Lapland Adventure holidays in Saariselkä
Frontier atmosphere and Sámi heritage in our northernmost resort
- Located 260km north of the Arctic Circle
- Adventures beneath the Northern Lights
- Unbeatable Arctic excursions and activities
Saariselkä at a glance
- Finnish
- Euro (EUR)
- London Gatwick (LGW), Bristol (BRS), Manchester Int. (MAN)
Travel included to Saariselkä
Depart on: Sundays, Tuesdays & Fridays
Fly into: Kittilä or Ivalo
Transfer time: approx. 3 hours from Kittilä or 30 minutes - 1 hour from Ivalo by coach
Included in your Lapland Adventure holiday
- Arctic thermal suits and snow boots included for all adults & children (age 3 years +)
- Option to add extra Arctic experiences
- On holiday support and tailored advice from our Destination Expert based in Saariselkä
- Access to Inghams Digital Resort Guide with useful information to enhance your holiday
- Flights from the UK, transfers and accommodation
Where to stay in Saariselkä
We offer a range of hotels and apartments in Saariselkä, all located in the centre of resort so you'll have easy access to everything you'll need during your stay. The Holiday Club Hotel couldn't be better located for enjoying the amazing arctic activities in Lapland.
Feel like adding a touch of luxury to your trip? We'd recommend choosing Star Arctic - Northern Lights Discovery or the Top Star Glass Cubes. Both of these stylish accommodations are located on top of the fell so are the perfect choice if you're hoping to catch a glimpse of the Northern lights.
Our accommodations in Saariselka
Discover Saariselkä
Located in the wild, mystical north of Lapland, 260 kilometres above the Arctic Circle, Saariselkä is an exceptionally friendly, uncommercialised resort with a unique frontier atmosphere. With magnificent Arctic wilderness scenery just on the doorstep, it makes an ideal resort for a winter wonderland adventure.
The skies are often a deep hue of pink and purple, the pine trees heavily laden with snow, and being so far north, there is a good possibility of seeing the Northern Lights too. In Saariselkä, you're deep in Sámi country, where many people from the indigenous community of Lapland live and work today.
Fresh for this winter
No more wondering when your activity will take place, we now provide the date and time of day of your excursions so you can plan your holiday with confidence.
Things to do in Saariselkä
Customise your Lapland Adventure holiday to Saariselkä by adding a range of exciting winter activities that will make your Lapland holiday complete. There will be plenty of opportunities for reindeer and husky safaris as well as snowmobiling, snow shoeing and even the opportunity to search for the Northern Lights.







- Unless stated otherwise, excursion days and time of day (morning, afternoon, or evening) are as shown on your invoice.
- Exact excursion timings will be confirmed upon arrival in resort.
- Some excursions may have flexible scheduling. Where this is the case, your invoice will state: "The actual time and day of your excursion will be confirmed locally and may differ from your invoice and voucher." Our resort team will then advise you on arrival.
- Excursion days and times are subject to change. While we will do our best to provide advance notice, some adjustments may be necessary. Our Excursion Coordinator and Destination Experts will be available in the resort to assist with any changes.
- Times and distances are approximate and may vary due to weather and other conditions. In extremely cold temperatures or bad weather conditions excursions may be cancelled at late notice.
- Prices and supplements are correct at time of publishing but may vary up or down. Correct prices will be advised at the time of booking.
- Travel insurance is a condition of booking with us, and you should ensure that your chosen policy covers the activities that you plan to take part in during your holiday. Your policy should provide cover for your own personal and medical expenses, however individual policies will not cover damage to snowmobiles or skidoos and a compulsory excess will be payable directly to the supplier of the snowmobile/skidoo excursion.
Lapland Adventure activity packages
You can enjoy all that Lapland has to offer with Inghams Lapland activity packages - Take in the highlights of a Lapland holiday on a 7 night escape to the Arctic Circle.




- Save up to 35% when booking an excursion package (based on the Authentic package)
- Excursion package offers apply to new bookings only
- Offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time
- The percentage discount is taken off of the basic price of the applicable excursions when pre-booked individually.
- Additional supplements, i.e. for single drivers on snowmobiles/huskies, are not applicable for the % discount.
- Monetary savings are based on adult prices.
- All prices, offers and availability are correct at time of publication and are subject to change
- Valid on 3, 4 & 7-night Inghams Lapland Adventure holidays.
