The Riekko Lodge Santa Break
Riekko Lodge Santa Breaks
Family Adventures in the Heart of Lapland
Discover the magic of Lapland on a relaxed family break filled with memorable winter experiences. From husky and reindeer safaris to snowmobiling, snowshoeing and a special visit with Santa, each day offers time to explore, play and enjoy the snowy surroundings together.
A Magical Family Journey Through the Lapland Wilderness
Step into the snowy landscapes of Finnish Lapland for a family adventure filled with traditional Arctic experiences, outdoor fun and special moments together. Over four carefully planned days, you will meet energetic huskies, travel through the wilderness by snowmobile, glide peacefully behind the reindeer and spend time enjoying simple family activities around the warmth of a traditional kota fire.
There is also time to slow down and enjoy your surroundings, whether tobogganing close to your accommodation, exploring the snow at your own pace or walking through the quiet winter forest on snowshoes. At the heart of the break is a memorable visit with Santa at Jänkä Ranch, where families can meet the resident animals and enjoy a personal and relaxed festive experience.
With a thoughtful balance of guided adventures and unhurried family time, this short break offers an authentic introduction to Lapland and the opportunity to create lasting memories in one of the world’s most beautiful winter settings.
What's Included
- direct charter flights with British Airways
- accommodation
- meals on full board basis
- private meeting with Santa
- Arctic Fun: chidlren’s snomwobiles, pony ride, roast marshmallows, tobganning and more
- husky safari
- snowmobile safari
- reindeer safari
- snowshoe walking
- transfers
- thermal clothing
Itinerary
Please note that all sample itineraries are intended as a guide only, the order and days of activities may change .
Day 1
Welcome to Lapland
On arrival, you will check in to your accommodation and collect the thermal clothing provided for the duration of your stay. With warm outer layers, boots, gloves and other essential winter clothing taken care of, you will be ready to enjoy the snowy surroundings in comfort.
The remainder of the afternoon is yours to settle in and begin enjoying the snow at a relaxed pace. Spend some time tobogganing together close to your accommodation, offering a fun and easy introduction to your Lapland surroundings.
Day 2
An Exciting Journey with the Huskies
Transfer to Jänkä Ranch (5 mins), where you will meet the lively and enthusiastic huskies before setting out on your safari. Once the teams are ready, travel along snowy trails and through the peaceful winter forest, experiencing the energy of the dogs and the beauty of the surrounding wilderness. Adults get the chance to try their hand at being the musher with a chance to swap drivers half way through. Finish you visit with a warm drink and the chance to ask questions about the lives of the huskies.
Snowmobile Safari
Continue your day with an exciting snowmobile safari through the Lapland landscape starting from the Riekko Lodge itself. Following your guide, travel along forest tracks and across the snow-covered surroundings, with opportunities to take in the quiet scenery and enjoy the thrill of exploring the wilderness by snowmobile. Adults share a snowmobile with the chance to swap drivers whislt the children are pulled in sleighs driven by the guide.
Day 3
A Gentle Journey with the Reindeer
Transfer to Jänkä Ranch to meet the reindeer and learn a little more about these gentle animals and their importance to life in Lapland. Climb aboard the sleigh for a peaceful reindeer safari through the snowy landscape, travelling at an unhurried pace while taking in the stillness of the winter surroundings.
Arctic Fun and a Magical Meeting with Santa
Join in with Arctic fun at the ranch, from tobogganing and pony rides to roasting marshmallows and riding children’s snowmobiles. Then, when the moment arrives, you will be whisked away through the forest for a private family meeting with Santa in his secluded cabin hideaway.
Time to Relax and Explore at Your Own Pace
Enjoy a leisurely morning with time to relax at your accommodation or head outside to make the most of the snow.
Day 4
A Final Lapland Adventure
After checking out, enjoy one final winter experience with a guided snowshoe walk in the surroundings of Riekko. Snowshoes make it possible to travel more easily across the deep snow, allowing you to explore quiet woodland trails and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the winter landscape.
