Lapland Feb half term - anyone been?

[HelplessProcrastinator]

We'd love to take the DC on a snow holiday but no interest in skiing. Thinking about Lapland in February half term 2022 for 4 nights. Obviously not a cheap break. We usually take the tent or rent a self catering place when you go abroad so never booked a package of any sort. I'm not sure how hard it would be to DIY a Lapland trip and wonder whether we should just pay for an all inclusive break. Has anyone been to Lapland but not done the Santa stuff? DC will be 14 and 11 so this isn't the aim of the trip.

We did it Feb 2019-like you we usually book our own flights and accommodation but at the time it wasn't possible to get there without going through an agent. I believe there is (was supposed to be starting-Covid may have put paid to it?) an Easyjet flight to Rovaniemi and if so I think it would be straightforward to organise the other things yourself. We stayed in Levi and had a brilliant week. We did ski but did plenty of other non- Santa stuff like Husky rides, ice hotel etc and got to see the Northern Lights which was amazing. Unnecessary to book anything before you go-there are loads of places to book other activities. However I suspect your best bet is to book through an agent as things stand? We flew to Kittila and that was a 10 min coach transfer to Levi which was a pleasant surprise.

Ditto above - we also went to Levi in Feb half-term 2019! It was great, although BITTERLY cold (and we're skiers so we're not averse to cold and had all the right clothes). We used an independent travel agent as we wanted a bespoke trip with certain specific elements and it was expensive, but not as eye-watering as some of the prices I looked at. For us, it was a 'once in a lifetime' thing as none of us particularly want to go back (too damn cold!), but it was amazing. Husky mushing was particularly fun, but the reindeer ride was cold and uncomfortable. I'd recommend doing the shortest possible trips for both, as the cold really is extreme to be out in for any length of time. One of my DC was borderline hypothermic after the 11km reindeer ride to a freezing hut and back!

You can book cottages quite easily. There was a direct flight in the winter from Gatwick to Rovaneimi but post pandemic? Alternatively you can fly to Helsinki and then catch an internal flight to a number of destinations. There is also an overnight train to Rovaneimi which might be an adventure. You don't have to go to Lapland to get snow, but if you want the full reindeer sleigh etc experience Lapland is the best bet. My son lives on the outskirts of Tampere and has free cross country skiing tracks and free skating on his doorstep.

We did 4 days Feb half term 2019. Our kids were 3 and 6 - our youngest was actually too young - but we don't 'do' Santa so he wasn't part of our trip.

We did a semi-package to Saariselka. Flights and a cabin plus taxi to and from the airport. We did book out excursions through the same company but that was optional - we did a northern lights trip, huskey sledding and reindeer sleigh. We did a lot of snow play etc on our own too.

I would recommend it (maybe not with a 3 year old).

We did 4 days in Karesuando/Karesuvanto 6 years ago and had a brilliant time. We booked a package with Transun, and while it wasn't cheap we had a brilliant time. February half term is a good time to go because you get 8 hours of daylight.

DIY all the way. The Santa stuff is fun too even with older children.
Don't underestimate how cold it can be though we had a day when we couldn't leave our cabin other than to eat because it was -37!

Thanks for all the helpful replies. Since I first posted I came across an old post suggesting Crystal ski holidays. Found a package quite reasonably priced but it’s for a full week which would be too long I think. Lots to investigate but I think we’re going to go for it. Will look into all of your suggestions.

Not exactly the same, but we booked for last March, obviously didn't go in the end, or this year either! But booked for next March fingers crossed.

We booked flights to Rovanemi with easyJet. Then accommodation at Holiday Village Gulo Gulo. We rearranged all of it with no trouble. No money lost. They were great at refunding us for all accommodation and trips last year.

There's a zoo and lots of activities starting at the Holiday Village, the accommodation looks spacious and clean. And they can provide transfers and a supermarket stop, and all the snowsuits and gear!

We've booked through booking.com , but you can book direct with them too.

Larsingsong I looked up this place and it looks great. Just checked flights and they are very limited days. We only wanted 4 nights due to cost and also my eldest has ASD and needs a weekend before and after a break to recover in a half term. Not sure if more flights will be added if the travel situation improves. If we can get there for less than a week stay this may be the one.

@Helplessprocrastinator
Really hope u find some flights.

Norwegian Air used to fly there from Gatwick too, although not at the moment. Maybe they will reintroduce the route in the future.

It's our third attempt to go next March fingers crossed.

There's also a few airbnb's in rovanemi near Santa claus village which we also thought about.

Also Arctic Fox igloos are same company and nearby to Holiday village gulp gulo if you fancied a night in the glass igloos by the lake. Looks beautiful

we did lapland with a company called Activities Abroad, which was absolutely fantastic, although not a cheap way of doing it. well worth a look though.