The Top Things to See and Do in Inari, Finland

If there’s one place you want to be in Inari in winter, it’s a glass-roofed igloo during the Northern Lights season. There’s no better observation point from which to encounter the swirling, magical lights, than from inside one of these cosy private pods. Situated almost 322km (200mi) inside the Arctic Circle, you’ve got a pretty good chance of seeing one of nature’s most spectacular displays.

As the ancestral home of the Sámi people, a trip to Inari wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Siida, the state-of-the-art museum of the Sámi. The museum offers a captivating insight into the culture, folklore and history of this ancient community. It comprises both permanent and temporary exhibitions, a splendid craft shop and a good café in which to stop for lunch.

Although reindeer herding is no longer the primary income for the Sámi people, these graceful creatures are still in plentiful supply. Visiting a reindeer farm will bring you closer to the ancient culture and traditions of the region, as well as allow you to learn more about the year-long work reindeers require – from calving and ear marking, to summertime grazing and autumnal rounding up.

The Sámi Cultural Centre Sajos was created to preserve and develop the language, culture and business activities of the Sámi in Finland. The impressive wood-and-glass structure also houses the Sámi Parliament, as well as a library, music archive, a restaurant and superb craft shop. You can take a guided tour of the building and even sit in on one of Parliament’s plenum sessions.

Drilling a hole in thick ice isn’t the easiest task for a beginner. Follow that by trying to catch a fish on the end of a long line, and you’ll start to wonder how anyone could survive in the remote reaches of Inari. But once you catch a fish, you’ll be hooked! Ice-fishing isn’t for the faint hearted, but it’s as authentic as it gets.

The beauty of Lapland lies in the deep tranquillity of its snow-bound forests and lakes. To really appreciate the serenity of the wilderness, strap on your snowshoes and traverse across terrain that’s inaccessible by foot or ski. Joining a guided excursion will take you out to some of the most pristine locations in the Inari region, including the stunning Urho Kekkoken National Park.

Cross-country skiing is not the easiest of sports to enjoy. It’s really hard work, you fall down a lot and there aren’t even the thrills of downhill skiing to compensate. But, there’s something incredibly peaceful about gliding through the snow-laden landscapes of Inari. Happily, there are no queues, no ski-pass is required and there’s none of the “ski-set attitude”, but you still get to drink mulled wine, or glögi, afterwards.

Speeding across Lake Inari on a snowmobile is the very definition of fun. Your snowmobile safari guide will teach you the basics of driving this essential bit of Arctic kit, before letting you loose on the vast frozen lake. In bad weather, you may prefer the shelter of the forest, but either way, you’ll have a blast.

Whether you’re standing, freezing your nose off, at -40C (-40F) in the middle of Lake Inari, or snuggled happily in one of the glass-roof igloos, watching the Northern Lights in Lapland is an unforgettable experience. Inari is said to be one of the best places to catch the lights, so book your accommodation early, between September and March, to avoid disappointment.