For the first leg of our Ice Run journey, we’re exploring the Finnish Lapland, one of the coldest parts of Europe. Here’s the first of the month-long series. Enjoy!
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We’ve just spent the past few days in a winter fantasy world, almost as if we had crossed centuries and continents into the world of Narnia. Streets here are blanketed in layers of fresh sparkling snow, pine tree forests sprawl across the region, and cosy wooden cabins dot the pristine white landscape. Santas and elves are just part of life (Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, happens to be the official hometown of Santa Claus!) and reindeers act as Lapland’s angels.
But once here, it’s easy to see that Lapland is more than just Santa Claus and Northern Lights. Over the past week, we swooshed through pine tree forests on husky sleighs, rode a snowmobile on a frozen lake, went ice fishing, met a reindeer herder and learned about Finland’s oldest tradition, and even dined in a snow restaurant. Lapland is truly out of this world and you have to see it for yourself to believe it. We’ll be back with more stories shortly, meanwhile here are some of Alberto’s shots of this region, moi moi!
The leader of our reindeer caravan: a beautiful white reindeer at Kopara
Another member of our reindeer caravan
Swooshing through the pine tree forest on a huskie sleigh
The huskies at Arctic Husky Farm can’t wait to go running
Ice-fishing on the frozen Karhulampi (Bear’s Lake)
Warming up by the open fire at Bear’s Lodge
Enjoying gourmet appetizers in a traditional kota (pyramid-shaped tent that nomadic Samis used to live)
Snowshoeing in the darkness in the outskirts of Rovaniemi
Snowmobiling on the frozen Ounas Lake with Lapland Safaris was tons of fun
Lunch at Snowland, a restaurant built entirely with snow
Disclaimer: This trip was made possible by Lapland – the North of Finland, but all opinions expressed are our own.
Wow this looks magical! I wonder where is the White Witch?
I was seriously looking out for her! Ha!
Stunning pics Nell! Makes me want to see snow again!
What an incredible set of photos!
Beautiful photos! Love the reindeer and photos of the snow. Looks cold but so peaceful. Did you meet Santa?
Oh my these pictures are just phenomenal!!!!
Extraordinary Photographs!!! Each one of the pic here attracts and produces a very great impression on mind. Thanks for sharing!!
Wow, looks amazing! This is one part of the world I would LOVE to visit sometime in the winter!
I am amazed how Snowland was built from snow!
All that snow and a campfire in the middle of nowhere – that sure brings back memories. Just throw in a big RV instead of sled dogs, and that would be just like the winter camping trip we had a couple of years ago.