It is spring in Lapland – oh yes, only now in the middle of May! — and what else could be a better time to observe around you than this season of rapid changes. For Lappish people one of the first signs of spring is that the roads appear from underneath the snow. A tiny but a promising sign of warming days! For anyone traveling around with a car, this means easier driving but mind you, quite soon after this the reindeer appear along the roads; They’ve been at the farms for the long winter and now it is time to start roaming around the wildlife for food.
Spring has sprung. A vivid and pointing way to describe this season and how rapidly it proceeds. Perhaps spring feels like a fast-forward track of something, as we have had winter since October. To remind you, the longest recorded winter in Lapland was in 1968, when snow cover could be measured from 230 days!

As we have written before, spring brings everything alive. Suddenly tens of different species of birds, insects and animals appear out of nowhere. If you live by any water, suddenly the ice cover starts to dissolve or move, and swans, ducks and many other summertime wildlife appear. In the evenings you will hear beautiful singing of swans during their mating rituals or defending territorial dominance.

Before electricity, spring was difficult time for Lappish people to preserve food. It was not cold enough anymore to keep food frozen, but nothing would grow, as the ground was still frozen. For many Lappish people spring meant harvesting in one definition: the reindeer. During spring, the reindeer will be gathered and some of them butchered, as in the old days. Spring weather could give one optimal option for food preservation, and that is air-drying the meat. When the days are warm whilst night temperatures are below zero, strips of meat dry outside in two weeks. This Lappish delicacy is still done in many homes and sold – for example – as a perfect snack for long hikes.

What’s more, spring is on and this can be noticed by prolonged daytime. We are already past the point where in the northernmost part of Lapland the sun doesn’t set anymore before the end of summer. Spring nights are full of light, as the late snow coverage reflects the increasing amount of sunlight. If you travel to Lapland during this time and haven’t used to nightless nights, remember to take a sleep mask along with you!

Midnight sun during spring

Later during the spring, nature starts to provide you with still edible and frozen cranberries from swamps and delicious morels. Many sprouts are now delicious and edible straight from the ground; have you tried Finnish fireweed or nettle as a side to your meal?

Spring is stunning and full of changes, promises of upcoming summer and time for renewal. Perhaps it is a clear sign that even these worrying times are changing, now that everything in nature is turning into something else.

There is a saying in Finnish that goes “the years are not brothers”. This means, seasons vary. Last winter snow came very late to Finnish Lapland. It was almost Christmas before the ground was covered with a layer of white powdery snow. This year winter arrived already in October and Lappish people are facing a record amount of whiteness. For sure, years are not brothers.

Perhaps you did not know but Finnish people have a special relationship with winters and snow. We already wrote earlier about snow and how it affects Finnish everyday life but let’s dig deeper. We need to dig deep indeed, as the amount of snow is almost double compared to “normal” winters.

The deepest snow coverage in whole Finland was recorded in Kilpisjärvi, Lapland during April 1997. It was 190cm. Finnish people are used to do the snow work from their yards before leaving to work, but for example this winter there is so much snow that it is almost impossible to move it aside. Central Lapland has already 120cm of snow and here are a few interesting aspects how it is changing Finnish daily life.

A thick snow coverage in the ground also means heavy weights for homes and other buildings. 1 square meter of snow equals more than 200 kilograms. This could mean tons of snow on one roof, literally! There is a serious threat for larger buildings to have structural damage if the snow is not manually dropped from the roof. Not only buildings become dangerous, but roads as well; a ploughed sidewall of snow makes the visibility poorly for drivers and many accidents are being avoided by making the sides of the road lower during the winter. And yes, this is also done manually.

Lappish animals are coping with varying winters but for some species thick snow coverage makes living hard. Reindeer can dig its way to the food, lichen and moss but if the temperatures vary, snow becomes layered with icy crusts on the way to the bottom. This means no food for the reindeer. Naturally, moving becomes harder for any short-legged species. Some animals have evolved to have special paws to make it easier to stay atop of snow, for example hares.

A snow grouse during winter

As snow becomes dangerous in certain situations, it can also make a perfect cover and mean surviving for some. Certain animals and birds change their fur for winter and become almost invisible to spot. Take a snow grouse, for example. It is brown during summers and beautifully white during winters. What’s even more, these birds dive into soft snow to make a nest for nights, especially during cold nights. A thick layer of snow becomes a great insulation to keep the cold away. Igloos, they really work!

