Frequently asked questions

Apukka Resort is located in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland. Our location is only 18 km (a 20-minute drive) from the city of Rovaniemi, 12 km (a 15-minute drive) from Rovaniemi Airport and 8 km (a 10-minute drive) from Santa Claus Village. Apukka Resort stands in the embrace of two wilderness lakes in the midst of the most stunning Arctic nature.

We’d encourage you to first book the accommodation and flights.

After this it’s a good idea to to book the most preferred activities well in advance. Especially during the high season in December some of the most popular activities can be fully booked. Activities can be booked on spot as well, but by booking them in advance you can can make sure that you won’t miss out on anything.

Here in Lapland all the different seasons carry a unique magic. The best time to visit depends on what you aim to see and experience.

If your goal is to see snow and experience the Arctic adventures in our winter wonderland, we’d recommend for you to travel to Lapland in between December and April.

If it’s the blue waters and the blossoming nature bathing in the midnight sun you’re looking for, June, July and August are the best months for you to visit Rovaniemi.

If you’re dreaming of light days, autumn foliage and the Northern Lights, September and October is your choice. Actually, the Auroras are most active in late September – early October near Autumn Equinox.

November shows the beauty of the approaching winter and we already offer early winter activities on snow as a taster of winter.

Read more about the different seasons of Lapland from here

You can book a transfer from us to ensure a smooth transfer to Apukka (extra costs apply). There are some public buses operating as well, but the connections are not very frequent. Here’s the link for the public bus lines. Optionally you can take a taxi or rent a car.

You can also check if our Apukka Shuttle Bus schedule is suitable for your arrival. It’s operating between Apukka Resort, Santa Claus Village and Rovaniemi city center from September to April.

This is easily solved as we have our own bus! From September to April, Apukka Shuttle Bus is operating several times a day between Apukka Resort, Santa Claus Village and Rovaniemi city center. You can buy tickets in advance online or on the bus.

Optionally you can book a taxi from our cooperator Menevä.

Our Apukka Resort reception  is open:

• On 1.9.-12.11.2023 at 8:00-22:30.
• On 13.11.2023-7.4.2024 at 8:00-4:00.

Our Apukka Resort is a winter wonderland where one always has things to do. From dining in our beautiful Restaurant Aitta to experiencing an authentic “löyly” in our traditional saunas and experiencing the thrill of different winter adventures, we guarantee you won’t meet a boring moment during your stay with us.

We have everything you might want from your holiday on site: eager huskies to take you dogsledding, horses, reindeer, eFatbikes, snowmobiles, snowshoes and tons of other exciting activities. We also have a big tube slide on the premises (free of charge) and a frozen lake just next to the Resort, inviting you to an afternoon walk on it’s thick ice cover.

We have bonfires in the yard that we light up every night for you to relax by. And remember the amazing chance to spot the Northern Lights far away from the city lights. To help you with that, we offer a free of charge Aurora Alert app for your use.

During the summer and autumn time the wilderness surrounding us is easily accessible and we can almost hear it calling us out for an adventure. You can join our organised activities to try out a husky carriage ride or walking with reindeer, rent gear from us to explore the nature on your own or simply to relax in the fresh air of Lapland.

During the summer time (June – August) the nights are light, enabling you to enjoy the wilderness without caring about the time – maybe you’d want to try your luck fishing, rent outdoor equipment to explore the surrounding nature with or feast snacking the blueberries covering the forests?

When the autumn arrives in September, the dark nights make it possible to spot the Northern Lights on the sky – a perfect time to learn how to light a bonfire with just a flint and wait for the Northern skies to present their very best by the warmth of the fire. Our restaurant and bar will be open to make sure you’ll always have delicious meals available in between the adventures.

Rovaniemi and Lapland altogether are some of the very best spots in the whole world to spot the Northern Lights. The location of Apukka Resort is pitch perfect for this – far from the light pollution of the city yet easy to reach from Rovaniemi city or Rovaniemi Airport.

