Finland Signature: Northern lights in a nature igloo

The wait is over – it's finally time to experience Northern Finland's winter wonderland! You gaze out at the endless white landscape and can hardly wait to feel the snow crunching under your warm winter boots. On the way to your unique stay, your gaze is fixed on the view outside the window as the snowy scenes pass by. And when you make it to Riisitunturi National Park, you can hardly believe your eyes: beautiful glass igloos right in the middle of the forest. It feels like you're in a full-on fairy tale! Now it's time to settle into one yourself and soak up the snowy silence. Surely it can't get any better than this?!

Morning breaks, and it takes you a tick to realise that this isn't a dream! So you pause for a moment and simply enjoy the frosty views from inside your warm and cosy igloo. If you're already raring to go, you can hire snowshoes free of charge at the Magical POND reception (subject to availability) and explore the winter landscape on your own – just how you like it! And newbies needn't worry. While the first few steps will make you feel a bit like a waddling duck, you'll soon get the hang of it! Make sure to ask for the best routes before trudging through the snow flurries and heading out into the silence, where the only thing you'll be able to hear is the crunching of your snowshoes. And who knows, if you stop for a sec and allow the quiet to settle in, with a bit of luck, one of the shy local forest dwellers might appear and give you a taste of true Finnish magic – precisely what the owner of Magical POND, Johanna, strives to deliver to her guests.

It's the second morning, and the views from your igloo at dawn continue to overwhelm you. But there's no time to laze around for too long because an absolute highlight awaits you today: husky sledding! You can't wait to meet your new four-legged friends, so you quickly get going. Once there, you hesitantly approach the huskies and let them sniff you before making yourself comfy on one of the classic sleds. The dogs set off and quickly pick up speed, and the landscape races past you. You never thought that such cute huskies had such incredible power! Afterwards, you thank your furry pals for this once-in-a-lifetime experience with plenty of cuddles before warming up a little with snacks and hot drinks in a Lappish hut. Then how you spend the rest of the day is totally up to you! And who knows, maybe you'll even be able to watch the northern lights dancing in the night sky.

You're free to plan your day how you like, so you've got plenty of time to let everything you've experienced sink in. In the sauna (optional, payable on site), you can banish the cold from your bones, and if you're brave enough, jump into the snow right after – just like the Finns! Whether it's another round of exploring on snowshoes, a trip to the so-called Reindeer Hut or a spot of ice karting (optional, bookable in advance), the possibilities are endless. One thing's for sure: it never gets boring here! Come evening, retire to your igloo and snuggle up in bed – but make sure to keep your eyes open. With a bit of luck, you'll see Lady Aurora through the glass facade, dancing in the sky above you in a variety of colours! Absolutely nothing tops this beauty.