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finland | lapland - salla family winter activity

family activity holidays / winter adventure / lapland - salla family winter activity

Lapland - Salla Family Winter Activity        pulse rating 7 stars        nights: 7
adults from £1,245
children from £845

what's included:

  • 8 days . 7 nights
  • Flights from London Gatwick to Kuusamo (Manchester on request)
  • Return airport transfers
  • 7 nights hotel, winter cottage apartment or log cabin . half board
  • Snowshoe and ice fishing . snowmobile safari . reindeer sleigh ride . cross country skiing . evening snowmobile safari . husky safari
  • Thermo-overalls, socks, mittens, boots and warm hat for the duration of your stay
  • Fully qualified wilderness guides and instructors
 

overview

Salla lies within the Arctic Circle close to the Russian border. This incredible location creates a truly special holiday destination for families and adults alike.

Salla offers a huge variety of accommodation ranging from a delightful spa hotel to apartments in winter cottages and cosy log cabins.

There is an excellent range of activities available in Salla as well as 10 ski slopes which provide additional entertainment for downhill skiers. 

Nightlife isn't exactly top of the agenda here but there is a restaurant and bar at the hotel and another next to the log cabins. The pub above the ski centre is also worth visiting… the moose burgers are gigantic!

There are so many ways to explore the stunning wilderness that we have designed both a family holiday and a more demanding adult itinerary to ensure that you make the most of your time! It truly is a special place for a winter holiday.

suitable for

Anybody aged 5 years or over.

our opinion

On my first visit to Salla I met two lovely sisters, Tarya and Rauni. Between them they seemed to run the village. Rauni is the sales manager for the Revontuli Hotel and cottages and Tanya is in charge of the cabins just across the road. To cap it all they also own the village shop! They have obviously got the place sewn up. Fortunately, they didn't seem to object to being dubbed the 'Salla Mafioso' and between us we've come up with some great value winter activity holidays here in Salla.

 

agenda

Sunday

Flights, arrivals and introduction

The holiday starts with direct flights from Gatwick to Kuusamo from where our transfer heads north crossing the Arctic Circle. On arrival at Salla you will meet your guide and after settling into your accommodation make your way over to the restaurant for dinner.

Monday

Snowshoes and ice fishing

This morning you will be transfered to the local reindeer farm where you will be kitted out with your cold weather clothing which you keep until after the final activity on Saturday afternoon.

Our snowshoe trek takes us through the spruce forest to a beautiful ice wall where the icicles have grown longer and thicker creating a small cave behind them. From the ice wall we continue to a traditional Lappish kota where we cook lunch before walking to the lake, drilling holes through the ice and trying our hand at ice fishing.

Tuesday

Snowmobile safari to Ruuhitunturi (Ruuhi Fell)

Our 30km safari takes us to the top of Ruuhitunturi from where the 360º views are nothing short of spectacular, not least looking eastward into Russia. A snack and warm drink are included. 2 people per snowmobile. Small children travel in a sled.

Wednesday

Reindeer pulled sleigh ride

Your guide will show you how to steer your reindeer before heading off on a 6km circuit through the snowy forest and across frozen marshland. We pause at a kota to grill sausages and enjoy warm drinks before returning to the activity centre.

Thursday

Forest ski trip and evening snowmobile safari

Nothing compares to the peace and quiet of a winter forest. After some necessary tuition we follow the well marked trails with only the swish, swish of the skis breaking the near perfect silence.

This evening we take a 20km snowmobile tour around Salla. With a bit of luck the Aurora will deliver a stunning display but regardless there's something magical about snowmobiling at night. Your headlights light up the snow covered trees making them look like ghostly white phantoms. It's eerie and exciting at the same time.

Friday

Free day for optional activities or skiing

We've given you a day off today but there remains plenty to do here in Salla. You can try snowboarding or downhill skiing, take advantage of the spa facilities at the Hotel Revontuli or try other activities which you can book through our local guides.

Saturday

Husky safari

A husky safari is a 'must do' in Finland and our four hour safari sees you take the reins of your own husky team. Initially, you may wonder how you are going to control such enthusiastic animals but they soon settle into a steady pace which allows you to fully enjoy both the experience and the scenery.

Weather permitting; your guide will cook lunch over an open fire in the forest. This is the ideal end to your winter activities. 

Sunday

Departure, transfers and flights

All good things must come to an end and today you will head back to the airport for your flights.

accommodation

Salla Log Cabins - One Bedroom

These well equipped cottages are all within easy walking distance of the local facilities. The cottages have either one bedroom or one bedroom with an additional mezzanine area with room for four more beds.  

