The best things to do in Lapland in winter

What is it? The colourful northern lights dancing across the dark sky are a highlight of a trip to Lapland for many visitors.

Why go? There are only a handful of places in the world where you can see the northern lights. Finnish Lapland lies within the northern hemisphere's auroral zone and, depending on the conditions, often offers excellent chances of spotting them. Glowing in shades of green, yellow, orange and even purple, the northern lights are a truly spectacular sight. They occur throughout the year, but your best chance of seeing the aurora borealis is on a clear, dark night. Finland's best spots for northern lights hunting are in northern Lapland, but they're often visible as far south as Rovaniemi, too. Even when the odds are in your favour, remember that seeing the northern lights always takes a bit of luck, whether you're on a northern lights safari or watching from your cottage garden.

Time Out tip: You'll need a sufficiently dark sky to see the northern lights, so spotting them in a city is much trickier than in the countryside. The best and easiest way to see them is to rent a cottage in northern Lapland during the darker months and keep an eye on the sky from your own doorstep.

What is it? Feeding reindeer is an iconic Lapland experience you won't want to miss.

Why go? If you want to get up close to reindeer, this is the best way to do it. Many reindeer farms, experience centres and even fenced hotel grounds in Lapland are home to reindeer that visitors can feed. It's a chance to see these animals up close, and if you join a guided visit to a reindeer enclosure, you can even walk among them. Just remember that reindeer should only be fed lichen provided specifically for this purpose, and their welfare must always come first. Always treat the animals with respect.

Time Out tip: Never ask reindeer owners how many reindeer they have. For many reindeer herders, it's much like asking someone how much they earn, and you're likely to get a rather frosty response.

What is it? Spending a night in a glass-roofed igloo lets you watch the northern lights and starry sky from the comfort of your own bed.

Why go? Few of us fancy spending a night outdoors in freezing temperatures, but in a glass-roofed igloo, it doesn't matter how bitterly cold it gets outside. You can lie back and gaze at the sky while staying wonderfully warm. Glass igloos are an extremely popular accommodation option in Finnish Lapland, with plenty to choose from. Most follow the same concept: a small, usually single-room structure with a private bathroom and often a curved window that extends up across the roof. Many also offer a northern lights alert service, so you don't have to sleep with one eye open all night. Instead, a member of staff will wake anyone who's signed up for the alert when the northern lights appear.

Time Out tip: If a glass igloo is beyond your budget during the winter season, plan an autumn trip to Lapland and stay in one before the peak season begins.

What is it? Finland's best ski resorts are found on Lapland's fells, offering thrilling downhill runs and spectacular scenery.

Why go? Because skiing and snowboarding are simply brilliant fun, whatever your skill level. As you pick up speed and the landscape opens up around you, there's a sense of freedom that's hard to beat. Both sports challenge your balance, courage and, of course, your skills on the slopes. After a day of skiing or snowboarding, your body is guaranteed to be craving some rest and warmth. Lapland has more than ten ski resorts, so there's plenty of choice, from popular, bustling holiday resorts to small, peaceful ski centres with just a couple of slopes.

Time Out tip: If you're brave enough, plan your ski holiday for January, when temperatures are at their coldest and the polar night still has Lapland in its grip. You'll be rewarded with wonderfully quiet slopes and some of the most spectacular sunsets of your life (even if they happen in the early afternoon).

What is it? A snowmobile lets you speed through snowy landscapes and quickly reach places that are inaccessible by car.

Why go? If you love speed, nature and a bit of adventure, a snowmobile trip is a must. Traditional snowmobiles are admittedly noisy, and you're pretty much guaranteed to smell of petrol afterwards, but they open up routes through snowy forests, across fells and over frozen lakes, often to places you could never reach by car. The scenery changes in a flash, nature feels closer than ever and the thrill of speed is hard to beat. Snowmobiling doesn't require any special skills, but first-timers shouldn't head out alone. Add a hot chocolate break in the middle of the peaceful wilderness, and you've got the perfect snowmobile experience.

Time Out tip: If the idea of roaring through nature on a petrol-powered snowmobile doesn't sit right with you, try an electric one instead. Rovaniemi-based Aurora eMotion is the world's first company to offer electric snowmobile safaris. Its tours are completely emission-free, and the snowmobiles are virtually silent, allowing you to experience nature in an even more genuine way.

What is it? Lapland is packed with memorable sauna experiences, and nothing beats the soothing heat of a sauna after a day spent outdoors.

