Lapland is one of the most popular Christmas and festive destinations in Europe, perfect for families and people looking for a unique and special break away.
If you want to take the ultimate winter break to Lapland, lots of travel companies offer packages which include flights, accommodation, activities, visiting Santa and sightseeing excursions.
Check out our list with everything you need to know before you go.
Where can I fly from the UK?
TUI, easyJet and Ryanair fly direct to Lapland from London Gatwick and Bristol airports in the UK, whilst you can also depart from various European destinations.
How long is the flight?
Approximately 3 ½ hours from the UK.
What is the time difference?
+2 hours
How much luggage can I take?
Most airlines allow 20 kilos per person plus 10 kilos hand luggage; 10 kilos hold luggage for infants under two.
What currency will I need in Lapland?
The euro. Cash points are somewhat limited so it’s best to ensure you have enough with you. Most major credit cards are accepted locally including when paying for optional extra excursions.
What is the average temperature?
Temperatures generally range between 0 to -26 degrees Celsius. However, temperatures can fall as low as -45 degrees Celsius. You will be provided with a ski suit and boots but you also need to bring plenty of thermal layers and warm clothing with you.
Will it be dark during our stay?
Lapland isn’t one of the best winter sun destinations in Europe, there are 4-5 hours of “grey light” per day in December. “Grey light” usually occurs between the hours of 10am and 2.30pm. Outside of these hours it will be as dark as night-time. The snow provides a good level of reflection so it is still possible to see where you are walking. Activity locations are additionally lit with candles and roaring log fires when it’s dark, which add to the magic of your surroundings. By February, there is 7-8 hours of daylight.
What should I wear?
Some travel companies give guests a ski suit and boots on arrival. You still need to pack a selection of warm clothing to layer underneath including thermal underwear and warm tights. Don’t forget to bring hats, waterproof gloves and scarves for extra warmth. Wellington boots and denim jeans are unsuitable for Lapland weather conditions. Hotel rooms have a drying closet for wet clothes. You will need to return ski suits and boots on the evening before or morning of departure.
Are extra large suits and boots available?
There are a large range of suit and boot sizes available, so rest assured there will be suits and boots to fit all.
Is Lapland suitable for infants?
We do not recommend Lapland trips for infants under 2 years of age, due to the extreme weather conditions. Infants will be unable to participate fully in the activities and therefore will not benefit from the magical Lapland experience as much as older children/toddlers.
Is Lapland suitable for disabled/ severely ill children?
For many disabled/severely ill children a visit to Lapland can be a dream come true. Over the years travel companies have flown many disabled/severely ill children to Lapland in search of Santa, and they always do their utmost to make their trip as magical and easy as possible. Companies will always find a solution for transporting wheelchair users across the snow. Certain hotels are more suitable for disabled visitors than others; therefore please discuss your specific needs with reservations staff prior to making a booking. Operators recommend you seek the advice of a doctor prior to confirming your Lapland trip if you have a condition which may be worsened by extreme cold temperatures.
Are trips suitable for adults without children?
Yes. Adults can relive their childhood dreams. There are a wide range of activities that adults will enjoy; snowmobile, husky dog sled and reindeer rides are top of the list. Most New Year Action Adventure and Arctic Experiences are designed with adults in mind. Sample all the delights of Lapland as well as enjoying the chance to see the amazing Northern Lights.
Are the tours suitable for single parents?
Yes. Single parents are more than welcome to join all trips!
Are these trips suitable for Grandparents?
Of course! Grandparents are more than welcome and will delight in seeing their grandchildren playing in the snow and meeting Santa. However, please consider any mobility issues, and the weather conditions, prior to booking.
Can I take my camera?
Yes. You are welcome to bring along your camera to capture magical moments, however, please bear in mind that due to the extreme cold, batteries can run out quickly – so make sure you bring your charger and plenty of spares just in case. The cold weather may sometimes affect the quality of pictures taken. We recommend you check the manufacturers operating instructions prior to use. There are some great apps available so that you can take brilliant photos, on your phone too.
Please note: Some photographs you might have seen online have probably been taken by professional photographers during the period of ‘grey light’, offering the most suitable conditions with clear skies. Such conditions cannot be guaranteed as they are subject to the changeable Arctic weather.
How commercialised is it?
