Lapland had been on our bucket list for a long time, mainly because of the abundance of exciting activities you can experience there. We spent one week in Lapland and made sure to only try activities that we had never done before. It turned out to be a week filled with adrenaline, astonishment, and wonder. We managed to tick off almost all the activities available, and it was absolutely amazing! In this article, you can read all about these thrilling activities in Lapland.

A Must Do in Lapland: Going on a Husky Safari

Of all the activities we did in Lapland, this was definitely our favorite. What we didn’t know beforehand is that you get to steer the sled yourself. One person sits in the sled while the other stands at the back, leaning in the curves and using the brake. Speeding through frozen lakes and snowy forests is an exhilarating experience. At the halfway point, you can switch roles, and the other person gets to steer the sled. It’s an amazing feeling to be in control! The husky dogs are incredibly enthusiastic and all they want to do is run. They have an impressive endurance, and when you stop the sled along the way, they impatiently wait for the signal to start again. After the safari, you get to spend some time cuddling with the dogs and asking questions about the husky culture in Lapland. It’s an unforgettable experience!

Tip: Dress extra warmly for this activity. Since you’ll be sitting still but still catching the wind, it can get very cold.

Embark on a Snowshoe Hike

During a snowshoe hike, you can enjoy the breathtaking landscape of Lapland in peace. You wear special snowshoes that you attach to your snow boots, so you don’t sink a foot deep into the snow in the wilderness. Walking with these special snowshoes is a bit heavier than normal, and you may need some time to get used to these enormous things on your feet. Fortunately, you’ll quickly get used to them, and you can easily walk a few miles through the snow.

Spot the Northern Lights in Lapland

Observing the Northern Lights is an activity that ranks high on many people’s bucket lists. It is truly a spectacular and otherworldly phenomenon. Green and sometimes purple bands create a magical show in the sky. Paired with the clear starry night, it undoubtedly brings a moment of pure joy when you witness this phenomenon in person.

But what exactly is the Northern Lights? Throughout history, there have been numerous explanations for the Northern Lights. Some believed it to be the spirits of the deceased, others thought it was a fiery mountain on the North Pole, or even compensation for the absence of the sun in winter. However, science has provided a different understanding. Enormous explosions occur on the sun, releasing electrically charged particles. Our planet’s magnetic field largely shields us from these electrically charged particles, but there are weak points at the north and south poles. At these points, the particles can enter the Earth’s atmosphere, giving rise to the Northern Lights.

To witness the Northern Lights, you need some luck. It has to be clear skies, and the lights must be visible at your specific location. Sometimes, the Northern Lights are visible for hours, while other times they may disappear within minutes. Due to cloudy nights, we had the chance to see them only once. The period between the end of December and early March offers the highest chances to see the Northern Lights in Lapland.

Tip: Download the app “Aurora” to check the predictions for the Northern Lights.

Combine the Sauna With Swimming in a Hole in the Ice

Did you know that there are more than 3 million saunas in Finland? In Lapland, you simply can’t leave without experiencing a sauna. The sauna originates from Finland and has been around for over two thousand years. Many holiday cottages have saunas, and there are plenty of public saunas or saunas that you can rent.

If you’re a frequent sauna-goer, you know that it’s essential to cool off after a sauna session. What better way to do that than in icy natural water? We rented this private sauna located by the lake in Äkäslompolo. The sauna was a tiny wooden cabin with a sitting area and a wood-fired sauna stove. In front of the cabin, there was a hole made in the ice with a little ladder for you to plunge into. A pump keeps the water in motion, so it doesn’t freeze completely. The water is at 0 degrees Celsius (32°F), and when the pump stops, a thin layer of ice forms within a minute. Swimming in icy water is a super fun physical and mental challenge, and the temperature difference of about 90 degrees (50°F) gives an incredible rush. You’ll notice that the more you go from the sauna into the icy water, the easier it becomes.

Cross-Country Skiing

If there’s one activity popular in Lapland, it’s cross-country skiing. You see it everywhere. There are many cross-country skiing trails created, which are tracks of two grooves in the snow, about 5 cm wide. You place the two skis in these grooves, and cross-country skiing can begin! It’s not a problem if you have no experience in cross-country skiing because you quickly get the hang of the technique. In the beginning, it might take some getting used to, and from our experience, you might lose balance and fall a few times. However, you’ll soon notice that you’ll get better control over cross-country skiing. It’s a fun and active way to explore the surroundings. Oh, and expect some muscle soreness the next day!

Drive a Snowmobile!

It’s time for some action! Riding a snowmobile is an activity that truly belongs to the ultimate Lapland experience, right? A snowmobile can easily drive through a thick layer of snow, but often, special trails have been cleared. Snowmobiling is easy to handle, and this way, you can see a lot of the beautiful snowy landscape in a short amount of time.

Visit a Reindeer Farm in Lapland

The keeping of reindeer is an ancient tradition of the Sami. The Sami are the indigenous people of Lapland and live scattered across Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Russia. Despite living in different areas, they share the same culture and speak the same language, Sami. In the past, this people lived as nomadic hunters, moving with their reindeer. The reindeer were and still are their most cherished possession. Nowadays, they no longer roam and most of them run reindeer farms. The reindeer remain very important to many of them. There are still many reindeer farms, and some of them can be visited. During such a visit, you can learn a lot about the reindeer while enjoying a cup of warm berry juice. For example, you’ll learn that the reindeer roam freely in nature for most of the year and that the herders can always find their own reindeer again. After hearing all the ins and outs, you will, of course, go for a ride in the sleigh and have the chance to feed the animals.

Tip: Dress extra warmly when going for this activity. Since you’ll be sitting still but exposed to the wind, it can get very cold.

Fatbiking Through the Snow

In Lapland, the bicycle is a popular means of transportation. The fatbike is not a regular bike but is specially designed to ride through the snow. With its extremely thick tires, you have a lot of grip, and the bike is easy to handle. Don’t dress too heavily, as fatbiking can be quite intense, and you may start to sweat. If you prefer a more relaxed approach, you can also choose an electric fatbike. Equally enjoyable!

Skiing or Snowboarding

The most popular activity in a winter destination is, of course, skiing. Whether you are a beginner or advanced, skiing in Lapland is highly recommended. The ski resorts are small, much smaller than in the Alps, but on the other hand, the slopes are also much quieter. Long queues for the ski lift are not common here. Ideal! Did you know that skiing was invented in Lapland? Prehistoric skis have been found at archaeological sites, and more than 10,000-year-old cave paintings depict people on wooden skis.

How to Travel Through Lapland?

We had an amazing trip through Lapland with Lapland Travel. Some of these activities are included in the standard price, such as the husky safari, cross-country skiing, snowshoe hike, snowmobile ride, and the Northern Lights expedition. Other activities can be booked separately, like fat biking and the reindeer farm visit. This way, you have a lot of freedom to choose the activities that suit you. Are you curious about our experience with Lapland Travel and want to know what our week looked like? You can read all about it in this detailed article.