FAQS Frequently asked questions

Nearly all year round, the Saariselkä resort welcomes visitors, offering a unique experience depending on the season.  However, there is a short closure for annual maintenance scheduled between April 22nd and May 31st. So, if you're planning a trip, keep this window in mind to ensure the resort is open during your visit.

The Levi & Pyhä resorts are open from first of November to twenty first of April Between May and October we're closed due to annual maintenance and facility upgrades

Check-in time 4pm
Early check-in from 6am, subject to availability and a fee.

Check-out time 12pm
Late check-out until 9pm, subject to availability and a fee.

This may be granted 1 week prior to arrival/departure at the earliest.If you have booked on our website or via an online travel agency, you'll receive an email with a link where you may book this service. Alternatively, you may send your request to sales@northernlightsvillage.com.

Yes! We can keep your luggage while you're waiting for check-in or while you're waiting for transportation after check-out.

Housekeeping is done by request free of charge. To refresh your towels or request a cabin cleaning, simply contact our reception team on the spot.

Only private times are bookable. Please schedule your time in advance.

Outdoors, yes. Indoors, smoking is strictly forbidden and subject to a penalty of up to €3000,00.

In the Winter, temperatures vary between -10˚C and -25˚C. On certain days, the thermometer may dip to -40˚C. In the Autumn, we have mild temperatures between 0˚C and 10˚C. The nordic Summer can get quite warm, with temperatures up to 30˚C. On average though, Summer temperatures are close to 18˚C.

Basic equipment for outdoor activities is provided by the resort at no extra cost, for both overnight guests and people participating in activities. This includes thermal overalls, boots and gloves, as well as experience-specific gear such as helmets/balaclavas for snowmobile safaris and cross-country skis and snowshoes for active experiences. Overnight guests may keep the gear throughout their stay, whilst guests participating in experiences only, are asked to return the gear after the end of the activity. Please bring good base and mid-layers, namely thermal underwear, a fleece jacket or wool sweater, a beanie, a scarf, wool socks, as well as lighter clothing for possible warmer days. We recommend avoiding cotton based materials.

The Aurora Borealis can be seen between the last week of August and the end of April. During these months, the nights are dark, which is an essential condition for the Northern Lights to be visible. Please note that the weather is another factor to take into consideration. Clear skies are ideal for the viewing of the Northern Lights.

Yes! Thanks to the microclimates in Lapland, there's always the chance that there may be openings in the cloudy sky. Thus, we rarely cancel an outing based on the weather.

On average, every second night. The Aurora Borealis are impossible to accurately predict as there are many factors to be taken into consideration, such as the weather, the KP Index and the position of the earth's magnetic field.

From late November on, the sun gradually struggles to rise. By solstice, on December 21, it doesn't rise at all. This is the so-called Polar Night and all you see are glows on the horizon for a few hours around midday. Truly breathtaking twilight views with deep warm colours. From early February on, the sun gradually rises again, until we reach the Nightless Nights, the time of the Midnight Sun. Between June and July, the sun shines for almost 300 hours. In April/May and in August/September, there's a light balance between day and night.

We have found www.yr.no to provide the most accurate weather forecast. Please key in Saariselkä, Ivalo and Inari, to see the forecast for the nearby locations where we usually head out to see the Northern Lights. For estimates on the Aurora Borealis, we recommend www.aurora-service.eu
Please note that the Aurora Borealis are impossible to accurately predict. We recommend you take the forecasts of both weather and northern lights with a pinch of salt, so you wouldn't miss out on a great display because the forecasts didn't seem favourable at the time. We often seen breathtaking Northern Lights on cloudy nights. It may also happen that on clear nights we do not get to see this natural wonder.

For activities, please meet us at the Safari House building of the Northern Lights Village. Please be there 15 minutes prior to the start of any activity. If you haven't yet received your complimentary clothing, the guide of your activity will provide you with all the thermal clothing you need.

Yes! During the booking process, you're able to select a location from which you'd like to be picked up and dropped off to. When choosing this option, please be at the chosen location, at the given time. The guide will pick you up with a branded Northern Lights Village vehicle and bring you to the dressing room, where you'll get the necessary clothing and gear for optimum comfort during the experience. Afterwards, the guide will drop you off to the location you've been picked up from.

For activities, please meet us at the Safari House building of the Northern Lights Village. Please be there 15 minutes prior to the start of any activity. If you haven't yet received your complimentary clothing, the guide of your activity will provide you with all the thermal clothing you need.

Yes! Unless, you tell us otherwise. We photograph nighttime experiences and you may purchase a single photo, an album, desk art, wall art or keepsakes of the activity afterwards, from our 'Guest Photography Services'. Your photos are stored in the cloud and only accessible by people with a password. The password is different for each activity and is only provided to guests that have participated in the activity. Should you not wish to be photographed, please mention this to your guide at the start of the activity.

Photographing the Northern Lights is at the core of our service. All of our safaris are suitable for both amateurs and professional photographers. Our guides are trained to give you tips and tricks for photographing the Aurora Borealis. For best results, you will need a tripod and preferably good quality camera with manual controls and a fast lens. Bring your own or let our guide take photos for you. Photography is fully voluntary on all of our safaris. If you prefer, you can focus on enjoying the views and purchase photographs taken by your guide as a memento of your trip.

