 Poster: A snowHead
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Given these trips get booked up pretty quickly, I'm keen to book a year ahead (frustratingly I've seen a few last minute deals for this year, but work commitments mean that's a non-starter), so can anyone recommend a Tour Operator (I'm perfectly happy booking without a TO normally, but for this sort of trip its probably easier to go with one)?
I've had a look at a few, but oddly most dates don't seem to make any sense for a 'Santa Claus' trip as they aren't actually close or on Christmas! We're looking for 4/5 nights arriving a couple of days before Christmas day ideally, other criteria are:
Location: Near(ish) the ski slopes (ideally walking distance, but being next door to a ski bus stop would also work), like the idea of Levi, but anywhere is good
Accommodation: Don't mind really, ideally probably a log cabin thats part of a hotel (if that makes sense, so you can use the hotel facilities), but not that fussed...other than we'd like the ability to divide the room so our little one can sleep whilst we stay up for a few drinks!
Time: Ideally flying out on Dec 23rd, returning on Dec 27th/28th 2018
Flights: First choice would be Stansted (or Southend if possible), followed by Gatwick and Heathrow in that order
Activities: Ideally some 'Santa related activities' included or available as extras, sledging, feeding reindeers etc.
Budget: I thought this was possible for circa GBP 3.5k with activities included...but on enquiring with one TO the accommodation on offer for that price was open plan and no-where near the slopes, so some flex if needed
This is a Santa trip where it would be nice to get a few hours on the slopes, rather than a full on ski holiday. Tbh I'd even happily forego the slopes and sample a bit of cross country if that was the only option (if its possible to attempt that with a 4 year old and none of us having tried before)?
I appreciate given the nature of this the prices are going to be crazy compared to the equivalent a week before or after...but its a once in a lifetime thing whilst our little one is still young enough...so any suggestions?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Crystal run trips to Ruka, but I think only 7-day trips rather than a short break. They offer a range of accommodation, including things which IIRC look a bit like cabins in the woods. We stayed in the big hotel in the centre of the village, which was virtually ski in/out, so not sure what the other accommodation options are. Flights were from Gatwick, and flew direct to the local airport which is a blissful 30 minute transfer from resort. They offer all the usual actives (husky dogs, reindeers, Northern Lights viewing if they're on show, no doubt Santa stuff at Christmas, x-country skiing, ice-karts, etc). Very friendly locals, and a lovely destination for a winter holiday.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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A few years ago I went with some friends to Saariselka with Inghams, and it was very good. Saariselka is the furthest North of the Finnish Lapland resorts which Inghams offer, and the Inghams Rep resort rep was very good. Apart from the downhill skiing which is easily reached from town (2km away) by the frequent skibus there is also available activities like a visit to Santa, snowmobiling, reindeer pulled sledge rides and (my favourite) husky dog sledding (the activity was run by a Scots guy who'd married a local and settled there - he treats his huskies very well and the huskies are very friendly. You get to pet them afterwards and also get to see the puppies which is lovely for any dog lovers.  )
We stayed in modern self-catering accommodation, there is a good supermarket where you can also get good value cooked lunches and early evening meals in their cafeteria if you want.
The only downside is that because it is further North than the other resorts Lapland resorts that Inghams offer it is a longer transfer if like us you fly into Kittila airport (3 hours). However I see that Inghams are now offering some flights into Ivalo airport which is only 20 mins transfer!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Interestingly at a quick glance Inghams only seem to let you book up to April 2018, the same as some of the resorts with Santa Claus trips 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@vjmehra, OK, so having just booked one myself I may be of some help.
Firstly, don't book direct with Inghams, but do book with them. They have a really good reputation - ill feedback just how good on my return. My advice instead is to look at the like of Co-op travel and then get them to put you through to their specialists team - they have self employed operators working through Co-op travel who can tailor make your trip for a lot cheaper than ginghams direct - it is all booked through inghams but cost circa 15% less than booking direct.
Sadly its practically impossible to get to Levi without a TO as flights are chartered - you can get there but it requires a flight from Mancs to Helsinki, then Helsinki to Lapland, long old trip.