Each cottage has its own living room with a log fire and TV. The kitchens are equipped with hot plate, microwave oven, refridgerator, coffee maker, toaster and a washing machine.  

You'll have your own private sauna, an invaluable drying cupboard and a toilet/shower room.  

If you can't be bothered to cook after a long day in the Arctic snow then try the Kiela à la carte restaurant which is a very short walk from the cabins. The restaurant is extremely good and features a range of Lapland dishes as well as international cuisine and an excellent wine list.  

Guests at the Salatunturin Cabins tend to gather at the Papana Pupi pub in the evenings. It's a warm and uncomplicated kind of place with a pool room at the back dedicated to Finnish ice hockey legend Jari Kurri.

There is also a collection of sporting memorabilia on the walls. Take them a football shirt or scarf to add to their collection and you will have made friends for life.

  • tunturin

Salla Log Cabins - One Bedroom with Loft

These well equipped cottages are all within easy walking distance of the local facilities. The cottages have either one bedroom or one bedroom with an additional mezzanine area with room for four more beds.  

Each cottage has its own living room with a log fire and TV. The kitchens are equipped with hot plate, microwave oven, refridgerator, coffee maker, toaster and a washing machine.  

You'll have your own private sauna, an invaluable drying cupboard and a toilet/shower room.  

If you can't be bothered to cook after a long day in the Arctic snow then try the Kiela à la carte restaurant which is a very short walk from the cabins. The restaurant is extremely good and features a range of Lapland dishes as well as international cuisine and an excellent wine list.  Guests at the Salatunturin Cabins tend to gather at the Papana Pupi pub in the evenings. It's a warm and uncomplicated kind of place with a pool room at the back dedicated to Finnish ice hockey legend Jari Kurri. There is also a collection of sporting memorabilia on the walls. Take them a football shirt or scarf to add to their collection and you will have made friends for life.

There is an additional bed in the Log Cabin's with a loft which means that they can sleep two more people.

  • tunturin

Spa Hotel Revontuli

Sitting at the foot of Salla Mountain, this small, comfortable hotel has 26 recently refurbished bedrooms and is an ideal base from which to explore Salla.

Every room has an en-suite WC/bathroom with hair dryer. The bedrooms have been very tastefully furnished and all have a TV, phone, drying closet for clothes and cupboards for skiing equipment.

The hotel's spa is its star attraction and is a fabulous place to relax after a day in the cold. There's a children's pool, a waterfall massage pool and a 16m exercise pool for those who feel the need to burn off some more calories. And, after all those lengths and additional exercise (entirely optional of course), where better to relax than in the Jacuzzi?  The delightful views out across the fells only add to the atmosphere.

The hotel restaurant serves a buffet dinner every evening (this is included in our half board prices). You may also like to consider upgrading to the à la carte menu which offers Lappish specialities using traditional local ingredients such as reindeer and salmon (delicious).

Tunturitahti Superior Winter Apartments (57m)

The 57m superior apartments are slightly larger than the standard apartments, beautifully furnished, ideally located and extremely well equipped. They of course come complete with their own sauna and comfortably sleep four people.

Furnished to an extremely high standard, the superior apartments have a ground floor bedroom and two further beds on a mezzanine level. The sofa in the lounge will also fold out making room for 1 or 2 more people.

The large open plan living room and kitchen has its own log burning fireplace and plasma TV with built in DVD - the perfect space for relaxing and sheltered from the cold, with a nice glass of wine you will feel snug as bugs.

The kitchens are extremely well equipped with a cooker, dishwasher, microwave oven, fridge, toaster, coffee-maker, kettle and a dinner set for 6 people.

We can't recommend these cottage apartments highly enough!

Tunturitahti Winter Apartments (54m)

The 54m apartments come complete with their own sauna and comfortably sleep four people. These apartments are situated within easy walking distance of the hotel and the ski lifts.

Furnished with considerable care, the apartments have one bedroom and two further beds on a mezzanine level. The sofa in the lounge will also fold out making room for 1 or 2 more people.

The large open plan living room and kitchen has its own log burning fireplace and TV.

The kitchens are extremely well equipped with a cooker, dishwasher, microwave oven, fridge, toaster, coffee-maker, kettle and a dinner set for 6 people.

  • tunturhati bedroom

prices & availability

Please select from the following accommodation choices:

  • Salla Log Cabins - One Bedroom

  • Salla Log Cabins - One Bedroom with Loft

  • Spa Hotel Revontuli

  • Tunturitahti Superior Winter Apartments (57m)

  • Tunturitahti Winter Apartments (54m)

To discuss your options with someone who’s been to the destination, or to check availability before you book your flights please contact us on 01670 789 991.

