Northern Lights Village Saariselkä – Downhill Skiing and Aurora Après Ski
- Details
Details
For a totally different take on a ski or snowboard holiday look no further than Finland. This is truly an off-the-beaten-track experience (which is almost impossible to find when it comes to downhill skiing!) combined with an utterly unique kind of après ski - Northern Lights Hunting! This holiday has the ideal combination of two one-day lift passes and equipment hire, two dedicated Northern Lights hunts and the option to add in some of Lapland's most popular activities including a husky or reindeer safari.
Downhill skiing and snowboarding have long been popular past times with hordes of people heading to the Alps, Dolomites, or even the Rockies each year in search of their next downhill fix. Skiing in Finland is a very different proposition, the resorts are on a much smaller scale, the lift queues (in comparison to their alpine counterparts) are non-existent and the snow quality is what dreams are made of!
Saariselkä is home to the northernmost ski resort in Europe and whilst it isn't the biggest resort we've ever skied in, it is perfectly formed. It has 15 slopes in total (10 of these are floodlit), 6 lifts and even a 1.8km tobogganing track. It is perfect for beginners or for those with some prior experience looking to build up their skills and confidence in a quieter setting with phenomenal snow conditions. For more advanced skiers or borders, whilst there are two black runs the resort is unlikely to push your limits too far, however, there are enough slopes for a couple of days' enjoyment.
What makes this skiing holiday really stand out from other potential destinations in Europe is the evenings you will spend out hunting for the Northern Lights. Where else can you tick off such a bucket list experience as part of a ski trip? There is also the ease of adding on additional snow-based activities such as husky or reindeer safaris which our expert team can help with.
Furthermore, your accommodation in the glass-roofed accommodation at the fantastic Northern Lights Village offers up the possibility of viewing the Aurora from the comfort of your cosy bed!
Important Information
Itinerary
The order of activities listed in this agenda is provided for guidance only. Your final and detailed itinerary will be provided either with your final travel documents (which will be emailed to you around a week prior to departure), or upon arrival.
Itinerary
Upon arrival at Ivalo Airport, you will be met by a transfer driver to travel 30 minutes to your accommodation at the Northern Lights Village. Here you will check in before being shown to your very own Aurora Cabin. Dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant and you will be given a time to pick up your cold weather clothing which will be yours for the duration of your stay.
After a busy day travelling, we really suggest just taking a moment outside your Aurora Cabin to appreciate the utter peace and tranquillity of your surroundings. A real contrast to the hustle and bustle of the airports you have travelled from this morning!
Don’t forget to set the Aurora Alert up in your cabin before going to sleep, that way if the Northern Lights do appear in the local area the alarm will sound and you can either lay in bed and enjoy the view from your cosy duvet or you can wrap up warm and head outside to get a full view of the night sky.
Included Meals: Dinner
Breakfast will be served in the hotel restaurant before transferring the short distance to the ski resort in nearby Saariselkä. Here you will pick up your lift pass and be fitted with your equipment hire for today and tomorrow. Once you are all set then it is time to hit the slopes! There is a designated beginner’s area for those new to skiing or snowboarding or if you have more experience then there is a whole mountain waiting for you to explore. The exceptionally short queues mean that you can dart around the mountain and soon find your favourite slopes.
Lunch is not included today so you can either eat at the restaurant at the ski resort or visit one of the restaurants in Saariselkä village depending on how much downtime from the slopes you need to give your ski legs a chance to recover.
When you have finished skiing for the day you will transfer back to Northern Lights Village for a hot shower and evening meal in the hotel restaurant.
