We travelled on a package with Transun to the tiny resort of Jeris, and from the moment we stepped off the plane into deep, powdery snow, it felt like we had walked into a Christmas storybook.

Our Cosy Lapland Cabin

We stayed at the Jeris Hotel and Cabins, in a wooden cabin that managed to be both spacious and incredibly cosy. Think thick snow piled up outside, warm lighting, lots of wood and that lovely feeling of being properly tucked away in the wilderness.

The children absolutely loved it: when they were not out on activities, they were quite happy sledging outside the cabin and playing in the beautiful deep snow. We even had our own sauna in the cabin, which led to much laughter as we dashed in and out, from hot steam to cold snow.

A Truly Magical Search for Santa

One of the most special moments of the trip was our search for Santa through the forest. We walked along lantern‑lit pathways between the trees, snow underfoot and a hush over the whole landscape. It felt genuinely magical, the sort of experience you imagine when you think “Lapland” but rarely get to live in real life. The children were completely captivated.

Snowmobiles, Huskies and Reindeer

There was no shortage of adventure either:

We went on a snowmobile trip across the frozen lake in front of Jeris cabins. Gliding over the ice in that vast, white silence was unforgettable, and I was so proud of the kids for really embracing it despite the cold.

The children tried snowshoeing and endless sledging, burning off huge amounts of energy and never getting tired of the snow.

We enjoyed an exhilarating husky ride, racing through the forest behind a team of eager dogs.

A reindeer sleigh ride through the woods gave us a slower, more peaceful way to soak in the scenery, with the sound of hooves on snow and trees heavy with frost all around.

The Arctic Sky & Northern Lights

One of the things that stays with me most is the sky. In December the sun never really rises high, so you get hours of soft, glowing light:

Long “sunrises” that never quite break the horizon

Gentle, lingering “sunsets” in pinks, purples and golds

And then, one night, we were lucky enough to experience the most incredible Northern Lights. The sky came alive with dancing greens and purples and shifting patterns that really did take our breath away. Even the locals said it was one of the best displays of the season. It felt like a proper pinch‑me moment, and one we will never forget.

How It Worked as a Family Holiday

We travelled with our children who were 8 and 10 at the time, which turned out to be a perfect age:

They were robust enough to cope with the cold, layering up and staying out for activities.

They were still young enough to be completely swept up in the magic of Santa, snow and fairy‑lit forests.

That said, I would happily recommend this type of trip for:

Slightly younger kids and older children and teens, who would love the snowmobiling, huskies and sheer sense of adventure.

Adults‑only trips, because it is far from being “just for kids” – the scenery, silence and experiences are extraordinary in their own right.

Why I Rate This Style of Lapland Trip

I have had many clients travel on similar packages and they almost always come back glowing. For us, it was the same:

The trip was really well organised, with activities smoothly run but not over‑scheduled.

The guides were fantastic: friendly, knowledgeable and great with the children.

The food was good and plentiful, exactly what you need when you are outside in the cold so much.

It felt authentic rather than overly commercial – this is not about theme‑park queues, it is about being outdoors, in proper snow, doing real Arctic activities.

We flew home on Christmas Eve,  and it honestly felt like the most magical Christmas we have ever had.

If you are curious about Lapland for your own family, or even as an adults‑only Arctic adventure, I would love to share more about our experience and help you work out the right resort, length of stay and activities for you. It is one of those trips that really can make lifelong memories.