FAQs

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.

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.

In December 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.

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.

We kindly ask families not to bring additional gifts for Santa to present during the visit. Most guests do not bring extra presents, and it can be upsetting for other children if it appears that some have received more than others. Each child will receive a soft toy gift from Santa during their private meeting.

In December, winter is just beginning in Lapland. Temperatures typically range from around -5°C to -35°C, although it can occasionally be colder, as you are around 200 km north of the Arctic Circle. We provide full thermal clothing for all guests (including children), including a thermal suit, boots, and gloves. Further information on what is included and how to dress for the conditions is provided separately.

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.

You’ll receive your confirmed itinerary once you arrive in Lapland. Please note that times and/or the order of activities may differ from the sample itineraries online, so it’s important to follow the information provided by your guides once you arrive.

Our itineraries are carefully planned in advance and, unfortunately, cannot be changed either before departure or during your stay. December is an exceptionally busy time in Lapland, and fixed timings allow us to ensure that every family can enjoy all of the included activities without affecting the experience of other guests. The welfare of the animals is also very important to us, so their designated rest periods must be carefully built into each itinerary.

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.

Although the breaks take place only a short time apart, temperatures can fall significantly after Christmas. Our Santa breaks usually take place in milder early-December conditions, whereas New Year can bring temperatures of -20°C to -40°C, with longer periods spent outdoors. Younger children can become cold much more quickly, so we recommend our New Year breaks for children aged 6 and over to ensure they can enjoy the activities safely and comfortably.

Over New Year, activities may be scheduled in the morning, afternoon or towards the early evening. Your final itinerary, including the timings for each activity, will be provided closer to your departure.

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.

January is typically the coldest and darkest month, with short days and temperatures that can fall as low as -20°C to -40°C. Daylight increases quickly through February and March, while temperatures generally become milder. By April, the days are long and bright, although there is usually still plenty of snow and conditions remain suitable for winter activities. Weather in Lapland can vary considerably, so these temperatures should be treated as a general guide.

Summer in Lapland brings exceptionally long, light-filled days. Around June and July, the sun remains above the horizon throughout the night in many northern areas, creating the Midnight Sun. By August, the evenings gradually begin to darken, although daylight hours remain long. Temperatures typically range from around 10°C to 20°C, but warmer days and cooler evenings are both possible, so we recommend bringing layers and a light waterproof jacket.

We do not operate direct flights during this period, but we can help you find the most suitable Finnair option for your journey. Flights usually connect via Helsinki, where the transfer process is straightforward and well organised.

No, we will arrange your transfers to and from Kittilä Airport, as well as transport to all included activities. However, should you wish to explore further afield during your stay, rental cars can be booked easily at Kittilä Airport.

Yes, summer kennel and farm visits are available, and this can be a lovely time to meet the animals, including husky puppies at some locations. Certain kennels also offer guided husky and puppy walks through the wilderness. Pulled safaris are not usually available during the summer months, as the warmer temperatures can be too hot for the animals.

Summer in Lapland offers a wide range of outdoor experiences, including hiking, cycling, canoeing, lake swimming, white water rafting, fishing, wildlife watching and visits to reindeer farms and husky kennels. You can also enjoy guided wilderness walks, husky and puppy walks, berry picking and peaceful evenings beneath the Midnight Sun. The region also hosts a number of summer sporting events, including long-distance trail running races and mountain biking events.

Drivers must hold a full, valid driving licence. Snowmobile routes are treated much like roads and are patrolled by the police, so the same rules around safe and responsible driving apply. Snowmobiles are usually shared between 2 people, with the opportunity to swap drivers during the safari. Guests without a driving licence can travel as passengers, while children are usually seated in a covered sleigh pulled by the guide.

During the husky safari, you will typically drive your own team of huskies while the rest of your family travels in the sleigh. Each sleigh can usually carry up to 4 people, depending on the size of the passengers, and larger families can be divided between 2 or more sleighs.

For the reindeer safari, the whole family travels together in a traditional sleigh while the reindeer is guided by an experienced herder.

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. Opening hours can vary by season, so we recommend checking in advance, particularly if you are travelling outside the busiest winter weeks.

Most shops, restaurants and cafés in Äkäslompolo remain open over Christmas and New Year, although some may operate reduced hours on Christmas Eve, Chrsitmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Opening times can vary, so we recommend checking ahead and booking restaurants in advance where possible.

The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, so sightings can never be guaranteed. However, Lapland offers excellent conditions, with long, dark nights and very little light pollution. Clear skies and strong solar activity will give you the best chance, and your guides will be happy to advise you during your stay.

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.

Yes, Äkäslompolo has downhill ski slopes suitable for a range of abilities, with equipment hire and ski school lessons available locally. The area also has an extensive network of cross-country ski trails, with equipment hire and instruction available for beginners as well as more experienced skiers. It is worth bearing in mind that conditions can be considerably colder than in the Alps, so this may not always be the most comfortable introduction for first-time skiers.