Day 1
Welcome to Lapland
On arrival, you will check in to your accommodation and collect the thermal clothing provided for the duration of your stay. With warm outer layers, boots, gloves and other essential winter clothing taken care of, you will be ready to enjoy the snowy surroundings in comfort.
The remainder of the afternoon is yours to settle in and begin enjoying the snow at a relaxed pace. Spend some time tobogganing together close to your accommodation, offering a fun and easy introduction to your Lapland surroundings.
Day 2
An Exciting Journey with the Huskies
Transfer to Jänkä Ranch (5 mins), where you will meet the lively and enthusiastic huskies before setting out on your safari. Once the teams are ready, travel along snowy trails and through the peaceful winter forest, experiencing the energy of the dogs and the beauty of the surrounding wilderness. Adults get the chance to try their hand at being the musher with a chance to swap drivers half way through. Finish you visit with a warm drink and the chance to ask questions about the lives of the huskies.
Snowmobile Safari
Continue your day with an exciting snowmobile safari through the Lapland landscape starting from the Riekko Lodge itself. Following your guide, travel along forest tracks and across the snow-covered surroundings, with opportunities to take in the quiet scenery and enjoy the thrill of exploring the wilderness by snowmobile. Adults share a snowmobile with the chance to swap drivers whislt the children are pulled in sleighs driven by the guide.
Day 3
A Gentle Journey with the Reindeer
Transfer to Jänkä Ranch to meet the reindeer and learn a little more about these gentle animals and their importance to life in Lapland. Climb aboard the sleigh for a peaceful reindeer safari through the snowy landscape, travelling at an unhurried pace while taking in the stillness of the winter surroundings.
Arctic Fun and a Magical Meeting with Santa
Join in with Arctic fun at the ranch, from tobogganing and pony rides to roasting marshmallows and riding children’s snowmobiles. Then, when the moment arrives, you will be whisked away through the forest for a private family meeting with Santa in his secluded cabin hideaway.
Time to Relax and Explore at Your Own Pace
Enjoy a leisurely morning with time to relax at your accommodation or head outside to make the most of the snow.
Day 4
Kota Activities and Family Fun
Enjoy a relaxed session of family activities around a traditional kota. Gather around the fire to grill sausages or toast marshmallows, try your hand at making festive decorations and spend more time outdoors with tobogganing and snowy activities.
Time to Relax and Explore at Your Own Pace
Enjoy a leisurely morning with time to relax at your accommodation or head outside to make the most of the snow.
Day 4
A Final Lapland Adventure
After checking out, enjoy one final winter experience with a guided snowshoe walk in the surroundings of Riekko. Snowshoes make it possible to travel more easily across the deep snow, allowing you to explore quiet woodland trails and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the winter landscape.
23rd December
Welcome to Lapland
On arrival, you will check in to your accommodation and collect the thermal clothing provided for the duration of your stay. With warm outer layers, boots, gloves and other essential winter clothing taken care of, you will be ready to enjoy the snowy surroundings in comfort.
The remainder of the afternoon is yours to settle in and begin enjoying the snow at a relaxed pace. Spend some time tobogganing together close to your accommodation, offering a fun and easy introduction to your Lapland surroundings.
24th December
A Gentle Journey with the Reindeer
Transfer to Jänkä Ranch to meet the reindeer and learn a little more about these gentle animals and their importance to life in Lapland. Climb aboard the sleigh for a peaceful reindeer safari through the snowy landscape, travelling at an unhurried pace while taking in the stillness of the winter surroundings.
Arctic Fun and a Magical Meeting with Santa
Join in with Arctic fun at the ranch, from tobogganing and pony rides to roasting marshmallows and riding children’s snowmobiles. Then, when the moment arrives, you will be whisked away through the forest for a private family meeting with Santa in his secluded cabin hideaway.
Time to Relax and Explore at Your Own Pace
Enjoy a leisurely morning with time to relax at your accommodation or head outside to make the most of the snow.
