Lapland’s most well-known animals
Responsible of course for making sure Father Christmas delivers his presents on time, reindeer are perhaps Lapland’s most well-known animals, with their very name evoking images of galloping hooves on roofs and jingling sleigh bells.
The reality might be a little different, but these gentle, antlered creatures are sure to be a wonderful feature of your time in Lapland, with the opportunity to see them up-close in their natural snowy environment.
In Lapland, reindeer have been herded for centuries by the indigenous Sámi population and to this day occupy a key role in their culture, language and lifestyle.
The herders you will meet are usually Sámi, and families can, therefore, learn more about this way of life, listening to their stories, seeing some of their handicrafts and experiencing what life is like as a reindeer herder.
Reindeer experiences are fun for all the family for this reason – whilst for children, these animals are synonymous with all things Christmas, for adults they offer the chance to learn more about an interesting culture that has been a key and evolving part of Lapland.
The coolest place to stay
From the original ICEHOTEL® in Swedish Lapland to the smaller more intimate winter villages and snowhotels that have been artfully crafted across Finland, Norway and Sweden, there are some unforgettable ice and snow accommodation options available across Lapland which offers unique overnight experiences for families.
Essentially ice and snow hotels are exactly as described – a place to spend the night that has been completely crafted from ice, snow and ‘snice’ (a combination of the two). Whilst some of these awesome buildings originally started as a simple igloo for guests to sleep in, interest in them has led to them becoming incredibly beautiful and intricate works of art, filled with sculptures, ice art and lovingly crafted ice furniture.
For families with older children (we would not recommend them for children younger than 12), they offer a very special overnight experience to add on to their adventure in Lapland. There’s something particularly cool too about the fact that the room you are staying in is something which is unique to that season – each year, as summer comes ice and snow hotels are left to simply melt back down into the ground.
For those with younger children we do offer tours where possible, as people of all ages find these structures amazing places to visit.
Nature’s greatest light show
When it comes to natural phenomena, it’s safe to say that the Northern Lights are pretty high on the list of the world’s most spectacular, impressive and breathtaking sights.
Caused by particles from the sun’s solar flares reacting with the earth’s magnetic field, the lights are a common feature of dark winter nights in regions of Lapland by the Arctic Circle where the sky often alights with dancing curtains of green and yellow light.
For families, they have a universal appeal. Adults can look up at the billowing swirling lights, knowing that they are looking at a pattern that is completely unique to that moment in time.
For children, the Northern Lights take on an altogether magical slant and your local guide will no doubt fascinate them with some of the legends of the Northern Lights. Tales include the Firefox, whose sweeping tail sparks against the sky, whilst for others, they are a bridge to ancient ancestors or otherworldly warriors.
Whatever your thoughts, it’s a safe bet that should they make an appearance, even the most excitable children will be silenced and this is a shared family experience you will remember for a lifetime.
Some serious fun in the snow!
For most families that book our winter activity experiences the only snow they experience is the feeble few days of snowy weather we get each year in the UK with flakes that barely cover the ground and then rapidly turn to grey slush. Others may be coming from warmer climes, further afield and have never come across snow before.
In Lapland, the snow falls rapidly from late November onwards, covering everything in a crisp even white layer which remains frozen until late March.
Our words can’t really do justice to just how lovely a winter in Lapland is, but we have no doubt that you will be completely won over by the magical, picture perfect scenery.
A thrilling way to explore
When it comes to exploring a snowy wilderness, travelling by snowmobile is certainly one of the most exciting ways to do this!
The whole of Lapland is covered in marked snowmobile trails which form the basis of the winter transport network in Lapland. These machines are a wonderful way to cover ground in the snow covered months and are exceptionally exciting; offering families the chance to see a great deal more of their new surroundings and the opportunity to explore further afield.
The popularity of snowmobiles in the north is huge and you will see families heading out on weekends to meet with friends or simply enjoy an outing in the wilds. They aren’t only ridden for fun, but are also important in keeping communities connected in the depths of winter.
For visitors to Lapland snowmobiling is a key experience and for families the chance to enjoy this activity is one that we highly recommend.
A cosy winter retreat
When families imagine the snowy winter landscape of Lapland, they no doubt picture a snow-covered wooden cabin tucked amongst the trees – the windows emitting a cosy inviting glow and smoke from the fire blowing merrily from the chimney.
In many of our destinations, this image can be a reality and we have a range of log cabin-based holidays for families to choose from.