You can spot the Northern Lights on the night skies from September to April – did you know that the Northern Lights are actually on the sky during the summer months as well, but the summer nights are too light for us to spot them?

As the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, we can never fully guarantee that they’ll be out on the skies, but the location of Apukka Resort surely offers you great chances of spotting them when they do appear.

Lake Olkkajärvi, right next to Apukka Resort, typically starts to freeze in October, making it safe to walk on it in November-December.

Especially in October-November, we recommend talking with our team before walking on the lake. The ice might seem thick, but it is unsafe for walking. Our team measures the ice, and when it’s thick enough, we mark walking paths on the ice. It is entirely safe to walk on these tracks after that.

Standing in the middle of a gigantic, frozen lake in pastel colours of the break of dawn at -30 C is a beautiful experience you’re not very likely to forget anytime soon.

The ice cover typically starts melting in April, with the blue water completely open again in late May.

The arrival of the first snow of the winter depends on the year.

Usually the first snow falls in October, but it often melts away before the permanent snow cover, lasting throughout the winter, lands in November. The snow cover thickens as the winter goes on, creating the most beautiful winter wonderland till mid-April.

As May approaches, snow starts to melt rapidly, making room for the stunning spring and summer of Lapland.

The great wilderness surrounds Apukka Resort, so there are Arctic animals around us. The wild animals of Lapland are not tame and avoid contact with people, so you might not see them. However, in wintertime, you know they’ve been there from the stories their paws have written on the surface of the snow.

You can spot arctic hares, red foxes, otters, willow grouse, and many other animals if you keep your eyes open. If lucky, you’ll see a moose on the forest’s edge as the day changes into night. Predators such as brown bears, wolves, and wolverines are in the woods of Lapland. Still, as they are extremely cautious around people and very rare to spot, you have absolutely nothing to worry about.

Winter (December – early April)

The winters in Lapland are generally cold but stunningly beautiful. On the coldest days, the thermometer can drop to -40 degrees Celsius. Still, the temperatures vary more commonly between -5°C and -20°C.

Spring (late April – May)

In April, the days start to be a lot warmer (from +10°C to -5°C), with the nights remaining colder (from -5°C to -20°C), followed by the quick change May brings (from +15°C to +0°C).

Summer (June – August)

As the summer begins in June, continuing till August, the nature of Lapland treats us with temperatures that can be anything between +15°C and +30°C.

Autumn (September – November)

In September and October, the temperatures vary between +15°C and -5°C. Still, November already promises the approaching winter, bringing the temperatures well below freezing.

During your stay with us, you’ll soon learn that the weather in Lapland has a mind of its own. A snowstorm can change into a beautiful stillness in a blink of an eye, a cloudy sky can make room for a stunning show from the Northern Lights faster than you could ever believe, and the Midnight Sun (summer) or the Polar Night (winter) can paint the colours competing with the most beautiful oil paintings to the skies above us.

Definitely, we love special events of all kinds in Apukka Resort and would be happy to help you to create an unforgettable surprise for your loved one! Just email us to sales@apukkaresort.fi and we’ll start planning this together with you.

The choice of the accommodation unit best suited for you can be found through a couple of simple questions. Are you searching for a romantic accommodation with the possibility of seeing the Auroras from the comfort of your own bed? If yes, we’d recommend staying in Kammi Glass Igloo Suite, Komsio Glass Igloo Suite or Aurora Cabin.

Are you searching for accommodation for a party of two adults and two children (or even more) with kitchen facilities? Then perhaps you’d enjoy one of our luxury Apukka Lakeview Suites by the lake Olkkajärvi.

Or, maybe you’re searching for a space for bigger group of people, an accommodation unit with a full kitchen and own sauna? In this case Villa Apukka might suit great for your needs.

And to those of you searching for something unique and adventurous, we always have the Aurora Wagons and Ice Cabins!

