Finnish and Swedish Laplands: Why You Visit in Winter

What to do in Santa Claus Village?

• Meet Santa Claus: Visitors can meet Santa every day of the year for free in his office.

• Cross the Arctic Circle: A marked line runs through the village, and visitors can get a certificate for crossing it.

• Santa Claus Main Post Office: Run by the Finnish postal service, where all letters addressed to "Santa Claus, Finland" arrive. You can send holiday cards with a special Arctic Circle postmark.

• Northern Lights & Winter Activities: In winter, visitors can enjoy reindeer sleigh rides, husky safaris, snowmobiling and ice fishing.

• SantaPark: An underground Christmas-themed amusement park located nearby.

• Stay in Igloos & Snow Hotels: Many unique accommodations, including glass igloos for Northern Lights viewing.

Why visit the Icehotel?

1. Stay in an ice room or art suite, a must-do: Each room is sculpted by artists from around the world. Ice suites & deluxe suites have unique, detailed ice carvings. Warm cabins & chalets are also available for those who prefer warmth. Sleeping bags and thermal bedding keep guests cozy in the -5°C (23°F) rooms. I even woke up sweating! The sleeping bags do their jobs!

2. Icehotel 365 – A year-round ice experience: Everything, including glasses, is made of ice. Serves unique Arctic cocktails like vodka-based lingonberry drinks.

3. The Famous Icebar: This section is kept cold by solar-powered refrigeration so visitors can stay in an ice room even in summer. This features an ice bar, ice chapel and permanent ice sculptures.

4. Northern Lights & arctic adventures: Best visited between September and March for the Aurora Borealis. Everything from dog sledding, snowmobiling, reindeer safaris and ice sculpting workshops are offered.

Why Visit Abisko National Park?

1. Best Place for Northern Lights: Due to its clear skies and low precipitation, Abisko is one of the world’s best places to see the Aurora Borealis.The Aurora Sky Station, located on a mountain, offers one of the best views of the lights.

2. The Famous Kungsleden Trail: Abisko is the starting point of the Kungsleden, Sweden’s most famous long-distance hiking trail. Hike through mountains, Arctic tundra and scenic valleys.

3. Beautiful scenery & wildlife: Features Lake Torneträsk, one of Sweden’s largest lakes. The Abisko Canyon and the Abiskojokka River are must-see spots. Home to moose, Arctic foxes and reindeer.

4. Winter activities: Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and ice climbing. Dog sledding and snowmobiling are in the surrounding Arctic wilderness.

At Nova Skyland: Authentic Finnish cuisine

This is an in-house restaurant serving local Lapland flavors, including reindeer and Arctic fish. It features a cozy lounge area with a fireplace for a warm and relaxing atmosphere.

In Santa Claus Village

The Salmon Place: Small, wooden hut with a cozy open fire in the center. Guests sit around the fire, watching their salmon being cooked in front of them. The salmon is slow-cooked over an open fire using traditional Finnish methods, giving it a smoky, rich flavor. It is served with fresh bread, salad and local sauces.