Lapland's best winter activities off the beaten track
Would you like to visit Lapland next winter? Get off the beaten track and discover wild places far from the region's cities by trying our winter activities off the beaten track!
Lapland is a dream destination for winter and nature lovers. With its vast expanses of snow, the region has a unique beauty and a reputation for winter activities. Indeed, wandering through the forests and mountains of Lapland gives you an unrivalled sense of freedom. Away from the crowds and the cities, you can recharge your batteries in the wild, quiet spaces of the North.
While there are several tourist towns in Lapland (Rovaniemi, Tromsø and Kiruna), there are also some lesser-known destinations that are well worth a visit. More authentic and generally less accessible, these destinations are nonetheless ideal for a relaxing break. In the depths of Lapland, you can enjoy your winter activities on unexplored trails in unspoilt natural surroundings.
Lapland's best winter activities off the beaten track
Instead of heading to Rovaniemi or Tromsø, discover Lapland's national parks and small villages. Even in these remote locations, the best winter activities in Lapland are available, offering you an authentic experience off the beaten track.
Our winter activities in Norwegian Lapland
You'll find all the typical winter activities of Lapland in northern Norway: snowshoe trekking, watching the Northern Lights or snowmobile excursions. However, as Norway is the only country in Lapland with a coastline, it's the perfect opportunity to take part in activities linked to the country's marine environment.
King crab safari from Kirkenes
Join this king crab safari near Kirkenes and learn about this fascinating crustacean with a professional guide. Kirkenes is one of the largest king crab fishing ports in the Barents Sea, making it the ideal location for a king crab safari. It's also an interesting destination because it's close to Finland and Russia, offering an interesting and unique crossroads between these cultures.
The king crab safari combines snowmobiling, king crab fishing and tasting. You will take part in each of these stages. First, you'll leave Kirkenes by snowmobile for the fishing site. This will be a great opportunity to see some sublime scenery flash before your eyes. Next, the guide will show you how to remove the traps containing the crabs from the icy water. Finally, you will learn how to cook the crabs and finish the activity with a tasting session. King crab legs will be served Norwegian-style, with bread, butter, mayonnaise and lemon.
Original and authentic at the same time, this winter activity will allow you to discover a characteristic aspect of the isolated town of Kirkenes.
Wildlife safari and fjord cruise from Skjervøy in Finnmark
Keep to the coastal theme and observe the wildlife of the Skjervøy archipelago on a cruise through the fjords of northern Norway. This guided excursion is the perfect opportunity to learn about the history and culture of the Skjervøy archipelago.
On this fjord cruise from Skjervøy, you'll be equipped with a warm wetsuit, life jacket and goggles. Then you'll board a boat and head out to sea to see the white-beaked dolphins, eagles, cormorants and puffins that inhabit the area. As you approach the shore, you might even spot a moose!
The Skjervøy archipelago is a perfect destination for getting off the beaten track, because it's far from the crowds and easy to get to at the same time. You can get there fairly easily from Tromsø and enjoy a calm and authentic setting, the antithesis of traditional tourist destinations. Meet the wildlife of the Skjervøy archipelago and experience a peaceful immersion in this wild and isolated land!
Day trip by dogsled to Tana in Finnmark
Enjoy the must-do activity of a stay in Lapland in a destination far from the crowds: Tana. Go dog-sledding and explore magical winter landscapes with energetic dogs! A must for any successful trip to Lapland, dog sledding is a typical activity of the region and was once used as a means of transport by the inhabitants of the far north.
Thanks to this one-day dogsled excursion in the Tana Valley, you too can set off on an adventure! Tana Valley is a magical place, with mountains, forests and the impressive Tana River, one of the longest rivers in Norway. This valley is far off the beaten track, offering a real escape for anyone looking to recharge their batteries. You'll come across very few tourists here and enjoy the unexplored, authentic nature of Finnmark.
Our winter activities in Swedish Lapland
Discover northern Sweden off the beaten track by taking part in activities unique to this region. Explore snow-covered landscapes on a hike, climb a frozen waterfall and learn about ice fishing in Swedish Lapland!
Winter walking in Abisko National Park
Take a hike off the beaten track in Abisko National Park and enjoy a peaceful experience in the heart of nature. To ensure you have an enjoyable hike, you'll be in a small group of no more than 8 people. Accompanied by a professional guide, you'll discover the local trails in complete safety.
Abisko National Park is a particularly interesting destination for an authentic holiday. As a national park, you can enjoy protected nature and a rich fauna. Compared with other better-known national parks, Abisko is less crowded, so you can enjoy nature in complete tranquillity. During your hike in Abisko National Park, you'll often feel as if you're alone in the world, walking unexplored trails. If you're lucky, you might even spot reindeer, varying hares or a moose!
Join this winter hike in Abisko National Park and enjoy a winter activity off the beaten track!