Our unique Ice Cabins offer special accommodation for the adventurous lodgers. The Ice Cabins are located in the close proximity of the Resort. The temperature in the Ice Cabin is always just below freezing. Ice Cabin accommodation booking includes double bed with reindeer hides, warm thermal sleeping bags and liners, complimentary hot drinks, drinking water, woolen socks, and breakfast in Restaurant Aitta.

We highly recommend booking just one night of accommodation in an Ice Cabin as it’s one of a kind Arctic adventure – one that you’ll surely remember for a long time. You can book the Ice Cabin experience as an extra only when you have another accommodation booked in Apukka Resort. Other accommodation alternatives are Aurora Cabin, Kammi Glass Igloo Suite, Komsio Glass Igloo Suite, or Apukka Lakeview Suite, There is no bathroom in the Ice Cabin.

Our unique Aurora Wagons offer special accommodation for the adventurous lodgers. The Aurora Wagons are located a bit further from the Resort, in a prime location to, if lucky, witness the magical Northern Lights.

Aurora Wagon accommodation booking includes double bed, warm thermal sleeping bags and liners, complimentary hot drinks, complimentary delicacy basket, breakfast in Restaurant Aitta, bonfire prepped outside the Wagon, chemical toilet in the Wagon, and snowmobile sled transfer to Aurora Wagon in the evening and back in the morning. There is no running water in the wagon (drinking water is provided).

Safety instructions will be given by a guide upon arrival to the Wagon. There is an phone in the Wagon in case of emergency and a phone number from which you can always reach a member of the staff. Kindly note that the check-in time to the Aurora Wagon is at 8 pm.

We highly recommend booking just one night of accommodation in an Aurora Wagon as it is an arctic adventure of a kind – one that you’ll surely remember for a long time. You can book the Aurora Wagon experience as an extra when you have another accommodation booked in Apukka Resort. The options are Aurora Cabin, Kammi Glass Igloo Suite, Komsio Glass Igloo Suite, or Apukka Lakeview Suite.

You can book accommodation and holiday packages online on our website, by email at sales@apukkaresort.fi or by calling us at +358 29 3700 269. When booking directly from us, you’ll get benefits like a 10% discount on activities (excluding husky and Ranua tours) and better terms & conditions.

For group enquiries, we kindly ask you to contact our sales team to sales@apukkaresort.fi.

Yes. We have a one Aurora Cabin where pets are allowed to stay. Please contact our sales team (sales@apukkaresort.fi) in advance to check availability. There will be extra animal fee of 50 € per stay.

Yes, everything is operated on our own premises with only the exception of Ranua Wildlife Park Visit and In the Heart of Lappish Culture tour.

For each guest participating in our winter activities, we have high-quality winter clothing available for use. This includes warm winter boots, a thick thermal overall, mittens, and woolen socks. The use of thermal clothing is included in the price of the activity.

We recommend having your own thick winter hat, warm scarf, proper thermal underwear, and comfortable mid-layer to keep you warm and toasty.

As the winter temperatures can reach very low numbers in Lapland, you want to bring good quality thermal clothing. Wool is an excellent material in the far up North as it warms you even when wet; fleece is also a good option. Layer clothing helps you adapt to Lapland’s ever-changing temperatures and weather conditions.

Warm clothing, preferably wool, in layers that fit on top of each other is the way to go here. A beanie, a warm scarf, and warm socks will keep you warm as you spend time in our winter wonderland.

You can book activities through our website, by email sales@apukkaresort.fi or by calling us +358 29 3700 269.

For group enquiries, we kindly ask you to contact our sales team to sales@apukkaresort.fi.

Most likely the start time of the activity is so close (same day or early next day) that it’s not bookable online anymore. In this case the best option is to call us +358 29 370 0269 to check availability.

Sometimes activities on our webpage are on a “call to book”-status for different reasons that vary. In these cases also the best way to learn if making a booking is possible is to contact us by phone +358 29 370 0269 or email adventures@apukkaresort.fi, they’ll always be happy to help you with this.