Half board

Available     Limited places     Unavailable

Adult price based on 2 adults sharing.  Child price based on sharing with 2 adults.

departreturnadult under 12 availability
06/12/200913/12/2009£1,275 £875
13/12/200920/12/2009£1,275 £875
20/12/200927/12/2009£1,525 £1,025
27/12/200903/01/2010£1,525 £1,025
03/01/201010/01/2010£1,275 £875
10/01/201017/01/2010£1,275 £875
17/01/201024/01/2010£1,275 £875
24/01/201031/01/2010£1,275 £875
31/01/201007/02/2010£1,275 £875
07/02/201014/02/2010£1,275 £875
14/02/201021/02/2010£1,495 £1,025
21/02/201028/02/2010£1,345 £875
28/02/201007/03/2010£1,345 £875
07/03/201014/03/2010£1,545 £995
14/03/201021/03/2010£1,545 £995
21/03/201028/03/2009£1,545 £995
28/03/201004/04/2010£1,545 £995
04/04/201011/04/2010£1,545 £995

NB. 20 & 27 Dec 09 prices include Christmas and New Year buffet dinners

07, 14, 21 & 28 Mar 2010; 04 Apr 2010 departure dates include scheduled flights with Finnair from Heathrow to Kuusamo (via Helsinki).

Flights departing on 20th, 27th December and 14 February will be the Activities Abroad charter flight from London Heathrow.

  All other dates include direct charter flights from London Gatwick.

Supplements:

3rd adult sharing
£1,145
Manchester departures
£40 (child £40)
self catering discount - deduct per person
£175 (child £85)

responsible travel

Tourism in Finnish Lapland has become the main source of employment and income, replacing traditional industries such as forestry. Working within this growth industry in rural and remote areas means that we must take a great deal of responsibility; socially, environmentally and economically. We fully appreciate the impact of tourist visits on local communities and their residents and strive to ensure that we are having a positive effect.

Sallatunturin Tuvat is owned and run by a local family, whose roots have been in this area for centuries. They have a strong sense of tradition and we encourage all of our clients to respect and embrace the lives and culture of all the local inhabitants by learning a few important words: hello, goodbye, please, thank you etc. We have also included activities with a cultural base. In addition, we always encourage our clients to get involved in local events and activities which help to sustain traditional values and customs.

In all of our destinations we ensure that we use local accommodation, transport and activity providers, enabling locally owned businesses and the economies in which they work to benefit directly.

 

Sallatunturin also serves as much local produce as possible such as bread from the local baker and berries from local people. The souvenir shop stocks locally made souvenirs; the wooden souvenirs are made by their chef! Reindeer skins and amulets that are sold in the shop are made by the local herders two of whom are waitresses and 2 are guides at Salla, these traditional roles are being preserved and supported by this additional employment. These are traditional crafts and the herders are keen to ensure that people are aware that the reindeer are not killed to make souvenirs and that every part of every animal is utilized.

 

Through the tourism multiplier effect, this all helps to generate incomes and employment where the drift might otherwise be towards larger employment areas such as towns and cities. In a small and remote village such as Salla the effects of such a drift could be devastating.

The use of small family run hotels and businesses means that the tourism income, generated by our presence stays where it should, in the local economy.

 

 We also firmly believe in paying a fair price for all the services provided by our suppliers regardless of where they are in the world, our independence enables us to ensure that our suppliers and clients come before any corporate shareholders.

Our holidays rely on visiting beautiful and un-spoilt areas, and they don't come more un-spoilt than Salla. Naturally we wish to maintain the natural settings in which we work, not just for the future of our company, but also for future generations. We will always insist that our local providers are equally conscious of this need.

We do appreciate that some may feel that snowmobiles should not be included in such itineraries however in areas such as Salla they are a way of life. They are the only means of keeping in contact with remote reindeer herders and communities as the road infrastructure is not extensive. All trails are well managed. The alternatives to snowmobiles would in most cases be large, gas-guzzling off road vehicles. All snowmobiles are regularly serviced and kept as fuel efficient as possible. The snowmobile service industry is also another vital source of employment in these remote areas.

We always ensure that all litter is removed from any of our activity sites, we strongly encourage group transfers to reduce traffic volumes and we make our clients aware of their obligation to the environment. We always offset our air travel emissions and would encourage you to do the same.