In short: No. The record at our resort is 17 consecutive nights of visible Northern Lights and throughout a season, the average is every second night. Cloudy weather can sometimes hinder the visibility of the Northern Lights, but our aurora hunting excursions will maximise your chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis.

Infants and toddlers are recommended to limit their activities outdoors to shorter periods on cold weather days. We recommend you consult a physician to assess whether you are in a good physical condition to participate in the experiences.

Snowmobile drivers must be 18 years or older and possess a driver’s license valid for traffic in Finland. Children under 15 and/or under 140 cm in height participating in a snowmobile safari must be accompanied by their parents or guardians and they’ll be seated in a heated sleigh pulled by the guide. The snowmobiles are insured for traffic in Finland. In case of damages, the deductible is €2.000,00. The deductible can be reduced to €500,00 euros for €50,00 per snowmobile.

The northern lights may be visible for just 5 minutes or several hours. This is something we cannot predict.

The Northern Lights can be seen between September and April. The land of the Midnight Sun comes to life between June and August.

WINTER

The main travelling season in Lapland is winter, from mid-November to February, peaking around Christmas. The arctic winter offers lot to experience and the pink and blue polar night colours are mesmerising. If you're planning to visit in the Winter, please book your stay and flights in advance as these tend to quickly get fully booked. The coldest months, December and January, have an average temperature of -15˚C. According to the statistics published by the Finnish Meteorological Institute, the average starting date of full snow cover ranges between October 27th and November 6th, whereas the average ending date of permanent snow cover ranges between May 10th and May 20th. In order to carry out the advertised Winter experiences, we require a full snow cover.

SPRING

As days grow longer in February, the temperatures start slowly to rise. More light for daytime activities, yet dark nights for viewing the Northern Lights. The snow cover often lasts all the way through to May.

AUTUMN 

The Aurora Borealis can be seen in the Inari region as early as August, as soon as the nights get dark after the polar summer. Before the temperatures drop to below zero degrees, the Northern Lights reflect from the ice-free lakes and rivers. This creates especially magnificent sights and great photo opportunities. We offer various Autumn activities, including Aurora hunting excursions, husky wagon rides, hiking trips and other more, until mid-November, when the snow conditions allow the transition from Autumn to Winter experiences.

SUMMER

As the sun never sets, the northern lights are not visible, but the incredible natural beauty of the region does not end there. The Midnight Sun creates beautiful golden hues on the horizon. You'll feel reenergised by the sun and you'll have plenty of time for thrilling arctic summer experiences around the clock.

Yes! WiFi is a complimentary service of the Northern Lights Village and is available everywhere at the resort, with speeds of up to 100 Mbp/s and no data limits.

All special diets and allergies are taken into account by our kitchen and restaurant personnel. Just notify us and we'll make sure there are good food options for you.

Northern Lights Village is located on quiet spot right next to vast, uninhabited wilderness, away from the buzz of the centre. Yet, it is conveniently close to the services of Saariselkä. Just 350m away, you'll find a wide range of services such as a supermarket, restaurants, bars, shops, a Spa, a bowling alley and the northernmost Downhill Skiing Centre in Europe.

Yes! Our tap water is potable. It is most probably the best water you'll ever drink.

Yes! You will be alerted via the in-cabin tablet.

Light pollution affects the viewing immensely. This is why all Aurora Cabins are oriented towards Northwest, away from the lights of Saariselkä. The cabins are equipped with motion sensors, which turn on and off as you walk past. We kindly ask all our guests to keep the lights in the cabin shut off whenever possible.

Our husky operations are certified by Tukes, the supervisory authority that promotes the safety and reliability of products, services and industrial activities. Our kennel is nearby the resort and, although not part of our guest programmes, open for the public to visit. Visiting is possible by appointment and getting there is at your own expense.

As we grow our activity, we're eager to publish more information on our efforts to guarantee animal welfare, in the near future. In the meantime, we'd like to tell you a little about daily life at the kennel:

Our husky mushers are true dog lovers and dedicate their lives to taking care of them as family members. In fact, every dog has a name! They regularly groom the dogs by brushing and trimming their nails and take them to their regular veterinary appointments.

Every morning, as we prepare for the safaris of the day, the huskies eat meat and drink water. We bring them to the resort in spacious cages where the safaris take place and later on, they are returned to the kennel where they get dry food, water and bones to chew.

Whilst huskies thoroughly enjoy running, it is up to us to ensure they get the rest they need and deserve. We have a tight and detailed schedule, which allows us to keep track of their run and rest times. During the Summer months, when temperatures are too high (over +5°C), they cannot run. Instead, we leave them free in the kennel in order for them to get their exercise and be in touch with their friends. Late Summer and early Autumn, when temperatures begin to cool, it's time for training. We ensure the huskies are well prepared and healthy to thrive during the winter season.

We have a strict no-cull policy! As the huskies get older and are unable to run, they remain in the kennel as retirees and enjoy their time after a career of hard work.

Generally, all reservations are non-refundable from the time of booking. If your circumstances have changed and you'd like to reschedule the booking, please email us and we'll evaluate the conditions for a change. Please note we do not offer refunds for cancelled bookings. This applies to any bookings made in advance or on the spot.

Sometimes. If you're unable to settle the full amount at the time of bookings, please send us an email. We may be able to offer you the possibility of paying only 30% at the time of booking and the remainder 42 days prior to arrival.