7 Days in Finnish Lapland in Winter: Plan Your Perfect Itinerary
I never thought I’d be willingly snowmobiling through the Arctic wilderness in the dark, searching for dancing lights in the sky, but here we are. My husband and I spent 7 days in Finnish Lapland in winter, and it was one of those trips that sounds a little intense until you realize it’s just a lot of cozy saunas, ridiculously adorable animals, and snow—so much snow. We went in March, which was the perfect time: daylight was back, auroras were still active, and the temps are reasonable, considering you’re north of the Arctic Circle.
If you’ve been eyeing a winter trip that isn’t your typical ski trip, let me suggest 7 days in Finnish Lapland. This itinerary has everything: huskies, reindeer, saunas, and the kind of silence that makes you forget your phone exists. You don’t need to be ultra-outdoorsy or have survival skills—just a good pair of thermal leggings and a willingness to try cross-country skiing (and fall a lot). Here’s exactly how we spent 7 days in Finnish Lapland and why I’d do it all over again.
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Day 1: Touchdown & Tundra Vibes
Ivalo Arrival
We landed at Ivalo Airport after what felt like 14 hours of travel snacks and tiny plane seats. The airport is tiny—like, “you can see your luggage arrive in real-time” tiny—which made getting out quick and easy. Within minutes we were bundled into a shuttle and driving through snow-covered forests that looked like the backdrop of a holiday card. It was quiet, cold, and stunning—exactly how I pictured the start of our 7 days in Finnish Lapland in winter.
Settling into the Igloo
Our accommodations were part cozy lodge, part arctic dream. We stayed in a glass igloo, which I immediately fell in love with—heated floors, warm bedding, and glass walls to watch the sky (or, in our case, stare into the snowy void and feel very outdoorsy without actually being outside). The dining area was cabin-chic and super inviting, with big windows and firelit corners that made it impossible not to relax. Before dinner, we did what any self-respecting visitor to Finland should do: hit the sauna.
Sauna
Sauna is basically a religion here. It’s not just relaxing—it’s cultural. You sweat it out, then cool off (some brave souls head out into the snow, we politely declined), then repeat. I can confidently say I’ve never felt more clean, warm, and cozy in my life. We had a sauna in the bathroom in our igloo, and we were huge fans during our trip!
Dinner at the Lodge
Dinner at the lodge was delicious and hearty, just the way Finnish food should be. I had a rich reindeer stew with mashed potatoes, and my husband had a perfectly cooked salmon. We ended every night here—it was easy, delicious, and gave us all the Arctic lodge vibes. Finnish Lapland knows how to feed tired travelers.
Snowmobile Aurora Hunting & Aurora Camp
Later that night, we layered up like human marshmallows and climbed onto snowmobiles for an aurora hunting adventure. Riding through the snowy forest in the dark was surreal—the only sounds were the hum of the engines and my “ooh” moments every time we hit a bump. The cold slapped us awake in the best way, and the ride felt like some wild expedition.
After about 45 minutes, we pulled up to a rustic cabin deep in the woods. There was a bonfire already blazing, casting light on the snow and making everything look cinematic. We warmed up by the fire, sipped hot beverages, and waited for the northern lights to make an appearance. I kept looking up, convinced each faint wisp of cloud might be the start of the show.
The aurora never showed that night, but honestly, I didn’t mind. The stars were out, the fire was warm, and the silence was something I didn’t know I’d been missing. If this was just night one of 7 days in Finnish Lapland, we were off to a pretty epic start. Aurora tip: Check out the NOAA Weather Prediction Center to get an idea on visibility during your trip.
Day 2: Sled Dogs & Reindeer
Husky Safari
If there’s one thing you absolutely must do during your 7 days in Finnish Lapland, it’s a husky safari. The dogs are loud, excited, and very ready to run. The ride lasts a couple hours and feels like pure Arctic adventure. You’ll want to wear layers, windproof everything, and goggles if you have them (sunglasses also work)—your face will thank you.
We each took turns “driving” the sled, which involves balancing on narrow runners while steering with body weight and pretending not to panic. The dogs do most of the work; you just try not to fall off. When you’re not driving, you sit bundled up like a human burrito while gliding through snow-covered forests. It’s silent, stunning, and very peaceful between all the dog howls.
After the ride, we got to hang out with the huskies, who went from zoom mode to snuggle mode instantly. They’re affectionate, a little wild, and completely lovable. The best part? Meeting the puppies. Yes, there were puppies, and yes, I was really on the fence with smuggling one home.
