Saariselkä in 3 Days for Friends - Husky sled safari with Lapland Safaris
A fun, vibrant 3-day winter weekend for friends who want shared adventures, lively dinners, a group-friendly pace and at least one playful active challenge. Highlights: husky sledding, a fell viewpoint Northern Lights run, relaxed saunas, and classic Lappish food — all timed for March (still plenty of snow and good aurora chances).
Highlights
- Husky sled safari with Lapland Safaris
- Kaunispää fell viewpoint for sunset and Northern Lights
- Group sauna & lively dinners at Holiday Club Saariselkä
- Short guided snowshoe or fell hike in Urho Kekkonen National Park
- Cross-country ski lesson and gear rental for groups
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival day — settle in, grab gear, group sauna and a lively welcome dinner; quick night outing to Kaunispää if the aurora shows.
Check in at Holiday Club Saariselkä — get keys, bags, spa pass
Arrive, check into your group rooms and pick up spa/sauna passes. Good time to drop luggage and coordinate next days with the front desk.
Tips from local experts:
- Ask reception for a group check-in — they often hold a block and can speed things up for 4–6 people.
- Pick up the spa/sauna time slots on arrival — late-afternoon slots fill quickly on weekends.
- Store wet boots in the hotel drying room (essential in March) so shared rooms stay dry and warm.
Gear check & quick stroll through the village; rent any extra kit
Walk to the nearby rental desk to confirm ski or snowshoe gear reservations and grab any last-minute winter accessories. Good chance to scope group dinner options for later.
Tips from local experts:
- If anyone still needs gloves/hat layers, ask for the rental shop’s lightly used items — cheaper than new in town.
- Reserve group-sized lockers at the rental shop if you plan to switch activities; it keeps the group mobile.
- Plan a rough meeting point for evenings (e.g., hotel lobby) — Saariselkä’s small but dark at night in March.
Group sauna & pre-dinner drinks (hotel spa)
Relax and warm up in the hotel sauna after travel — perfect for resetting and getting lively conversations started before dinner.
Tips from local experts:
- Book a private sauna slot if your group likes to sing or bring music — available on request at many hotel spas.
- Rotate: one hot sauna session and a cold shower/walk outside is a classic Lapland shared ritual and a great photo moment.
- Bring small cash for spa towels or lockers (some places charge for towel rental).
Welcome dinner — group-friendly menu at Holiday Club restaurant
Casual, hearty Lappish dinner with group tables — share reindeer or fish dishes and warm up with local beers or glögi.
Tips from local experts:
- Ask for a large table; the restaurant is used to groups and can split the bill or provide group menus for easier cost-sharing.
- Try a few shared starters so the whole table can sample local flavors without everyone ordering expensive mains.
- Order drinks at the start as the bar can get busy — assign one person to manage the round to keep the vibe energetic.
Optional: After-dinner Northern Lights outing to Kaunispää viewpoint
Short transfer or guided walk up to Kaunispää for dark-sky aurora watching — quick, picturesque and group-friendly if conditions are right.
Tips from local experts:
- Check aurora forecasts at reception before going — if it’s a low-probability night, stay local and try a later slot.
- Dress in layers and bring insulated sitting pads—standing and chatting keeps the group vibe, but cold can set in fast.
- Carpool or choose one taxi to the car park to keep costs down; the viewpoint has limited shelter so plan short rotations for group photos.
Day 2
Big-activity day — an energetic husky safari, a cozy Lappish lunch, then a stroll or snowshoe into Kiilopää/Urho Kekkonen terrain; evening aurora chase option.
Morning husky sled safari with Lapland Safaris — group sleds
Meet the huskies, get instructions, then share sleds (two people per sled possible) for a 2–3 hour safari through classic taiga and frozen fell scenery.
Tips from local experts:
- Wear windproof outer layers and warm mittens—sled rides are colder than standing still because of wind chill.
- Split sleds 2-up to halve the price per person and keep it social — perfect for friends who want shared costs.
- Ask the guides for a quick 'photo sled' stop where everyone can swap positions for group photos with the team of dogs.
Lunch at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort — warm Kota-style group lunch
Enjoy a cozy group lunch in a traditional Kota or restaurant at Kakslauttanen — big tables, local soups and smoked fish to refuel after the sledding.
