Nothing beats the new year blues like a week with the kids in a magical winter wonderland. Discover the coolest, snowy breaks for families, and look forward to a February half term packed with dog sledding, snowmobiling, and of course, plenty of parents vs. kids snowball fights.
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1/6 Jeris Family Winter Cottage Adventure, Finland
Why?
This six-night bonanza of a trip is packed with snowy activities in the winter wonderland of Jeris. There is no Wi-Fi in your private Lappish cottage and, even if there was, the kids wouldn’t be able to resist what’s on offer outdoors.
What?
A 17 km husky ride through the wilderness and an exhilarating 30 km snowmobile safari will give you the chance to really explore this pristine part of Finland. Live like a local and learn to cross-country ski, try your hand at the much-loved Nordic sport of ice-fishing, and savour a Lappish dinner of traditional delicacies, Other activities include lunch in an ice restaurant, a visit to a reindeer farm where you’ll learn how to throw a lasso, lunch in a teepee, plus an Aurora Borealis workshop and Northern Lights hunts.
How?
Costs from £1,820 per adult, £1,340 per child (four sharing) including return flights (London and regional), transfers, six nights’ full board accommodation, all activities, use of spa and sauna, cold weather clothing and fully-qualified guides and instructors. Departs 14 February. Age five years and above.
Find out more: activitiesabroad.com or call 01670 789 991
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2/6 Sortland Aurora and wildlife explorer
Why?
Sortland in Northern Norway is a coastal gem, offering great whale watching opportunities, brilliant Aurora-watching potential, and the Andøya Space Centre, where you can learn about the Northern Lights from permanently-based scientists.
What?
Curious children will love the Andøya Space Centre, the space research hub for the region and from where rockets are launched. Here, go on a virtual mission into space and learn about the Northern Lights in preparation for the hunts during your trip. In addition, visit a reindeer farm owned by a traditional herder and learn all about this important part of Sámi culture, have lunch around a campfire in a teepee, and go whale watching in a RIB, with the chance of seeing minke whales, humpbacks, sperm whales, pilot whales and, on rare occasions, orca. Then, have some good old-fashioned fun in the snow tobogganing and building snowmen, plus seek out the Northern Lights by minibus, on snowshoes and, on one night, set up a beach camp to watch for the Aurora.
How?
Costs from £1,575 per adult, from £1,345 per child (four sharing) including return flights (London and regional), transfers, four nights’ full board accommodation, all activities, cold weather clothing, fully-qualified guides and instructors. Depart 17 February and 30 March. Age six years and above.
Find out more: activitiesabroad.com or call 01670 789 991
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3/6 Menesjarvi Northern Lights adventure, Finland
Why?
Located deep in the Aurora Zone, Menesjärvi is a prime spot for seeing the Northern Lights, as well as being a winter playground for a plethora of snowy activities.
What?
A seven-night trip packed with unforgettable activities and experiences, including a day of learning basic wilderness skills, an integral part of the Lappish upbringing. Get to grips with using a GPS and traditional compass, do some map reading and learn how to identify animal footprints. Also, learn how to light a fire and use a wood knife safely (under supervision) and have lunch in a Lappish hut around a fire – and that’s all in just one day! Other activities: Aurora workshop and Northern Lights hunts, snowshoeing during the day and night, knocking about on kick sleds, cross-country skiing, Finnish Sauna, ice-fishing, husky safari and dinner by a lake in a teepee.
How?
Costs from £1,565 per adult, from £1,195 per child (four sharing) including return flights (London and regional), transfers, seven nights’ full board accommodation, all activities, cold weather clothing, and fully-qualified wilderness guides and instructors. Departs 14 February. Age eight years and above.
Find out more: activitiesabroad.com or call 01670 789 991
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4/6 Ranua winter adventure and arctic animals, Finland
Why?
The famous Ranua Wildlife Park in Finland is a haven of natural habitats for nearly 50 species of beautiful animals and birds. This trip includes a private encounter with polar bears before the park opens in the morning, and accommodation in a modern apartment and a range of winter activities.
What?
With unlimited access to the Ranua Wildlife Park, this is a great opportunity to get to know reindeer, oxen, wolverine, otters, owls and eagles, plus the private meet with the polar bears is a real treat, If you love animals, this trip is definitely for you. Adding to these wonderful wildlife experiences are an exhilarating 10km husky safari, a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the forest, and cross-country skiing, learnt by Lappish children straight after they start to walk; head to a frozen lake by snowmobile-pulled sleigh and try ice-fishing, drilling through the ice using traditional hand drills, and go snowshoeing in the woods.
How?
Costs from £1,365 per adult, from £765 per child (four sharing) including return flights (London and regional), transfers, four nights’ full board accommodation, all activities, cold weather clothing and fully-qualified guides and instructors. Age five years and above.
Find out more: activitiesabroad.com or call 01670 789 991
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5/6 Frozen archipelago adventure, Sweden
Why?
A four-night trip in a 3,000 island archipelago where the surrounding sea freezes over during the winter, creating a giant activity playground. Stay in a cosy cabin at Brändön Lodge with terraces overlooking the ice-locked islands.
What?
Take a hovercraft tour across the frozen sea to the island of Brändöskär. Here, take a walk amidst the natural ice sculptures formed from shifting and breaking pack ice. Try ice-fishing for Arctic trout out on the frozen swathes using a traditional hand drill to bore through the ice – a great activity popular with all families, and take control of a husky sled on a two-hour safari. Minimal light pollution makes Luleå a leading location to see the Aurora Borealis, and hopefully, a Northern Lights hunt on snowmobiles will lead to the lights. Have some good old-fashioned fun with snowball fights, sledging competitions and games, and on one evening, enjoy an al fresco wilderness dinner around a campfire.
How?
Costs from £1,495 per adult, £1,080 per child (four sharing) including return flights (London and regional), transfers, four nights’ full board accommodation, all activities, cold weather clothing, and fully-qualified guides and instructors. Departs 17 February. Aged four years and above.
Find out more: activitiesabroad.com or call 01670 789 991
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6/6 Torassieppi winter wonderland, Finland
Why?
This trip takes your family to Torassieppi in the heart of Finnish Lapland, providing the opportunity to experience local and traditional activities outside in the pristine wilderness and in the cosy indoors. Rustic, family-run accommodation offers a warm Nordic welcome, and being located in prime Aurora Borealis territory, there is an excellent chance of seeing Mother Nature’s greatest light show.
What?
The trip kicks off with a treasure hunt among the snow and ice sculptures of the Torassieppi Winter Village to help you get to know the surroundings. All manner of activities follow – a visit to a traditional reindeer farm, with a sleigh ride through Narnia-esque landscapes, a husky safari and lunch around a campfire, Lapland mini-Olympics – with kick sledge races, mini snowmobiling plus more, followed by hot chocolate and marshmallow toasting – and a 20 km snowmobile safari. All this will leave you feeling exhilarated and ready for slower-pace experiences, such as baking Finnish cookies, making local handicrafts and spa time.
How?
Costs from £1,415 per adult, from £1,145 per child (four sharing) including return flights (London and regional), transfers, six nights’ full board accommodation, all activities, cold weather clothing, fully-qualified guides and instructors. Departs 13 February. Age five years and above.
Find out more: activitiesabroad.com or call 01670 789 991