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Weather in Saariselkä
Lapland wilderness of Aurora skies and reindeer
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About Saariselkä
Saariselkä is Finnish Lapland's premier wilderness destination, a sprawling national park landscape where aurora hunters descend in winter and hikers traverse fell-country in summer. The landscape is subarctic tundra—low scrubland, lichen, and hardy vegetation under endless skies. Winter darkness and summer midnight sun create two extreme experiences. Sami herds of reindeer drift across these lands as they have for centuries.
Best months to visit
Year-round
Things to do in Saariselkä
Reindeer herding and sleighing
Aurora hunting with guides
Cross-country skiing and snowshoe trekking
Husky or reindeer sleighing expeditions
Summer hiking and fell-walking
Traditional Sami food and cultural experiences
Weather by month
Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.
January
-9C
Cold, with some rainy days.
February
-7C
Cold, with occasional showers.
March
-4C
Cold, with some rainy days.
April
2C
Cold, with some rainy days.
May
7C
Cold, with some rainy days.
June
13C
Cool, with some rainy days.
July
17C
Cool, with some rainy days.
August
15C
Cool, with regular rainfall.
September
9C
Cold, with some rainy days.
October
1C
Cold, with some rainy days.
November
-3C
Cold, with some rainy days.
December
-6C
Cold, with some rainy days.
Saariselkä is a small ski and Northern Lights resort deep in Finnish Lapland, surrounded by the wide, treeless fells of Urho Kekkonen National Park. It's less commercialised than Rovaniemi, with the appeal here being genuine wilderness — cross-country ski trails, husky and reindeer farms, and some of the darkest, clearest skies in Finland for aurora viewing.
Best areas to stay in Saariselkä
Saariselkä village
The compact resort centre, with hotels, ski rentals and access to cross-country trails.
Urho Kekkonen National Park
A vast wilderness area of fells bordering the resort, popular for hiking, skiing and wildlife.
Kakslauttanen area
Home to well-known glass igloo accommodation nearby, popular for aurora viewing from bed.
Ivalo
The nearest town with an airport, around 30 minutes from Saariselkä.
Getting to Saariselkä
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Flights
Ivalo Airport is the closest, around 30 minutes from Saariselkä, with seasonal direct flights from Helsinki and other European cities.
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From London
~4-5 hours by air from London via Helsinki, or direct in peak winter season from some airports.
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Getting around
Transfers and taxis connect Ivalo Airport to Saariselkä; within the resort, cross-country trails and organised tours are the main ways to explore.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Saariselkä?
December-March for snow activities and the Northern Lights, when the polar night and clear fell landscapes create good viewing conditions.
What activities are available?
Cross-country and downhill skiing, husky and reindeer sledding, snowshoeing in Urho Kekkonen National Park, and Northern Lights tours.
How do I get to Saariselkä?
The nearest airport is Ivalo, around 30 minutes away by transfer, with seasonal direct flights from Helsinki and some other European cities in winter.
Is Saariselkä good for families?
Yes — many activities like reindeer farms and gentle ski trails are family-friendly, and the resort is smaller and quieter than Rovaniemi.
What is Urho Kekkonen National Park?
One of Finland's largest national parks, a vast wilderness of fells and forests right on Saariselkä's doorstep, popular for hiking and skiing.
Traveler reviews
★★★★★
Far quieter than Rovaniemi and felt much more like genuine wilderness — saw the Northern Lights twice during a five-night stay.
Susanna J. · February 2024
★★★★★
Stayed in one of the glass igloos nearby and woke up to the aurora overhead — an experience worth saving up for.
Pete A. · December 2023
★★★★☆
Cross-country skiing through the national park was a highlight, and the huskies were a great add-on activity for the kids.
Liisa N. · March 2024
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