Price wise, good luck on £3.5k, not sure how many of you are going, it may be doable, but for 5 of us the activities alone have cost £2k, Chalet £4.5k.
I can't really advise on accommodation, only that I don't think there will be trips of that length, there certainly weren't when I had a look.
In terms of activities though, I can help here 
you have 2 options - Book them through your TO or go through the Levi website direct. Price wise you will find with Inghams is a touch more (not by a lot to be fair) but they are a little shorter / tailor made for ginghams. Also you can't chose which days you do which - this was a real bug bare of mine. I wanted to do hit and miss activity days / skiing days, and chose the time of day to do the activity so I can ski am or pm if we want to. With ginghams you can't do this, but direct through the levi site there is a MUCH wider range and you get to chose the time, length etc of your activity.
Finally, take the wee ones helmet - kids wearing a helmet get a free list pass!!!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Just 3 of us going, 2 adults and a 4 year old and only for 4/5 nights, so I thought circa 3.5k was doable...if not so be it, we'll have to pay up, its a one off trip that clearly isn't as worthwhile when she's older, so now or never really!
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We went to Saariselka over Christmas last year through Santa's Lapland - they're owned by the same company as Inghams. We flew into Ivalo which was indeed a very short transfer. We stayed in a catered log cabin which exceeded our expectations but lots of other accom was available.
We had a great time - a particular highlight for me was sitting watching the Northern Lights on a frozen lake for a few hours. Also really enjoyed the snow shoeing one morning, just the two of us and guide walking through a very quiet forest was lovely.
The Santa meet thing was actually really well done and something I think will stay with my niece and nephew for years. You start out on an innocuous skidoo ride through the forest and end up in Santa's cabin where he somehow knows the kids' names and what presents they want.
The skiing is very limited and mostly in the dark. We walked to the slopes from the village and got the bus back. When we were there a few of the runs were closed.
One of the runs becomes a well-used sledging venue in the evenings which gives you something else to do.
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Tbh...I'm not massively bothered about decent skiing, I'm expecting to do plenty of activities and far less skiing (well boarding in my case) than normal! Even content to stay away from the slopes and give cross country a go if we can tick off everything else on the criteria list...
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Quote: |
Activities look FAB!! - seriously though, take a look on the levi website as there is much more choice than TO's give you!
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I have it onscreen now as it happens...
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| vjmehra wrote: |
| Tbh...I'm not massively bothered about decent skiing, I'm expecting to do plenty of activities and far less skiing (well boarding in my case) than normal! Even content to stay away from the slopes and give cross country a go if we can tick off everything else on the criteria list... |
Slopes are predominantly flood lit in Levi, not sure about other areas (I know they are lit just not sure how much) and can't wait for night skiing
One thing id recommend is taking clear lense goggles - tinted ones will be too dark with the lack of daylight and you can use them on husky rides etc is its snowing.
You can pick up Oakleys with clear lenses for £25!!! They are MX bike ones, but still have all the same 'stuff' as oakley ski goggles without the tint!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Oh and should you wish to check out the resort in levi, slopes, shops etc etc take a look at the drone cams, amazing images - they also have a brilliant Tourist Info site, staff super friendly and very well organised.
http://skyview.fi/panorama/524d5dcc5e0122e406000131
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You know it makes sense.
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There are doubtless many advertised short trips out to Lapland to do the Santa thing and other 'must do' activities - Google or enquire via various travel agents, etc etc, and you'll get something, especially if you can get out from Gatwick ( other charter flights usually Manchester but less choice).
I've been to Pyha (small, long transfer) and Ruka ( nice little place with a few more facilities, short transfer and not quite as small in terms of ski runs), both with Crystal for the standard week. There's Yylas, Levi and other well-served resorts too - but many are very small and isolated, so check what you're getting, especially if the weather closed in (and it can do that with a vengeance!).
That time of year it will also be pretty much always dim to dark and potentially very, very cold.
No need to book that far ahead - just wait till next season's trips come out and I reckon you'll be fine. Mr G and I got a January week for around £400 ea, I recall; Xmas will obviously be more expensive.
I love Finland/Lapland - but only ever skied/boarded. Never met Santa or a reindeer
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