Ice climbing for beginners from Abisko
Getting off the beaten track also means trying less common activities! So why not tryice climbing in Abisko? With Lapland's freezing temperatures, the waterfalls in Abisko National Park are usually frozen throughout the winter. They add a magical touch to the landscape, giving the impression that time has stood still.
The icefalls provide the perfect playground for ice climbing. Accompanied by a certified guide, you can easily learn the basics of this sport. You'll be given advice on the best climbing techniques and all the equipment you need will be provided.
Ice climbing in Abisko is a great way to challenge yourself, explore a place that's truly off the beaten track and get up high to admire the scenery from a unique vantage point. Try this activity to discover Abisko National Park in an original and sporting way!
Ice fishing at Mörön near Luleå
Trying ice fishing in Swedish Lapland is a great way to discover the local culture! This activity is popular with the locals and is also part of the traditions of the region's indigenous people: the Sami. By experiencing it for yourself, you can put yourself in the shoes of a local and really immerse yourself in life in Lapland!
This ice fishing activity at Mörön near Luleå is accompanied by a specialist guide. He will teach you the tricks of the trade for setting the hook and bait and then catching the fish. He will also tell you all about the local fish and their particular characteristics.
Ice fishing has the advantage of being accessible to everyone. Whatever your physical condition, you can reconnect with nature and be attentive to it throughout the activity. The peaceful silence of winter offers a timeless experience that few tourists take the time to appreciate!
Our winter activities in Finnish Lapland
With its endless stretches of forest and numerous lakes, Finnish Lapland is the perfect playground for winter activities off the beaten track.
Snowshoeing to the Northern Lights from Kilpisjärvi
Kilpisjärvi is a small, picturesque Finnish village with few visitors, perfect for a nature break in Lapland. Located in the municipality of Enontekiö, the village nestles at the foot of Mount Saana and close to Lake Kilpisjärvi, from which the village takes its name. In this peaceful setting with low light pollution, you can easily maximise your chances of admiring the superb northern lights dancing in the sky.
To do this, we invite you to join a snowshoeing excursion departing from Kilpisjärvi. This will give you the chance to enjoy an outdoor activity in an unusual way, as well as benefiting from the advice of a specialist guide who will do his utmost to help you realise your dream of admiring the aurora. What's more, you'll be served a hot drink and a pastry to make the experience even more enjoyable.
During the excursion, you'll enjoy a unique experience under the starry skies of Finnish Lapland. A snowshoe hike is a great way to discover the wild beauty of the region, to enjoy the silence and absence of light pollution while taking part in a must-do winter activity. When the auroras start to appear in the sky, you'll be amazed and grateful for this magical moment!
Dog sledding near Inari
Dog sledding is a must-do winter activity in Lapland! Try this activity in Inari and enjoy a more authentic, less touristy experience. This dog sled safari in Inari is a unique opportunity to try out sled driving during your stay in Lapland. Accompanied by a professional guide, you'll learn the basics of this activity and enjoy an unrivalled sense of freedom during the excursion.
If you love nature and animals, you can't do without sled dogs. It's the perfect way to discover nature, bond with adorable dogs and get some exercise at the same time. Travelling through Finland's vast wilderness with dogs will give you a whole new perspective on the landscape.
Inari is the perfect destination for trying out sled dogs, but it's also recognised as the capital of Sami culture in Finland. So you'll have the chance to discover this culture in a more authentic and respectful way. If you wish, you can even visit the Siida, the national museum of the Sami.
Reindeer sleigh safari from Kittilä near Levi
Less popular than sled dogs, reindeer sledding is just as typical of Lapland. Unlike sled dogs, reindeer sledding is a quieter, more accessible winter activity. All you have to do is sit back on the sled and enjoy the scenery all around you! Reindeer move more slowly and cover shorter distances.
This reindeer sleigh safari in Kittilä is an ideal activity for children. It's a chance for them to meet Santa's deer friends and discover an authentic means of transport rooted in Sami culture. As well as the excursion, you can spend time with the reindeer and listen to your guide's stories about these adorable animals and their connection with local culture.
Although Kittilä is located very close to the Levi ski resort, this small town is far less touristy and will allow you to discover local traditions far from the crowds.
In short, if you want to enjoy winter activities in Lapland off the beaten track, you can! Avoid Tromsø, Kiruna or Rovaniemi and discover Lapland's small, authentic towns, their surroundings and national parks. By visiting these less touristy places, you'll enjoy a more enjoyable experience that allows you to really immerse yourself in the region's unspoilt nature. Another way to get off the beaten track is to try a less popular winter activity such as ice climbing or ice fishing!
Now that you've got some ideas for your winter activities in Lapland, all you have to do is pack your suitcase! And if you don't know what to pack, don't hesitate to check out our advice on dressing for winter in Lapland!