Lapland: straight to the Aurora Borealis

Mystery, silence, and beauty are the attributes that best describe this little known destination. It is a trip that can, in fact, be a bit more expensive than other regular trips (Northern Europe is more expensive than the rest of Europe, and in this case, due to the necessary logistics, it is definitely a place that’ll cost you more than more conventional places). On the other hand, your eyes are certainly going to see one of the most beautiful views ever.

Lapland (also known as Sápmi) is a geographic region on the Northern Europe. It is surrounded, on the Northside, with the Artic Ocean, on the West by the Norwegian Sea, and on the East by the Barents Sea. Lapland is divided among the states of Norway, Russia, Switzerland, and Finland. The last two, members of the European Union since 1995.

The Aurora Borealis

The last years have been wonderful to see the Aurora Borealis. The solar activity is in its peak, and generates geomagnetic reactions that form the beautiful view. It’s possible to see Aurora Borealis in Finland’s Northwest region, both from the top of the Saana mountains, and from your bed in the Tundrea de Kilpisjärvi Hotel. The occurrences are so frequent that you can almost get used to them – but wait. Each one is so different from the other that it becomes impossible not to realize they’re happening.

The best time of the year to see them is between October and February, when it is darker. Therefore, for being a natural phenomenon, its occurrence can become quite unpredictable.

Snow up to Treriksröset

Entering a chilly immensity in a wagon pulled by a snowmobile can be a unique sensation. If, apart from that, we have a sunny day allowing amazing sunsets, don’t even think about pulling your camera – you’ll never be able to register what you just saw, a real dream. One of the most popular excursions organized by Kilpissafarit is the one that takes the tourists to the country’s most occidental spot, right by the border between Norway and Switzerland. The winter is gelid and lonely, as all others, but in the summer there are visitors coming from the three coastal countries – some of them dive in those waters. Brrr!

During the trip to the North on top of a snowmobile, it is possible to encounter, behind a mountain, a group of people with their huge backpacks. The same way Spain has their Camino de Santiago, in Lapland the people walk through a 30-degree-below-zero land extension for days or even weeks. You meet people from all over, with all ages.

The key to success there are the shelters – always well looked after, free, and equipped with a small kitchen, tables, and wood surfaces on which it is possible to mount camp. Anyone can use them. More information about how to get ready for an expedition like that are found in Lapland’s touristic websites.

The sleigh pulled by huskies

Dogs are still the official sleigh pullers, making communication easier in Lapland during winter times. Going for a short trip on a sleigh pulled by the photogenic huskies makes you feel as if you were stuck in a Jack London soap opera. Hetta Huskies, in Enontekio, organize both short and long trips – whichever you consider good enough for feeling the gelid wind on your face, and pretend you are searching for gold.

A pub within the island

Haltinmaa, in Kilpisjärvi, is the only pub within 190 kilometers. The pub is one of these spots on the way where everyone stops – sooner or later. It’s a place visited by so many Norwegians, that even its menus are written in their language, and the prices are charged in their currency. Plus, beer there is much cheaper than in Norway itself. Haltinmaa, with a simple wood and pattern decoration, is a place where you can listen to stories about snow, wilderness, and wolves. It is one of those pubs where anything could happen.

From sauna to snow

The custom in Finland is of enjoying the steam rooms on Saturdays with the family, and drinking a few beers before meeting your friends. All hotels in Lapland have at least one steam room – collective or individual.

Walking over the ice is hard, especially when you’re surprised by a storm. It feels as if you were Captain Scott exploring the Pole, but with a happy ending. Besides, with luck and without storms, it is possible to see footprints of bears, foxes, and reindeers on the snow.

I could keep talking and talking about this amazing place. But the best is for you to see it for yourself. Lapland’s waiting for you – silent and challenging.