Tips for must do experiences/what to wear in Finnish Lapland in December, please!

[Petal7]

I've booked a trip to Rovaniemi in early December with my DH and 3 dc (14,12 and 10). Flights are booked, as is Airbnb, but wondering what is best to do/see there. Does anyone please have any unmissable suggestions? We're there 3 nights and 3.5 days. If anyone has particular tour operators they've used there that they'd recommend/avoid, that would be very helpful. The DC like animals and adventure! I'd love to try and see the Northern Lights.

Also, what to pack? It's obviously going to be perishingly cold. Any recommendations on makes etc of thermals/boots/gloves? I understand some gear is provided on tours, but DC will be keen to sled/skate etc if possible too.

Thank you so much in advance.

Can't help you with the exact area as we were north of kuusamo but dog sledding is an absolute must. Total highlight of our trip. It is expensive but worth it. Half a day is enough as you're not very active so it can get quite cold.

Cross Country skiing is fun (I also really liked snowshoeing but dc less keen), its easy to pick up with a few tips and a good way of seeing the countryside - with that amount of time I'd book a guided trip if you can as you'll get much more out of it. Again half a day might be enough. Leave some downtime for sledging and just relaxing indoors as it will be quite tiring.

We had most of our gear provided but had icebreaker thermals which were great. We wore 2 layers of fleece and a shell / ski jacket ontop. You'll need snow boots too. We wore gloves inside mittens (came as a set) as your hands can get really cold. The temperature did vary wildly (from minus 20 to 0 in one week) so you need to be prepared, but it doesn't feel as cold as it sounds if you are appropriately dressed.

I assume you'll go to the Santa Village - it is easy to access by bus.

There are lots of tour operators out of Rovaneimi and not much to choose between them in my experience. If you are doing anything outdoorsy (and I recommend you do) then make sure the tour operator provides a polar suit. Most do though.

Rovenemi is quite a built up area for Lapland - I'd definitely recommend trying to take a tour that takes you a way out into the countryside. Cross County skiing is fun, as is dog sledding. We loved snowmobiling, but you might struggle with three dc as I think you have to be 15 to drive and can only have one passenger. Some companies offer this with a sled to pull extra dc I think. I really enjoyed a night time snow shoe walk through the forest, it was very peaceful.

Ranua wildlife park is doable as a day trip if seeing Arctic animals is a priority, but I'm not sure it would be the best use of a 3 day trip.

A sauna that offers ice swimming is a quintessential experience imo.

If you end up with a few hours to kill, Artikum is a museum in Roveniemi which is liked.

In terms of packing, merino wool thermals are ideal, plus a couple of layers of comfy stuff plus an artic suit. Normal gloves plus bigger waterproof mittens (tour companies that provide suits don't always provide gloves with them. A warm hat, or the Finnish girls I lived with always wore a hat plus earmuffs.

It you are doing any activities without a tour guide, and hence without a polar suit, I'd recommend thermals with padded trousers on the bottom (waterproof ones if you are doing anything like sledding), thermals plus long sleeve top, microfleece and a heavier fleece and a warm coat on top. Layers are good as you can take them off if you get too hot.

I was also going to say the dog sledding. I was not too fussed and would have skipped it for the sake of another cup of coffee but it ended up being the absolute highlight.

In terms of clothes our package included being kit out in full so I am not sure I can help with that much. I did just find it hard to quickly shed layers between the cold outside and the warm inside and felt faint on occasions.

That's great advice, thank you. Will get looking at tours (dog sledding sounds awesome!) and have got some time to build up warm clothing stocks! Thank you.