often there is no wind)!

    5. Make sure you know the temperature for sure when doing it and it is below the temps Kristin suggested (-26C, -17F!) and dress appropriately (this is for those living in areas in the States that rarely experience these cold temperatures currently going on!).

    Reply

    - Kristinsays

      01/02/2018 at 10:20 am

      Thanks for the tips!

      Reply

      - GGsays

        01/02/2018 at 11:28 am

        You’re welcome. And to correct myself since I should be quoting someone else accurately even if one degree off, she suggested -27C, -17F! (although also take her advice to test it with a small amount first since it is a play on temp and humidity!)

        Reply

        - GGsays

          01/02/2018 at 11:30 am

          To clarify, I mean even if I’m only one degree off.

          Reply




12. Roxassays

    04/08/2018 at 11:39 pm

    hi

    im planing on going finland lapland next year for northern light hunting. march its the best date to visit?

    its still snowing on march? planing on skiing too

    Reply

    - Kristinsays

      04/09/2018 at 2:12 am

      Each year is different so it’s hard to say definitively if it’s snowing or if the lights will be out, but March should be a good time to go. I went at the end of January and it was uncharacteristically warm so the sky was cloudy, but still great skiing!

      Reply


13. Jessicasays

    01/30/2020 at 7:31 am

    Hi! Loved the video and the post 🙂

    I’m traveling next month and i have some douths about driving in the snow. Do you have any tips or advices?

    Also driving time does it take much longer due to the snow? I’m trying to calculate the time that would take me to go to one place to another.

    I’ll really apreciate if you see my comment 🙂

    Reply

    - Kristinsays

      01/30/2020 at 9:14 am

      Hey Jessica. I get that. I’m from Southern California and driving in the snow terrifies me. I did have to do so in Alberta in the winter and I got a car with 4 wheel drive and winter tires. It helped me feel a little bit safer but yes I also drove pretty slowly, which I would highly recommend! Try to drive when there’s light as well.

      Reply


14. Tuomas Haapalasays

    03/13/2020 at 1:27 am

    Hello

    Just found this blog. Next time you visit Finnish Lapland, remember to give us also a visit. 🙂

    Reply

15. Hannahsays

    05/04/2020 at 5:11 pm

    Hi,

    Thank you for the post, it looks amazing, I’m hoping to go to Finland next year but I’m not sure what month is best for heavy snow and a good chance of seeing the northern lights, could I ask what month you went?

    I’m thinking of going late February/early March.

    Thank you, Hannah

    Reply

    - Kristinsays

      05/05/2020 at 5:17 pm

      That’s when I went and it was great, though lights and snow are always out of our hands and almost impossible to guarantee.

      Reply


16. Jessicasays

    11/29/2022 at 6:51 pm

    Hi! Loved the post and am planning a trip to Lapland mid-February 2023…I couldn’t find a link to the sunrise reindeer safari ride you mentioned, would you mind sharing what company or tour that was? Thanks so much!

    Reply

    - Kristinsays

      12/04/2022 at 10:31 am

      Would have been this one: https://www.getyourguide.com/levi-l150197/levi-lapland-reindeer-safari-t323123/?partner_id=BLZ51DF

      Have fun!

      Reply

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