Winter time in Lapland, Finland, is a dreamlike setting for lovers of frosty weather and new fallen snow. Not so much a fan of freezing temps? You’d probably fare better in a more tropical setting, because winters in Lapland can bring temperatures as low as -15 degrees Fahrenheit. Wow, that’s cold!
Winter is the longest season in Lapland, and begins around mid-October. This is a full month earlier than most other parts of Finland. The season then stretches for approximately 200 days.
This makes Lapland an absolutely ideal destination for thrilling frosty sports such as downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoe trekking, snowmobiling, and ice fishing. You can even take a Husky sled ride, or a ride in a sleigh pulled by reindeer. Or, if you prefer to keep a little bit of distance between you and the cold, you can take a helicopter ride over pristine, untouched snow-covered mountains.
If you are a fan of downhill skiing, then Lapland is certainly the destination for you. The skiing season lasts all the way from October to May 1. Put together, the Lappish ski slopes provide about six miles of downhill ski runs.
The longest slope, which is almost two miles long, is found in Ylläs (pronounced U-las.) Ylläs is the largest downhill and cross-country ski resort in Finland. In addition to the longest run, the resort also boasts the country’s greatest vertical and most runs.
Extreme efforts are made to keep the slopes in outstanding condition using state-of-the-art technology, so you will always be able to enjoy well-maintained slopes. Ylläs is also a great destination for the novice skier, as skiing instruction, equipment hire services, and activity programs are provided. Children receive free rental equipment and lift tickets (as long as they wear a helmet when skiing).
During your winter visit to Lapland you can also delight in a rare sight: the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis. The Northern Lights may be seen from Lapland mostly in September through October and February through March.
Encyclopedias define the Northern Lights as “a colorful light phenomena occurring close to the polar regions where the charged particles carried by polar winds hit electrons and protons in the Earth’s ionosphere.” This definition, although scientifically correct, does little to describe the true splendor of the Northern Lights, which rapidly change in color, intensity, and form. At their brightest, they can give off as much light as a full moon.
While they are typically yellowish-green in color, they can change to include red, blue, and violet as well. The yellow green hues of the Northern Lights are produced by oxygen in the atmosphere, while blue and violet lights are made by nitrogen. The charged particles of the Northern Lights come from the sun, from which they are thrown into space with the solar winds at speeds of up to a 620 miles an hour.
The Finnish term for the Northern Lights, Revontulet, meaning fox fire, comes from an old tale where the fox was believed to swish its bushy tail on the snowyl landscapes, throwing sparks into the air.
According to an old Asian belief, a person who spots the Northern Lights can live happily ever after. Perhaps it is time to visit Lapland and begin your own happily ever after.
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