Saariselkä

Dancing skies and glittering Arctic expanses frame a magical escape in Saariselkä

Perched high above the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland, Saariselkä is a land of snow-dusted fells, fairytale forests and skies alive with shifting colours. Here, the wilderness stretches as far as the eye can see, framed by the shimmer of frozen lakes and echoing with the quiet crunch of reindeer hooves in snow. By day, it’s a playground for winter adventure – from world class skiing and sledding to snowshoeing across pristine trails. By night, the dark canvas of the polar sky is lit by the swirling dance of the Northern Lights. Whether you’re cocooned in a glass igloo beneath the stars or steaming in a traditional sauna, Saariselkä offers an enchanting blend of raw nature and Nordic tranquillity.

Things to do

LANDMARKS
Begin your journey in Urho Kekkonen National Park, one of Finland’s largest protected wild spaces, where fragrant pine forests give way to wide-open tundra and gentle fells. The resort village itself brims with cosy log cabins – their glowing windows providing the perfect contrast to the surrounding wilderness. For sweeping panoramas, ride the chairlift up Kaunispää Fell, whose summit reveals a breathtaking view over the snowbound landscape. In summer, the midnight sunbathes the hills in golden light. While winter brings a dreamlike stillness, broken only by the laughter of children tumbling down Finland’s longest toboggan run. 

FOOD & DRINK
Saariselkä’s dining scene is steeped in Lapland’s culinary traditions. You can expect hearty dishes to feature reindeer, Arctic char and wild berries gathered from the surrounding forests – often prepared by open fire for a true taste of the north. Cosy restaurants serve creamy salmon soups, sautéed game stews and warm lingonberry desserts, each one a comforting antidote to the Arctic chill. For something unforgettable, pair a candlelit dinner with a panoramic glass-roofed view of the northern sky – a feast for the senses that lingers long after the final bite. 

HISTORY
Though it’s known today as the perfect spot for an Arctic adrenaline hit, Saariselkä’s roots lie in Lapland’s age-old traditions. The indigenous Sámi people have called this region home for millennia, living in harmony with the seasons and herding reindeer across the tundra. This proud heritage is celebrated in local crafts, joik singing and the colourful gákti clothing worn on special occasions. The village grew in the 20th century with the arrival of travellers seeking wilderness and wonder, and has since become a gateway to Finland’s far north – a place where ancient culture and modern spirit of adventure converge beneath the glow of the Aurora Borealis.

Top Tip from SLH

Book a twilight husky safari, when the snowy silence of the fells is broken only by the rhythmic padding of paws, racing across the snow