Independent travel to Lapland with DCs

[chocolateistheenemy]

Evening all, this is my first thread on MN and I'm obviously expecting wonderful first-rate advice from you all!
I turn 40 in Dec 2014 and want to take the family to Lapland for Christmas.
By this time, DS will be 7 and DD 3.9. I think they'll be old enough to enjoy it.
I've not been massively impressed with the general brochure tours, which seem really expensive and predictable...
However not having researched it fully, I was wondering if anyone had any pearls of wisdom...?!
e.g. Is Finland better/cheaper than Norway?
All advice greatly appreciated Xxx
p.s. I'm obviouslyvery excited
p.p.s we don't have a lot of money

We booked with Thomson and it was much cheaper than some of the other agents. We didn't book till around October last year.

Haven't been to Norway but have heared it is very expensive. Finland was really lovely and as we booked a package we didn't really spend much.

Have you looked at the price of flights and accommodation seperately? It is only the begining of the ski season in December but may be expensive and hard to come by over the xmas period itself.

I've just realised it wasn't for this year but 2014.

There is a Finnish parent at school. She told me to just book my own flights, and consult with the Finnish tourist board for excursions: all the same excursions that you get on a conducted trip, she said, but much cheaper if you don't go through the middleman.

Owing to getting pregnant again, I never did look into it.

Thank you both for your kind replies! I'll keep you posted...

Not sure if they still do but Neilsons do ski trips to Lapland (Finland) - you can just book flights and accomodation through them, and not the skiing (Hotels or chalets). They also do sled trips, etc too and from what I remember, were fairly reasonably priced.

Finland is defo cheaper than Norway. Once DC3 (due in 2 months) is old enough, we'll be off there! Was waiting until all the children were old enough to enjoy the snow, etc. Looks fabulous - have a great time!

Thanks wicked! Good tips there. Best of luck and congrats on your imminent arrival!

Hi

I have booked to go to Lapland with thomsons this year - £2200 for four days for 2 adults and 2 kids inc activities and all clothing.

I tried to book independently(researched loads) but it only works out cheaper if you go outside December? The flight only are very expensive plus you cannot fly direct to any of the resorts! You have to change planes and there can be a good few hours in between I think. I didn't fancy it with young kids.

Also consider the cost of thermal wear which is included in the package. You can book as a ski package and buy activities on top but again it Doesnt include clothes and there aren't really any cheap prices in December. Thomsons are the cheapest at the moment I found.

On trip advisor most book a Santa package first and independent next time once the Santa bit has been taken care off (so go after Xmas when prices drop massively).

For snow guarrantee Lapland can only really be booked from1st December at the earliest and o for a Santa break there's only a 3 wk window for them to make money which is why it's expensive no matter how you book!

If you can fly Gatwick crystal ski have some great packages.

One tip though!- get your thermals in January - I got all ours in m&s sale or £1 each!!!!!