Snow is also fun. For sure, if you come to Finnish Lapland, you need to try Finnish traditional sports, cross-country skiing. Snowshoes, downhill skiing, ice skating, all this is of course an option, as long as you dress accordingly. A rule-of-thumb is that when there is snow, it is cold. Exception to this are long and beautiful spring days, when Finnish people go out and about in their t‑shirt, even if there is snow on the ground. It is not untypical that you can still find snow from the nature during June.

All there is to say is let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! We love long winters and hopefully we can experience the best parts of it with you.

Midnight sun in Lapland

There has been discussion in Finland over Lapland tourism during the past weeks. Topic is very simple: how to get guests to visit during the quiet summer season. Lappish tourism has been evolving around winter season, snow, reindeer, huskies and aurora. Unfortunately, these attractions are hardly even original Lappish activities. Also, they are reliable on snow situation which again is affected by the changes of climate. What is even more, these activities can’t be arranged during the summer season, not without snow. Therefore, the question for many tourism actors in Lapland has been, what we can offer for guests without any snow. Little do they know that the answer is too simple.

We already wrote earlier how the traveling seasons are changing and how tourism could be arranged more sustainably. As the winter season gets overwhelming for local entrepreneurs by too many tourists, the summer keeps quiet. However, this is the season when most of the Finnish people become active and they utilize the beautiful nature surrounding them. Summer IS the most stunning time of the year in Lapland and we want to tell you why.

What never ceases to astonish us is the amount of light during summers. For example, in the heart of Lapland in Luosto, sun is not going below the horizon between 31^st of May and 13^th of July. This midsummer season is worth exploring outdoors, as everything is bright, light and warm. If you are willing to stay overnight in the wilderness, there is no better time than this. Pack your backpack with some bonfire food and take a rod along with you and you are sorted for even a longer stay in the wild than one night.

“I go to the forest to lose my mind and find my soul”. This is very true with the Lappish nature. Everything blooms, wildlife is everywhere to be seen – especially the reindeer roaming around freely – and what is even better, you can spend time outdoors in total peace. As the Lappish summer season is yet quiet, you can come to rest and enjoy the surroundings all by yourself. The studies show that even 20 minutes spent in the wilderness improves your health tremendously.

Finnish and Lappish forest give you their best during the summer. With bright light available everything blooms and flourishes even faster than normally. You can pick berries, catch fish, find mushrooms and all sorts of edible plants from the forest. We doubt there is a better way to prepare a dinner that is sustainably collected and caught from the nature.

Lapland is also fascinating to explore during the summer season. Forget about those winter activities that you thought were the top things to do and let us introduce you to proper Finnish summer fun. These things we actually do: go to sauna and have a dip in a river or a lake. Catch a fish and roast it by the fire. Pick berries and bake a pie of them. Bake pancakes over the open fire. Go row a rowing boat when the sun is still shining at 1am.

It is easy to go around Lapland and experience summer magic like you have never seen before. If you are intrigued, let us know and we will arrange it for you. We are sure you will enjoy peace of Lapland with us.

This might be one of the most spectacular times of the year. Despite all the beauty nature has to offer, Finns utilize their forestry surroundings when the season changes. This happens because Finnish forests are full of free jewels that flourish and prosper especially due to the amount of available sunlight. These jewels are true vitamin bombs and – what’s trendy to say – superfood. Berries!

We love berries, as they can be found practically spoken from everywhere. They are delicious. They are nutritious. And they are free to collect. Of course, you shouldn’t cross somebody’s yard but everyman’s rights in Finland allow you to pick as much as you like. We want to introduce you our 3 top choices what to look for if you happen to be in Finland during Summer or Autumn when it is the best season for berry picking.

Let’s start off with one of the most interesting and not so well-known beauty, crowberry. This humble berry loses the battle of choice for more beloved blueberry in general but in its nutritious side it is the king of the forests. It is fully loaded with vitamins and fibres and tops the list when talking about overall number of flavonoids. It is unutilized considering how easily it can be found from dry and medium-covered forests all around in Lapland. The taste is quite mild by itself but if you mix this berry with its cousin, blueberry, you’ll get excellent juice concentrate.

Our second choice can be nothing else than the Lappish gold, cloudberry. This golden treasure is coveted by locals and its growing places are almost national secrets. It is a true northern berry, as it grows often in the most distant and hard-reached places, swamps. Golden colour, its unique, sweet taste and harsh growing conditions make this berry not only the most expensive berry in Finland but also excellent ingredient for jams, marmalades and liquors. Only if you can find it!

