A unique winter experience in Finland
When you think of Finland, you immediately imagine magical landscapes of snow-laden fir trees, frozen lakes and psychedelic skies playing at creating the most beautiful aurora borealis. Children dream of Santa’s village, nature lovers of being in the middle of the forest, and the hyperactive of being able to try out all the country’s incredible activities, while cocooning pros are waiting for just one thing: the famous Scandinavian wellbeing, made up of hot chocolate, thick socks and books to devour by the fireside. Maybe you’ve even ticked all the boxes! Whatever your expectations, Finland in winter promises an extraordinary journey that you won’t soon forget! Here’s a small selection of the must-see things to do in Finland.
Read also about the Finland guide :
- Helsinki in 1 day: 26 things to do and see on foot
- From Lapland to Helsinki: discover Finland’s 4 regions
- Top 10 culinary specialities in Helsinki
- Top 6 things to do in Helsinki
Ice fishing
The Finns will tell you that, at one time or another, everyone has gone fishing on a frozen lake. Also known as ice fishing or hole fishing, this typical, almost meditative activity offers you the spectacle of the immensity of white while teaching you patience. And if you’re good at it, you’ll have the added bonus of dining on some decidedly fresh fish! You’ll need small fishing rods and a hand drill to drill your hole and reach the depths of the lake (there can be 1 metre of ice!) If you’re not much of a fisherman and don’t feel like knocking out your catch, then scaling and preparing it, feel free to release it. Just for the pleasure of having discovered this Finnish practice.
Practical info :
The good news is that you don’t need a licence for this type of fishing! But be sure to find out if you’re in a protected area, such as a national park or nature reserve, which may have special restrictions.
Where to fish? Everywhere! Remember that Finland is nicknamed “The Land of 1000 Lakes”! Officially, there are many more! There are 187,888 lakes with a surface area of over 500 m². This makes Finland one of the countries with the highest density of lakes in the world. So you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to fishing! That said, here are a few well-known spots for hole fishing:
- Lake Inari, in Lapland: one of Finland’s largest lakes, perfect for a fishing experience in an Arctic setting. It is home to trout, whitefish and perch.
- Lake Saimaa, in the Thousand Lakes region: Finland’s largest lake. Here you can catch pike and perch under the ice.
- Lake Päijänne: the deepest lake in the country, it supplies water to the capital region. It’s a popular spot for local fishermen, and there are plenty of guided excursions available.
- Lake Kitka and its crystal-clear waters make for great winter fishing.
- If you’re only going to Helsinki, you can get closer to Lake Tuusula, less than an hour from the capital, which offers a convenient option for discovering ice fishing without going too far.
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Safety and equipment
Even if the ice seems thick and solid, always ask the locals if certain areas are inadvisable. There should be at least 10cm of ice for an adult on foot, 15cm for a bicycle and 30cm for a car (40cm for a pickup or van). Use appropriate clothing, using the three-layer system, with breathable thermal clothing that stays dry, a fleece or other insulating material and a waterproof windproof jacket. For fishing equipment, especially the hand drill, be careful and don’t hit the ice, the blade is very fragile (and it will cost you if you have to replace it!).
Traditional Sauna
As you probably knew before you travelled to Finland, one of the country’s most deeply rooted traditions is that of the sauna. You’ve probably already had the experience, but it’s something else that awaits you in Finland: a moment of ancient relaxation to cleanse the body and mind. Saunas in Finland have been around for over 2,000 years! It used to be the cleanest place in the house, and was even used as a delivery room! With around 3 million saunas for a population of 5.4 million, you can see just how important this tradition is. Whether public or private, they are always very popular and a must-do during your stay. We even tend to say that it’s in the saunas (more than in meetings) that the big decisions are taken!
Where to go?
The private electric sauna in your accommodation
If you rent a house or flat in Finland, there’s a good chance you’ll have a sauna at your disposal. Accommodation is generally equipped with electric saunas. All you need to do is press a button to enjoy the experience. It’s a good way to get into the swing of things.
Traditional public saunas
If you want to mingle with the crowds and meet the Finns, opt for a public sauna instead. There are all kinds. In Helsinki, for example, you can go to the beautiful Löyly sauna, magnificent with its seaside design, or the more traditional Kotiharjun Sauna, heated with wood, for total immersion in the authenticity of the local culture.
Nature saunas
What better way to enjoy this almost spiritual experience than in communion with deep nature! Rent a chalet with a private sauna and plunge straight into an icy lake after your session. With so many forests and lakes in Finland, you’ll have no trouble finding what you’re looking for!
