Date: 17/07/2018
Beginner-friendly winter activity ideas in Finland
It seems that the Finnish People don’t just cope with the dark winter months, they celebrate the magic and the action they bring. The snow, known to hide cars and sometimes even mountain huts, somehow transforms the land of the thousand lakes into a beginner-friendly winter outdoor playground.
Cars (where possible) are swapped for snowmobiles, hiking boots are replaced by skis and swimsuits make room for ice skates. The post-sauna skinny dip into the lake stays. Not even a thick layer of ice can spoil the sauna ritual; it’s tradition after all! The good news is that each of these activities needs minimal instructions but rewards with a steep learning curve mastered by both children and adults.
The sauna is the best place to experience the Finnish penchant for seasonal extremes. Within seconds sauna enthusiasts experience a sometimes lung-busting switch from soul-warming heat and bone-chilling cold. If there’s a lake nearby we’d encourage you to attempt an invigorating dip into the freezing water. Alternatively, a quick ‘swim’ in the snow can be just as refreshing. Either way, the icy dive will conjure up a smug smile only a first-time sauna adventure can. Miraculously, the ice swim will leave you feeling warmer than before.
Ice Fishing certainly falls into the 'slow adventure' category meaning it takes a certain degree of focus, but even first-timers get to immerse in the serene beauty of Finland’s monochrome winter landscapes. Excitement levels are sure to soar once you’ve made your first catch. May it even be a trip highlight? Bear in mind, success rates aren’t high, and it’s best to think of ice fishing as a way to calmly engage with the sometimes mind-gobbling remoteness of the place.
Ice skate in the national park
Once the ice returns, Finland’s impressive, island-peppered lakes turn into a natural ice rink begging to be explored on skates. Ice skating to the otherwise inaccessible islands can be enjoyed by the entire family. Since you will travel at your own pace this adventures is suited to both first-timers and pros.
When in Lapland seeing a herd of reindeer fly by the car window is no unusual occurrence. Well, you fly by not the reindeer. Going a beyond an initial roadside meet and greet is a must if you either want to take Christmas Spirits to the next level or learn more about the reindeer’s cultural significance for the Sami People. Since Europe’s only indigenous people have structured their semi-nomadic lives around the movement patterns of the herds they have many tales and practical sledding tips up their sleeve. For a culturally-driven experience, we recommend joining a storytelling session, for a fun upbeat adventure we’d recommend hopping on a sled.
Nothing quite has your adrenaline levels rise as rapidly as the roaring engine of a snowmobile. The powerful and often heated vehicles are a great source of pow-shredding fun. Reach great speeds as you pace on frozen lakes, whisk through dreamy winter forests or simply enjoy the view atop of a frozen hill. Snowmobiling is a skill picked up quickly and perfected slowly. In other words, it’s a great beginner-friendly activity. Though you have to be older than 18 and in possession of a valid driver’s licence children may still join as passengers. Small children may sit in a small sled in the back.
Powder snow, excitable huskies and the prospect of adding a new experience to your repertoire of Arctic outdoor skills are all very good reasons to feel excited over what's to come. Navigate your own group of enthusiastic huskies through some undulating, yet stunning plains. Your guide will provide some advice on how to communicate with the huskies before it is up to you. Don’t worry, the huskies are well-trained and well looked after. Perhaps you might even want to treat them to a spa day?
The snow-ladden trees of Finnish Lapland are best appreciated at a slow pace. Make time to appreciate the silence, the peacefulness as you pound through the snow. You may either join a guided tour if you like to travel far, or give it a go on your own and simply enjoy the novelty of moving on tennis racket-shaped soles.
Kicksledding is a great means to transport beverages and foods of all sorts from supermarket to cabin. If available at your lodge we definitely recommend taking the kicksled out for a spin-step into the footsteps of Finland’s postmen.
Regardless of whether you’d like to go on a relaxed or adventurous trip, we recommend giving at least a few of these activities a try. Since we work closely with suppliers we will make sure that your first-time adventure will be a success and are happy to recommend the most suitable activities based on your preferences. Get in touch with our travel experts now and start planning.
