This small resort town in Finnish Lapland sits 250km north of the Arctic Circle. Winter brings Northern Lights and skiing, while summer has hiking under the midnight sun.
Saariselkä sits 250 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland, where you can sleep in a glass igloo watching the green aurora dance overhead, ski through snow-covered pine forests, or follow the gold prospectors' paths in Urho Kekkonen National Park. This small village, at the edge of Europe's largest protected wilderness area, connects you to centuries-old Sámi traditions, with opportunities to join local reindeer herders and learn about their way of life.
Getting to Saariselkä
You can fly daily from Helsinki to Ivalo Airport, 30 kilometers from Saariselkä. A shuttle bus meets each flight for the 25-minute journey to the village center. The compact village layout puts all services within walking distance, including ski slopes, restaurants, and hiking trails, making a car unnecessary during your stay.
Northern Lights Experience
From late August through April, you can see the Northern Lights above Saariselkä on more than 200 nights per year. The best viewing spots include the top of Kaunispää fell, where you'll find unobstructed views of the horizon. Several accommodations in the area include glass-ceiling rooms designed for aurora viewing from your bed.
Winter Activities in the Fells
Cross-country skiing trails stretch 200 kilometers through the surrounding fells and forests. The downhill ski area covers two fells - Kaunispää and Iisakkipää - with 15 slopes ranging from gentle beginner runs to black diamond trails. In winter, you can also drive a dog sled team through snow-covered forests, guide a snowmobile under starlit skies, or drill holes in frozen lakes for ice fishing.
Urho Kekkonen National Park
Step from the village directly into Urho Kekkonen National Park, which extends east to the Russian border. You'll find marked trails and wilderness huts for multi-day treks in both summer and winter. The landscape changes from old-growth pine forests to bare fell tops and deep river valleys. During the summer months of constant daylight, you can hike at midnight, gather wild cloudberries and lingonberries, or try gold panning in the park's rivers.
Sámi Culture and Reindeer
The Sámi people continue their traditional reindeer herding practices in the region. You can visit active reindeer farms to see how modern herders use snowmobiles and GPS tracking alongside traditional methods. In the nearby town of Inari, the Siida Sámi Museum explains the culture's evolution from ancient times to present day through exhibits and outdoor displays.
Practical Information
Pack for temperatures below -20°C (-4°F) in winter. The polar night brings total darkness from early December to mid-January, while the Midnight Sun creates constant daylight from June to July. Winter (December-April) brings the most visitors for snow activities, but summer attracts hikers and photographers with 24-hour daylight and open trails.