As well as their obvious charm, log cabins are a great base for families that want their own private space away from the main hotel building.
They offer a sense of adventure and escapism too and, after a day of activities in the snow, they are a lovely place to return to, relaxing in comfy chairs or (in some cabins) by the wood burning fire or in the private sauna. They give you the chance to have your own little ‘home from home’ during your stay.
For families, cabins also have the added benefit of additional amenities that might not be available in hotel rooms, such as small kitchenettes with fridges, microwaves and tea and coffee making facilities that can often make travelling with children a little easier.
It’s a dog’s life
When it comes to Lapland, there are few activities which appeal more to families than the chance to enjoy a dog sled safari in this magical winter wonderland. For children and grown-ups alike it is an unforgettable experience and a real holiday highlight.
There is something about the dogs, their furry faces and infectious enthusiasm for everything that cannot help but put a smile on your face. Their delight at hitting the trail is quite clear as you hear their excited barks and howls, long before you set eyes on the dogs as they love nothing more than to dash across the snow.
These dogs have been bred for this way of life and together with their mushers they are an exceptional team with each dog having its own role when pulling the sled; it’s fascinating to witness as the dogs know exactly what they are doing.
Dog sledding is a great family activity for those of all ages - for older children who are able to drive the sleds, (age restrictions vary – please see individual trip pages for details), it will no doubt be a great sense of accomplishment, and a great story to tell when they get home. For the little ones who will sit tucked up in the sled, they can enjoy the thrill of watching the beautiful white world go by, watching the dogs' paws pad eagerly on the snow.
To travel by dog sled is sure to make you feel like the explorers of old who used husky sleds to navigate this frozen landscape. They provide an unforgettable family experience for young and old!
A floating adventure
Our summer destinations are carefully chosen to ensure that they offer a range of activities and this means that in most cases they will be close to water – and inland this means rivers and lakes. These waterways provide an activity playground for families and two of the most popular activities are kayaking and canoeing which are always a real hit with adults and children alike.
An ideal activity for a family summer holiday it is something which can be enjoyed by both beginners and those with more experience and is a hugely enjoyable way to take in your surroundings whilst enjoy the thrills of the activity. Your expert guides will accompany you throughout as you descend some of the most delightful rivers and take on the challenge of some of the rapids that they throw at you.
During our holidays the kayaking and canoe trips take you to hidden areas where there are always fun and games to be had. Most trips include an obligatory stop for a water fight and other games and fun challenges too.
The style of canoe or kayak used varies from place to place. In some destinations you will use two person inflatables (mini rafts effectively), in others you may find individual kayaks for more technical water. The type of craft used is always appropriate to the water and the minimum age of the holiday.
An underwater world awaits
The chance to snorkel is the chance to discover a whole new part of the world as you gaze upon sea life, gorgeous underwater scenery and fascinating shipwrecks across some of our most popular European and long haul destinations.
Snorkelling is the ideal activity for those families who perhaps aren’t quite ready to try diving but want to see what dwells under the water. Suitable for complete beginners, it can also be a leisurely experience and one that we incorporate often as an introductory activity or as part of our lazy boat days, to allow families to explore together.
Scuba diving is hugely popular throughout the world as a leisure activity for all ages. Should you wish to give it a go it gives you the freedom to explore the secrets of our oceans and for many is an activity that once tried will remain an intrinsic part of your life. For families it is a unique shared experience and something you can learn together, overcoming any trepidation you may have as a team.
Until you have tried this activity you cannot begin to visualise the opportunities it opens up in discovering a world which ultimately covers 70% of our planet.
Climbing high
Rock climbing is an activity which is really adored by many people and feared by others – especially those who may not have a head for heights. Rest assured though, we have a wide range of climbing and abseiling routes to suit all family members and this is often an activity which is a surprise hit of your shared family adventure. The expert tuition and support provided means that many people achieve more than they thought they would.
When done as part of a group, rock climbing engenders a tremendous team spirit as everybody actively encourages each person to succeed and push themselves to their own vertical limit. This is great for children that may be a little lacking in confidence or unsure of themselves.
There is a genuine sense of achievement in finding your way to the top of a rock face especially if you have had to dig deep to push yourself that extra mile to do so.
Abseiling is all about overcoming the fear of leaning back of the rock edge, but will of course be followed by great joy as you make your way down. Again family members can enjoy it together as they encourage it together and there are sure to be some happy smiles of achievement once your feet are back on solid ground.
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