Kuusamo Holidays

Holidays to Kuusamo in Finnish Lapland are a taste of Arctic delights at their best, with snowy hills, impressive lakes, and the elusive Northern Lights.

Frozen in time

Kuusamo's a resort town up in the chilly north of Finland, surrounded on all sides by cute towns and icy natural wonders. It's a great base for exploring the rest of Lapland – make the hour-long drive to Hossa National Park for frozen rivers that sparkle in the sun, dramatic ravines and Stone Age paintings around Lake Somerjarvi.

Rudolph and pals

Reindeer outnumber humans in Finland, and you can meet the locals at a farm in Kuusamo – you'll be firm friends once you give them a feed. If you don't fancy facing the cold, drop in on the Hannu Hautala Nature Photography Centre, also within the town, to see snaps of the local area.

Need for speed

Even travel's exciting when you do it in the snow. Get your heart racing with an adrenaline-pumping snowmobile ride, or stay traditional with a leisurely trip on a husky sleigh. If you're into winter sports, hop on a toboggan or pick up a pair of skis and hit the resort's slopes.

Natural light shows

The lack of light pollution makes the area around Kuusamo perfect for going in search of the Northern Lights. A 20-minute drive away from Kuusamo, in Ruka, the lakes even freeze over for a unique viewing experience – safe from a snowmobile, you might see the reflection of the lights dancing on the ice.

At a glance

Say hello to Santa and his reindeer
Walk through white-capped forests
Shop for handmade ceramics and souvenirs in Ruka

View Your Itinerary

Arrive in Kuusamo

Once you’ve landed at Kuusamo Airport, you’ll be taken to your resort in Kuusamo or Ruka where you'll receive your thermal gear. You’ll have the rest of the day to explore – opt to grab a toboggan and hit the slopes, or take a stroll through snowy fields and forests.
Elf school training and free time

Today is all about snow sports. You can try a taster session of snowmobiling and husky sleigh rides. Then, have a go at the likes of tobogganing, or help the elves make some snow sculptures. You can warm up around a roaring campfire with the cheeky elves and even say hello to the friendly reindeer. Lunch is a heart-warming homemade soup with fresh baked bread. After that, you’ll have free time to fill with your choice of activities.
Santa's Secret Cottage

Now that you’re an elf-in-training, you can pay a visit to Santa’s secret cottage. Here, you’ll polish off your lessons before meeting the big man himself. After Santa’s taken note of your Christmas wishes, you’ll gather round to listen to him tell tales about his life. Then it’s time to play games with the elves on Santa’s frozen lake. If you’re on a 3-night trip, you’ll finish off your day with a traditional Christmas dinner and games, and a fireworks display.
Free time

Those of you on a 4-night trip can use today as free time. Opt to spend it playing in the snow, or book a place on one of our excursions. You’ll have your festive finale – complete with fireworks and a traditional Christmas dinner – to round things off in the evening.