Arctic Sky Santa Escape, Saariselkä

Highlights

  • A private, personalised Santa meeting in a hidden forest cabin
  • Husky sledding through Lapland’s snow-covered fells
  • A thoughtful reindeer encounter rooted in Sámi heritage
  • An aurora hunt that chases the clearest skies for the best chance of seeing the northern lights
From £3268 pp*
Trip Dates
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Trip Dates
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Guests
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Room #
Adults
15+
- +
Children
3-14
- +
Infants
0-2 (please read FAQs)
- +
Guests
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Check Price

4 Nights

Trip Dates
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Don't have your preferred dates? Enquire now

Please select

Don't have your preferred dates? Enquire now

Guests

Room #
Adults
15+
- +
Children
3-14
- +
Infants
0-2 (please read FAQs)
- +

What you'll do

Overview

This four-night escape combines the essential winter adventures of Lapland with the comfort and ease of Saariselkä’s premium Arctic accommodation.

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This four-night escape combines the essential winter adventures of Lapland with the comfort and ease of Saariselkä’s premium Arctic accommodation.

Private saunas, fireplaces, panoramic windows and (in the villas) outdoor jacuzzis create a warm, design-led sanctuary where you can unwind in complete comfort after your days in the snow. The setting feels exclusive and peaceful, with the forest pressing gently against the glass and the northern sky visible right from your bed.

Across your stay, you enjoy the core winter experiences Lapland is known for: driving your own husky team through quiet forest trails, meeting reindeer with local herders, and heading out by car in search of the northern lights. Each activity is run in small groups, paced for families, and mixed with plenty of free time to relax and make use of your suite or villa.

The highlight is the personalised Santa meeting, created with care and designed to feel wonderfully private. Parents quietly provide letters and personal details at check-in, enabling Santa to greet each child genuinely and individually inside his fairy-lit forest cabin — reached by a sleigh journey where you won’t encounter any other families.

Full board dining keeps everything easy, and the hotel’s fellside location offers calm, space and excellent chances of seeing the aurora straight from your doorstep. It’s a luxurious, seamless and magical winter escape, ideal for families seeking comfort and authenticity without compromising on high-quality accommodation.

*Per person cost based on 2 arriving in Early December

A full example itinerary is detailed below, activity timings can differ slightly, your own personal schedule will be given to you upon check in.

Arrival Day

Land in Ivalo airport, where you will be met and taken directly to your accommodation for the duration of your Christmas holiday. Drive through the ethereal pine forest, and arrive at your very own cabin, nestled within the still, white forest.

Take some time to settle in, unpack or explore, then you can enjoy a delicious dinner in the restaurant.

You will be staying in a luxurious cabin, which provides panoramic surroundings of this winter wonderland and the pitch black polar night sky. With any luck, you’ll be able to witness the spectacle of the Northern Lights on your very first night in Lapland.

 

Husky Safari

Your adventure begins in earnest with the Husky Safari. After a driving and safety introduction, you take the reins of your own husky team and set off along forest tracks, switching drivers halfway so everyone can feel the exhilaration of guiding the sled. The landscape rolls between open fells and sheltered woodland, giving you a clear sense of Lapland’s quiet winter rhythm.

Returning to the hotel, the afternoon is free to enjoy at your pace. Families often wander the snowy trails, relax by the fire, or make the most of their suite’s sauna or fireplace. Dinner rounds off the evening, with time afterwards to step outside and check the sky for any hint of northern lights.

Reindeer Encounter & Private Santa Forest Experience

Throughout your stay, your host quietly prepares for the most personal and enchanting moment of the trip. At check-in, parents are invited to hand over their children’s letters to Santa and complete a short form detailing the children’s hobbies, pets, school life and favourite things — so Santa can greet them as though he’s known them all along.

