Santa Visit

Hi, has anyone done the santa visit (which is open all year) after Chritmas?

we are booked for early march; and wondered if it was worth doing for my 3 year old grand daughter,

also any advice on reindeer/husky/snowmobile rides with a 3 year old.

Thanks,

james

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If you are going with Inghams book the snowmobiles and other trips with them - they are best value for money, its also cheaper to do it before you go due to the exchange rate.

The snowmobiles are fab, the 3 year old will go in a heated pod thats fully enclosed and thats pulled by the instructor it will havother children in it as well if they are on the trip.

I suggest the mini safaris with a 3 year old temps can be anywhere up to -30 and doing a 30min husky ride will be too much for her, also Inghams have a min age of 4 on the Supers.

I have pics of the heated pod as our 4 year old went in it again this year if you want to see it send me a pm and i can send it to you.

Sorry cant help with Santa.

Shell

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We did the santa trip with Inghams in Ruka during Feb last year. Both my 5 and 8 year olds loved it!!!

We were taken to his house in the middle of nowhere (which wasn%26#39;t a log cabin) and we spent 3 hours in his %26quot;front room%26quot; (still with christmas tree) and %26quot;kitchen%26quot;. We made gingerbread men and buns!!! There was about 12 children in all and at first he sat them all down around the tree and explained how he came to live in Finland. He helped make the %26quot;cakes%26quot; talking to each child on their own- even my shy 5 year old was deep in conversation!!! While this was all going on they could also make a card for a friend and he was going to sign it . So I told mine to make one for themselves so they would have a card to keep from the real santa, he wrote loads in them %26quot; thank you for coming to visit me in Lapland%26quot; etc etc. His seat was an old rocking chair and the children could go and sit in it at any time (no queueing) and he would come over and talk- It was just like visiting someone like we normally do!! We ended up all singing a song in Finnish which he helped teach us the words!! Back to the coach he put on his coat (my son couldn%26#39;t believe that our coats were hanging next to his and when we went to go the loo he was so desparate to touch it!!) Lovely memories...Santa got on the coach said his goodbyes and waved us off. So after all that a big YES I would do it!!

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Hi James,

We got back from Levi on Sunday and went to the Santa%26#39;s Secret Hideaway on Friday evening (5.30pm).

Was magical, will not describe it, as that will ruin the effect! I%26#39;m 40 and even I was excited! We had 2 boys just short of 4 years old, and a 20 month girl. They were in heaven!

Just one thing, it is not Santa%26#39;s Home! It is his secret holiday home and they play the fact that he is resting after Christmas and is surprised to see you! It is not a large venue there is no workshop, but you will love it!

Just make sure you go when it is dark as the effect would be less during the day.

Cheers

Martin

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Hi Again,

Forgot to mention the Huskies and Reindeer etc.

We booked through Inghams.

The Huskie ride is between 5 and 10 minutes long, the location is lovely you go across a frozen lake and through the woods, however it can be very cold. They have some children%26#39;s activities such as sledges etc.The whole excursion takes about 2 hours, there is a Kotta where where you can get coffee and warm berry juice, biscuits and cook your own sausages over the fire. All included in price!

Our boy enjoyed getting up close with the dogs, he even got his nose kissed.

The Reindeer safari was very close to the Huskies, but the owner was not as nice as at the Huskies. Enjoyed it but not as much as the Huskies.

You can book a 28km Snowmobile ride and even get a heated capsule for younger children (or cold adults) but it is pulled by the guide. They have to be 7 years old to go on the back!

Cheers

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Hi Again,

Just saw Shell%26#39;s post. I totally agree with all her comments about the Mini Safaris, and book with Inghams as they have the best prices etc.

You can book other excursion in resort but they are chepaer to pre book by a considerable amount.

For example 28km Snowmobile prebooked costed £68, the exact same trip booked in resort is 94 Euros!

Cheers Martin

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Hi Martin, thanks for the info, Can i book with Inghams when in Levi?

as i am not booked through holiday company but independent.

Thanks

James

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Hi James

Yes you can book in resort, they still give very good prices, I spoke to one of the Inghams reps who said that people who go with Crystal and other companies still book through Inghams.

I do not know where they have an office, but I know that they have reps in The K5 Hotel and Chalets, Hotel Levitunturi and Crazy Reindeer.

Most of the excursions leave from the Levitunturi and Crazy Reindeer hotels.

I booked all our excursions (Santa Secret Hideaway, Husky Mini, Reindeer Mini and 28km snowmobile) from Inghams, and was very happy with all of them.

The snowmobile was at PerheSafarit which is next to the K Supermarket (massive sign saying Market)

It was still cheaper to book through Inghams than direct with them! You may have to speak to them about the heated capsule!

Prices in resort with Inghams as of 25/01/09:

Reindeer Mini - Adult 30 Euros Child 18 Euros

Husky Mini - Adult 37 Euros Child 23 Euros

Santas Secret - Adult 45 Euros Child 39 Euros

Snowmobile from: Adult 57 Euros Child 15 Euros (96 Euros from Perhesafarit.

Perhesafarit were very nice and they rent one piece very warm thermal suits (one piece ski suits) and boots, we had our own but still rented a set of boots and one piece each as a back up.

Any questions do not hesitate to ask!

When you going?

Cheers

Martin

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Hi Martin, thanks for all the info!

we arrive on March 8th for 4 nghts.

I will take your advice; and seek out the Inghams bookings.

Thanks,

James

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I wouldn%26#39;t recommend the Santa Park...it is a long way for a young child and therefore a long way back. It is a complete rip off and better quality Santa visits can be booked locally. Inghams at Christmas time do organise free events but they probably won%26#39;t be doing those when you go. There is a Santa Village approx. 6km from hotel so you could enquire if this will be open. Apparently it is far superior to Santa Park. Santa Park - you will be disappointed.

Reindeer safari great...as long as you have adult holding tightly to youngster. Husky safari quick and uneventful - again if adult holding tightly to youngster..no real problem.

Snow mobiling...they put children under 6 in a closed in sleigh and they love it. They experience the bumps but without any risk of harm!

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hi i am taking my 2 kids to levi on the 27th december and was hoping to visit santa one of the days, but with one person saying it was great and someone else saying its crap ..well guys what is it?????? any others have any thoughts on the two differnt remarks ...steve