Step into the depths of winter, Pakkastalvi, the season where the year begins its journey amidst the icy embrace of Lapland’s frosty landscapes. Fresh from the darkness the days remain short, shrouded in a veil of twilight. During this time, we often experience the coldest snaps of the year, with temperatures plummeting to as low as -30 degrees Celsius. And with the abundance of snow that has already blanketed the land, the stage is set for a true winter wonderland. Pakkastalvi heralds the peak of winter’s embrace, where the elements converge to create a landscape of breathtaking beauty. Join us as we embrace the chill, witness the dance of the Northern Lights, and revel in the magic of Lapland’s coldest season.

Experience the gentle transition of seasons as the ice slowly melts in its place. The snow cover gets thin, and darkness becomes a fleeting memory. Look closer and see the buds swelling on the birch trees, eager to burst forth. Even as the snow still envelops the ground, the first shoots of plants begin to emerge. But it is the phenomenon of Jäidenlähtö, the spring ice breakup, that truly captivates you. It’s a symphony of nature’s renewal, an awe-inspiring sight and sound to behold. Join us as we bear witness to the subtle yet profound changes of spring, where the land awakens from its wintry slumber, and the promise of new beginnings fills the air.

Experience the phenomenon of the Midnight Sun when the sun shines brightly even at midnight, casting its radiant glow across the sky. The light of the midnight sun scarcely differs from the midday sun. With the last traces of snow melting away, the landscape transforms into a lush green, with plants sprouting almost before your eyes. Reindeer shed their winter coats, and adorable calves make their debut. It’s a time of renewal and abundance, where the beauty of Lapland’s landscape is illuminated by the everlasting glow of the Midnight Sun.

Harvesting season beckons, with the opportunity to pick wild bilberries and blueberries even during the bright nights. The peak of harvesting primarily occurs in late summer before the autumn colors set in, when the brightest glow of the Midnight Sun has already passed, and nature begins to indulge its creatures with the bounty of summer. Now is the perfect time to fill your freezer with berries and mushrooms.

Experience the breathtaking beauty of Ruska time – a phenomenon like no other. As nature continues to abound with mushrooms and lingonberries, it now bursts forth in colors. This is the time when reindeer continue their preparations for winter. Feasting on mushrooms and nutrient-rich plants that have flourished under the Midnight Sun, they stock up on essential nutrients to endure the long, harsh winter ahead. As the days grow shorter and the temperatures drop, these resilient creatures rely on the bounty of summer to sustain them through the cold months.

After Ruska comes the eagerly anticipated time of the first snowfall. The trees have shed their leaves, and the ground plants begin to wither, yet the thick blanket of snow remains but a dream. Each morning brings a chillier landscape until the day arrives when temperatures no longer reach above freezing. However, the days still bask in the bright sunshine, maintaining a delicate balance between night and day.

The year concludes with the onset of Christmas twilight. All living beings seem to retreat into their shelters, and energy comes to a standstill. Waters freeze, trees are blanketed in snow, and everything is frozen stiff in the cold. It’s quiet, with only the crackling of frost in the woods breaking the silence. However, the harshest cold of winter is often not yet experienced during the time of Christmas twilight.