Spring in the Arctic
Spring means playtime in the Arctic - longer days, warmer temperatures and open trails, ideal for relaxed multiday safaris and families.
Spring in the Arctic means playtime. Each day brings more daylight, warmer temperatures and more open, maintained trails, which is why southern Finns come north to ski.
- Warmer days, generally -5 to -15C (nights can still be very cold)
- More daylight and more open, maintained trails
- Ideal for relaxed multiday safaris and families - best in late spring
- Mushing with clients through to the end of April, shorter trails open to at least mid-May
- Occasionally still skiing on frozen lakes at the end of June
Landscape and conditions
The sun melts the snow from the trees, so you lose a little of midwinter's fairy-tale feel, but warmer days (generally -5 to -15C, though nights can still be very cold) and longer daylight more than compensate. You may even shed outer layers to stay comfortable while active.
That makes spring ideal for multiday safaris without the extreme edge. Families with children should wait for late spring, when the pace relaxes and evenings leave plenty of time for stories, dogs, sauna and recapping the day.
When we can mush
We reliably mush with clients through the end of April and usually keep the shorter trails open until at least mid-May. Very occasionally we are still skiing on frozen lakes at the end of June, though never count on it.
From mid April to the first week of May we have fewer clients, but those who come join very intensive training, with fit dogs and experienced guides making the most of whatever conditions remain. When the snow goes in May and the lakes thaw, the quadbikes come back out to fine-tune the older dogs on commands like GEE and HAW and give the newest pups their first runs, before the dogs' well-earned summer holiday.
Spring activities in Enontekiö
See also our annual husky guiding camp and the farm activities and tours, possible year-round, while summer options like kayaking may be possible depending on temperature. Late August to early October is arguably the best time here for hiking and biking, as stunning autumn colours sweep the landscape from east to west.
In spring, local entrepreneurs run Hetta Snow Adventure Week and ice fishing contests. Kilpisjärvi, in the western 'arm' of Enontekiö, draws many spring visitors (particularly Norwegians) for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, with guided trips, its own Snow Adventure Week, ski runs to the Three Countries Border Marker, Siilastupa Information Point and the region's nature trails. The snow then usually goes within about two weeks, leaving the cool, crisp final days of spring, a lovely time to be in the Arctic.
Good to know
- Daytime temperatures
- Generally -5 to -15C
- Mushing season end
- Through end April; shorter trails to mid-May
- Late transition period
- Mid April through first week of May
- Best for
- Relaxed multiday safaris, families
Ready when you are
Real wilderness, 200+ huskies, eighteen winters in.