I wrote a few weeks ago about how this was expected to be the best winter ever for the Northern Lights. We have had a few enquiries about seeing the Northern Lights and what else you do so it got me thinking about a brilliant trip I had with my son to Lapland a few years ago. The lights were superb and for me a definite highlight but for a 7 year old they paled into insignificance next to snow-mobiles, reindeer, ice-fishing and twenty feet deep snow!
We went in February so there was a reasonable amount of daylight with sunrise at about 10.00 after an hour or so of dawn light and stunning sunsets at about 3.30pm. We were in the remote lake-side town of Inari, 300 km north of the Arctic Circle with road signs to Murmansk and the North Cape. There was no shortage of deep snow and extreme cold – thankfully one of the first things we did was get kitted out in thermal gear. The hotel had plenty of snow equipment to hand so the kids could grab a sledge, skis, snow-shoes or such-like and head outside whenever they wanted. Away from the hotel base two of the excursions really stood out.
Heading off on snow-mobiles was a massive thrill and the frozen Lake Inari the perfect surface to test the machines out. At various points we crossed headlands or islands on semi-marked trails through the woods and deep snow fields. The heated handlebars were crucial at -18 c as was the fire and hot berry juice before we started ice-fishing. Sunset fell over the lake as we set off back to town and a lack of patience meant supper was reindeer rather than fish.
The following day we set out to meet up with a Sami reindeer herder. Kitted out with fodder, to supplement the lichen in the depth of winter, on the sledges it was barely light when we left the farm. The Reindeer are semi-wild so he was not exactly sure where we would find them. We wove through the forests, following what seemed to be no discernible path with various whistles and calls every now and again. In the grey light we started to see movement and then from a variety of directions the reindeer started to appear. They emerged from the trees in snaking lines and crowded, quite close, while the fodder was unloaded. They were magnificent to see there must have been almost 200 or so by the time the sun came up. We sat around a camp fire in the snow while they munched on their hay.
You can see the Northern Lights best from September onwards. I would always suggest going as far north as possible and also thinking about what you are going to do in the day time. Before the snow arrives, or after it has gone, I would probably recommend Iceland due to its full on range of activities and sights. Once the snow starts to settle from November onwards I would really recommend that you think about Lapland, particularly for families. Father Christmas visits aside there is just so much to do from the skidoo-ing and reindeer trips above to husky rides, snow-shoeing and cross country skiing. If it is just grown up kids then you can also look at husky-safaris and overnight Ice-hotel type stays.
Speak to us at Putney Travel for advice on holidays in Lapland. It’s not just about the Northern Lights, although we will happily help with them as well.
by TMS