Top exclusive activities to include in your luxury Lapland vacation

Finnish Lapland offers some of the most exclusive holiday experiences in Europe, from husky safaris and snowmobile expeditions across Arctic wilderness to reindeer sleigh rides and northern lights hunts under a sky full of stars. What makes a luxury Lapland vacation stand apart is not just the scenery but the quality of the experiences and the comfort you return to after each adventure. Below, we answer the questions most travellers ask before planning a high-end trip to this extraordinary corner of the world.

What are the most exclusive activities to do in Finnish Lapland?

The most exclusive Lapland activities combine Arctic wilderness with a high level of personal service and genuine cultural depth. Think private husky safaris through untouched snow-covered forests, reindeer sleigh rides with a local Sámi herder, snowmobile expeditions to frozen wilderness lakes, and candlelit dinners inside a traditional Lappish kota. These are not tourist checkbox experiences. They are immersive, small-group or private adventures that stay with you long after you leave.

Here is a selection of the standout experiences available near Saariselkä:

• Private husky safari with luxury sauna and jacuzzi: A 4.5-hour experience combining a self-drive husky sled ride through the Arctic forest with a preheated Finnish sauna and an outdoor jacuzzi session afterward. This is one of the most sought-after combinations in the region.
• Aurora hunting by reindeer sleigh: Glide silently through the forest at night while a local guide leads the reindeer and shares stories of Lappish culture. A campfire break with hot drinks is included.
• Snowmobile safari with ice fishing: Travel by snowmobile through fell landscapes to a remote wilderness lake, try your hand at ice fishing, and warm up in a heated hut with a traditional soup lunch.
• Wilderness dinner in a kota: A three-course dinner cooked over an open fire in a traditional Lappish hut, with salmon as the centrepiece and the possibility of the northern lights visible through the door.
• Siida Museum excursion to Inari: A full-day cultural trip to the award-winning Sámi museum, including a guided tour, local lunch, and a walk on a frozen lake.

When you stay with us at VALO Ice Cube Villas, we handle the activity planning for you. You tell us what interests you, and we build a tailored itinerary from our trusted local partners, so you arrive knowing every day is already taken care of.

When is the best time to visit Lapland for luxury experiences?

The best time to visit Finnish Lapland for a luxury holiday depends on what you want to experience. Winter, from late November through March, is the peak season for snow-based activities, northern lights sightings, and the full Arctic atmosphere. Summer, from June through August, offers the midnight sun, hiking, and a completely different kind of Lapland magic. Both seasons have their own distinct appeal.

Winter: December to March

This is when Lapland is at its most iconic. Snowfall is reliable, daylight is short but golden, and the conditions are ideal for husky safaris, snowmobiling, reindeer experiences, and aurora hunting. The period from mid-December to early January is the busiest and most festive, with prices reflecting that. If you want the full winter experience with fewer crowds, late January through March offers excellent snow conditions and clearer skies for northern lights viewing.

Summer: June to August

Summer in Lapland is far less crowded than winter, yet it offers its own luxury appeal. The midnight sun means you can hike, kayak, and explore Finland’s largest national park at any hour. The landscape transforms into a lush green wilderness, and the sense of space and silence is remarkable. For travellers who want a genuinely different kind of high-end escape, a summer visit to Saariselkä is worth serious consideration.

What should you look for in a luxury Lapland accommodation?

A luxury Lapland accommodation should offer genuine comfort in a genuinely remote setting. That means high-quality materials and finishes, a private sauna, outdoor space, and a location that puts you close to nature without sacrificing warmth or style. The best options also come with concierge-level support so you are not left to figure out activities, transfers, and dining on your own.

When evaluating accommodation in Lapland, look for these qualities:

• Private sauna: A non-negotiable in Finland. After a day in the Arctic cold, a sauna is not a luxury add-on but a genuine necessity.
• Outdoor terrace or jacuzzi: The ability to sit outside, breathe the cold air, and look up at the sky is one of the great pleasures of a Lapland stay.
• Quality of materials: Natural stone, solid wood, and thoughtful design make the difference between a villa that feels luxurious and one that just looks the part in photos.
• Views and setting: Proximity to a national park or fell landscape adds immeasurable value to the experience.
• Activity support: The best luxury accommodation providers do not just hand you a key. They help you build your itinerary, arrange private transport, and take care of the details.