After breakfast, you begin the day with a visit to a local reindeer camp. Here, you meet the herders who share how reindeer shape daily life and culture in Lapland. The children can get close to the animals, ask questions, and enjoy a gentle sleigh ride through the snowy forest — a calm and traditional contrast to the faster-paced activities earlier in the trip. It’s a relaxed introduction to Sámi heritage, offering plenty of time for photos and interaction.

When the time comes, an elf appears at the cabin or suite, gently asking the children if they would like to go and see Santa. A sleigh waits outside, and you travel through a private forest route where you won’t meet other families, creating the feeling that this moment was chosen just for you.

The sleigh stops at a fairy-lit cabin deep in the woods. Inside, Santa welcomes the family by name, referring to the small details parents shared earlier. Children receive a soft-toy gift, and parents may bring an additional present if they wish. The meeting feels personal, warm, and unrushed — a highlight many families remember for years.
The rest of the day is at leisure, perfect for gentle winter walks or relaxing in the comfort of your accommodation.

Aurora Hunt by Car

Your day is free until the evening, giving you time to enjoy a leisurely breakfast, explore Saariselkä village, or unwind in your accommodation. Perhaps you take a short winter walk or simply pause and enjoy the quiet rhythm of life above the Arctic Circle.

After dinner, you prepare for your Aurora Hunt by Car. Travelling with the guide, you head away from artificial light into darker areas where the sky opens above the fells. The guide follows weather and cloud movement to find the best possible viewing locations. On clear nights, you may step out into the stillness and witness the northern lights stretching across the sky — shifting, fading, and returning in their own unpredictable rhythm. Even when the aurora remains shy, the sense of being out in the remote Arctic night feels unforgettable.

Farewell

Your final morning in the Lapland. Wake up at a leisurely time  (check-out isn’t until 11 AM), and enjoy a final breakfast by the log fire as you reflect on the wonderful adventure you’ve had with us.

We’ll transfer you back to the airport, and look forward to maybe seeing you again!

Snowmobile Safari (3 Hours)

Perfect for guests who want a taste of snowmobiling without committing to a full-day adventure, this three-hour safari offers an exciting introduction to one of Lapland’s most iconic winter experiences.

You begin by meeting the guide, who provides full safety instructions and a practical driving lesson so everyone can get comfortable handling the snowmobile. Once ready, you set off across the nearby trails, travelling through forests, open fells, and snow-covered landscapes that reveal the true scale and quiet beauty of the Arctic. It’s a fast, fun way to soak in the surroundings, with plenty of time to enjoy the thrill of the ride and the crisp winter air.

Drivers must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid driving licence. Children under 15 travel safely in a sleigh pulled by the guide’s snowmobile, making this excursion suitable for mixed-age families.

Includes:

Shared snowmobile (2 persons per vehicle)
Helmets and safety equipment
Introductory snowmobile driving lesson
English-speaking guide

What's included

Included

  • 4 nights’ accommodation in chosen room type
  • Shared Transfers to and from Ivalo airport
  • Full board meals at the onsite restaurant (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
  • Guide for all organised activities
  • Snowsuits, gloves and boots for the duration of your stay
  • River Sauna & Ice Swimming (1 hour)
  • Aurora Snowmobiling (2.5 hours)
  • Meet Santa in His Secret Forest Hideaway (20–40 minutes)
  • Meet the Reindeer (2 hours)

Accommodation

Arctic Sky Suite Arctic Sky Villa

Arctic Sky Suite

The Arctic Sky Suite is a stylish, semi-detached suite designed for couples or small families seeking a blend of comfort and contemporary Nordic design. Large windows draw in the soft Arctic light, while natural materials and warm tones create a calm retreat after a day in the snow. Inside, you’ll find a cosy sleeping area, an inviting fireplace, and a bathroom featuring both a bathtub and a shower. A private sauna completes the suite, offering a peaceful way to unwind as the winter evening settles across the fells.