25th December
An Exciting Journey with the Huskies
Transfer to Jänkä Ranch (5 mins), where you will meet the lively and enthusiastic huskies before setting out on your safari. Once the teams are ready, travel along snowy trails and through the peaceful winter forest, experiencing the energy of the dogs and the beauty of the surrounding wilderness. Adults get the chance to try their hand at being the musher with a chance to swap drivers half way through. Finish you visit with a warm drink and the chance to ask questions about the lives of the huskies.
Snowmobile Safari
Continue your day with an exciting snowmobile safari through the Lapland landscape starting from the Riekko Lodge itself. Following your guide, travel along forest tracks and across the snow-covered surroundings, with opportunities to take in the quiet scenery and enjoy the thrill of exploring the wilderness by snowmobile. Adults share a snowmobile with the chance to swap drivers whislt the children are pulled in sleighs driven by the guide.
26th December
Kota Activities and Family Fun
Enjoy a relaxed session of family activities around a traditional kota. Gather around the fire to grill sausages or toast marshmallows, try your hand at making festive decorations and spend more time outdoors with tobogganing and snowy activities.
Time to Relax and Explore at Your Own Pace
Enjoy a leisurely morning with time to relax at your accommodation or head outside to make the most of the snow.
27th December
A Final Lapland Adventure
After checking out, enjoy one final winter experience with a guided snowshoe walk in the surroundings of Riekko. Snowshoes make it possible to travel more easily across the deep snow, allowing you to explore quiet woodland trails and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the winter landscape.
Find the right place for you
Frequently asked questions
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our Lapland breaks, from suitable ages and the weather to travel arrangements and what to expect during your stay.
Our festive breaks are designed with families in mind, and we find that children aged 4 and over tend to enjoy the experience most. We understand, however, that many families travel with siblings of different ages. We do not recommend travelling with infants under six months old, and if our local guides consider the weather or conditions unsuitable for a child under two to join an activity, one adult will need to remain behind with them.
We charter British Airways aircraft to offer direct flights from London Heathrow to Kittilä Airport in Finnish Lapland, with a flight time of approximately 3.5 hours. We also pre-allocate seats across the entire aircraft, helping to ensure that families are seated together.
The price of your holiday includes flights, transfers, thermal clothing, local guiding and all of the activities shown in the itinerary for your chosen break. Extras may include alcoholic or additional drinks, souvenirs and any optional activities you decide to add during your stay, such as ice fishing or cross-country ski school. These can usually be booked once you are in Lapland, giving you the flexibility to decide whether you would like to include anything further.
Each of our festive breaks offers a slightly different journey to meet Santa, but every family enjoys a private visit. You can send your children’s letters to Santa us before travelling, or discreetly hand them to your local guide on arrival, so they can be passed on to Santa in time for the meeting. We also send each child a personalised invitation from Santa before departure, helping the magic begin long before you reach Lapland.
Our Santa breaks operate throughout December, with a choice of three- and four-night stays leading up to Christmas. Our departure dates for 2026 and 2027 are:
- 4–7 December
- 7–11 December
- 11–14 December
- 14–17 December
- 17–20 December
- 20–23 December
- 23–27 December
Snow usually arrives in Lapland by the middle of November, and we have never had difficulty operating our festive breaks from the beginning of December onwards. Because we work with small groups, we have greater flexibility to adapt timings and itineraries where necessary, helping us to continue delivering the included activities. In the unlikely event that a complete lack of snow made it impossible for us to operate any of the activities, you would be entitled to a full refund.
We can cater for most dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, coeliac and lactose-free diets. Please let us know about any specific requirements at the time of enquiry, and we will be very happy to help. While every reasonable care is taken, we cannot guarantee that food will be completely free from cross-contamination.
For guests with a life-threatening allergy that may require immediate, time-sensitive medical intervention, we do not recommend travelling to the part of Lapland in which we operate. While medical assistance is available locally, the nearest full hospital is in Rovaniemi, approximately 200 kilometres away.