They let us into the puppy pen, and it was 10/10 chaos—floppy paws, snow-covered faces, and the kind of pure joy that makes you forget how cold your toes are. It was easily one of the most memorable and heart-melting moments of our 7 days in Finnish Lapland in winter.
Reindeer Farm
In the afternoon, we visited a reindeer farm for a much slower-paced ride. Reindeer sledding is quiet, calm, and honestly kind of hilarious—these guys are huge, and being in a sleigh kind of made me feel like Mrs. Claus in the best way possible! It’s a whole vibe shift after the huskies, but a great way to soak up the peaceful side of Lapland.
After the ride, we watched the reindeer wander in their natural habitat and learned about the Sami people, who’ve been herding reindeer for generations. The whole visit felt chill and un-rushed—just a quiet little pocket of Lapland life. It was a slower, but equally memorable part of the trip.
Day 3: Snowshoeing & Sauna
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing through the woods might sound relaxing—and it is—but first you have to earn it. Breaking trail is legit hard work, especially if you’re the first group out, like we were. But once you settle into the rhythm and stop tripping over your own feet, it becomes this serene, snowy escape where everything goes quiet.
Recommended Tour: Snowshoe Trip in the Wilderness
The forest was still, untouched (literally no other footprints), and kind of surreal. No sounds except our crunching footsteps and the occasional bird wondering what we were doing. This is one of those moments during your 7 days in Finnish Lapland where it really sinks in—you’re somewhere special.
Lunch in the Great Outdoors
Lunch was cooked over an open fire in the woods, and honestly, it was one of the best meals of the trip. Creamy salmon soup, fresh bread, and steaming mugs of something warm. Simple, hot, and exactly what we needed after hauling ourselves through the forest.
Cozy Afternoon & Sauna
By the time we got back, it was late afternoon. We spent the remainder of the day thawing by the fire, flipping through books, and rotating in and out of the sauna. It was the kind of lazy evening that makes a busy day feel complete.
Day 4: Snowmobiling & Northern Lights Hunting
Winter Walk
We kicked off Day 4 of our 7 days in Finnish Lapland with a relaxed winter walk through the woods. Less intense than snowshoeing, but still incredibly beautiful. We didn’t need a guide—we just followed the packed-down trail and soaked it all in.
Snowmobiling
Later, we revved up the snowmobiles for another spin through the Lapland wilderness. This time we were more confident (and slightly faster), carving through powdery trails and taking in those wide-open Arctic views. Bring your warmest gloves and trust your guide—especially when they say “lean into the turn.”
A few helpful snowmobiling tips for newbies: Use hand warmers. They’ll save your fingers. Also, don’t forget sunglasses—it’s surprisingly bright with the light reflecting off the snow. If you’re nervous, ride as a passenger first. It’s still thrilling and just as scenic.
Aurora Hunting
That night, we finally hit the Northern Lights jackpot. We bundled up, stepped outside our igloo, and walked into the open field behind the lodge—far enough to escape the glow of nearby lights. The aurora stretched across the sky in shifting waves of green, and right behind us were legit snow-covered Christmas trees.
Watching the aurora in complete silence, surrounded by trees and snow, was honestly one of the most surreal moments of our 7 days in Finnish Lapland in winter. There were no crowds, no tours—just us, a few other igloo dwellers, and the dancing lights.
Camera tips: If you’re trying to capture the Northern Lights on camera, bring a tripod and set the shutter delay to 1-2 seconds to avoid camera shake. Set your ISO high (3200+), unless there is a moon and then 500-2000 is a decent range. Choose a low aperture (I used f/2.8). Shutter speed will depend on the strength of the lights. For super strong dancing lights, try 0.5-3 second shutter speed; for visible lights, try 3-8 seconds; for faint lights, try 8-15 seconds. It will all depend on your specific camera setup and aurora, so adjust your settings, as needed!
Day 5: Cross-Country Skiing & Igloo Views of the Lights
Cross-Country Skiing
Cross-country skiing sounds easy, until you try it. The trails were gorgeous—flat-ish and framed by pine trees—but balancing on those narrow skis took some trial and (mostly) error. It was all fun and games until you had to balance while you picked up your ski to get over a snow mound and cross to another pass; I succeeded in doing so without falling a total of one time (and there were a lot of times)!
Once we got the hang of it, it became kind of fun. It’s a full-body workout in disguise—you’re gliding along, pretending you’re doing fine, while you’re actually using every single muscle. We only lasted a couple of hours, but I think we did great for first-timers!
The scenery alone made it worth it. Picture open forests, crisp air, total quiet. You don’t have to be good at it—you just have to try and be along for the ride. I’m not terribly coordinated and still had an amazing time cross-country skiing!
