Nature Lovers: Top three activities for you!
Welcome, #teamNature!
Are you a nature enthusiast seeking the perfect winter getaway? Look no further, Lapland, a frozen paradise in northern Finland and Sweden, is the perfect destination for nature enthusiasts!
With its stunning scenery, huge snow-covered forests and sparkling frozen lakes, you might even see the Northern Lights dancing across the night sky! It’s a truly magical place.
In this post, we will discover the top three winter activities, especially for nature lovers that you can join during your precious time in Lapland!
1. Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is a popular Lapland activity that allows you to explore snowy landscapes in a way that’s both fun and challenging! By wearing snowshoes, you can easily walk on top of the snow, making it possible to access areas that would be inaccessible on foot. That means you can explore deep peaceful forests and snowy meadows!
What can you do with snowshoeing activity?
What I love about snowshoeing is, there are so many ways to organize this activity. We can organize a treasure hunt in the snowy woods, hiding clues and prizes for your friends to find.
Or perhaps you’d prefer a friendly race hike, where you can compete against each other to see who can reach the finish line first.
For a more relaxing experience, you can just simply enjoy a leisurely snowshoe walk. You can slowly hike deeper into the forest, where you could decide to either challenge yourself with the new snow path or just follow the same path.
Read more: Top three Lapland activities for Culture Enthusiasts
Or simply have a snowball fight along the way.
Physical exertion level: Moderate-Intensity
While snowshoeing can provide a good workout, for me, it’s not as physically demanding as activities like cross-country skiing or snowmobiling. What I love about snowshoeing is you can decide your own pace, making it easy to tailor based on each individual needs. In particular:
- Terrain: Snowshoeing often involves walking on relatively flat terrain, which is less intense than uphill climbs or walking on challenging trails.
- Pace: Snowshoeing is typically done at a moderate pace, allowing for conversation and enjoyment of the nature around you.
- Resistance: While snowshoeing does provide some strength resistance, it’s not as intense as running or cycling.
- Individual Fitness: Your fitness level will also affect how challenging you find snowshoeing. For someone who is not used to physical activity, snowshoeing can feel more intense than for someone who is in good shape.
2. Ice fishing
Coming up next on the list, we can’t miss Ice fishing!
If you love spending time outdoors in winter conditions, ice fishing could be a perfect fit. You’ll need to be comfortable with the cold and snow. Therefore, layer up with warm clothing, including thermal underwear, a waterproof jacket, and gloves is a good idea.
Learn more: How to dress and survive in the cold of Lapland
It’s a chance to connect with nature, relax in the peaceful winter atmosphere, and perhaps catch a delicious meal!
“Catching fish is a bonus, not the purpose.“
The beauty of ice fishing lies in its simplicity. A session of ice fishing could almost be counted as a sort of meditation. Whilst waiting patiently for something to happen – your mind clears itself unexpectedly and effortlessly. Infinity and silence are the key factors here.
You’ll be provided with all the necessary equipment: an ice auger for breaking the ice, a fishing rod and baits. The location for ice fishing is often chosen for its stunning beauty. You’ll be surrounded by snow-covered trees and frozen lakes. Our guide will teach you everything from A-Z, I barely touched the fishing rod until my first ice fishing in Lapland.
Physical exertion level: Moderate-Intensity
Although ice fishing seems to only involve sitting or standing still for extended periods waiting for fish to bite, it can be energy-draining if you’re not used to spending long periods outdoors in cold weather. Even when sitting still, your body is working hard to regulate your temperature.
Depending on the location, you might need to walk on ice to reach your fishing spot, which requires some physical strength and coordination.
Despite these challenges, ice fishing can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. With proper preparation and clothing, you will fully appreciate the beauty of this winter activity!
3. Learning Arctic skills in nature
Ever wondered, how to survive in extreme weather conditions?
What happens when all of a sudden you need to stay outdoors overnight?
During this activity, you learn basic skills of making a fire without matches and learn how to build a shelter for the night. These are useful skills crucial for surviving in the areas above the Arctic Circle!
What I love about this activity is that it fully engages my mind in the present moment, allowing me to focus solely on solving the problem. Time flies when you’re having fun!
Similar to ice fishing, you will spend most of your time outdoors. Time to embrace winter nature!
3a. Firemaking without matches
Creating fire without matches is a skill that has been passed down through generations. It’s a valuable survival technique that can be essential in extreme situations especially when you are in the Arctic.
In this fire-making activity, I learned how to ignite a firework in practice. They are especially useful in cold or wet conditions when traditional friction methods might be difficult.
Read more: Top four Lapland activities for Thrill-seekers
3b. Building a snow shelter
A quinzee is a traditional snow shelter that’s easy to build and provides excellent insulation from the cold. We will learn to build this!
The steps are more or less:
- Choose a suitable location: Look for a spot with deep, soft snow and some natural protection from the wind.
- Dig a pit: Use a shovel to dig a pit in the snow, about the size of your body.
- Pack the snow: Pack the snow around the pit to create a mound.
- Carve out the interior: Use a knife or shovel to carve out a space inside the mound for you to sit or lie down.
Physical exertion level: Moderate-Intensity
Similarly with ice fishing, you will spend time learning more meticulous skills in nature.
For me, fire-making generally requires low physical effort but requires some patience and a rigorous mindset. It does require focus, patience, and a systematic approach.
Building a quinzee requires moderate-high physical effort. It involves digging into the snow and packing it into a mound, especially in deep snow. This process was tough but working as a team became a fun activity. Once the basic structure is in place, the rest of the work involves carving out the interior, which is less physically demanding.
Wanna become a pro?
If you love learning survival skills in the Arctic, in Swedish Lapland, Björkliden, we even have an Arctic night survival course for advanced adventurers who have already taken the basic course during the same trip.
This activity is designed to test your limits and expand your wilderness skills. It can only be booked upon arrival, where your guide will provide further details and after completing basic Arctic Skills.