Facilities

Maximum occupancy 2 Panorama Window Sauna Fireplace

Arctic Sky Villa

The Arctic Sky Villa offers one of the most luxurious stays in Saariselkä — a private, standalone villa designed for guests who want space, comfort and a touch of Nordic elegance. It features a separate bedroom with a double bed, a spacious living room with a glowing fireplace, and large windows that draw in the soft Arctic light. The bathroom includes both a bathtub and a shower, giving you the choice between a long, warming soak or a refreshing start to the day.

The villa’s private sauna adds a distinctly Finnish layer of relaxation, while the outdoor terrace — complete with its own jacuzzi — invites you to step outside and enjoy the stillness of the surrounding fell landscape. Whether you’re unwinding after a day of activities or settling in for an evening of northern sky watching, the villa creates a calm, indulgent setting perfectly suited to a luxurious Arctic escape.

Facilities

Maximum occupancy 4 Panorama Window Sauna Jacuzzi
Your local host

Maaret and Team

Our hotels are in nature´s most beautiful places: by lakes and rivers, away from light pollution and busy city life.

We value nature, good service and quality in everything we do. We want our guests to feel special during their stay with us. We serve our guests every step of the way, helping with airport transfers and offering high-quality accommodation, tasty meals and a great variety of activities both in summer and winter. Come and feel the magic of the wilderness with us!

Our hotels are in nature´s most beautiful places: by lakes and rivers, away from light pollution and busy city life.

We value nature, good service and quality in everything we do. We want our guests to feel special during their stay with us. We serve our guests every step of the way, helping with airport transfers and offering high-quality accommodation, tasty meals and a great variety of activities both in summer and winter. Come and feel the magic of the wilderness with us!

Location

You’ll fly into Ivalo Airport. From the airport, it’s a 35–45 minute transfer by road to the hotel.

The property is located approximately 15 minutes beyond Saariselkä town centre, set deep within the forest for a secluded and peaceful stay.

Situated far above the Arctic Circle, the resort is surrounded by vast pine and taiga forests — home to reindeer, golden eagles, wolverines, and, on rare occasions, bears. The pristine landscape offers a truly immersive Arctic experience, with dark winter skies ideal for aurora viewing and bright summers alive with natural light.

The resort offers a boutique-style retreat with a strong focus on personal service and comfort. Accommodation includes Arctic Sky Suites (for two guests) and Arctic Sky Villas (for up to four guests), each thoughtfully designed with panoramic windows, private saunas, and high-quality finishes — perfect for those seeking both adventure and relaxation in the wilderness.

FAQs

When can I go?

Family Xmas trip which include meeting Santa run from 1st Dec until 6th January.

I have an infant, can they participate in the activities?

Minimum age for children on the activities is 3 years old. Unfortunately 2 years old or younger cannot take part. Our host can arrange to split the group for activities to assist with childcare, so everyone gets the opportunity to experience each activity.

What ages do the child prices apply to?

Child pricing applies to ages 3-14 years. Ages of 15+ will be classed as an adult.

Is thermal clothing provided for guests?

Thermal overalls, boots and gloves are included in all our packages. Unfortunately the resort does not offer winter clothing options for infants.

When will I do all of my activities?

Upon check in at your resort you will be given your full schedule of exciting activities.

Will I be woken up when the Aurora Borealis are visible?

You can hire a Aurora alarm for the duration of your stay, at a small charge

Is there Internet available at the Resort?

Yes! WiFi is a complimentary service of the resort. The Wi-Fi works in lobby and restaurant area.

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in: 15:00
Check-out: 11:00

The resort can storage your luggage in the reception while you’re waiting for check-in or while you’re waiting for transportation after check-out.

When are the meals served?

Breakfast Buffet 8:00-10:00*
Lunch Buffet 12:00-14:00*
Dinner Buffet 18:00-20:00*

Buffet times may vary during the seasons and between the destinations. The reception will inform you the specific times upon arrival.

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