Finnish Lapland - A Winter Wonderland

Very few people live in Finnish Lapland - there are only about two inhabitants per square kilometer. No wonder, I thought, as I stepped off the plane in Kittilä on an icy December day. What is there to do at minus 30 degrees? That I was more than mistaken with this assumption and would never want to leave Lapland after a week, I had no idea at that moment.

It actually takes a while to get used to the biting cold in northern Finland. Breathing becomes shallow, the skin dries out, and the lungs start to hurt quickly when engaging in outdoor activities. However, the air is as clear as I have never experienced anywhere else in the world. Finland has the cleanest air in all of Europe, and when I step out of my warm cabin in the morning, I particularly enjoy those first breaths.

Cabins are a good keyword, as they are almost a must in Finnish Lapland. Visitors are often accommodated in cozy cabins, often even with their own sauna. Even the homes of the locals have a cabin-like character. They are wooden, lovingly furnished, and colorful. Inside, the air smells of hot blueberry juice, candles, and freshly baked cookies. In this way, Finns create warmth in the cold season to avoid falling victim to the winter blues.

Another - and probably the most important - source of heat in winter is the traditional Finnish sauna. They come in various styles, from modern glass-walled designs to typical sauna cabins in backyards. After a sauna session comes the rude awakening, as a cold shower is not enough for Finns to cool down. Instead, ice bathing is on the agenda; in winter, holes are drilled into frozen lakes with a drill.

I must admit, I have rarely had to muster so much courage in my life. The moment one steps into the ice hole is simply indescribable: breathless, the whole body tenses up, and one cannot help but scream loudly. After that, it's back to the sauna, and the whole cycle starts over again.

And why exactly do Finns subject themselves to this voluntarily? Quite simply: the ice water and the cold shock stimulate circulation, transport toxins away, and firm the skin. Especially in cold weather, each sauna session thus becomes a real immune booster. And you really need that at minus 30 degrees in Lapland.

Of course, people in Finnish Lapland do not spend all their free time in the sauna. On the contrary: Finns love outdoor sports in all variations. The ski slopes in the north are a true highlight. Since temperatures in Lapland remain below zero degrees all winter, perfect powder awaits us until late afternoon.

On my trip, I test the two ski resorts Levi and Ylläs, which are relatively close to each other. They are both smaller and cannot be compared to the dimensions of Kitzbühel and the like. However, the everlasting powder and the wonderful tranquility make skiing in Finnish Lapland a special experience - often we had the slopes all to ourselves.

I also get to take my first steps on cross-country skis in Lapland. While I feel very secure on alpine skis, the wobbly feeling on the narrow boards is suddenly very different. It takes a while to get used to the gliding motion - but then I don't want to stop cross-country skiing. The next day, I feel every single muscle in my body. Cross-country skiing is indeed a wonderful full-body workout. Moreover, there is probably no more beautiful way to explore the winter wonderland of Finnish Lapland.

A similarly enjoyable experience is the tour with snowshoes through the deep snow-covered fairy tale forest. Snowshoeing is among the favorite activities of Finns in winter, and I have seen snowshoes in front of almost every house. They can easily be attached to winter boots and prevent you from sinking into the snow. This is desperately needed. Because in the forest, there is often so much snow in winter that one would disappear up to their neck with regular shoes.

Even at the risk of embarrassing myself to the bone, I want to make a confession here: Until my trip to Finnish Lapland, I always thought of reindeer as mythical creatures transporting Santa Claus from A to B on Christmas Eve. When the sweet little beings actually stood in front of me, I could hardly contain myself.

Reindeer live not only in the wild in Finnish Lapland but are also domesticated. Visitors thus have the unique opportunity to take a ride on a reindeer sleigh. Usually, you can even drive it yourself, as the animals know the way by heart. While I dash through the forest on the reindeer sleigh, it really feels a bit like the boundaries between fantasy and reality are blurring. I feel like Mrs. Claus and would prefer to drive from house to house distributing gifts.

Afterwards, the owner of the Ounaskievari Reindeer Farm hands me a handful of feed and visits the young ones with me. The mini-reindeer are tiny and absolutely adorable. Nevertheless, they are quite clever and quickly manage to snatch all the feed from me.

Because the reindeer enchanted me so much, I wanted to meet a few other Arctic residents. In Finnish Lapland, there are several husky farms, and I can't wait to get close to the wolf-like sled dogs. At the Levi Husky Park, you can hear the animals from afar. If you wish, you can not only visit the sled dogs here but also take a ride on a dog sled.

Even though the fun isn't exactly cheap, I can wholeheartedly recommend this typical Arctic experience to everyone. The feeling of happiness and freedom when the team of huskies barks loudly and races excitedly through the snow is truly hard to describe. Contrary to my expectations, it is actually not that hard to drive a dog sled. The huskies know the route and only need to be instructed when it comes to braking or stopping.

For me, the trip to Finnish Lapland is one of the most beautiful I have ever experienced. The Arctic lifestyle, the coziness, the silence, and the solitude - all this gives the land of ice and snow a special magic. It is no wonder that Santa Claus retreats here to relax after the hustle and bustle on Christmas Eve. By the way, he resides in Rovaniemi, and anyone who wishes can visit him at the Santa Claus Village.

The trip was supported by Visit Finland and the Finnish Ski Resort Association.