when to come north, a winter guide.

a note on our season

We are open only in winter, from 1 December to 31 March, at our retreat in Finnish Lapland.

This is the season the retreat is built for, especially for those planning a winter trip to Lapland or hoping to experience the Northern Lights.

For now, we operate with a limited number of cabins, with more to come.

What follows is our winter, month by month.

From the darkest period of December to the brighter weeks of late winter, what each part of the season feels like, what it is best for, and what it may not suit.

december · the candle month (kaamos)

From December to early January, winter in Finnish Lapland settles into polar night.

Daylight, when it comes, is a soft blue light around midday.

Candles are lit on every table, the cabin stove stays warm, and the snow sits thick and quiet around you.

This is one of the best times to experience the Northern Lights in Lapland, often visible on clear nights between the clouds.

This period is the first to book and usually the first to fill, so we recommend planning well in advance.

Best for:

• a first Arctic winter in Lapland
• a festive time of year in a quieter setting
• slowing down and settling into the rhythm of winter

january · the quiet after

From January into early February, winter in Finnish Lapland begins to shift.

The last stretch of polar night fades, and by the end of the month there is a short return of daylight. The Northern Lights are still active and often visible on clear nights.

Snow is at its deepest, soft and quiet underfoot. Skies can be more clouded than later in the season, which makes patience part of the experience.

This is a slower time. A book, a short walk, the sauna, a long table.

Best for:

• quiet winter stays in Lapland
• Northern Lights viewing with patience
• time to rest and switch off

february · the postcard month

This is the brightest cold of winter in Finnish Lapland.

Days stretch longer with clear blue light over the snow, while nights remain dark enough for strong Northern Lights viewing. Skies are often clearer than earlier in the season, and the snow is deep and stable across the landscape.

If you are planning a winter trip to Lapland for the Northern Lights or winter photography, this is one of the best times to visit.

Best for:

• Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland
• snowshoeing and dog sledding in Lapland
• winter photography in the Arctic
• a first Lapland winter experience

march · everything, at once

One of our favourite winter months in Finnish Lapland.

The Northern Lights are still strong, and daylight returns quickly, with close to twelve hours by the end of the month. Snow is at its deepest, and the coldest part of winter has passed.

Mornings often arrive with soft pink light over the snow. Toward the end of the month, crust snow begins to form — a frozen surface that lets you walk across the landscape without snowshoes for a short time each morning.

If you are planning a winter trip to Lapland and want both daylight and Northern Lights, this is one of the most balanced times to visit.

Best for:

• skiing in Lapland — alpine in Levi and cross-country from the door
• Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland
• longer daytime winter activities
• exploring the landscape on foot during crust-snow conditions

Arctic weather can change quickly and often. Conditions vary from year to year, so what is described here is a general pattern rather than something guaranteed.

If a particular month has set itself in your mind, the cabins page shows the room you would be coming home to, and the live calendar holds dates and rates in one quiet pass. For buyouts and longer special weeks, write to us.