The snow stretched off white into the gap, flakes weighing down the naked branches of timber, reflecting the pinky golden half mild of winter – the winter wonderland scene I’d hoped for from our Lapland Santa break in Levi.
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Snooooooooow, shrieked my daughter, scampering excitedly from one drift to a different, making footstep patterns within the unbroken carpet of white, grabbing handfuls of powdery flakes within the hope of a snowball.
Cheeks pink, eyes shiny, she was in winter wonderland heaven. However the heaped snow throughout was simply the beginning on our Lapland Santa break – should you’re contemplating reserving your personal and questioning what to do in Levi with youngsters, right here’s what we fitted into our four-night journey to Lapland with Inghams.
Lapland Santa break: assembly Father Christmas
Elves waved, reindeer strolled by way of their paddock and the scent of sizzling berry juice got here from the ‘kota’, a small hut within the snow the place sausages crackled over the open hearth.
On the coronary heart of all Lapland Santa holidays is the possibility to fulfill the person in pink himself, and our journey began with a go to to Santa’s workshop – and featured a second look from Father Christmas when it ended with dinner at our lodge, Levi Panorama.
With a few hours to discover earlier than our personal assembly with Santa – each household will get a separate time through the two to three-hour tour – the massive query was the way to match all of it in.
After recognizing the reindeer and some ponies, and deciding to heat up with berry juice fairly than with a recreation of elf soccer (full with large footballs), we found the hidden huts of the elves.
The mouth-watering aroma of spices scented the air of 1, as my daughter rolled out gingerbread dough to make cookies, with stars, timber, and even a unicorn cutter form.
20 minutes later, Mrs Claus handed over the ensuing baggage of biscuits, freshly cooked within the oven – and my six-year-old, bless her beneficiant coronary heart, saved one to provide to Santa.
In between, we made Christmas tree elf decorations, met the yellow costume elf – who astonished my daughter together with her obvious mind-reading skills, by figuring out Minnie will be choosy about her meals – earlier than heading by way of the carved ice tunnel again to Santa.
On the verge of not believing within the magic, she was struck dumb on the sight of Santa holding the letter she’d written at house earlier than we left, full with drawings of reindeer, which had been left up our chimney for the elves to gather and ship.
I gained’t reveal how the elves do it, but when she wasn’t totally satisfied by Mr Claus’s impressively lengthy curled beard, there was little doubt left in her thoughts that the true Santa lives in Lapland.
By the way, hold leaving the mince pies out for Santa, he says, however the reindeer are a giant fan of mushrooms – carrots are wonderful too although.
Our go to was a part of our Inghams Santa Break however you’ll be able to organize your Santa Claus journeys with a go to to his workshop in Tonttula Expertise Village as nicely – a three-hour go to is round 450 Euros for a household of 4/5. It’s round a half hour drive from Levi itself.
What to do in Levi with youngsters – husky and reindeer rides
Considered one of my favorite reminiscences of my first journey to Lapland, earlier than my daughter was born, there’s nothing like a husky sled trip – listening to the excited refrain of barks because the canines pressure excitedly to have the ability to run and run by way of the timber.
Then the silence, solely the sound of sunshine paws and the runners of the sled over the snow as you’re whisked by way of the frozen panorama.
My small animal fan was simply as excited to have the ability to go, particularly if there was an opportunity to see husky puppies as nicely.
And whereas they’re not fairly as cute and furry, being pulled by reindeer in a sleigh is tough to beat simply earlier than Christmas (or after Christmas, for that matter).
Our tour was additionally offered by Inghams – an additional fairly than included within the Lapland breaks – and featured each huskies and reindeer.
It’s finest to think about it as a taster so should you’re anticipating to be sledding by way of the snow on a protracted trip or having the possibility to drive the sled your self, this isn’t the fitting Lapland tour for you.
However if you’re with youthful youngsters or if the temperature may be very low, a style might be extra enjoyable as it could get very chilly.