Finally, our own favourite and for many good reasons – cranberry. You might have tasted cranberry juice before but often the taste is unfortunately quite artificial. This berry is not the most usual choice even for Finns to pick, as the growing season alters from the other berries. Cranberry can be harvested after the first few frosty nights. This means October or November. As it grows typically in pairs, we like to call it the Finnish cherry.

Hand-picking is time-consuming and cold work (due to those frosty nights) but what crowns this berry is that there are two seasons to pick it; during late Autumn OR just when the snow melts during spring. This berry preserves itself for the winter and is still delicious during spring. Try it out; make a soup out of it or perhaps more ecological juice concentrate and you won’t disappoint.

Join us in Lapland for midnight sun berry hunts this summer. We will happily guide you to best places and show you what you can make out of these Finnish jewels of the forest!

One of the biggest questions in life is definitely “what do I want?”. This question defines your hopes, dreams, motives and ambition. It is not an easy question. It is perhaps a question you haven’t ever asked from yourself. Still, it is worth considering not only in life in general, your work, hobbies, relationships but also, what do you want from traveling.

What are your biggest motives to travel? Perhaps they revolve revolve around your family, how nice is the weather, where are the most stunning sightseeing, uniqueness of the destination, comfortability at the location or a suitable infra. Reasons behind a holiday trip are for sure as numerous as there are travelers.

Traveling to Switzerland and Finland, nature is a big factor why one would choose these countries. Nature is about pureness, vastness, originality, greenery, health and what is most important in this rushing and fast-developing world, the peacefulness.

The most important factor for us what we want our guests to enjoy is the peacefulness. Ruhe. Hiljaisuus. Imagine this day. You wake up when the sun rises, not too early but around 8am. A big, tasty breakfast with coffee, then off we go. Walking starts from the end of a private road. Nobody else is to be seen, except friends from the forest, rabbits, reindeer or a flock of black grouses dining in a tree.

When you stop, nothing else is to be heard than the silence. We reach a wilderness cabin, start the fireplace and pour ourselves cups of hot juice. Lunch is getting ready, cabin gets warmer and a few candles light up the single room beautifully. Outside, a tiny bird sings for the group of unusual guests in the heart of the forest.

After simple but tasty lunch, coffee is served. There is no rush to anywhere. Perhaps we play a round of cards or stare at the fire. Only when the sun starts setting, we head back home. All clothes smell like smoke, the most typical outdoor fragrance there is. Somebody yawns, a clear sign of a “fresh air poisoning”. Sauna will be the perfect way to end a day in the wilderness.

Vacation is about charging your batteries, not discharging them. Although we know it is fascinating to experience different worlds, cultures and sights, you shouldn’t drive yourself shattered with a hardy schedule. Remember to ask yourself, “what do I want”.

Luosto, located in the Sodankylä municipality, is literally in the centre of Lapland. It is the home of reindeer herding and the roots deep down to earliest occupations in the area. For example. Vuotso and Tankavaara gold mining centers are good examples of how people used to live in the area. No wonder that you will still run into reindeers blocking the road while driving around in Luosto area.

Life in Luosto – separate village from Sodankylä and Tankavaara – is totally unique; you will forget the time and live as the season and the days go by. There is no need to rush and basically one forgets the concept of time. Timelessness runs in the Lappish and Luosto blood. What needs to be done within a day is done, otherwise everything else necessary is postponed until later. (And who would know the due dates for that?)

Luosto used to be the go-to place for slalom tourism in the 80s. People used to queue for the ski lifts for hours, as it was THE place to be. Nowadays it is the home of peaceful nature, berry picking heaven, early cross-country skiing tracks, an own amethyst mine and the heart of what Lappish tourism should look like.

Luosto also represents the Lappish lifestyle: things should not be rushed. Lappish mentality is to be one with the nature. It is said that Lappish people will sleep through the winter to be awake for the rest of the year – summer. When the sun doesn’t set, Luosto nature will burst into fire. By colours, vibrant views and the sun that won’t set, the lifestyle will totally turn into something else than anywhere in the world.

During deep winter, one only wonders why not to set off for a ski touring trip to Ukko-Luosto, cross-country skiing to Orressokka or perhaps to snowshoe around the lake of Ahvenlampi. Luosto offers wonderful heavily snowed trees around the central Lapland area to get the most out of your stay. If you are lucky, the aurora will light up the way back home.

