Lapland Adventure by client Natalie Tindall
The air was crisp and serene and the small airport welcomed us dressed festively in lights and decorations -we instantly felt the holiday magic.
Just a short transfer away our snow suits and boots awaited us and after the hilarity of being kitted out and squatting to make sure the fit was perfect, we piled back on the bus. The hotel was five minutes away, just enough time to admire the scenic snow-covered village and the amusing sight of a dog taking his owner for an evening slide rather than a walk!
After a relaxing dinner and a chance to get to know our group in the bar we suited up and went in search of the Aurora. After an ill-advised short cut -we ended up stranded in thigh deep snow and giggling -we regained the path to the dark field. Within minutes we began to see the suspicion of a swathe of pale light which swirled and deepened in colour, arcing right over us. We couldn’t believe our luck!
We fell into bed that night excited at our first Arctic encounter and anticipating the next -visiting the reindeer farm.
We drove along snowy roads fringed with delicate silver birch and dark pines in the gentle light just before sunrise. The serenity was shattered as a reindeer loped down the road straight towards us. Magnificent in his winter coat of cream and chocolate brown he seemed mesmerised by our lights. At the last minute he veered off the road but thankfully we didn’t!
Mere metres down the road we were lucky enough to see a wolverine run across in front of us -mercifully at a safe distance this time! Quite the wildlife experience before we reached the reindeer farm.
Our ride in the wooden sleighs behind our gentle reindeer dressed in their traditionally patterned harnesses took us along a wide frozen river with Sweden just across the ice. Afterwards we enjoyed hot juice in a traditional Sami tent with a roaring wood fire at its heart and learned that in the past not one part of the reindeer remained unused. While we listened intently I had to smile at the frolicking young reindeer in the paddock outside. Our first Arctic adventure was a gentle and beautiful introduction to an age-old way of life and we were sad to leave after taking photos to remind us of our favourites.
The afternoon was ours to enjoy so most of us set off with sledges through the village for the visitor centre and ski slopes.
After a brief look round the well-presented history of the Sami people and the local area we headed for the big hill. Sledging on packed ice was so much fun, an instant mood lifter and thoroughly exhilarating. Rocketing down the slope -having watched Olympic luge I figured out that lying down was the best option for speed – instantly all cares and worries were left way behind. We only stopped to take advantage of the visitor centre café before closing time - hot chocolate and the raspberry cheesecake were the perfect finale to our adrenalin filled afternoon.
As if that weren’t enough, we were treated to the Aurora again that evening, dancing this time in columns of iridescent green and finishing with a rare flare of pink – an incredible sight that we felt privileged to witness.
The Call of the Wild experience the next morning was the highlight for me. In pairs we took it turns to drive our team of huskies. With mounting trepidation, we listened to the instructions -mainly ‘do not let go of your sled even if it turns over’. In the background, the dogs were singing a crescendo, raring to go. As I stepped up behind the team my heart pounded with fear and excitement. With a burst of raw power, we were off! The first few metres were truly terrifying as we rocketed over packed ice downhill absorbing bumps at speed. Luckily the brakes worked and sheer exhilaration took over. Once settled in to absorbing the bounces and leaning into the curves I felt it. I felt the sheer joy of the dogs loving what they do. I became part of their world. These dogs just love to run and they ran their hearts out for us. As we flew through the pine forest and out across the shimmering frozen lake it really was as if we were one with the Arctic landscape. These huskies are a shining example to all of us who aren’t sure we are on the right path in life -find what you love and do it wholeheartedly as often as you can.
Returning all too soon to the kennels we had time to thank and cuddle our wonderful dogs who had given their all for us. If anyone thinks working dogs don’t love a good cuddle think again! Tears flowed as I said goodbye to them all – Kiki and Grey, the young girls leading the team, raffishly charming Pepper with a very long tongue and impossibly glamorous Lily in the middle and pied, blue eyed Leo, the powerhouse at the back. Whenever we had to brake and slow the team he would turn and fix us with his piercing blue eyed gaze as if to question why! Those dogs gave us their hearts and they stole mine.
Our drive back to the hotel was silent as we all absorbed this amazing experience.
We spent the afternoon walking through the village to sample the souvenir shops stopping occasionally to throw ourselves, child-like, into yet another snow drift.
The evening excursion was a night-time snow mobile trip round the frozen lake with hopes of seeing the aurora for a third time. Although it was a crisp clear night the aurora did not appear, but the darkness blazed with millions of stars and everyone enjoyed the trip.
Our last morning dawned, it was snowing; the perfect end to our all too short stay. We took our sledges and headed for a nearby hill. The powdery snow made it even more fun as we carved out new runs and on occasion crashed spectacularly. We took our last atmospheric photos of the newly snow bedecked trees and reluctantly headed back for our final lunch and to dry out.
Alone I took a last lingering look over the soft silver peace of the frozen lake. The air was still and life inside the Arctic Circle breathed of tranquillity and calm. I reflected on my favourite experience with the huskies, entitled ‘the call of the wild,’ -they will always hold a special place in my heart.
The call of the Arctic wild is irresistible, and we can’t wait to return.