Tips from local experts:
- Reserve a large Kota table in advance for your group for a more intimate, lively setting and easier bill splitting.
- Share the reindeer stew and baked goods family-style — tastier and better value for groups.
- Use the break to swap thermal liners or dry socks; the resort staff will often help with quick drying or storage.
Afternoon snowshoe or guided fell walk at Kiilopää (short, scenic)
A locally guided short snowshoe loop or fell walk (depending on conditions) at Kiilopää / Urho Kekkonen fringe — great panorama and low exertion for the group.
Tips from local experts:
- Ask for a short guided loop (2–3 km) so everyone stays together — guides tailor pace for groups of friends.
- Bring headlamps if you’ll be out near dusk — March can dim quickly and headlamps free your hands for photos and snacks.
- Coffee thermos and a shared snack pack make for a fun communal mid-hike pause; trade snacks to keep costs low and vibe high.
Early evening: lively dinner (Kakslauttanen or hotel) — group menus available
A relaxed, festive dinner with options for shared platters featuring local reindeer, Arctic char and vegetarian choices — designed for social group dining.
Tips from local experts:
- Opt for a set group menu to simplify bills and keep the evening flowing for an energetic group.
- Reserve a window-facing table — sunset and early-night aurora glimpses can be visible and spark a fun table buzz.
- Order dessert to share; it’s a great icebreaker and keeps the table animated after the main course.
Optional guided Northern Lights chase (Lapland Safaris) — small-group tour
If the skies are promising, join a guided aurora chase with a local operator — they drive to clearer skies and help with photos.
Tips from local experts:
- Coordinate one person to manage communication (phone/taxi) so the whole group can leave together quickly if forecast spikes.
- Bring extra battery packs for phones — long cold nights drain batteries fast when photographing the aurora.
- If you want group aurora photos, tell the guide early; they often carry tripods and can help stage a lively shot.
Day 3
Active final morning — group cross-country ski lesson or guided trail; leisurely lunch and village time before transfer to Ivalo.
Group cross-country ski lesson or guided trail (rental & pickup)
Beginner-friendly group lesson or guided trail loop to practice classic or skate technique — instructor-led and kit provided if not already rented.
Tips from local experts:
- Book a group lesson to get a single instructor and slightly discounted per-person price.
- Wear thin inner socks and bring a spare pair — wet feet are the fastest way to kill a good group vibe.
- Split rental costs by taking shared waxing/tuning tips from the instructor; small adjustments make skis last longer on packed snow.
Lunch at Kiilopää or hotel café — relaxed group meal
Hearty lunch with quick options so the group can pack and check out smoothly; aim for shared plates or group-friendly dishes.
Tips from local experts:
- Choose the café with larger tables to keep chatting and split bills — cafés at Kiilopää and hotels handle groups well.
- Ask for takeaway boxes for sandwiches if some want to eat on the transfer to the airport to save time.
- Settle any remaining group-cost exchanges now — easier before airport transfers and less hassle for the final taxi.
Free time: last-minute shopping, hot drinks and photos in the village
Stroll the small village one last time; pick up souvenirs, grab a coffee and take final group photos of the snowy landscape.
Tips from local experts:
- Divide small purchases into two or three people to keep individual carry weight manageable on flights.
- Hit the local souvenir shop early to avoid last-minute crowds before the transfer.
- Take a final group photo against the hotel or kaunispää backdrop — natural light in early afternoon is best in March.
Transfer to Ivalo Airport — shared taxi or pre-booked shuttle
Group transfer to Ivalo Airport (about 40–60 minutes) — book a shared shuttle or split a taxi for convenience and lower cost per person.
Tips from local experts:
- Pre-book a private minivan if you have a lot of luggage; splitting the cost across the group usually beats multiple taxis.
- Leave at least 90 minutes before flight check-in time for winter road conditions in March.
- Confirm pick-up location with reception the night before to keep the final morning smooth and social.
Itinerary Attributes
| Days | 3 |
| Highlights | 5 |
| Season | - |
| Month | - |
| Persona | Friends |
| Transfers | 1 |
| Restaurants | 4 |
| Total Activities | 13 |
| Total Places | 13 |
| Activities Types | Hotel, Neighborhood, Break, Meal, Outdoor, Experience, Attraction, Shopping, Transfer |
