Finnish Lapland: Icy forests and husky adventures

The long wait is finally over! Gloves, hat, scarf – you're all packed and ready to go. You can hardly wait to feel the crunching snow under your warm winter boots, and even the ride to your hotel through the snow-covered forests is a true highlight! No matter how you imagined this Finnish winter wonderland, the reality is 100 times more beautiful! Urban chaos, rushing about, crowds? Not a chance!

The Ylläs region is a true hidden gem when it comes to winter sports, but for now, it's time to settle in and relax – and wait for the dancing northern lights.

Dream or reality? You look out the window into the snowy expanses of Lapland and you're not sure at first. But what looks like a dream world truly is your reality now! And it's high time you threw yourself into the flurries of snow, which sparkle like diamonds in the morning sun. So you put on your warm clothes and head outside. And then? On your skis, get set, go! Did you know that Ylläs is one of the largest skiing regions in Finland? It's a fact that's hard to believe given the magical tranquillity that surrounds this place and the few people who stray into this part of the far north. Ski lifts, pistes and cross-country ski trails are just a stone's throw away from your accommodation. So just hire the right equipment (optional, payable locally) and then let loose! Before you know it, you'll be barrelling through fresh powder, feeling free as a bird.

After spending far too long watching the colourful northern lights, now you're a little sleepy. But don't worry; with what's on the agenda today, all the excitement is sure to quickly make you forget you were even tired at all. Time for a husky safari! You slide on your winter boots in a rush, set off to meet your new fluffy four-legged friends and the instant you hear them barking in the distance, your heart leaps in your chest. You slowly approach the curious animals, let them sniff you and then make yourself comfortable on one of the sleds before the huskies set off and rapidly pick up pace – what a rush! As they dart across Lapland's snow-covered wilderness, you wish that time would just stand still. Yet even the best bucket-list moment ends at some point... but of course not without plenty of pets and cuddles when you get back to the husky farm, where you listen intently to your guide's stories and their tons of interesting facts about the sled dogs.

If you're still overwhelmed by the past few days' adventures, then tone things down a bit today. You're totally free to spend your time however you like. How about a walk through the white winter wonderland? The crunching beneath your boots, the sun in the bright blue sky that makes the snow sparkle like diamonds – oh, how beautiful Lapland is! And then? How about a steam in the sauna to chase the cold out your bones (optional, payable on site)? One thing's for sure: come evening, you'll be sitting spellbound in front of your window with the night sky firmly in view. And with a bit of luck, the northern lights will put on their colourful show once again and dance in the heavens above you. Could there be anything more beautiful?