Northern Lights Adventure with Santa's Lapland
Seeing the Northern Lights is top of my bucket list, so when we discovered that you can take part in a Northern Lights Safari when we were staying at Santa’s Lapland we couldn’t pass up on the opportunity.
We booked it for after our Search for Santa Day which mean’t we had to leave that slightly earlier (3.30pm), but we had made sure we packed everything in that we wanted to do.
It is dark in Lapland by 3.30pm, so the tour departs by coach from the Holiday Club at 4.30pm. We did chuckle that the coach drove us two minutes up the road, where we disembarked to get our kit for the evening which included balaclava’s and helmets – it would have been quicker to walk!!
Once we were kitted out, we walked around the corner to find our mode of transport for the evening – snowmobiles.
The excursion involves driving snowmobiles out in to the wilderness to find a good viewing place. You can pay a single rider premium to have your own snowmobile, or you can ride pillion and have one person driving on the way there and the other driving on the way back, which is what we decided to do.
Whilst our guide was showing us you how to drive the snowmobile, the kids were entertained by other members of staff before getting onboard a sleigh and snuggling under warm blankets. The sleigh is pulled along by a guide’s snowmobile for safety.
We then set off in convoy in search of the Northern Lights. After driving for about half an hour you then make a stop in the forest, away from the bright lights of Saariselkä, and sit around a warming fire where everybody enjoys a hot drink and some traditional gingerbread biscuits whilst the guides tell you the local legends surrounding the Northern Lights.
The old local legend that says that the lights were caused by an Arctic fox as it ran along the fells, catching its busy tail in snowdrifts and sending a trail of sparks in to the sky. In Finnish the Northern Lights are called “revontulet” or “fox fires” as its name derives from this legend.
Frustratingly for us, it was too cloudy to see the Northern Lights, although it had finally stopped snowing, but we all enjoyed a chance to drive the Snowmobiles and get away from the bright lights of the town.
The clouds did part on the way back and we did get to see the super moon that was shining brightly in the sky. It looks like my wish to see the Northern Lights will just have to remain at the top of my bucketlist for a bit longer!!
The Northern Lights Adventure costs €129 per adult and €95 per child and the adventure lasts around 90 minutes. Driving a snowmobile is an experience in itself and we really appreciated the heated handlebars as we bounced around on the snow!!
Choclette
Now that sounds a truly magical thing to do. What fun. I’d love to see the Northern Lights too – one day!
Hannah Denton
That looks absolutely stunning! The trip of a lifetime!
Cathy Glynn
What an exciting trip, such a shame you didn’t see the northern lights x
Talya
Wow this is going on my bucket list! We have always wanted to see the Northern Lights but seeing them in Lapland has to take the biscuit!
Cleo
A trip to the northern lights on a snowmobile! This looks amazing!
Charli
this sounds like such a fantastic evening. I love the idea of sitting about a fire, wrapped up warm and watching the lights. I’m just so sorry it was too cloudy to see the lights!
five little doves
Ahh what a shame but what a great excuse to go back!!
Stephanie
Ah how annoying you couldn’t see them, but great fun trying to see them!
John M
I want to know who had the most fun on that snowmobile. It looks like mega fun. As a photographer, I really want to photograph the Northern Lights. Its on my bucket list. If it was as cold as it looked, you did right in wrapping up in all those layers. brrrrrrrrr. Thanks for sharing your amazing adventure.
John M
Kara
It was -17 so very cold indeed, although we were all snug and warm 🙂
Rebecca | AAUBlog
shame that you didn’t get to see the lights. This is bucket list stuff, though – I’d love to visit 🙂
Sonia Cave
It looks like you had a really fun time, but so sad the lights didn’t come and dance for you
Anosa
Snowmobiles I am so jealous, always wanted to see the Northern Lights and also ride the snowmobiles. I can not believe it gets dark at 3.30pm how crazy is that
Kristina Maggiora
Aweeee looks like you had a sick time, love the pics! Shame about the lights but still an amazing trip :))
Emily Leary
Such a shame that you didn’t get to see the Northern Lights but what an amazing experience regardless!
Jenni
Yep got to say this is top of my bucket list also and after reading this eve more so, looks amazing
Newcastle Family Life
This sounds like an amazing experience, such a shame it was too cloudy to see the Northern Lights though. xx
Sarah Bailey
Oh my goodness this is on my bucket list to do! It always looks absolutely magical and I would love to one day get the chance to experience it for myself.
kirsty
That is an amazing trip and on that has always been on my bucket list to see the Northern Lights! It’s such a shame it was too dark to see them properly but te price for the snowmobiles are reasonable as well giving how long you get them for.
Super Busy Mum
Gosh, everyone has been to Lapland this year – how exciting! And to have a chance to see the amazing northern lights, outstanding! Something I would love to see!
Melanie
What a thrill, I would love to do the Northern Lights Adventure. I have always wanted to do snowmobiling x
Mayah Camara
One of my best friends is from Finland and we keep talking about getting out there one day to see the Northern Lights. Looks like you had an incredible time, great post!
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes
Wow, this truly is a trip of a life time! A visit to Northern lights is definitely on my bucket list!
Afshan Nasim
This looks amazing, shame you didn’t get to see the Northern Lights. I too went to Lapland for the day to Kusamo in Findland. It was ace, but my son was to young to appreciate it. Your trip looks fun. I didn’t know of the Northern Lights back then and it would have been amazing!
Ali - We Made This Life
I really want to go to Lapland and I didn’t realise you could go to see the Northern Lights at the same time. It’s a shame you didn’t get to see them though. But – it’s an excuse to go back!
Nichola - Globalmouse
What a fun experience – such a shame you didn’t get to see the lights though, we didn’t either when we were in Lapland so it’s still on my bucket list!
Baby Isabella
Woweeee! This is the real deal. How fantastic does this look. Sounds like an epic adventure. One day we’d like to go, maybe when I’m a bit older!
Anosa
Oh wow! Check out those rides and snow! I’ve always wanted to go see the northern lights! This looks like a real adventure
Dannii
What a shame that you didn’t get to see them. We went to Iceland a couple of years ago and were lucky to see them but it made me realise just how hard it is to see them.
Hannah
I would LOVE to do this one day, it’s on my bucket list xx
Ashleigh Dougherty
I’m not really a fan of the snow but it does look like a lot of fun in Lapland, especially near Christmas!
Hannah
I went snowmobiling when i was there. Its really fun. I also tried looking for the northern lights but couldnt see them either. I heard a woman in the hotel saying she saw them out of her window at 4am