Unusual saunas
If you want an even more unique experience, why not visit a floating sauna, or an ice sauna where you can jump into a hole dug in the ice after breaking a sweat! It may be scary, but it’s as invigorating as it is authentic!
Good to know
The different types of sauna: There are several ways to heat a sauna. Electric saunas, infrared saunas, gas saunas or wood-fired saunas, which offer a more authentic feel, and the famous smoke sauna. The latter takes longer to heat up, and all the smoke has to be evacuated before you can enter.
Etiquette: Be careful if you are prudish, the sauna is practised in the simplest of clothes. Men and women are generally separated, but it is common for families to go all together. If you’re in a mixed group, it’s perfectly normal to discuss who will go with whom, and if you’re not comfortable with the idea of being completely naked, the Finns won’t hold it against you, so don’t panic.
Typical ritual: To get the most out of the experience, it’s advisable to go to the sauna according to the rules of the art. You need to follow a traditional cycle: sauna, cold shower (or dip in a lake), and rest. You can then repeat this process several times.
Löyly: Whichever style of sauna you choose, you’ll find hot stones on which you pour ladles of water, releasing steam (löyly) and creating new waves of heat. If there are several of you in the sauna, make sure everyone agrees before pouring any water.
Accessories: You’ll also find braided birch branches, which are used to ‘flagellate’ the body to get the blood flowing. They are called ‘vasta’ or ‘vihta’ (depending on the region). Don’t worry, it won’t hurt, and your skin will be soft!
Post-sauna: It’s common to extend the experience by staying in the “tupa”, an adjacent room where you can have a drink or a snack after the session to prolong the pleasure. Finns generally drink blueberry juice, beer or cider, and eat sausages grilled (makkara) over an open fire.
Night skiing
So yes, you may be thinking: “that’s all well and good, but going on holiday in winter, in a country where it’s dark 10pm/24h, no thanks!” But the polar night (kaamos) is a mysterious phenomenon that allows you to enjoy new and completely unique experiences, like skiing at night! Imagine hurtling down the snowy slopes under a sky sparkling with the light of the moon, reflected in the snow. What’s more, as the resorts are much smaller than in France, the price is much lower than you might have thought! Expect to pay between €30 and €50 for an adult day pass.
Where can you ski at night in Finland?
Levi: skiing in Lapland! It’s not something that happens every day! Levi is undoubtedly the most famous resort for night skiing, with its slopes lit up until late at night. Levi is also renowned for its enchanting scenery and its après-ski activities, such as snowmobile and dog-sled safaris.
Ruka: close to the Arctic Circle, Ruka offers a unique atmosphere for night skiing. The resort has a number of floodlit pistes suitable for all levels of skier around Mount Rukatunturi (the highest peak in the region – 492 m ^^), close to the Arctic Circle. Skiing under the Northern Lights takes on a whole new dimension, when the light of man meets the light of the gods.
Ylläs: welcome to the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, renowned for offering the purest air in the world! With over 60 runs, Ylläs is one of Finland’s largest ski resorts. Part of the ski area is lit up at night for night skiers. You can also explore the trails on cross-country skis or snowshoes in the evening, for an equally magical experience!
Pyhä: ideal if you don’t like crowds! Pyhä is a very small resort, with 9 lifts, floodlit pistes in the evening and a calm atmosphere, ideal for a small group or family outing, far from the hustle and bustle of the mega-ski resorts.
Saariselkä: if you’re looking for activities in the great outdoors, you may have come across the name Saariselkä. As well as the traditional sleigh rides and igloo nights, this small resort in Finland’s far north also offers the chance to ski under artificial lights and the stars.
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Northern Lights Watching
But if you’ve decided to brave the cold and the polar night, it’s above all for the promise of an unforgettable spectacle: the famous Northern Lights. This dazzling phenomenon regularly tops the list of experiences you should have at least once in your life!
What is an aurora borealis?
You may be wondering how it is possible for so many colours to appear and twirl in the starry sky! This phenomenon is explained by the presence of charged particles in the solar wind, which collide with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, in particular oxygen, which gives off the colours green and red, and nitrogen, which emits blue, red and violet.
Where can you go to see the Northern Lights in Finland?
To see the sky dancing, decked out in its most beautiful colours, you need a bit of organisation and luck. Above all, you need a combination of clear skies, cold, dry temperatures and a solar storm. But don’t panic, there are some very useful applications and websites to guide you, such as Aurora Forecast or Aurora Maniac, which use satellite data to predict the probability of sightings in your region.