After dinner, you will get wrapped up warm and meet your guide for this evening to head out on your inaugural Northern Lights hunt. You will travel by minibus to the shore of the vast frozen Lake Inari. The lake was believed to be the home of Ukko in tales passed through generations of local families. From here you will walk to the Aurora Camp which has a small hut where the guide will light a fire to keep warm. Your guide will serve a hot drink and snack during the activity. There will also be reindeer hides available to carry down to the frozen lake and lie back and marvel at the silence all around you. Legend says it is sometimes possible to hear the Northern Lights whispering overhead for the very lucky amongst us.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today you will head back to the slopes to explore any areas you didn’t manage to tick off yesterday and also try some of the more difficult slopes if you wish! Lunch is by your own arrangement again today and when you have had a full day on the slopes you will hand back your equipment and return to the Aurora Cabin to freshen up before dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Additional Aurora hunts are available this evening if you want to really maximise your chances of enjoying one of Mother Nature’s greatest phenomena during your time in Finland.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we have left free for you to either relax in your homely Aurora Cabin or alternatively you can book additional activities such as a husky or reindeer safari. It is also possible to hire cross-country skis or snowshoes to explore the local area under your own steam if you prefer; there are miles and miles of marked trails all around the Northern Lights Village and Saariselkä.
If you would prefer some downtime the hotel has a fantastic sauna, hot tub and plunge pool on site, just ask at reception for more information (payable locally). Lunch is included in the hotel restaurant today.
This evening after dinner you will head out (2 people per snowmobile) on your second Northern Lights hunt, this time via snowmobile! After a full safety briefing, you will head off into the snow-covered forests surrounding the accommodation and into the fells. Once at the top, you will stop and the guide will light a fire and talk to you about some of the science and also the myths and legends surrounding the Aurora Borealis.
Hopefully, you will be rewarded with an Auroral display before heading back to the hotel. Once back at the hotel you will return to your rooms but keep one eye skywards through that glass ceiling as you never know when you may catch a glimpse of the flare from a Northern Lights display.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning after breakfast (or with a boxed breakfast if you have an early departure) it is time to leave Finland and journey back home. Don’t worry though – our travel experts are waiting to discuss your next adventure to Lapland depending on what were the real highlights this time!
Included Meals: Breakfast
What's included?
- Flights: Return flights from London to Ivalo (either direct or via Helsinki). Flight routes subject to change. Regional and non-UK departures are available on request (flight routes are subject to change)
- Transfers: Return airport transfers
- Accommodation: 4 nights in an Aurora Cabin
- Meals: 4 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 4 dinners
- 2 one-day lift passes to Saariselkä downhill ski resort
- 2 days premium equipment hire (boots and skis or snowboard)
- Return transfers to ski slopes from Northern Lights Village for 2 days
- Aurora hunt by snowmobile
- Aurora Camp by the Lake
- Aurora Alert service which you can set to alert you throughout the night or to end at a specific time
- 24/7 assistance from our UK-based operations team and in-destination support from our local partners
Accommodation
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Located in North East Finland, the Northern Lights Village sits on the outskirts of the ski resort of Saariselka. Tucked away from the town and separated from it by dense forest, the location is ideal for viewing the Northern Lights but is still within walking distance (around 1000m) of the town’s amenities. The ski slopes can be accessed via a shuttle (small charge applies) or a pleasant walk of around 40-50 minutes.
The Northern Lights Village offers accommodation in Aurora Cabins which are half-roofed with glass. The twin or double beds are situated beneath the panoramic roof and provide the chance to view the Northern Lights from your bed! It’s not often that folk prefer a sleepless night but here it’s not considered to be a huge inconvenience as it provides the chance to potentially witness Mother Nature’s greatest light show!
There are 80 cabins in total, all of which are within a 5-10 minutes walk of the Village’s central facilities which include the restaurant where you’ll enjoy breakfast and dinner.
Facilities
- The Village restaurant is an atmospheric place, inspired by traditional wooden kotas (Finnish teepees). Breakfast is a buffet of continental options and some hot dishes. Evening meals are a buffet with starters of soups and salad, a choice of local meat or fish will follow (the reindeer and white fish in this region are delicious!). Typically a cake will be served for pudding, keeping you well-fuelled for your nocturnal Aurora hunting adventures. Dietary requirements are all well-catered for as long as we are informed at the time of booking (you will also need to make staff aware of your requirements locally because of the buffet service. The local staff are very happy to assist with guiding you to the suitable meals on offer). There’s also a large bar and lounge area with additional comfy seating nearby in reception for you to relax in after your meal.