Chill in the Igloo
We spent the afternoon horizontal, reading in bed and occasionally peeking out the glass roof at the slow-moving clouds. It was the perfect way to recover from skiing. I didn’t move for two hours, and I regret nothing.
Northern Lights from the Igloo
That night, we got the ultimate igloo experience—watching the aurora from bed. We were already tucked under the covers, half-asleep, when the sky started to glow green through the glass ceiling. No running outside, no putting on eight layers, no frostbite—just pure, lazy aurora viewing. It felt like nature was doing us a favor after the workout that was cross-country skiing!
The Northern Lights put on a show for us that night. We just lay there, going “Do we even need to move?” Spoiler: we didn’t (except to grab the camera for a few shots). It was one of the most peaceful and surreal moments of our 7 days in Finnish Lapland in winter, and a big reason why staying in a glass igloo is 100% worth it.
Day 6: Photoshoot, Snowball Fight, and Sunsets
Winter Wonderland Photoshoot
Since this trip was such a special one, we wanted to make sure we actually had some cute photos together—not just the usual one-person-standing-awkwardly-while-the-other-holds-the-camera situation. So we packed a travel tripod, camera, and remote and headed out into the snowy woods behind the lodge.
It took a little trial and error (read: 50 shots of us blinking or mid-laugh), but we managed to get a few solid winners. Snow-covered trees, soft light, and cute scarves really do a lot of the work for you. It felt good to slow down, be a little cheesy, and capture some memories together.
Snowball Fight
After the camera was safely packed away, it was game on. As Floridians, we had basically zero snowball experience. But once we got the hang of it, all bets were off. There were giant snowballs and the occasional overconfident throw that ended in a face full of snow.
There’s something incredibly freeing about giving in to your inner kid, especially with a snow-covered forest as your playground. It was definitely one of the more ridiculous, joy-filled highlights of our 7 days in Finnish Lapland.
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Finnish Lapland Sunset
As the afternoon wound down, we made our way back to the igloos and caught the most beautiful sunset of the trip. The sky turned soft shades of pink and orange, casting a warm glow over the snow-covered trees and igloos. We stood outside for a short while, just watching and letting the beauty sink in. It was the kind of quiet moment that makes you realize how far away you are from regular life—and how good that feels.
Day 7: One More Snowmobile & Heading Out
One more Snowmobile Ride
We couldn’t leave without one last snowmobile ride. By now we kind of knew the trails and felt like pros (or at least slightly less like rookies). The snow was fresh, the light was perfect, and it was the kind of last-day energy you hope for—nostalgic, a little bittersweet, and very fun.
Heading Out
Our flight out of Ivalo wasn’t until 7 PM, so we had the full day to explore, relax, and soak it all in one last time. Then it was off to Helsinki for one final night before heading back to the U.S. Our 7 days in Finnish Lapland in winter went by fast—but left us with memories that’ll last forever!
Where to Stay in Finnish Lapland in Winter
There are tons of options on where to stay for your 7 days in Finnish Lapland in winter, and I’ll break that down into Rovaniemi and non-Rovaniemi options. Rovaniemi is the easiest spot in Finnish Lapland to reach (with its own airport), but we opted to go a bit further north (to Saariselka, by Ivalo airport) to have a better chance of seeing the Northern Lights. Here are my recommendations for Saariselka and Rovaniemi:
Saariselka:
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort: Famous for its glass igloos, this resort offers beautiful views of the Northern Lights. However, the igloos themselves don’t have their own showers – you have a shared shower option in a centralized location.
Wilderness Hotel Muotka: This spot is known for its cozy atmosphere and great location for outdoor activities like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. We opted to stay here because of the beautiful glass igloos (which have showers, and some have saunas!) and location to see the Northern Lights.
Rovaniemi
Arctic Treehouse Hotel: This hotel offers luxurious, modern accommodations with panoramic views of the surrounding forest and sky. Not quite an igloo, but a treehouse is still a pretty cool choice, right?
Arctic Light Hotel: The boutique hotel has blends modern design and traditional Lappish elements, located in the heart of Rovaniemi.
Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle: Located near Santa Claus Village, these igloos provide a magical experience with a touch of Christmas spirit year-round.
If you’re looking for a winter trip that’s cozy, adventurous, and a little bit wild, 7 days in Finnish Lapland might be your perfect escape. You don’t need to be super outdoorsy—just open to trying new things, spending time in the cold, and appreciating nature. It’s definitely a trip I’ll remember forever. And yes, I’m still thinking about those adorable husky puppies.
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