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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu, cost of Lapland vs other holidays

54 replies

Youbloodywhaat · 04/12/2018 17:48

I really want one Christmas in Lapland. Sleigh rides and magic and father Christmas, the whole shebang. I've tried to convince myself it's all OTT but all I keep hearing about is how incomparably magic it is.

5 bloody thousand pounds for our family of four. For THREE nights. I honestly just cannot wrap my mind around it. And yet seem unable up entirely walk away Its not throwaway dosh to us, we'd be saving hard all year. I've priced up every option and every provider and there's nominal difference.

I've tried looking at ski holidays and then book a excursions to all the festive bits nearby, which is considerably cheaper- but ski holidays are 7 days long and given we don't ski and have such small kids I just can't see it being enjoyable/how we would entertain them for an entire week.

Part of me also thinks that could be two.. maybe even three holidays elsewhere. We haven't travelled much and the kids are still at the difficult stage but we want to start- 5k would go along way. Suggestions on other choices most welcome too!

Or is it worth every penny and we should just bite the bullet?

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Original poster
Youbloodywhaat · 04/12/2018 17:49

Typos and grammar errors all over the bloody shop. Sorry!

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NoThankyouHun · 04/12/2018 17:50

Following because we're taking my daughter to Lapland when she's about 5 for 1 day. Interested to read people's views. We're waiting til she's about 5 so she will remember it! Since it costs so much.

Gizlotsmum · 04/12/2018 17:55

We’re going diy so not package and although still not cheap it’s not as much as the tour operators. Having said that there are some fantastic last minute deals at the moment due to concerns over lack of snow

guzzlepuzzle · 04/12/2018 17:56

I'm the same , um and ah over it and we have decided not to as our eldest two don't believe and our youngest hates being cold but if you want to then do it . You're paying for the memories .

Zoomzoomzoomzoom0 · 04/12/2018 17:58

You're all mad Ted.

lilraven · 04/12/2018 18:00

I managed to get it for £2000 for 4 of us for 7 nights in a log cabin. This was in 2014 so may have gone up a bit by then. I booked it in the January as they had free child spaces (I got the last one), and we went in the December. We could pay it off over the year as well if I remember correctly.

Booked it through Inghams as a ski holiday rather than a 'santa' trip and then added the Santa stuff on. It was the most amazing magical week we've ever had. Have a look at Inghams! We stayed in Levi.

bridgetreilly · 04/12/2018 18:01

I really, really don't think it's worth it. If that sort of money is easy, then sure, why not, but I wouldn't save and cut corners to spend £5k on three days. I'm sure you can find something to use it for that your kids would enjoy much more.

Original poster
Youbloodywhaat · 04/12/2018 18:01

We are also in the weird stage where due to age gap, if we go 2019 we will have 2 believers, but one will be the minimum age required so unlikely to remember which guts me given the cost- bevsyse as PP says.. memories! But the following year the eldest Is unlikely to still 100% believe although would still love it. But I feel conflicted about not going while they are "true believers"

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Original poster
Youbloodywhaat · 04/12/2018 18:04

Lilraven yes it's far far cheaper to do it this way but how do I keep them entertained for seven whole days? I really don't think we would enjoy skiing and I secretly suspect both may find the cold tough moany little gits

And you get no elves and activities to fill the time... the Santa holidays are designed to be activity packed which appeals as then it isn't our job.

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MargeryB · 04/12/2018 18:07

We did a day trip and it was ace. I'd do that. It's not suitable for those under 5. Too cold, too physically demanding.

Liveandletlive01 · 04/12/2018 18:08

Spend your money as you wish. But don’t pay for anything AFTER you have done it. Personally I wouldn’t want the £5,000 pressure of hoping the weekend goes as hoped.

MrsApplepants · 04/12/2018 18:10

We went for 3 nights and did the whole Lapland shebang in 2016. It was expensive and I could have got 2 regular holidays for the same price. Was it worth it. A million times yes. It was amazing. If it’s something you want to do, swallow the cost and go.