- Classic and ski/snowboard packages available on 7 night Santa Breaks subject to availability
- Not valid on 3 or 4 night Santa Breaks
- Not valid for the following ages:
Classic: 0-3 (Levi, Ylläs & Pyhä), 0-4 (Saariselkä)
Northern Lights & Authentic: 0-7 (Levi, Ylläs & Pyhä), 0-11 (Saariselkä)
Ultimate: 0-11 (Levi, Ylläs & Saariselkä)
Ski/Snowboard: 0-5 (Levi: 4-5 get free lift pass, Ylläs: 3-5 get free lift pass & equipment), 0-7 (Saariselkä: free lift pass under 7 with paying adult) - Snowmobile – Drivers must be 18+ with a full, valid photo driver’s license. Passengers must be 11+ and 140cm+ tall. Children under 11 or under 140cm will be towed in a sled/pod (heating not guaranteed).
- Excursion experiences and durations vary between resorts and are dependent on weather conditions
- Most excursion days and times will be advised shortly after booking, others will be confirmed on arrival in resort
- Travel Insurance is required for booking. Must cover planned activities and personal circumstances, including medical conditions. Snowmobile damage is not usually covered so a compulsory excess is payable directly to the supplier of the excursion. Single-driver snowmobile supplement available in all resorts (18+ only).
- Cancellation: In the event of cancellation of a qualifying excursion, the cost of the excursion, minus the % saving on the total package, will be deducted from any refund due. You will then be charged full price for any remaining excursions.
Arctic skiing and snowboarding in Saariselkä
While you're here in Europe's most northern ski resort, check out the excellent cross-country ski trails in the adjoining National Park. In Saariselkä, there are over 200 kilometres of cross-country ski tracks, 34 of which are illuminated - so you can make the most of these tracks despite the polar nights. The downhill ski and snowboard area is spread across the Lisakkipää and Kaunispää fells and is best suited for beginners and intermediates. The ski schools here speak English, and all of the slopes lead back to the same area in the valley where you'll be able to warm up in the café or by a campfire.
Runs
Additional Ski Details
- Ski area:
- 19km
- Snow park:
- Yes
- Resort altitude:
- 265m
- Ski Altitude:
- 265m - 440m
- Ski Lifts:
- 6
- Lift Ski Lockers:
- No
Beginner skiing in Saariselkä
Great resort for learning to ski with easy slopes and friendly English speaking instructors.
Intermediate skiing in Saariselkä
This compact ski area offers uncrowded pistes with hardly any queues. Suits early intermediates.
Advanced skiing in Saariselkä
Limited challenges with one black run but the snow is often very light between the trees.
Snowboarding in Saariselkä
Two free style parks and good quality powder between the pistes.
Cross-country in Saariselkä
Saariselkä is one of Finnish Lapland’s top cross-country ski destinations - perfect for anyone wanting to experience the magic of the Arctic on skis. With 230 kilometres of expertly prepared trails for both classic and skating styles, and 34 kilometres illuminated for evening adventures, it’s ideal for all levels. Trails begin right in the village and lead into the stunning Urho Kekkonen National Park. Inghams offers excellent-value Learn to Cross-Country Ski packages for beginners. Expect scenic routes past husky farms, reindeer, and historic gold rush sites, plus warm cafés and wilderness shelters like Laanihovi, famous for its salmon soup and friendly atmosphere.
Ski Bus
A regular ski bus (pay locally) operates from outside all the hotels and runs to Laanila, Kakslauttanen Igloo Village and Kiilopää ski area, making it easy to do one-way trips as well as the many varied circular routes.
The ski lifts are 2 kilometres away from the village. The bus costs approximately €5 per day. Children under 6 years old travel free with an adult.
Learn to Ski (for complete beginners)
7 days |
Child |
Adult 17 years + |
---|---|---|
Learn to Ski | £198 (6-16 years) | £235 |
Included for 7 days:
- 7 days lift pass
- 7 days 'Blue' ski & boot hire
- 5 days tuition (1½ hrs per day)
Ski Saver Package
3 days |
Child |
Adult 17 years + |
---|---|---|
Ski saver | £208 (6-16 years) | £245 |
Included for 7 days:
- 7 day lift pass
- 7 days 'Red' ski/board & boot hire for adults, 'Blue' skis and boots for children
- 3 days tuition (1½ per day) ski or snowboard
All Saver Packs must be pre-booked in UK and are not bookable locally.
Learn To Ski is for complete beginners only (guests who have never skied). Any guests booking this package who have skied before will be charged an upgrade cost locally.
