We know...
Jeris encapsulates the Lapland dream: cosy winter cottages, log fires, a beautiful lakeside setting, spa facilities, deep snow and a fantastic range of activities. It's one of the best places 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!
You know...
“The most memorable thing was being out in beautiful natural surroundings, untouched and serene. It felt exciting to be so far up North. Excellent” The Cornaro Family – December 2010
Suitable for
Suitable for anybody aged 5 years or over.
27 December 2011: Flights, arrival and welcome
You will be greeted upon arrival at Kittila Airport and transferred directly to your cosy cottage accommodation. You will meet with your guide before dinner in the hotel restaurant.
28 December 2011: Snow fun
This morning you have time to relax or we can arrange for a visit to meet Father Christmas. Next the whole family will get to spend the afternoon having some good old fashioned fun in the snow with toboggans, kick sleds and competitions galore.
29 December 2011: Mush puppies
Today you will head to a local husky farm. You will be told about the lives of the huskies before hitting the trail on a 9km safari. Dog sledding is magical and the family is sure to remember today for a very long time.
30 December 2011: Snowmobile safari
This morning it’s time to have a go at snowmobiling. This 30km safari will show you the beauty of Lapland's winter landscapes. The adults will be given full tuition on how to drive the snowmobiles (2 per snowmobile) whilst children will be wrapped up warmly in a sledge behind the guide’s snowmobile.
New Year’s Eve: Reindeer games and festivities
Today you can enjoy watching the childrens' eyes light up as they get to meet Rudolph’s cousins. You will meet a reindeer herder and his family who will tell tales about the reindeer and their lives in Lapland. Each family will then take the reins on a short reindeer safari.
Late afternoon you will be guided through the snow laden forests on snowshoes where you will meet a shaman who will perform a Lappish baptism to bring you good luck for 2012.
Then it's back to Jeris for a gala dinner before venturing onto the frozen lake for the festivities. There will be sparkling wine and fireworks to welcome in 2012 and hopefully the Northern Lights will also grace the party.
New Year’s Day: Free Day
Today is free to relax and recover from the previous evening's festivities. Additional activities (payable locally) can be arranged or you can enjoy a relaxing start to the New Year in the spa.
02 January 2011: Departure
Today you must say farewell to Jeris but you should be leaving with some spectacular memories.
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 is 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.