Not skiing in Dec....

Hi

Not sure if anyone will be able to advise, but I have been looking at arranging a trip to Lapland in late Nov/early Dec to potentially see the northern lights.

I%26#39;m thinking of a train trip from Tampere to Kolari or somewhere inbetween.

However, when I started looking at the locations of the hotels which are up on the list in the TripAdvisor Lapland listing, it seems to be pretty ski orientated..am I right?

Is there a destination we could pick which is less popular for the skiing? We%26#39;re not interested in skiing really!!

Thanks in advance for any comments.

Lydia

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What are you interested in, then? The bigger resorts, such as Levi, have more variety when it comes to services and other things to do.

Or are you perhaps looking for a wilderness experience, and do not care so much for nightlife etc.?

Then Harriniva might be for you: http://www.harriniva.fi/?deptid=11428

You could take the train up to Kolari and transfer from there.

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Saariselka has the advantage of being the northernmost resort in Lapland and therefore the chances of seeing the Northern lights are higher. it is a compact resort which has managed to retain its character despite expanding in recent years. Its downhill ski ing is limited and the runs/ski school are outside the village so you do not feel it is primarily a ski resort. The cross country ski tracks run through the woods at the back of the village and all the usual arctic activities, huskies, snowmobiling etc are available.

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I was thinking about suggesting Saariselkä too, but it would not be exactly convenient when flying to Tampere and taking the train up north. They would have to go by train to Rovaniemi and then take a bus, which takes at least 4 hours to Saariselkä.

Harriniva/Muonio is pretty far north too.

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Sorry, I realise my first post was a little cryptic!

We%26#39;re are looking for a more northern light wilderness experience with optional civilisation.

It has also dawned on me that we%26#39;re venturing into prime father chrimas hunting season too.. Maybe this trip is not such a good idea:)

We are 3 30 somethings on the escape from london for a few days.

Thanks for the replies so far, I%26#39;ll do more research in work on tues:)

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Hi

The train from Tampere or Helsinki to Kolari is great. Yllas is a ski resort with a difference there are plenty of other things to do, from walking, husky and reindeer safaris, snow mobile safaris, pony trekking and walking with or without snow shoes.

Look on sites like Yllaksen Matkailu for cabin rental

Regards

Jane

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You could try here:

tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g189922-d5968…

Very remote, at the end of a road in the woods. We stayed there about 4 years ago and loved it.