Our VALO Ice Cube Villas in Saariselkä are designed with all of this in mind, situated right next to the ski slopes and overlooking Finland’s largest national park. We take care of everything from airport transfers to activity bookings, so your holiday is genuinely all-inclusive from the moment you arrive.

How do you see the northern lights in Lapland?

To see the northern lights in Lapland, you need three things: darkness, clear skies, and solar activity. Finnish Lapland, particularly the Saariselkä area, is one of the best places in Europe to witness the aurora borealis because it sits within the auroral zone and has very low light pollution. The season runs from late August through early April, with the darkest months of November to February offering the most viewing hours.

No one can guarantee a northern lights sighting, but you can significantly improve your chances by choosing the right experience. Options available near Saariselkä include:

• Aurora hunting by car: A skilled local driver takes you to the best vantage points based on real-time conditions. You stay warm inside the minibus between stops.
• Aurora camp by minibus: Travel to a campfire setting in the wilderness, where a guide shares stories while you watch the sky. Warm drinks and snacks are included.
• Aurora hunting by husky sled: Combine a 15 to 30 km husky ride through the Arctic forest with the chance of seeing the lights overhead.
• Aurora hunting by reindeer sleigh: A quieter, slower pace that suits those who want a more peaceful evening under the stars.
• Snowmobile aurora tour: Cover more ground across the fells to find the clearest skies and best viewing spots.

One important note: you cannot reliably watch the northern lights from inside your villa. The best sightings happen away from any ambient light, ideally in open fell terrain or deep forest. Booking a dedicated aurora tour gives you the best combination of expert guidance, mobility, and comfort.

What outdoor winter activities are available near Lapland ski resorts?

Near Lapland ski resorts like Saariselkä, the range of outdoor winter activities goes well beyond skiing. The surrounding wilderness is a playground for snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice fishing, ice karting, and Arctic ice swimming, alongside the husky and reindeer experiences that Lapland is famous for. The density of activities available within a short distance of the slopes is one of the reasons Saariselkä works so well as a base for a full winter holiday.

Saariselkä is a particularly good choice because the ski area is ski-in, ski-out from the VALO villas, meaning you can ski in the morning and join a snowmobile expedition in the afternoon without any complicated logistics. Some of the most popular winter activities in the area include:

• Snowmobile safaris across fell landscapes and frozen lakes
• Husky sled rides through Arctic pine forest
• Reindeer safaris with Sámi cultural experiences
• Snowshoe walks to mountain tops at sunset
• Ice karting on a dedicated track
• Arctic ice swimming with sauna and optional jacuzzi

For families, couples, and friend groups alike, the variety means you can mix adrenaline with relaxation across the course of a week without ever repeating yourself. We put together a tailored activity plan for every group that stays with us, so you never have to spend time searching for what to do next.

Is Lapland worth visiting in summer for a luxury holiday?

Yes, Lapland is absolutely worth visiting in summer for a luxury holiday, and it remains one of Europe’s most underrated warm-weather destinations. While most people associate Finnish Lapland with snow and northern lights, the summer season brings the midnight sun, vibrant green fell landscapes, and a level of peace and quiet that is harder to find in the crowded winter months. For travellers looking for something genuinely different, summer in Lapland delivers.

In summer, Urho Kekkonen National Park, which borders Saariselkä, opens up for hiking, wildlife spotting, and river experiences. The long daylight hours mean you can hike at midnight if you want to. Accommodation prices are generally lower than in peak winter season, and the area feels more spacious with fewer visitors around.

What you give up in a summer visit is the snow-based activities and the northern lights. What you gain is a completely different side of Lapland that most visitors never see. For those who have already experienced the winter version, or who simply want a luxury nature escape without the crowds, a summer stay at VALO Ice Cube Villas is a compelling option. The villas are just as comfortable in summer, and the national park views take on an entirely new character when the landscape is green and the sun barely sets.