Tourism in Finnish Lapland has become the main income source of employment and income replacing traditional industries such as forestry. Development from a period of extractive industry to an industrial society has come about quickly. In 1950 the largest part of Lapland's inhabitants lived in rural areas and more than half the workforce worked in forestry and agriculture. Today 65 % of the workforce are in the service industry, 22 % in processing and 10 % in primary production.

This huge growth in tourism and service provision has been developed in conjunction with a long-term sustainable tourism plan with one of the primary objectives being to maintain nature in its natural state while guaranteeing the traditional way of life. Much of this has been achieved along with membership of EU development programmes, aimed at diversifying sources of livelihood, effective usage of resources and to increase export.

Approximately a quarter of Lapland's 100 000 strong workforce was unemployed in 1997. Promoting entrepreneurship, ongoing re-education of the workforce and development of the educational system to suit the needs of enterprises is continuing. The target is to diversify the sources of livelihood, increase the value of refinement production and develop new enterprises particularly in the area of tourism. National measures as well as EU-programme measures support this objective.

We embrace this philosophy, employing local activity providers and using only locally owned hotels. In this manner we help to maintain jobs in an area where unemployment was, until recently, very high. Additionally, the use of local suppliers ensures that the tourism spend filters through to local economies via the tourism multiplier effect.

Friday: Flights, arrivals and introduction
After your short transfer from Kittila Airport you check in to your cosy rooms and head to the restaurant for a welcome dinner.

Saturday: Snowmobiles and reindeer
After breakfast you will meet with your wilderness guide and it is time to hit the trails on snowmobiles. You will be given full driving tuition and safety instruction before heading out from the hotel to a local reindeer farm. You will drive through snowy forests, over magnificent frozen lakes and will visit one of the highest fells in the area to enjoy the expansive views.
At the reindeer farm you will learn about the life of the Lappish reindeer herders and be taken on a 12km safari. An open fire and traditional ‘Lappish burgers’ are waiting for you on your return.

After lunch it’s then back onto the trail for the exhilarating snowmobile ride back to Kittila having driven around 55km. On arrival at the hotel there will be time for a sauna before dinner.

Sunday: Huskies and Lainio Snow Village
After breakfast you will be given a driving lesson like no other. You will be given full instruction on how to handle a team of dogs before you head out onto the snow covered trails.

Your huskies may sound like manic creatures prior to departure but as soon as you set off they fall silent. There really is no better way to travel and no better destination for a dog sled safari than Lainio Snow Village.

On arrival at Lainio (the biggest Snow Castle in the Nordic regions) you will be given a tour of the Castle, giving you plenty of time to marvel at the buildings which are entirely constructed of snow. You will have lunch before driving your dog team back to the husky farm having driven approximately 10km.

In the afternoon you have time to relax in the sauna, explore the village or try another activity such as cross country skiing, the choice is entirely yours. A farewell dinner will be served in the evening giving you the chance to try some Lappish delicacies.

Monday: Departure, transfers and flights

Kittila is situated 200km north of the Arctic Circle and surrounded by a seemingly limitless winter wilderness. We defy even the most seasoned traveller not to feel a twinge of excitement and anticipation as the plane descends into Kittila Airport.

On arrival at Kittila airport you will have the joyous feeling of turning in the opposite direction to the crowds heading off to the more commercial areas of Lapland and boarding our minibus for you very short transfers to Kittila town.

The town is a traditional, functional Lappish community. It retains its identity and therefore its authentic charm. Here you will get to experience the real Lapland, the real people and a true arctic wilderness.

Here in the heart of North West Lapland you will find yourself immersed in a vast winter landscape. There is no better way to explore than in the company if ab experienced guide and during our holidays you will be led by the best guides and experience some incredible activities.
 

Suitable for anybody aged 10 years or over.