Lapland is a region that stretches across Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. It refers to the land which is inhabited by the Sami, who currently form the minority indigenous people of this zone.
In Finland, Lapland is situated at its northernmost part and covers about a third of this country’s whole area, reaching out to the Arctic Circle.
Thousands of tourists visit this country to experience the luxury of its pristine nature, its blissful spaces of silence and various exciting activities.
Tourist demand led to the development of resorts. One of these is Saariselkä, which is located in the municipality of Inari.
Saariselkä is a compact village surrounded by fell highlands and the Urho Kekkonen National Park.
Thirty years ago, it had about 2,000 beds available but today it boasts 13,500. This resort can be easily reached from Ivalo airport, which is the northernmost airport in Finland and Lapland’s oldest.
The changing of the seasons is particularly distinct in Northern Lapland, and the locals have learnt to adjust to this alternating rhythm of nature
A selection of hotels offers a good choice of accommodation, from basic, comfortable lodging to more high-class standards. We chose to stay at Hotel Kieppi (www.hotellikieppi.fi/en/) because it was built in traditional Finnish style with rooms shaped like small log-cabins.
Its owner, Matti Välitalo, informed us that in Finnish, the word kieppi refers to the burrow where birds hibernate during winter. We were surprised to learn that we were the first Maltese to lodge in his hotel, even though he receives many tourists from all over the world.
Everything in the Saariselkä resort, from the ski centre to nature trails, spa, hotels and restaurants, is within walking distance.
Moreover, the hotels themselves form a network, offering a fine choice of activities which will surely deliver a memorable stay.
The changing of the seasons is particularly distinct in Northern Lapland, and the locals have learnt to adjust to this alternating rhythm of nature.
The majority of tourists arrive in winter, which starts in November, following the arrival of snow, and the landscape is tinged in a blue hue of twilight.
At the beginning of December, the polar night falls over Saariselkä and the sun will not rise above the horizon again until the beginning of January. However, this does not mean that the place is in complete darkness. Indeed, the light of the moon, the stars and the Northern Lights, reflected by the snow, provide remarkable illumination that enables people to continue with their activities.
This is a time when one is expected to wear several layers of loose-fitting clothing, plus an all-in-one thermal Arctic suit and special insulated boots, socks and mittens. These can be hired from the resort, offering the best insulation against temperatures of -30°C.
The deep, slushy snow is ideal for those who would like to try tobogganing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice-fishing. Animal lovers can also join a husky, a reindeer or a horse safari, some of which allow tourists the option of driving the animals or sleighs.
Visitors can also try the Winter Olympics favourite of curling, which is a team game played on ice. The main aim is to get the stones closer to the circular target marked on the ice, called the house, than the opposing team.
When the sun rises again in January, it stays visible for only an hour, and from then on, the day will quickly get longer, until by the middle of February the daytime is already seven hours long.
The middle of March offers a good opportunity to observe the Northern Lights, as the weather is clearer. By mid-March, daytime lasts for nearly 12 hours, and in April it lasts over 16 hours.
In the last week of May, the midnight sun phenomenon begins. At this time, the hotels and their services, which usually close at the end of April, reopen as tourists start arriving in Saariselkä to experience the magic of the midnight sun. This is a period when the sun won’t set and the place is in daylight for 24 hours.
It is interesting to note that the availability of continuous light gives rise to the presence of unique species, such as the cloudberry, which grows only in these areas at this time.
Once again, visitors will get the strange impression of living on another planet, and activities can take place at any time.
Indeed, one can opt for some night-time fishing, hiking, canoeing or mountain biking… in broad daylight. Meanwhile, thanks to numerous national parks and wilderness areas, visitors can observe a very wide range of bird populations.
August and September are wonderful for hiking, and there is a 300km track set across blissful wilderness. This is also the season to pick up mushrooms and berries. South Finnish visitors will generally travel up to these areas in this period to collect these delicacies. In October, the resort facilities take another break before the cycle starts all over again.