Why go? Lapland's saunas take you right to the heart of Finnish sauna culture. You'll find scenic saunas overlooking the fells, unusual snow and ice saunas and, of course, traditional Finnish wood-fired saunas. There's plenty of choice, making it a memorable experience even for Finns. Many saunas also offer the chance to go ice swimming or take a cold plunge. We recommend Rovaniemi Sauna World, which has ten different saunas, or the scenic sauna at Kaamos Lodge in Aavasaksa.

Time Out tip: One of Lapland's most legendary saunas is the Kuurakaltio smoke sauna, also known as the Kiilopää smoke sauna, next to Urho Kekkonen National Park. Book your spot in advance!

What is it? Snowshoeing lets you hike comfortably across the snow, exploring places that would be impossible to reach in ordinary shoes.

Why go? If you fancy exploring snowy landscapes at a leisurely pace (or picking up the speed if you prefer), snowshoeing is one of the easiest and most hassle-free ways to do it. You don't need any previous experience of winter sports, and snowshoes can be attached to almost any flat-soled footwear. It's an easy winter sport that suits just about everyone. The best thing about snowshoeing is its simplicity: you can explore the fells and snowy wilderness at your own pace without worrying about your feet sinking deep into the snow.

Time Out tip: Check your route in advance and bring a map! More and more nature destinations now have dedicated snowshoeing trails to prevent snowshoers from damaging cross-country ski tracks or getting lost in the forest.

What is it? The most Finnish way to enjoy the winter landscape is to strap on a pair of skis and hit the cross-country trails.

Why go? Cross-country skiing is winter sport at its finest, and everyone can enjoy it at their own pace. Whether you're a complete beginner, a casual skier or a hardcore winter sports enthusiast, there's room for everyone on the trails. You'll need decent equipment, so if you don't have a good pair of skis of your own, it's worth renting some. You'll find equipment hire shops at least at all the major winter sports resorts in Lapland, and renting cross-country skis is often fairly affordable. Every village has ski trails, with plenty of routes of different lengths to choose from.

Time Out tip: Never tried cross-country skiing before? No problem. Booking a lesson with a professional instructor is a great way to get started. It might look effortless when the Finns do it, but learning the basics takes a little practice. Even a couple of hours with an instructor can help you build confidence and get a feel for this traditional Finnish winter activity.

What is it? A quick swim or dip in water barely above freezing is a great way to calm your body and clear your mind.

Why go? Cold-water swimming is becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. While the thought of plunging into icy water might seem mad and rather unpleasant, you'll almost always feel a rush of warmth throughout your body afterwards. There are ice swimming spots all over Lapland, but you can also try a cold plunge at several of Lapland's spas. If you're a beginner or don't have much experience with cold-water swimming, it's worth combining your dip with a sauna session. That way, you can experience the contrast between hot and cold and the euphoric feeling that comes with it.

Time Out tip: If you're feeling brave enough, take several dips in the cold pool or icy water during a single sauna session for an even more relaxed feeling afterwards.

What is it? A hotel built from snow, where you can even spend the night tucked up in a warm sleeping bag.

Why go? A night in a Lapland hotel doesn't get much more memorable than this. During the day, visitors come to explore the rooms and admire the ice and snow sculptures carved into the walls and dotted around the hotel, but at night, guests actually sleep here too. The rooms are very different from those in a traditional hotel, but they still have beds. Typically, a mattress, animal hides and sleeping bags are placed on a bed frame made from snow, with blankets and other warm bedding also provided depending on the hotel. Overnight guests are given detailed instructions on what to wear, and there's always access to indoor facilities with toilets and spare beds if sleeping in the snow hotel gets too cold.

Time Out tip: Snow hotels where you can spend the night include Arctic SnowHotel in Rovaniemi and Lapland Hotels SnowVillage in Ylläs.

What is it? A husky sledding safari takes you on a short route, either riding in a sled pulled by huskies or taking the reins yourself.

Why go? For visitors looking to experience Lapland beyond the ski slopes, husky sledding is one of the region's most distinctive winter activities. It's great fun whether you're sitting in the sled or standing at the back as the driver. The experience revolves around the dogs' needs, and several sleds often travel together in a line. Most visits also include a tour of the kennels and a chance to pet the dogs, which is a good opportunity to see how they live and ask their owners a few questions.

Time Out tip: Choose your operator carefully, and if you're not confident about the animals' welfare, give the safari a miss. There are plenty of operators in Lapland who take animal welfare seriously. Don't be afraid to ask about the dogs' living conditions, rest days and activities during the summer months to make sure they're being properly cared for.