Group tuition needs a minimum number of guests to take place. There may be times where these numbers aren’t reached. If you have pre-booked tuition and this happens, the ski-school will do their best to offer private tuition to the value of what you had originally booked. Therefore, the amount of lessons received on all of our ski packs may vary due to tuition group size:
- Four+ guests - three 90 minute lessons
- Three guests - two 90 minute lessons
- Two guests - one 90 minute and one 45 minute lesson
- One guest - one 90 minute lesson
Prices and supplements are correct at time of publishing but may vary up or down. Correct prices will be advised at the time of booking.
4 Day Lift Pass (can be used on any 4 days within 5)
4 days (out of 5 days) |
Season |
Child |
Adult |
Senior |
---|---|---|---|---|
Local Area Pass |
Low |
£88 |
£135 |
£88 |
High |
£102 |
£158 |
£102 |
6 Day Lift Pass (can be used on any 6 days within 8)
6 days (out of 8 days) |
Season |
Child |
Adult |
Senior |
---|---|---|---|---|
Local Area Pass |
Low |
£109 |
£169 |
£109 |
High |
£127 |
£197 |
£127 |
Children under 7 wearing a helmet ski free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Lift pass information
The local area pass covers the ski area in Saariselkä, best suited for beginners and just turned intermediates.
The rope lift in the beginners area does not require a lift pass.
Ski bus payable locally (approx. 20€ per week)
Season dates
Low season: 30 Nov - 06 Dec 25
High season: 07 Dec 25- 22 Feb 26
Prices and supplements are correct at time of publishing. Up-to-date prices are confirmed at time of booking.
6 days | Category |
Child 7 - 16 years |
Adults 17 years + |
---|---|---|---|
Skis | Blue | - | £92 |
Red | - | £125 | |
Skis & boots | Blue | £119 | £119 |
Red | £152 | £152 |
White category skis, boots and helmet are available for children aged 3 – 6
6 days | Category |
Child 7 - 16 years |
Adults 17 years + |
---|---|---|---|
Snowboard | Red | £125 | £125 |
Snowboard & boots | Red | £152 | £152 |
Levels of Equipment
- Blue: ideal for beginners to early intermediates – softer and easier to turn
- Red: suit confident intermediates – more rigid for better stability and control, usually new or one season old
Prices and supplements are correct at time of publishing. Up-to-date prices are confirmed at time of booking.
Ski Tuition |
Child 7 - 16 years |
Adult 17 years + |
---|---|---|
3 days 90 minute intermediate lessons |
£108 |
£108 |
5 days 90 minute beginner lessons |
£181 |
£181 |
Tuition information
5 days lessons are only available for absolute beginners.
3 days lessons are only available for intermediates.
Group tuition needs a minimum number of guests to take place. There may be times where these numbers aren’t reached. If you have pre-booked tuition and this happens, the ski-school will do their best to offer private tuition to the value of what you had originally booked.
Private snowboard lessons are available to book locally.
Prices and supplements are correct at time of publishing but may vary up or down. Correct prices will be advised at the time of booking.
Travel to Saariselkä
Travel by Air
Direct exclusive charter flights to Kittilä airport departing on Sundays for 7 or 14 nights from:
- London Gatwick
- Bristol
- Manchester
Airport Transfer Time - approx. 3 hours by coach
Direct flights to Ivalo airport departing Tuesdays and Fridays for 3 or 4 nights from:
- London Gatwick
Airport Transfer Time - approx. 30 mins - 1 hour by coach or minivan
Please note that there may be a few minutes' walk to your accommodation due to access/regulations on where coaches can stop.
Discover our different types of holidays to Saariselkä
Popular Insider Guides
See all Lapland Insider GuidesFAQs and Travel Advice
Saariselkä's popularity in Lapland stems from its breathtaking Northern Lights displays, extensive winter activities like husky safaris and snowmobiling, and authentic Sami culture. Its appeal lies in offering unforgettable Arctic adventures amidst stunning natural landscapes.
With Inghams you'll have a choice of hotels, apartments and cabins in the center of Saariselkä. They're all close to the ski bus stop providing easy access to the downhill ski resort. Saariselkä is also known for its cross-country skiing with tracks starting right from the center of town. So although our accommodations are not ski in/ski out, you'll be in a great position to access downhill and cross-country skiing during your stay.
Saariselkä offers a range of winter activities such as skiing, reindeer and husky sleigh safaris as well as snowmobiling and snow shoeing! On holidays during November and December you'll even have the chance to meet Santa.
Yes, you can pre-book the Visit Santa's Home excursion, for your chance to meet Santa Claus in his Arctic home. This is available for everyone travelling before Christmas.
The local history of Lapland is very interesting and it is worth understanding the Sami Culture in particular. The Sami are the indigenous tribes of Lapland. You can visit museums to hear stories about their legends and tales. Not far from Saariselkä is the Gold Museum.