Lappish people, neither the Luosto people, will rush. Lappish and the Luosto mentality means that you will need a flexible timetable and a relax pace of activities to fully enjoy the Lappish and Luosto gems; everyday life, tasteful dinners by open fire, meeting the reindeer and the aurora.

Magic in Luosto. In deep winter (9th of Jan, 2019) the sun will show itself for a few hours.

We will be also very happy to see you soon in Luosto area!

Spending time outdoors has undoubtedly a gazillion positive effects on you. For example, spending time in the nature reduces stress-levels, lowers blood pressure, improves appetite and helps you sleep better, only to mention a few. If spending time in the nature is so overall positive for your health, how about spending an overnight in the wilderness?

Summer time is always easier for camping enthusiasts because the nights are warmer, and amount of natural light makes everything slightly more effortless. In Switzerland, you can go for a long hike around the mountain hiking trails, naturally willing to minimize the amount of gear needed to take along. A tent is surely a private option, but the mountains and their weather can vary drastically in even a short period of time.

As an alternative for a stay-over plan at the mountains a great option is to stay at Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) cabins located around the Swiss Alps. These type of ‘Hütte’ overnight facilities provide the hiker an easy option for shelter in a group accommodation. Dinner and breakfast are also provided by the cabin keepers. It feels cozy to enter the dining room with other hikers, chatting for the day’s next leg.

These SAC cabins provide the needed resting place for those willing to continue from along the road. However, opening times vary between the cabins so remember to plan your trip well in advance. Many alps offer accommodation service as well, and their benefit is definitely their own produced meat and cheese variety.

In Finland, one can consider the same tent option when planning a nature trip outdoors. A legal concept called everyman’s rights give the right to enjoy the nature and camp almost wherever you wish, as long as you are not disturbing any households or leave litter behind. A quick tip: Finnish forests provide tons of edible goodies such as berries and mushroom, not to mention ponds and lakes full of fish. Choose the place for your tent close by these treasures, provided with a facility to make a fire, and provide yourself with a superfood dinner by the bonfire.

Winter brings a challenge for any outdoor traveller. Cold is manageable with warm clothes but moving around requires either (forest) skies or snowshoes. In a meter-deep snow moving around brings out anyone’s sweat equity, thus leaving a question mark, whether to put on warmest clothes available or not. A proper shelter is needed for an overnight stay, in order to change clothing and prepare food. Minus 30 degrees Celcius is a challenge for staying put, believe us!

You can find Finnish wilderness cabins around hiking routes which are provided with a fireplace and firewood, but else than that you need to bring along with you. No running water nor electricity makes the stay rather authentic. Definite pluses for finding a place so authentic like this wilderness cabin are the total peace from anyone else, no light pollution to be seen and a cozy night’s sleep after a cold trip outdoors.

Are you ready to test how it would feel like to conquer one of these wilderness cabins? This winter we will take people to a remote cabin by snowshoeing, to experience the real Lappish stillness and peacefulness. Dare to come along?

Our story started already a few years back, when Tuomas moved to live in Switzerland. He has been living in Engelberg, getting used to Swiss culture and Alp surroundings, been with people and collected a know-how about Swiss world.

Tuomas has been born and raised in Finnish Lapland, where nature is the basement for everyday actions, year-around. He has always been an active sportsman, and therefore mountains and forests became quickly familiar for him. Travelling around the country and being an easily approachable personality, he met a wide network of local people and tourism actors.

Amongst these people Tuomas met was Michael. He has been born in Switzerland and has a Finnish mother. Not only these two guys talked the same language (literally) but they soon realized that there are a few existing problems in travelling between Switzerland and Finland.

Both countries are well-known for their perfect landscapes and magnificent nature. People are super friendly, and food is delicious. However, a ton of potential is lost by those times that are not utilized outside the peak seasons. Swiss Alps and Lappish fells are packed with people during winter but bright summer nights in Northern Finland are very quiet and desolated. A hiker can experience the swarming sound of cowbells while walking on the mountains during September and October, during a half-year long Swiss summer but there are hardly anyone walking with you other than cows.

As a traveller you need to know the best locations, authentic places to experience the best of your trip. This requires local knowledge and dialogue. A bridge that gaps these quiet, peaceful places and amazing service from local people with your enthusiasm to explore these two cultures outside the peak seasons. This is what Alpland is for.

Come along with us: We listen to you and enable you stories so memorable that you will never forget. We promise this also in written form so stay tuned for more blog posts about life, culture, events and tips to travel in Switzerland and Finland!