- The Northern Lights Village has an onsite reindeer paddock and all activities start in the village so there is no need for time-wasting transfers. Basically, because we want to make your holiday as uncomplicated as possible, life is made very easy here.
- Saariselka is around a 20-25 minute walk from the Northern Lights Village (40-50 minutes to the ski slopes) which means that all of the amenities, shops, cafes and local restaurants are within easy reach.
- During most activities, an expert guide will take pictures which can be purchased in the days following your activity (this is an additional charge payable locally) on your return to the village.
- For all of your provided winter clothing, simply go to the onsite Safari House where overalls, gloves, boots, skis and snowshoes are stored for easy access.
- Guests can pay extra to use the hot tub, sauna and ice pool.
Aurora Cabin
The Aurora Cabins have a half-glass roof which is laser heated to keep it clear of ice, and they all face the Northern sky.
Each cabin has a double (separate duvets) or twin beds and some have an additional sofa bed, suitable for an additional adult or two small children. There is a shower room (with underfloor heating) and a toilet, as well as a luggage storage area, Tea and coffee-making facilities, free WiFi, a hairdryer and a minibar (payable locally) are also included.
Importantly for duvet-based Aurora hunting, a timer switch can be used to heat the glass roof should your view be obscured by snowfall. It takes approximately 5-10 minutes to heat and melt the snow so there’s no need to go and sweep the roof in your pyjamas!
A few housekeeping notes we always like guests to be aware of – cabins are not cleaned between arrival and departure unless requested from reception. Additionally, towels can be exchanged at reception if required. The hot water is plentiful, but not unlimited (10-15 minutes per half hour), so please bear this in mind.
Personalise This Tour
The beauty of snowshoeing is that it provides the chance for wildlife encounters, as the local flora and fauna will not be scared off by the noise of engines or the sound of sleds. So, for nature lovers, this is an ideal choice as your local guide will provide information on the wildlife and its natural environment. You may have the chance to witness Siberian Jay, willow grouse or a herd of roaming reindeer. You will stop for a hot drink along the way.
Group size: 1-16 (approximately)
Duration: 2 hours (approximately); a warm drink is included
For those who want a little more than a taster of husky sledding, this 10km track is a longer expedition so you can really settle into your role as a musher.
Dog sledding is one of the most popular winter activities and from the moment you meet your team of hugely enthusiastic huskies you know you’re in for an unforgettable experience.
Your expert musher guide will show you how to handle the sled before you set off on the snowy trails travelling two people per sled (you can change drivers halfway). The dogs will fall silent as soon as the lines become taut and they focus on their favourite task, pulling the sled. The scenery here is wild but a thick blanket of snow makes it seem calm and serene. One thing is sure; there can be few better ways to explore it than with a team of dogs.
You will usually travel two per sled (one driving and one as a passenger in the sled)
Duration: approximately 2 hours in total (10km or around 1hr sled ride) including short transfers and briefing.
Reindeer have played an integral role in the local economy and culture for many, many centuries. An understanding of these animals and their herders is something no visitor to the region should miss.
You will meet with a reindeer herder and hear tales from the trails as you learn about reindeer husbandry. You’ll get the chance to feed the animals before enjoying a one-hour (approximately) reindeer-pulled sleigh ride.
Duration: 4 hours (sleigh ride is 1 hour)
| Tour Loaction: | Saariselka,Finland |
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| Tour Loaction: | Saariselka,Finland |
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| Tour Loaction: | Saariselka,Finland |
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Tour Map
Additional Info
– Up to balance due date (this is normally 16 weeks prior to departure however some holidays differ. If this applies to your holiday you will be advised at the time of booking) – Loss of deposit (including the full cost of flights or other services where paid at the time of booking)
– Between balance due date and 43 days prior to departure – 60%
– 42 to 16 days prior to departure – 85%
– 15 or less days – 100%
If you are travelling early in the winter season and there is not enough snowfall, then some activities may be adapted by the local team, or alternatives provided, to ensure everyone’s safety and comfort. For more information on this, please see section 11 of our booking terms and conditions.
Key Facts
For your best chance to see the Northern Lights, contact the UK’s only Aurora specialists