The ideal region is Finnish Lapland, where there are almost 200 aurora nights a year (compared with 10 to 20 in the south of the country)! For the best experience, stay away from light sources and closer to the lakes, where they are at their most beautiful. Here are a few well-known places to see the Northern Lights:
- Rovaniemi: The capital of Lapland, very popular for family holidays with its famous Father Christmas village and all the winter activities on offer. But you need to get away from the city centre for the best experience. You could, for example, choose accommodation close to Ounasvaara Hill, on the outskirts of the city.
- Luosto: just 1? hours from Rovaniemi is Luosto, famous for its Pyhä-Luosto park. The Santa Aurora hotel is a must-see in the region, famous for its heated glass igloos equipped with Aurora Alert, which wakes you up so you don’t miss a thing!
- Urho Kekkonen National Park: This very isolated region, lost in the north of the country, is perfect for snowshoe hikes away from the light pollution. You can go to Saariselkä, Ivalo or Inari.
- Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park: in western Lapland, this park, recognised as a Dark Sky Reserve, has a number of ski resorts that can be used as a base for your aurora hunt! We’ve already mentioned Levi and Ylläs in particular.
- Kilpisjärvi: And if you’re not afraid of getting a little further away from the Lapland capital, then head north to one of the most northerly places in Finland! Close to the triple border between Norway, Finland and Sweden, Kilpisjärvi is a place of bewitching wild beauty, with a high probability of seeing auroras thanks to its clear skies and very low temperatures.
When is the best time to be sure of seeing some?
Weather is not an exact science, but you’re more likely to see the Northern Lights in Finland between November and February. In Lapland, the season is longer, running from September to April! Although we tend to associate them with winter, it is in fact in autumn and spring that solar flares are most likely to interact with our planet’s magnetic field. What’s more, you’ll avoid the Father Christmas season and all that it entails (high prices, more people, fully booked hotels, etc.).
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Ice skating
A little history
The immensity of the frozen lakes is not just great for ice fishing! It’s also the ideal place to go ice skating in the great outdoors! And it turns out that skating is not a new activity! Archaeological digs have revealed the use of primitive skates, made from animal bones, dating back some 4,000 years! They didn’t slide, but they made it easier to walk on the ice. In the Middle Ages, the bones were replaced by iron, which enabled metal blades to be fashioned to glide and move faster. It wasn’t until the 19th century that skating began to take on a sporting and recreational dimension. From the early 20th century onwards, speed skating and ice walking competitions began to appear, and today ice skating is a must-do activity in Finland.
Where and how?
On frozen lakes all over Finland, and even sometimes (conditions permitting) on the frozen Baltic Sea. There are usually well-cleared pistes to ensure safe conditions. Towns also often have outdoor or indoor skating rinks, where you can hire your skates. And if you fancy going further afield, then be sure to take part in a guided long-distance skating excursion! These excursions into the heart of nature allow you to explore vast expanses in complete safety!
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What equipment should I use?
There are two styles of skate: long-bladed for long distances (better stability and smoother glide), or classic, used in ice rinks and for fun. If you’re going on your own, it’s also a good idea to bring ice picks (emergency picks to get out of the water if the ice breaks) and a waterproof bag with a change of clothes.
Cross-country skiing
But the real star of the country is cross-country skiing! Used for thousands of years by local people to get around, it’s now a veritable institution and the national sport!
Breathtaking landscapes
Cross-country skiing takes you through a variety of landscapes, including Lapland’s valleys, snow-covered forests and frozen lakes. The various national parks offer exceptional panoramic views of the surrounding area!
An exceptional network of pistes
With all that in mind, you won’t be surprised to learn that Finland has the best cross-country skiing network in the world, with an impressive mileage! Some resorts, such as Levi and Ruka, offer hundreds of kilometres of groomed trails. You’ll find two kinds: for classic style (not alternating) and for skating style (not skating). They are also often floodlit, so you can ski in the evening.
A sport for all levels
If you’ve never done cross-country skiing before, don’t panic, you can take lessons or just hire some equipment and get started! But if you’re an expert, why not try a marathon, like the very popular Finlandia Hiihto?
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Meet Father Christmas
For families (and all those who still have a childlike spirit), a visit to Father Christmas’s village in Rovaniemi is a must on any trip to Finland! The capital of Lapland is Santa Claus’ official address, and you’ll be able to drop in and say hello to him, and meet his reindeer, elves and goblins in the most magical of surroundings! As the village is located on the Arctic Circle, you’ll also get a certificate proving that you’ve crossed it!
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