Things to do in Finnish Lapland

Finnish Lapland stretches across the northern third of the country, and Rovaniemi, 8 km south of the Arctic Circle, is the region's main gateway: RVN airport has direct flights from Helsinki, and the VR night train from Helsinki takes around 12 hours.

From Rovaniemi the region fans out into satellite bases each with its own character, from around 80 km to Ranua up to 450 km for Utsjoki on the Norwegian border. Winter temperatures run from -10 to -25C, with colder snaps below -30C, and snow typically lies from late October to mid-May.

Distances look modest on a map but take longer than they suggest once icy roads, limited daylight and single-lane stretches are factored in, so plan driving time generously rather than by kilometres alone.