We have been additionally a bit unfortunate that the massive group visiting earlier than us had been working late, and regardless of the perfect efforts of the employees and reps, it meant hanging round ready till they have been completed.
Fortuitously there was sufficient snow for the youngsters to amuse themselves, a snowy hill to climb and slide down, sleds to borrow and the occasional sight of the huskies racing previous.
Then an opportunity to see a few of the huskies (most of these which aren’t working are paired in pens) and go on a brief trip ourselves.
As an grownup, it appears very fast, however for my daughter, it was one of many highlights – seeing the huskies, curling up collectively within the sled and watching them work together earlier than they begin to run.
And as you allow the group and the opposite canines behind, it feels such as you’re being whisked into the center of nowhere – no less than for some time.
After extra berry juice in a conventional Sami tent – the title for the indigenous folks of Lapland, who herd the reindeer – we found a bit extra about this lifestyle as we waited for our flip to go in a reindeer sleigh.
I’d been advised by no means to ask what number of reindeer somebody owned – the equal of asking somebody how a lot cash they’d within the financial institution – however I’d by no means realised a single reindeer can price between £2,000 and £2,500. There aren’t any wild reindeer in Lapland both, as every animal belongs to somebody.
And Santa’s sleigh-pulling group? Virtually actually feminine – the males lose their antlers within the autumn, whereas the females hold theirs till the spring earlier than shedding them, once they regrow at as much as 3cm per day.
Our personal reindeer had only one, however because the solar started to set, the gold tinging the sky above the timber, it was like stepping right into a Christmas card.
With our Sami guides of their brightly colored conventional garments driving the sleigh, watching the surroundings as we glided alongside sedately, it’s a fairytale expertise.
Our husky and reindeer tour was organized by Inghams however there are longer husky safaris which take two to 3 hours (plus full-day choices, though I wouldn’t suggest 5h in a husky sled for younger kids!) in addition to excursions to a reindeer farm which additionally embody a sleigh trip.
Snowmobiling in Lapland with youngsters
“These switches,” stated our snowmobile information, “are for the heated handlebars. Click on them left for medium – proper is barbecue!” As I settled myself on my snowmobile, I instantly clicked mine to the fitting.
If our husky sledding had been brief and candy, our snowmobile safari was a three-hour spherical journey out into the frozen countryside across the Levi fell. I used to be bundled up in my thermals and thermal swimsuit, however was taking no likelihood as we sped over the icy floor.
My daughter, however, was tucked up cosily inside one of many kids’s pods for youths aged underneath eight and underneath 140cm tall, who aren’t allowed to trip on the snowmobiles themselves.
Solely these aged 18 and over can drive, however older youngsters can share a snowmobile with dad and mom and adults also can trip with a information.
Initially I’d thought that I might be pulling the pod behind my very own snowmobile – and my daughter’s face wasn’t the one one which fell once we found the pod, which holds as much as six kids, was really being pulled by the information.
On reflection, it’s a superb plan: snowmobiling takes some getting used to even with no trailer and she or he had firm by way of the frozen fields, however it’s price figuring out prematurely.
With my six-year-old fortunately enjoying video games together with her new buddies, I might loosen up. Nicely… so far as you’ll be able to loosen up if you’re behind the controls of a snowmobile!
I haven’t pushed one for nearly 10 years, however they’re not difficult, so as soon as I received over my nervousness of unintentionally working over a skier, I might get pleasure from upping the velocity a bit and feeling as if I used to be in my very own little world.
Within the stark whites of the panorama, the naked black branches of the timber towards the cloudy sky and limitless snow, the one splashes of color have been the pink tail lights of the snowmobiles in entrance of me, curving away in a line.
Muffled by my helmet and balaclava (the sight of which had precipitated my daughter to burst into hysterical giggles and name me a robber), the thrum of the motor rapidly turned white noise, and other than the engine, all was silent.
