Lapland Adventure 3/4 Nights 2024/2025
Holidays to Hetta conjure up a taste of true Lapland – expect empty snowscapes, cute wooden villages and thrilling winter sports.
A winter wilderness
Hidden away on the north-western arm of Finland, Hetta looks like a Christmas card come to life. It’s about as far north as you can get in Europe, just 50 kilometres or so from the Arctic Ocean. In other words, it’s seriously remote – think flat-topped mountains, tiny wooden huts and a huge frozen lake.
Snowy scenery
It probably goes without saying, it’s the snow that really draws visitors here. Hetta’s untouched wintry landscapes make the perfect playground for all manner of adventures. Cue snowmobile safaris that zoom across polar-like plateaus, reindeer sleigh rides through glittering glades, and husky-pulled sleds that sweep you over the fresh drifts. Plus, there are hundreds of kilometres of tracks nearby for cross-country skiing.
Northern Lights
Being so far north, this is one of Finland’s prime places for spotting the elusive Northern Lights. Your best chance comes on crystal-clear nights between 9.30pm and 11pm, so keep your eyes to the skies when the time and conditions are right. If you’re lucky enough to see the dazzling solar flares, legend has it you’ll be happy for the rest of your days.
Lapland Holiday Itinerary
Fly To Kittila – Stay In Hetta
Day 1
After landing at Kittila Airport – where you’ll collect your thermal snow clothes – you’ll be whisked off to your hotel in Hetta. The rest of the day is yours to suss out your snowy surroundings.
Day 2
This morning is packed-full of taster sessions – pick from the likes of a 400-metre husky-sled ride and a 500-metre snowmobile ride. Afterwards, there’s a toboggan run to tackle. Or you can head inside the Kota tent– a teepee-style hut – for a traditional Lappish ceremony. Come afternoon, you’ve got the option of spending some free time in the snow or booking onto one of our full excursions.
Day 3
Snow fights, reindeer sleigh rides and snowmobiling are all on the cards on Day 3. Just so you know, those of you on a 3-night trip will enjoy Day 4’s activities today instead.
Day 4
You’ll head into the heart of a frozen forest for today’s finale. Here, you can hop in a reindeer-pulled sleigh, whizz downhill on a toboggan and decorate Christmas cookies with the elves. What’s more, there’ll also be a chance to sit down with the man in red himself – Santa Claus. After all that excitement, you’ll finish the day with a festive feast.
Lapland Adventure can be teamed with a stay at the Lapland Hotel Hetta. The order of events may change slightly from trip to trip, but all the activities will be included at some point during your holiday. If you want to celebrate Christmas Day in Lapland, book our 4-night trip, with flights leaving on the 22nd of December.
Hetta Accommodation
Lapland Hotel Hetta
With pine forests and a frozen lake on the doorstep, it’s the views that everyone writes home about at the Lapland Hotel Hetta.
This place is in a picturesque part of town, snuggled up to the shores of Lake Ounasjärvi. It’s right in the heart of Lapland’s snow-dusted wilderness, so it’s a popular base for hikers and skiers.
Inside, things are just as Lappish – you’ll be met by a crackling fire in the lobby, and the restaurant puts traditional fare on the menu. An indoor pool and Finnish sauna are also part of the scene.
Need To Know
What should I pack?
If you're coming to Lapland for the day, we recommend you wear warm clothes and only take hand luggage on the plane, as we'll lend you a cosy all-in-one thermal suit, as well as boots, gloves, socks and a hat. If you're on a 3 or 4-night trip, we'll still kit you out with all the necessary gear - which is yours for the duration of your holiday - but it's a good idea to bring lots of layers, too.
What’s the weather like?
In December, daytime temperatures generally range from 0 to -20 degrees, but it can fall as low as -40 during a particularly cold spell. You’ll get four to five hours of ‘grey light’ between about 10am and 3pm. The rest of the time it’s dark, but still quite bright because of all the snow. What’s more, all the activity areas are well lit.
What’s the food like?
It depends on where you stay, but most hotels in Lapland put on international buffet spreads. Usually, there’ll be a selection of meat, fish and pasta dishes to choose from, as well as a variety of vegetables and salad. You’ll also find children’s favourites, like chips, meatballs, and burgers on offer. And some places serve Finnish specialities, like smoked reindeer pizza.
Is Lapland suitable for young children?
We don’t recommend our Lapland trips for children under 4-years-old. That’s because the chilly temperatures and types of activities aren’t suited to really little ones. If you do bring toddlers along, though, you’ll need to provide their own thermal clothing.
Do I need insurance?
It’s essential you and your family have the protection you need in case the unexpected happens. What’s more, if you want to take part in any snow sports when you’re away, you’ll need a policy that covers you for these.
Can I drive a snowmobile?
If you want to get behind the wheel of a snowmobile, make sure you bring your full UK driving licence with you. As long as local guides agree, children aged 12 and over can ride as a passenger on your snowmobile. Younger children have to travel in a sleigh pulled by one instead.