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Snow Conditions and Temperature
Winter is the longest season in Finland, lasting about 200 days in Lapland and 100 days in Southern Finland. In Lapland, winter usually begins in mid-October. In Kuusamo snow is guaranteed every winter for a very long period, and even 80 to 90 cm deep (30 to 35 inches). A peculiarity of the winter climate is the so-called crown snow load, as snow, ice, and frost accumulate on tree branches, forming surreal snow sculptures.
Fresh snow just makes you want to make angels: choose an unmarked spot, lie on your back, and wave your hands up and down, and as your legs in and out on the ground. Try to get up without pushing with your hands or leaving any other marks. When you take a look at this beautiful "piece of art" you've made, you’ll see the shape of an angel – a snow angel!
In late November, lakes are so frozen, you can drive a car onto the ice. Thickness ranges from 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 inches) in winter. Temperatures during the day can range anywhere from +5 to -25˚C (40 to -13˚F). Weather at this moment.
Starry Darkness
North of the Arctic Circle part of the winter is called the twilight, polar night, or "kaamos" in Finnish. During this period, the sun doesn't rise above the horizon at all. Up in the northernmost part of Finland, the twilight lasts for over 50 days. But it’s actually not that dark! The moon, stars and Northern lights light up the skies and the light is reflected from the snow, making the surroundings about as bright as a cloudy day!
If the weather is cloudy and you are in an area with some city lights, you can experience a peculiar thing: the light of the lamps is being reflected from the snow to the skies and back down from the clouds, bouncing back and forth.
Wild Spaces
The population density in Lapland is only 2.2 persons per km². This leaves a lot of untouched wilderness for hikers, hunters and fishermen to explore. However, we are not the only habitants in the forests. Finland is home to around 42,000 species of plants, animals and fungi.
Undisturbed forests and lakes and the abundance of food enable some endangered species to thrive in Finland: the Saimaa ringed seal, the flying squirrel, brown bear, wolf, wolverine, lynx, the golden eagle and white-tailed eagle. Many of these species have - sad to say - earlier suffered from persecution, but now the co-existence with humans and these endangered creatures seems to succeed.
Modern Conveniences
Despite the cold and sometimes harsh conditions in the winter, or maybe just because of them, Finns live very comfortably in sturdy, warm buildings. Cars are made to last the cold conditions and roads are kept in good shape for safe winter driving.
Sami, Santa & Sauna
Finland has a couple of well-known "ambassadors": the indigenous Sámi, Santa Claus and the Sauna.
There are over 75,000 Sámi in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. About 6,500 of these live in Finland, cherishing their own history, language, culture, way of live and identity. Reindeer herding, fishing, hunting, gathering nature's products and handicrafts are traditional Sámi livelihoods.
Father Christmas or Santa Claus, lives in Finland at Korvatunturi (Ear Mountain) with his wife, elves and reindeer. A lot of families fly to Rovaniemi each winter to meet him. His village is a winter wonderland full of exotic places to visit with funny activities to experience, like reindeer sleigh rides. Santa even has his own Main Post Office!
For many Finns the sauna is most relaxing place in the world! It makes one feel like a totally new person. After an action-packed day out in the snow, a hot sauna and delicious meal is second to none! If sauna’s too hot, try the Finnish custom of jumping out of the sauna to make snow angels naked to cool down before quickly running back into the sauna!
Clothing
In winter it's good to dress in layers. Use a top layer that protects from wind and wet. It should not be too tight. Tight don’t keep you warm. You should have cotton or silk underwear. The next layer could have warm fleece, or similar according to the weather.
The body loses most heat through the head. Cover your head with a warm hat or cap. Also remember to keep your feet and hands warm. Shoes shouldn’t be too tight, as they need room for extra socks.
For certain activities, such as snow safaris, tour operators will provide participants with special equipment, including thermal suits, footwear, gloves etc. Thermal overalls can be hired during the winter. The area also has good clothes stores for protection against the weather. |
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