The excitement builds as I read through the itinerary for my upcoming fam trip to Finland – magical snowscapes, reindeer, huskies and possible sightings of Santa and his elves. Let’s face it, we’re all big kids at heart, and I can’t wait to explore this winter wonderland on a joint fam trip co-hosted by British Airways and northern lights specialist operator The Aurora Zone.
It’s early December and I’m flying on BA’s inaugural service to Ivalo, Finland’s most northerly airport and the gateway to a host of remote hotels and resorts that offer a true Nordic experience. This new twice-weekly seasonal route (which runs until the end of February 2025, and then from November 2025-end of March 2026) is a boon to operators offering itineraries in the region, as The Aurora Zone product and operations assistant Alison Dingwall explains. “The launch of the direct BA flights from London to Ivalo is fantastic news and makes travel to the area much more accessible, considerably reducing journey times and removing the logistics of connecting flights.”
Spoilt for choice
We’re on a mission to see all of Wilderness Hotels’ five properties, beginning with Nellim, just a 30-minute transfer from Ivalo airport. On arrival we add several layers of clothing to take a quick tour, where we discover a range of accommodation types, from entry-level Wilderness rooms and family-friendly log cabins and villas to the signature Aurora Cabins, with heated glass roofs to maximise views of the Nordic night sky and interior fireplaces for cosy nights in.
The Aurora Zone is keen to work more closely with agents and aims to increase the number of fam trips it hosts. “We’re increasing and developing our relationships with the trade in the UK,” says Dingwall. “We recognise it’s important for agents to experience these incredible destinations first-hand, providing them with a sound knowledge when discussing products with their clients.”
Back in from the cold, we enjoy a hearty dinner in the main building (all meals are buffet style here) before preparing for the first activity of our trip – Aurora Camp. Boarding sleighs, we’re pulled by snowmobiles through forests with countless snow-frosted trees, passing a herd of reindeer before arriving at a remote log cabin where our guides stoke up a welcome fire before preparing hot drinks and cookies.
We switch between the warmth of the cabin and the cold outside as we gaze up at the star-filled sky in the hope of seeing some aurora activity, but alas, the elements aren’t co-operating. But as Jodie Glasgow, travel consultant at Travel Stop in Ipswich, remarks: “I really enjoyed Aurora Camp. Although we didn’t get to see the northern lights, it was such a special experience to enjoy a hot chocolate under the stars.”
The Aurora Zone reports that since its inception, 85% of clients have seen northern lights activity during their trips, and although our excursion comes up blank, as we relax later in the bar we’re called outside by staff as swirls of mesmerising electric green clouds light up the night sky above us. Box ticked…
PROPERTIES WITH PERSONALITY
The next day, we maximise the daylight (there’s only three hours of it in Lapland at this time of year) to check out the Wilderness Hotels at Nangu and Muotka, along with the brand’s two deluxe, five-bedroom log villas at Saariselka. The latter apart, accommodation options at all the properties are similarly plentiful as Nellim, with the look and feel of the main buildings and clientele type giving each location a definitive character.
For me, Nellim and Inari (which we visit later in the trip) are very much family-orientated, with remote Nangu a cosy bolthole for couples and honeymooners, and buzzy Muotka perfect for active families seeking skiing, snowmobiling and other winter sports. Options will soon be increased at Saariselka, where Wilderness is opening a new 64-unit hotel in November 2025, a debut sure to be boosted by the confirmed extension of British Airways’ new twice-weekly service to Ivalo for the winter 2025/26 season.
Lily Smith, a travel expert at The Aurora Zone, says the trip has helped her match properties with prospective clients. “Getting to see the locations, different room styles, on-site restaurants and activities is so beneficial. My favourite was Muotka, I loved the different accommodation styles and it had a great atmosphere, perfect for families and groups of friends. The food was great too.”
The whirlwind tour rolls on to Wilderness Hotel Juutua, the group’s base for the next two nights, where the eclectic nature of the brand continues at a property that has the feel of an upmarket hotel, with fine dining available at the a la carte restaurant. As at the other locations, many accommodation types feature their own private saunas, otherwise private sessions to enjoy this quintessential Finnish custom can be booked at the hotel’s sauna for €10 per 30 minutes.
ARCTIC ACTIVITIES
The usual portfolio of Wilderness Hotels activities (husky-sledding, reindeer rides, ice fishing, snowshoeing, aurora safaris etc) are available here but I’m counting down the hours until the action get a little more high-octane. Snowmobiling has always been at the top of my wish list, and I’m not disappointed as – following a safety debriefing – I’m let loose on one of these iconic arctic vehicles during an exhilarating group safari along the icy, twisting forest pathways. It’s a highlight of the trip for me, and for Allison Bruce, corporate travel specialist at Westway Travel, Thorpe Bay. “Lots of itineraries are for three or four days,” she says. “Try to pre-book clients on as many activities as possible to make the most of their stay. It’s my first time in Lapland and it has surprised me in a positive way – the hotels are of a good standard and there’s plenty to do. It’s not just for children.”
One location that is unashamedly child-orientated, however, is our final stop – Northern Lights Village in Saariselka. I’m expecting this huge complex to be a little over-commercial, but am pleasantly surprised by the authentic look and feel of the resort with its rows of ubiquitous glass-roofed Aurora Cabins (which, incidentally, originated here). It’s tailor-made for families, with its mini-snowmobile track, reindeer sleigh rides, husky-sledding and “Searching for Santa” experiences, while the sizeable main restaurant provides a classic buffet to keep little ones’ batteries charged.
Dingwall explains how the destinations we’ve visited have shaped both the operator and the region. “We have been working with Northern Lights Village since it opened the Saariselka property in 2016, while Wilderness Hotels was set up by Juha and Mari Lappalainen, who were our first-ever partners 15 years ago – they helped us grow our company and brand,” she says. “We were the first company to solely focus on northern lights holidays in this region, and they believed in our vision to deliver exceptional experiences for all our clients.”
It’s my first visit to the country and I can see how clients would quickly become aficionados. A white Christmas is all but assured, meaning this winter wonderland is perfect for families with small children, but there’s also lots on offer for solo travellers and couples, making Finland a fun land for everyone.
Book it: The Aurora Zone offers a seven-night Inari and Saariselka: an Exclusive Bucket List Northern Lights Holiday itinerary from £3,635pp including BA flights, three nights in an Aurora Cabin at Northern Lights Village Saariselka and four nights’ accommodation in a standard wilderness room at Wilderness Hotel Inari on a full-board basis. Price includes Aurora snowshoeing, husky safari, Aurora camp, snowmobile safari, Aurora photography workshop, reindeer sleigh ride, Aurora hunt by heated sleigh, visit to the Sami Siida Museum and cold-weather clothing for the duration of your stay; theaurorazone.com
