Winter in the Arctic
From the polar night and fairy-tale snow of early winter to the long bright days of spring - how the Arctic winter shapes the safari experience.
If winter means snow on the ground and temperatures below zero, then winter here lasts from November through until c. May. We can normally mush on snow throughout that period, and some years we are happily sledding in October.
- Mushing season runs from November to c. May
- Short safaris bookable c. end November to end April, multiday safaris from c. 2nd week of January
- Polar night lasts c. 3-4 weeks, December 6th to January 6th
- Midnight sun 26th May to 18th July
- February temperatures can swing from +5C to -45C, even 30C in a single day
- Enontekiö has the lowest average temperatures in Finland
Booking windows
We hesitate to book safaris at the very edges of the season, as we would hate to cancel. We therefore take reservations for short safaris from c. end November to end April, and for longer multiday safaris only from c. the 2nd week of January. Even then, dates at the outer limits of each period remain subject to conditions and route availability.
Locals divide the winter into early winter (c. end November to mid Jan), mid-winter (c. mid Jan to end Feb), early spring (March - mid April) and late spring (mid April - end May). Conditions vary tremendously between them, with daylight ranging from zero in December to 14+ hours a day in spring.
Early winter and the polar night
Early winter spans November and December. Some years the snow is well established by November, with daytime temperatures consistently below -10C and nights below -20C. Other years temperatures hover around 0 for a week or more and icy conditions make dog training challenging. Northern lights can usually be seen surprisingly well at this time.
Our main client season starts towards the end of November, focused on shorter one-day safaris while many visitors come in search of Father Christmas. December brings the polar night, the darkest month of the year, which this far north lasts 3-4 weeks in Enontekiö, from December 6th to January 6th (the midnight sun runs 26th May to 18th July).
Many assume the polar night means total darkness. In fact it is one of the most beautiful times of year: the trees stay laden with snow that never melts in the sun, and a magical twilight lights the landscape for c. 4-5 hours each day. You could be dog-sledding in December and never see the sun rise, then five months later sled all night and never see it set.
Mid-winter into spring
By the end of December most of our longer routes are open, and with the sun only just below the horizon the snow reflects the refracted light in blue-tinged hues. Hetta hosts British Christmas charter packages at this time, and its unique Snow Castle is a popular attraction.
January is a beautiful month, branches still laden and part of each day lit by that ethereal light, with fitter guides and dogs better able to withstand the long, cold days. By February the daylight is noticeably longer and the sun occasionally shines, though temperatures can be some of the coldest of the winter, swinging between +5C and -45C, averaging around -15C, and shifting as much as 30C within a single day. Enontekiö has the lowest average temperatures in Finland.
By March and April we are entering spring: the Arctic fully laden with snow, great tracks, and long, bright, often sunny days, though short-lived snow storms remain possible. By the end of April the sun only dips below the horizon for a few hours, so sunglasses are needed to prevent eye damage from sunlight reflecting off the vast fields of snow.
Arctic wildlife in winter
Reindeer are among the few species to survive up here, thanks to oleic acid in their bone marrow that works as an anti-freeze. Lucky visitors may catch a reindeer gathering between end December and mid January, when some are separated for slaughter and the rest vaccinated. Willow grouse and ptarmigan, two of the six hardy bird species adapted to this climate, are often seen on the roads.
Good to know
- Feb temperature range
- +5C to -45C (avg c. -15C)
Ready when you are
Real wilderness, 200+ huskies, eighteen winters in.