Most trips/tours take place within an enchanting pine forest setting deep within the Arctic Circle, with paths lit by candlelight and log fires. If needed. Where possible, we try to avoid all commercialisation to make the trip as memorable as possible. The resort of Levi Fell is nestled at the foot of the Levi Fell Mountain, providing a wintery backdrop with a selection of souvenir shops and eateries available, whilst the resort of Olos offers a secluded and peaceful setting with typical Lappish charm and a hotel resort based stay. The resort of Yllas is a ski resort with a number of great shops and restaurants, but once you step out of the main resort area you are in a true winter wonderland.
Are there toilet facilities?
Yes. There are toilets available at the organised outdoor activity locations visited.
Will I be able to go skiing?
Yes. Cross country and downhill skiing are accessible for all levels of skiers in Levi Fell, Olos and Yllas. Lapland Hotel Olos has its own ski centre and offers ski-in ski-out facilities.
Will I be able to book skiing lessons?
Yes. Skiing lessons can be booked in all resorts. For guests staying in Levi Fell, the ski centre is just a 5-minute stroll away, with skiing lessons taking place within 500 metres. For guests staying in Olos, skiing lessons can be booked at the on-site ski centre. Guests in Yllas will benefit from the largest ski slopes in Finland and a fantastic network of cross-country trails.
Who can drive snowmobiles?
Snowmobiles can only be driven by adults with a full clean driving licence. Please ensure you bring your driving licence with you as you may be asked to present this. It is illegal in Finland for persons without a driving licence to drive a snowmobile. Young children can travel in a sleigh pulled behind a snowmobile; children aged 12 years and above may travel as a passenger behind the adult, at the local guides discretion. Please note that snowmobile passengers must be able to hold their own weight, which can be physically demanding especially on the longer safaris.
What is the food like?
The food is varied and hotels generally provide a buffet-style choice of meals. Breakfast consists of a selection of eggs, meat, cereal, breads and cakes. For lunch and dinner there is a selection of meat, fish and pasta dishes as well as salad and vegetables. In some hotels you will also find some Finnish specialties. There is always a children’s section of the buffet at each hotel with food they usually enjoy although we normally find that the other buffet choices appeal to children too. The hotels also cater for those with dietary requirements and vegetarians. The variety and type of food offered will vary from establishment to establishment.
Are dietary requirements catered for?
Hotels cater, wherever possible, for guests with special dietary requirements and food is labelled in the majority of hotels as gluten free, lactose free, nut-free, etc. Please notify our reservations team at the time of booking of any dietary requirements and we will pass these on to your accommodation on your behalf. Please note although travel operators endeavor to honour your request, they cannot guarantee these requirements will always be met.
Can my child give their letter to Santa?
Of course! Or you can hand your letter to a representative who will then put it in a magic sack and pass it on to Santa. When you visit the post office, maybe they’ll be one of the lucky ones who have their letter read out!
Will we have a private meeting with Santa?
Yes, of course! This is a very special time for the whole family. Companies usually guarantee you a private meeting with Santa.
Will I have a chance to buy souvenirs?
Yes. Kittila Airport has a small range of souvenirs to choose from. The resort of Levi Fell offers a good selection of souvenir shops; in Olos there is a small selection of souvenirs to purchase in the hotel only. Yllas offers a choice of shops for you pick up mementos of your time in Lapland.
What about extra optional excursions?
In addition to your included mini experiences (Reindeer sleigh, Husky dog sledge and Snowmobile ride) we also have a choice of longer optional excursions available for you to book in resort, payable locally.
What are the Northern lights and will I see them?
The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) are one of the world’s most spectacular phenomenon, caused when solar particles collide with the Earth’s magnetic field. The Northern Lights appear as a stream of white, red and green lights, which “dance” across the sky. Because they are a natural occurrence we cannot guarantee you will see the Northern Lights during your visit due to their unpredictability. Some companies offer an optional excursion to see them from Olos. As Olos is further north you may have a better chance to see them here, but we still cannot guarantee that you will. The resort of Yllas benefits from very little light pollution as the main resort lights are switched off to give you a better chance of seeing this natural beauty, but again we cannot guarantee this.
What do I need if staying at the Snow Hotel?
A small overnight bag with a change of clothes and toiletries is all that is required. We recommend that you wear sleeved thermal underwear (synthetic materials are best) and a hat as your head could get cold during the night. There are no electricity sockets in the rooms. Showers and toilets are located in a warm underground building. The bar and restaurant close at 10pm enabling you to enjoy the tranquil surroundings and indulge in this ‘get away from it all’ experience.
Lapland really is a dream winter destination for every type of traveller. Start planning your festive break today.
