"Exploring Lapland: A Winter Wonderland Adventure"

Extending hundreds of kilometres above the Artic circle, Lapland is Finlands true wilderness that thrives during the winter season presenting endless opportunities to see the lush green and untouched landscapes coated in snow transforming the entire region into a picturesque winter wonderland

We all like to escape the cold /dark wintry days and run for some sun in the winter months. But 2014 February we decided to go the opposite way. Lapland, in Finland’s northernmost region which has more than 200,000 inland lakes very aptly gets its nickname as "Land of a Thousand Lakes’, is best known for its vast subarctic wilderness, ski resorts and natural phenomena including the Midnight Sun and the Northern Lights.

5 Best Things to Do in Lapland during Winter

1. Husky safaris - Best way to explore and enjoy the Finland’s snow-covered wilderness is on a Husky safari. Here you will learn how to control your wooden sledge and master the ride into the dense forests while enjoying the arctic nature.

2. Driving a Snowmobile - Your trip to Lapland is incomplete until you’ve experienced the most classic and fun winter activity. Snowmobiling in Lapland will open your eyes to a a world of white frosty picture perfect landscapes. This adrenaline driven activity is a cross between jet skiing and motorcycling -and its hard not to get hooked onto once you have given it a go.

3. Ice fishing - This was exciting and an activity of patience. Ice fishing tours will take you to the frozen lakes that can be reached by snowmobiles. At these peaceful surroundings, you can try your luck with ice fishing by breaking open the ice just like the Eskimos do in the North Pole. During this tour, you’ll be taught about Lapland’s forest animals and basic survival skills before learning how to ice fish on a frozen lake. Your guide will show you how to drill a 1 metre thick hole in ice before using some clever tactics to become a successful ice fisher.

4. Reindeer Sledge Ride - One can enjoy this activity at a local reindeer farm, where you meet the reindeer herders and get to know more about their lives. You can feed the reindeer and take part in sleigh rides. This activity offers great photo taking opportunities as you explore the wilderness. You can also experience reindeer sleigh rides in Santa’s village. The 400 metre or 1 km rides can be enjoyed by guests of all ages and you can even drive the reindeer sleigh by yourself.

5. Aurora Hunt - Between September and March, you can go Northern Lights chasing at night as the sky is clear and your chances of seeing aurora borealis are much higher. Keep in mind that the further north you go, the better chances you have of seeing the auroras. When the sky is clear and solar activity is strong, it’s quite possible to spot the auroras in south of Finland. However, Lapland is the best location in Finland for seeing the Northern Lights. Just make sure you have your camera on hand.

I must say husky safari and snow mobiling were two of my favourite activities. Though we were not lucky enough to spot the Northern Lights during our visit the hike in the middle of the night in search of the Northern Lights was an experience in itself.

If you want to be mesmerised by frosty, white snowcapped mountains and lakes as far as your eyes can reach, Lapland in Finland should be the destination for next winter.