Best time to visit Finnish Lapland

It's hard to imagine anyone who wouldn't want to go on a husky safari vacation, although forget any notion of high end husky life. If you want to travel through wilderness with your own team of dogs, you will be caring for them after they have cared for you, helping them settle for the night before you cosy up in your wilderness cabin, reindeer blankets to hand. Dashing through the snow, in a four dog open sleigh - this is Lapland with bells on.

Experts say this is one of the best regions to see the Northern Lights, thanks to its very dark, inland terrain. On Northern Lights vacations, you can stay in remote lakeside cabins with glass roofs to see the lights, your guides will have ‘Aurora alarms’ and you can go on night time snow shoeing safaris into ancient woodland to keep your spirits high and your body warm as you wait. Lake Inari and Menesjarvi are two of the most special spots to lap it all up.

Children are pretty much born with snow shoes on in this part of the world, so this is your chance to enjoy winter sports even if you have never felt a need to be part of a piste posse. Because snow shoeing in Finnish Lapland is another world completely. It’s all about nature, exploring the forests and fells of Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park or the exquisitely frozen environs of Lake Inari.

Daytrips to see Santa are about as soulful as Oxford Street the week before Christmas. You'll be whizzed around from pillar to post, and gain no idea of what Finnish Lapland is all about. Plus, in many cases, you'll do little to support local communities. Go for a real Finnish Lapland Christmas instead, husky riding, reindeer sleighing, ice fishing, kick sledding and snow shoeing. This is magic that lasts a lifetime. Not just for Christmas.

Don’t ignore Sámi culture; this is their home and has been for centuries. There are a lot of reindeer involved, with over 10 percent of Sámi people still herding, and you will be given reindeer blankets to keep you warm, reindeer milk to drink and meat to eat. All fabulous. As is being in a reindeer driven sleigh, and listening to Sámi mythical musings as you wait for the Aurora to appear. For many Sámi, this is still a spiritual experience, believing the lights are souls of the dead. The new Siida Sámi Museum in Lake Inari region is a must see.

It should go without saying, but don’t moan about the weather. You might need to adapt your itinerary due to weather. You may get wet. You will get cold. But you will be given the best gear to cope with it all, and if you go with the flow, you’ll be taking saunas and rolling in the snow naked before you know it.

“You can rinse out your clothes if you get too sweaty and dry them in electric dryers that each hotel has. So you don't need to go over the top with too many winter clothes.” – Thomas White on our Northern Lights short break, Finland

“Pack light – the outer gear provided is good. Get fit – chopping frozen reindeer meat, lugging wood and water to the wilderness cabins is hard work in deep snow. Bring a camera - our camera worked but our phones switched off in the cold.” – Ruth Stevens on a husky safari vacation

“Really don't bother bringing cold weather gear. The clothing supplied includes comfortable boots – even in very small sizes; two good warm layers (thick and thin, top and bottom) plus a waterproof outer layer, excellent inner and outer gloves, rucksack, thermos flask and head torch. They recommend your bring your own vest and longjohns - I'd add a decent warm hat, pull up neckscarf, sunglasses and thin gloves so you can operate your camera without your fingers falling off” – Jay Sivell on a snow shoeing vacation. Read our detailed interview with Jay about her vacation

Get some hand warmers for your mittens. – Steven Hirst on a husky safari vacation

“We stayed in the lodge which was convenient as you don't need to ' dress' to go to breakfast etc. Avoid room 101, it is next to the boot room and can be noisy before and after activities, although it only happens a few times a day. Also ask for a room facing the woods, much nicer outlook.” – Jodie Douglas on a tailor made Northern Lights vacation