Why Lapland Is the Most Magical Winter Destination

Situated at the northernmost corner of Europe, spread over Norway, Sweden and Finland, Lapland is one of the most beautiful yet sparsely populated places on Earth. Here are 10 interesting facts which make Lapland a winter destination like no other.

Snowy Winters in Lapland

• Lapland is one of the happiest places on earth. Finland has been recognized as the happiest country in the world by the World Happiness Report for nine consecutive years in a row. These nations are known for their high standards of living, clean environment and relative prosperity and stability.

• The air in Lapland is the cleanest in the world. There are very few industrial hubs in this region and most of it is covered by thick polar forests. Finland also has very stringent environmental regulations.

• Most people know Lapland for the magical Northern Lights. In the northernmost part of Lapland, the Lights are visible 200 nights a year - that's almost every night - between September and April.

• There are more reindeers in Lapland than people.  A recent survey counted 200000 reindeers compared to only 185000 humans in Finnish Lapland.

Northern Lights in Lapland

Photo credit: Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort

• Lapland is the home of the Sámi people, the only indigenous community in Europe. They have inhabited the geographical region of the Nordics for thousands of years and call this land Sápmi. The Sámi have a vibrant culture shaped by the harsh but serene environment that surrounds them.  They were originally hunter gatherers but are most recognized for their ties to reindeer herding., their duodji (handicrafts) and gákt (traditional garments).

• The Sámi still practice their traditional profession of reindeer herding. Reindeer herding is not merely an economic activity for these people but a spiritual and cultural practice, a way of moving through the land in rhythm with the seasons and preserving their heritage. Inari, a municipality in the Finnish part of Lapland, is widely regarded as the centre of  Sámi culture. Near Inari there are a number of ski resorts and igloo villages, some highly sought after by tourists like the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort and other more hidden gems, which makes for a great opportunity for adding a taste of Sámi culture to your winter itinerary. 

A Sami reindeer herder

• Finnish Lapland is also home to the one and the only, Santa Claus. The Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi is his official address. The city is the capital of Finnish Lapland and welcomes thousands of tourists every year to celebrate Christmas in a one-of-a-kind way. You can meet Santa at his home in the Santa Claus Village, send a letter to your loved ones from the Santa Claus Post Office and even cross the exact Arctic Circle to officially enter the polar world. From Rovaniemi you can visit the Ranua Wildlife Park to meet Arctic fauna, the Ounasvaara ski centre and the Artikum museum to learn more about technology and culture in Lapland. 

  
  

  

  Meet Santa Claus in the Santa Claus Village, Rovaniemi

• A little more than 100 kilometres away, lies Kemi. A coastal town on the Gulf of Bothnia, famous for its SnowCastle and the icebreaker Sampo — an authentic Arctic icebreaker cruise. These ships were once crafted to break through the thick layers of ice that covers the frozen Baltic Sea in the winter months. The town’s twin Tornio is a stone’s throw away from the Swedish border, a city known for a blend of Finnish and Swedish culture and salmon-fishing!

An icebreaker ship in Kemi, Lapland

So for your next winter vacation, come to discover the pristine beauty of Lapland. Check out JeeTravel’s tailored Winter Wonderland packages for more travel inspiration and ideas!