Jencottage · 04/12/2018 18:11

We are going next weekend for three nights ! I’ll post our findings then.

SE13Mummy · 04/12/2018 18:16

We've taken our two to Lapland and yes, the four days cost more than any other holiday we've been on (before or since) but it was a one-off, we'd saved for it and five years later both DDs still talk about it. I'm glad we did it when they were young enough to properly enjoy it (aged 4 and just 9) but old enough to remember the experience.

Gaspodethetalkingdog · 04/12/2018 18:18

I won a trip a few years ago - it was naf. Save your money for a decent holiday

Helipad · 04/12/2018 18:20

We went to Lapland in 2016 and as I’m a Finn I feared it maybe quite naff, it being my home country and me not seeing it through rose tinted tourist glasses but we actually had the best time and I was really sad to come back home.

We’ve been to ski holiday to Saariselka since and this feb going skiing to Levi. Finnish ski resorts usually have little sledge runs, snow tubing etc for free to use. You only pay for lift passes if you want to ski. My DS could have just spent hours sledging in the ski resort.

Saariselka ski resort also have a 2k long sledge run which was good fun. You had to pay a small fee for day use which included a special sledge and ski pass.

Where in Lapland are you thinking of going?

costacoffeecup · 04/12/2018 18:22

I always have something better to spend money on than holidays anyway but I couldn't enjoy a holiday costing that much for just three days. Way too much pressure for everything to be amazing.

saveforthat · 04/12/2018 18:25

We went to Lapland a few years ago. Our children were a bit older and we did ski but omg it was magical. The log cabins are fantastic and the husky ride was one of the best things I've ever done

Wintersnow39 · 04/12/2018 18:27

We took our 8 and 5 year old on a day trip last year, it was amazing and would love to go back for longer. We went to a traditional village and there was only the people who was on our plane there so we had plenty of time for activities as it wasnt over crowded. We paid £1460 for the day trip as we managed to get a free child’s place and we went on the 23rd Dec.

saveforthat · 04/12/2018 18:28

And you can hire incredibly warm snowsuits and boots

Original poster
Youbloodywhaat · 04/12/2018 18:36

Helipad, Saariselka - I know they aren't guaranteed but I'm desperate to see the northern lights!

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Helipad · 04/12/2018 19:08

OP Saariselka is lovely place but it’s tiny and very isolated, which is part of it’s charm! The ski resort is small too, it’s nothing like the hustle and bustle of European ski resorts. The ski resort has one cafe and omg they had the best burgers there Grin Like I said, there’s stuff to do like sleding (dozens of sledges just piled up next to the skihire and feel free to use one for free) for free.

We were there last Feb and it was overcast all week which meant no chance to see northernlights. However, it is truly magical when it’s just constant twilight and the horizon is painted in pinks and blues and the snow sparkles like thousand crushed diamonds.

If you decide to go, do NOT book the Star Arctic hotel though!! We stayed there and despite the premium price, it wasn’t great. Stay in the village!

Original poster
Youbloodywhaat · 04/12/2018 19:28

Helipad, ok assuming we spend some time skiiing and sledging... and we book a husky ride and father Christmas etc... what else can we do in our down time with the kids? Is there a pool.. is it useable? I am just worried 7 days will feel an eternity! I'd like to book a glass iglu for a night too. Sounds magical.

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ThomasRichard · 04/12/2018 20:04

I looked at taking my 8 and 5 year-old this year, thought it was crazy money for just 3-4 days and took the kids around China for a couple of weeks instead. It sounds lovely and everyone I know who’s been has enjoyed it but I just can’t get over how much it is!

BlackWatchBelle · 04/12/2018 20:09

My dad is treating me and my 2 kids and we are going for 3 nights, leaving 14th Dec, hoping they have snow! I think its a once in a lifetime thing, my dad is a bit of a grumpy cynic so I think if he enjoys it thats a good test Grin