The trips are expensive there is no doubting that. Depending on your resort, there are free things e.g. In saariselka there is a 2km sledge run which is fantastic for the kids and there are free sledges everywhere you can use. In Levi I believe there is a kids area at the bottom of the ski slope for them to play in. We chose saariselka as its fairly remote compared to the ski resorts but Levi and yllas get good reviews too.
The Santa day with thomsons includes the tasters (husky, reindeer and snowmobile), search for Santa via snlowmobile-sled ride, mini skidoos, Lappish ceremony, blacksmith elf and lunch at santas house. you are ther from 8-2:30pm. Tasters last about 7 mins. The reindeers were long enough as they go slow so not the most exciting!the snowmobile has adults on the snowmobile but kids in a trailer pulled by the guide so the taster was enough for us as I didnt think the kids would enjoy a 2 hour ride with a guide! The husky taster was all of us in a sled with the guide driving.
The husky trip excursion which was extra, was simply fabulous and the best thing I've ever done and ill remember it my whole life! It was 2.5 hours and me and dh each drove a dd in a sled with 6 huskys pulling us! We went over the fells stopping half way for hot berry juice around a fire and reindeer sandwiches!! We booked this in resort and paid €420 for us all so it ain't cheap!! However we budgeted for one excursion and it was worth every penny! We booked with top safaris. If you decided on saariselka, you can see all the companies etc here...
www.saariselka.fi/
Check out the live webcam on the link above to see the snow!
You can book excursions with the operators for around the same price but it tends to be less value for money e.g. The thomsons husky trip lasts same time but inc only 40 min drive time and an hour tour of the husky farm.
Do consider your kids ages and the temps. It was only -9 when we did our excursion and the kids were crying with cold by the end of it! Its ok for the adults driving but the wind chill in the sled is Baltic even with all the layers etc! Personally I would not book until there so you can get a feel for temps as its a lot of money to waste if temps drop very low.
Thomsons also have fireworks at the end of the gala meal which was lovely. Esprit (santas lapland company) have good reviews too but use same hotel ect as thomsons and much more expensive. They say their trips are longer but even theres are only 10-15 mins so you may as well save the extra cash and use it on excursions! Thomsons also have a party flight with fancy dds, carols down the intercom, xmas colouring packs, santa hats given out etc etc whereas esprit use easy jet so nothing additional.
Any other info just ask! Very jealous.... Wish I was going again!.