Travel Tips

The Finnish winter offers memorable experiences. See the aurora borealis, go cross-country skiing across pure white fields of snow, join in snowmobile and husky safaris, and enjoy a cup of coffee prepared over a camp-fire. And in Lapland you can meet Santa Claus and his reindeer.

The Finnish winter wonderland is tailormade for outdoor activities. The glistening snow-clad countryside beckons downhill and cross-country skiers. Excellent opportunities for cross-country skiing can even be found in many inland towns, including southern Finland. Trails often start right from your hotel.

Moving around on frozen-over lakes is also a popular winter pastime in Finland. Go on a skiing trip across the lakes or try your luck at ice-fishing for a wonderful holiday experience.

Most of the country receives the first snow in November, and the white mantle usually stays on the ground until April when the thaw sets in. However, since Finland is a big country, climatic conditions vary a great deal. When the spring is well under way in Helsinki, the skiing conditions in Lapland are at their best with lots of snow and sunshine.

Santa Claus with his elves and reindeer is a central figure in winter. You can actually meet him in his home grotto at SantaPark, situated on the Arctic Circle close to Rovaniemi. Santa Claus also has his own Post Office, where post-office elves stamp all letters and cards with a special postmark. The site for SantaPark: http://www.santapark.com/