Barely a paw appeared to have damaged the snow on the fields, though the ruts within the ice from different snowmobiles have been simple to comply with by way of woods and over bridges.
Stopping part-way, we warmed up over cardamon buns and sizzling chocolate (for me), a jam doughnut and juice for my daughter earlier than heading briefly outdoors to spy the reindeer lounging nonchalantly within the snow – and attempt to recall our newly acquired reindeer trivia from the sleigh trip the day earlier than.
Then again on the snowmobile as soon as extra, handlebars cranked as much as the max and the snowy panorama stretching out forward of me.
Our go to was organized by way of Inghams with Perhe Safarit who additionally present the thermal fits for his or her Santa holidays in Levi. They’ve a wide range of completely different snowmobile safaris, together with one to a reindeer farm and two across the fells close by. After an preliminary confusion with numbers booked onto the morning tour and house for youngsters, they have been implausible at rearranging our tour and I’d undoubtedly suggest them.
Extra issues to do in Levi, Lapland with youngsters
In addition to the primary snowy Levi actions, there’s a lot extra to fill your days – we had one principal tour each full day of our four-night journey, which labored very well. However you too can attempt:
Sledging
Decide up an inexpensive sled for round 10 Euros in Levi and there are snowy hills galore. Don’t depart it mendacity round although, as they’re normally assumed to be deserted or free to take.
If you happen to don’t have a toboggan, there are piles of snow swept by the perimeters of the pedestrian streets on the town to slip down in addition to pristine expanses when you get out of city, together with frozen lakes and snowy woodland close to our lodge, Levi Panorama, which appeared straight out of Narnia.
The snow is a bit powdery for snowballs or snowmen, however it’s nonetheless enjoyable attempting.
Snowboarding in Levi, Finland
Having had my very own two ski classes in Levi years in the past, I do know it’s an ideal place to be taught: affected person instructors with good English, a straightforward nursery slope and loads of gear to hire at Zero Level.
As you get extra superior there are a lot extra pistes for snowboarding and snowboarding (plus a mixture of ski lifts taking you up).
Youngsters can be taught too, and most tour operators can ebook classes or taster periods should you’re on Lapland bundle holidays, or you’ll be able to organize your personal classes immediately. You can too attempt cross nation snowboarding and snowshoeing.
Ice Karting
Principally go karting on ice. There’s no minimal age for youths to attempt, though they need to be no less than 140cm, and it’s assured to convey out your aggressive interior large child.
Go to an ice village close to Levi
You don’t want to remain in an Ice Lodge to take a look at a few of the wonderful snowy designs created annually. The Levi Ice Gallery has distinction sculptures, or for Sport of Thrones followers, you’ll be able to head to the Lainio Snow Village, not removed from Yllas.
You’ll discover loads of excursions in Levi should you’re not travelling independently.
Search for the Northern Lights
I’d suggest downloading a Northern Lights app (take a look at a few of my different ideas for visiting Lapland with youngsters right here) and it’s attainable to wander to a much less illuminated a part of Levi and spot them.
However for the perfect likelihood, you want an professional who’ll know the place to journey and what to search for.
Usually it means late nights and many looking out within the chilly although so higher for older youngsters – the considered waking my six-year-old and dragging her on a protracted chilly stroll on the off-chance of recognizing them wasn’t tempting!
However studying about these Lapland excursions from Arctic Frontiers by blogger Mudpie Fridays, it’s one thing which might undoubtedly be on my checklist when she’s older.
*First printed 2018, up to date 2024*
PIN FOR LATER: WHAT TO DO IN LEVI WITH KIDS ON A LAPLAND SANTA BREAK
Disclosure: My journey to Lapland, plus the husky/reindeer tour and snowmobiling, have been courtesy of Inghams for the needs of assessment. All opinions and want to hold the magic alive only a bit longer are my very own. This put up accommodates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Photos copyright MummyTravels
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