Äkäslompolo New Year Break
Arctic adventures and a magical start to the year
Enjoy husky sledding, snowmobiling and a visit to SnowVillage, together with either ice fishing or a reindeer safari. The itinerary also leaves time for skiing, tobogganing and exploring Äkäslompolo before welcoming the New Year beneath the Arctic sky.
27th December – 1st January
Welcome the New Year with Arctic adventure, snowy landscapes and time to explore
Celebrate New Year in Äkäslompolo with a varied programme of winter experiences, including husky sledding, a snowmobile safari and a visit to the remarkable SnowVillage. Depending on your chosen break, you can also try ice fishing or visit a reindeer farm and travel through the forest by sleigh. Alongside the included activities, there is time to enjoy the village at your own pace, whether you would like to ski, go tobogganing, explore the cross-country trails or simply relax in your cabin. With fireworks lighting the sky at midnight and the possibility of the Northern Lights overhead, it is a memorable way to begin the year in Lapland.
What's Included
- direct charter flights with British Airways
- accommodation
- meals on half board basis (breakfast and dinner)*
- husky safari
- snowmobile safari
- reindeer safari (cabins only)
- ice fishing (Lodge 67N Hotel only)
- visit to SnowVillage ice hotel
- transfers
- thermal clothing
* At Lodge 67°N Hotel, meals are served buffet-style, while cabin guests have meals delivered and set out for them in the comfort of their own accommodation.
Things to Do in Äkäslompolo
During your stay, there will be time to explore Äkäslompolo and the surrounding area at your own pace. The following experiences are not included in your break but can be arranged independently during your free time.
- Skiing and Snowboarding
Spend a day on the slopes at Ylläs, with a wide choice of runs suitable for beginners, families and more experienced skiers. - Cross-Country Skiing
Äkäslompolo is surrounded by an extensive network of well-maintained cross-country trails, many of which can be reached directly from the village. - Midnight Skiing on New Year’s Eve
Welcome the New Year on the slopes with the memorable experience of skiing beneath the Arctic night sky. - New Year’s Eve Fireworks
Fireworks usually take place around the ski area, while celebrations continue throughout the village as the night sky is illuminated at midnight. - Northern Lights Watching
On clear evenings, head outside and look towards the dark northern sky for the chance to see the Aurora Borealis. - Tobogganing
Enjoy the village’s purpose-built sledging areas, with plenty of opportunities for both children and adults to have fun in the snow. - Gondola to Fell 718
Take the gondola to the top of the fell, stop for a warming hot chocolate and enjoy far-reaching views across the surrounding fells and forests. - Children’s Snowmobiles in Ylläsjärvi
A short journey to neighbouring Ylläsjärvi gives younger guests the opportunity to drive mini snowmobiles around a specially designed track. - Fat Biking
Explore snow-covered trails by fat bike for a fun and unusual way to experience the winter landscape. A minimum height of approximately 145cm usually applies. - Visit Tonttula
Step into a world of festive charm at Tonttula, where the spirit of Christmas continues beyond December.
Itinerary
Please note that the sample itinerary is intended as a guide only, the order and days of activities may change.
27th December
Welcome to Your Arctic Home
Arrive in Lapland and settle into your new Arctic home, surrounded by snow-covered wilderness. Take your first steps into the snow, enjoy some tobogganing and breathe in the crisp, fresh air as your adventure begins. As the early dusk settles, the landscape is transformed by the soft colours of Arctic twilight, while the snow seems to glow in the darkness. You may even catch your first glimpse of the Northern Lights, or simply pause to enjoy the remarkable silence of softly falling snow.
28th December
More Huskies Than You Can Count
Experience the thrill of a husky safari at a working husky farm, where you’ll meet some of the friendly and energetic dogs that call Lapland home. After an introduction to mushing, you’ll take the lead and embark on an unforgettable 5km husky safari through the breathtaking Arctic wilderness.
After your ride, warm up with a hot drink by the fire and take the opportunity to ask the mushers about the lives of these incredible sled dogs—how they train, race, and thrive in the snowy landscapes of Lapland.
29th December
Visit to SnowVillage
Visit the extraordinary SnowVillage, rebuilt each winter with a new theme and created from thousands of tonnes of snow and ice. Explore the beautifully sculpted rooms, intricate ice artwork, ice bar and atmospheric chapel before returning to Äkäslompolo.
30th December
Into the Wilderness by Snowmobile
In the morning embark on a snowmobile safari through the untouched Lappish wilderness. After receiving driving instructions, safety equipment, and advice, you’ll set off on the safari. Two adults will share a snowmobile, and children (or those who do not wish to drive) will ride in a sleigh pulled behind the guide’s snowmobiles.
The safari covers 25 km, with a stop halfway in the forest for warm drinks and snacks. As two adults share each snowmobile, you can swap drivers after the break.
Meet the Reindeer and Their Herders
Visit a traditional reindeer farm and gain insight into the lives of these majestic animals from a local reindeer herder. Reindeer have been at the heart of life in Lapland for centuries, playing a vital role in the region’s culture and traditions. During your visit, enjoy a peaceful and leisurely reindeer sleigh ride, immersing yourself in the serene beauty of the Arctic landscape. (Cabins only)
31st December
Try Your Hand at Arctic Ice Fishing
At the serene Luosu Lake, surrounded by snow-laden trees and the vast Arctic wilderness, you’ll experience the peaceful art of ice fishing. Step onto the thick, glistening ice and drill a hole, feeling the crisp winter air as you lower your line into the dark, icy waters below. Patience is key as you wait in anticipation, watching for the slightest movement that signals a catch. Whether you reel in a fish or simply soak in the tranquillity of the frozen landscape, this traditional Nordic pastime offers a moment of quiet reflection and a true taste of life in Lapland. (Lodge 67°N Hotel only)
1st January
A Final Farewell to Lapland
After breakfast, enjoy a final unhurried morning in your cabin before checking out and heading into Äkäslompolo. There will be time for lunch in the village and one last opportunity to take in the snowy surroundings, browse the local shops or simply enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Afterwards, you will transfer to the airport for your return flight home, leaving Lapland with wonderful memories of your New Year adventure in the Arctic.
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.
January is usually the coldest month in Lapland, with temperatures often falling between -20°C and -40°C. Late December can be equally cold, so we recommend this break for children aged 6 and over.
We charter British Airways aircraft to offer direct flights from London Heathrow to Kittilä Airport in Finnish Lapland, with a flight time of approximately three and a half 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 as well as breakfast and dinner. Extras may include alcoholic or additional drinks, souvenirs and any optional activities you decide to add during your stay, such as Northern Lights snowmobile safari. These can usually be booked once you are in Lapland, giving you the flexibility to decide whether you would like to include anything further.
We have deliberately left some free time in the itinerary so that you can enjoy Äkäslompolo at your own pace. You may choose to try downhill or cross-country skiing, explore the snowy trails by fat bike, enjoy family tobogganing or visit the dedicated tobogganing area for teenagers and adults. There will also be time to relax, explore the village, enjoy the New Year fireworks and discover a range of other winter activities available locally.
Yes, Äkäslompolo usually has a lively atmosphere over New Year, with events such as midnight skiing and celebrations at SnowVillage. Fireworks may also take place around the village at midnight. Events can vary from year to year, and we will share confirmed details with you closer to departure.
Yes, Äkäslompolo has a good selection of restaurants, cafés and bars, ranging from relaxed family-friendly venues and pizzerias to traditional Finnish restaurants and more contemporary dining. There are also supermarkets and smaller shops where you can buy snacks, drinks and everyday essentials.
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.