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 Laplands 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.

Sunday: Flights, arrivals and introduction
You will be greeted on arrival at Kittila Airport and transferred to your accommodation. After settling into your accommodation (although it’s the Winter Cottage Week you can also stay in hotel rooms if you prefer) there will be a welcome meeting and dinner.

Monday: Snowmobile and ice fishing safari
This morning you will receive full instruction and a safety briefing from your snowmobile guide before heading out on a 30km safari. Weather permitting you will have lunch out in the open where there will also be the opportunity to try some ice fishing.

Tuesday: Cross country skiing and snowshoeing
Your cross country ski guides will teach you the basics of this Scandinavian favourite before taking you on a guided skiing trip across the snowy landscape. After lunch in the hotel restaurant you head onto frozen Lake Jerisjarvi for a guided snowshoe hike.

Wednesday: Reindeer farm and safari
This morning you will transfer to an old Lappish manor house where you will learn a great deal about reindeer herders and the lives of their animals. You will try your hand at lassoing the reindeer and drive your own sled during a short safari.

Thursday: Husky safari
A short transfer takes you to the husky farm where you will learn about the life of a sled dog here above the Arctic Circle. You will also be taught how to handle a dog team before taking the reins yourself on a 17km safari lasting approximately 2 hours.

Friday and Saturday: Free time, optional activities or Lainio Snow Village
After a busy few days you have two days in which to relax or try your favourite activities again (payable locally). Many people also enjoy spending their final night in a snow room at Lainio Snow Castle - a truly memorable experience.

Sunday: Departure, transfer and flights

Jeris encapsulates the Lapland dream: cosy winter cottages, log fires, a beautiful lakeside setting, spa facilites, deep snow and a fantastic range of activities. It's the best place we know for combining comfort and adventure.

Imagine returning to your very own winter cottage after an active day in sub-zero temperatures. Draw the curtains, turn on the sauna, light the log fire and feel the warmth seep back into your bones. Heavenly!

Jeris enjoys an enviable position on the shore of Lake Jerisjarvi and on the very edge of the Pallas-Ounas National Park. It's jaw-droppingly beautiful out there. The only problem is that you have to leave that log fire to experience the great outdoors. It's a tough call folks!
 

Suitable for anybody aged 6 years or over.