Lapland in Winter: A Journey that Lingers

My first impressions

Arrived in another world. Really. Nothing at all of what one usually associates with vacation. No sand between the toes, no palm trees, no Aperol on the beach. Instead, snow. Endless amounts of snow. And yet, or maybe precisely because of that, simply wow.

I was very lucky to spend a week there and can say: it surprised me more than I expected!

Wooden cabin and glass igloo instead of luxury hotel

I stayed in a small, super cozy wooden cabin with its own fireplace and sauna. Waking up in the morning when it is still dark, even though you are completely rested, feels completely wrong at first. But then comes this sunrise that stretches on forever. No stress, no rushing. And suddenly, the whole day is golden hour.

After a few nights in the wooden cabin, I went one step further for one night: to the glass igloo. Lying in bed and looking up at the sky. If it’s not snowing and the sky is clear, you really have a chance to see the northern lights right from your bed. I was really very lucky.

How do I spend the day (outside)?

What I also learned there: Whether -20 or -30 degrees makes no big difference anymore, it’s just cold. With the right clothing, which I got on site, you can easily spend several hours outside.

Every day was a new adventure. Snowmobile safari over frozen lakes, full throttle through the white expanse. Husky safari, where you briefly feel like a polar explorer. Ice fishing, which sounds much more relaxing than it actually is. Finnish sauna and then into the ice hole. Little insider tip: At the first step, you might briefly think you are making very bad life choices, but afterward, you feel invincible. Visiting a reindeer farm, drinking hot berry punch, and eating cinnamon rolls. And yes, it’s just as cozy as it sounds.

The most beautiful experience

My personal highlight was definitely the northern lights. In the late afternoon, when it already feels more like night, we walked to a frozen lake. It is particularly dark there. Then it’s a matter of waiting and getting your eyes accustomed to the darkness.

At first, you often only see faint veils in the sky. But if you're lucky, they suddenly become clear, moving lights. Green, sometimes also pink or turquoise, moving across the sky. A sight that is hard to put into words and one that you certainly won’t forget quickly.

I could have stood there all night.

Conclusion of my Lapland journey

I traveled to Lapland with the expectation that it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience that one sees once and then checks off. In the end, it turned out to be the opposite. I would have preferred to stay there and extend the trip by weeks. One thing is certain: Lapland will definitely see me again. Next time I will also visit Santa Claus.