We have roughly 90 great huskies in our dog yard. Some are still puppies; some are retired, and some full-time athletes. Regardless of their age, they are all loved and taken care of equally as much.

We also have about 20 reindeer and ten horses keeping us company in Apukka Resort.

The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and we can never fully predict if they’ll appear in the sky. The keyword with the Northern Lights is patience. Suppose you’re willing to stay up late to keep an eye on the sky. In that case, you can definitely increase your chances of witnessing their marvelous, magical dance.

Joining our Aurora hunting tours will lead you to the depths of the forests, frozen lakes, and marshlands, away from all the artificial lights – the best spots to watch the Lights if they’d appear. If your main goal is to witness the Northern Lights, make sure you travel to Lapland between September and April when the nights are dark enough for them to be visible.

We offer all staying guests a free-of-charge Aurora Alert Realtime app to maximize one’s chances of seeing the magical lights.

It’s good to read professional Aurora hunters’ tips for photographing the Northern Lights before you arrive at Apukka Resort and learn to change your camera settings. Our guides can also give you basic tips for photographing the Northern Lights during our Aurora hunting tours. In addition, we have some tripods for rent in case you don’t have your own – a massive help for great Aurora photos!

Unless otherwise mentioned, the transfer from and to Rovaniemi city or Santa ClausVillage is included to the activity price.

Normally this works out perfectly fine – upon booking just make sure to provide us the info of what time you’d like to catch the transfer here / back and we’ll confirm the possibilities regarding altered transfer times to you as soon as possible.

We have listed all winter tours recommended for families. These are suitable for infants too. Our team is here to help you with choosing the right tours. Just send us email at sales@apukkaresort.fi.

Most of our activities are suitable for children. However, some activities are for adults (15+ years) only, like some of the snowmobiling and efatbiking tours. This is clearly informed in the description of each activity. Kindly note that children will be sled passengers on both dogsledding and snowmobile excursions, with only adults allowed to drive.

For most of the activities, anyone with a moderate fitness level can participate. There are, however, some exceptions – kindly note that husky tours, horseback riding, efatbiking and snowshoeing are slightly more strenuous activities and require an average fitness level.

As safety is our main priority, due to bumps on the tracks and carbon monoxide from the snowmobiles pregnancy is a limitation in taking part on dogsledding or snowmobiling excursions at Apukka Resort.

In case you have physical conditions (such as a recent hip surgery, heart condition, pregnancy, etc.) that might limit your participation on the activities, it is very important that you inform us of these in advance so that we can ensure your safety.

A professional reindeer herder will always guide the team of reindeer, allowing you to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Also, on the horse sleigh ride tours, it is the guide responsible for controlling and guiding these majestic animals.

On some of the husky excursions, your sled/carriage will be driven by a guide; on some tours you’ll get to mush your own team – a responsibility not to be taken lightly but at the same time the adventure of a lifetime.

We kindly ask you to read the activity descriptions carefully to know what you are booking.

The snowmobile driver must be at least 18 years old and possess a driving license valid in Finland. Children under 15 will travel in a sled pulled by the guide’s snowmobile. Driving a snowmobile under the influence of alcohol or any other narcotics is prohibited by Finnish law.

You can check if your driving licence is valid in Finland from here

We kindly ask everyone to be ready 10 minutes before the the given start time to ensure that there are no delays with heading out.

Yes, when you book accommodation in Apukka Resort breakfast is always included unless otherwise clearly mentioned.

Restaurant Aitta serves traditional Finnish food with a modern twist. Our menu is built around the use of local ingredients such as fish, berries, and meat. Check Restaurant Aitta’s menu

Yes, there are bars with all the traditional spirits, carefully selected wines, local specialities and soft drinks available both in Restaurant Aitta and Lobby Bar Riihi.  From the bars you can also purchase special coffees and snacks.

Yes, we have a cosy lounge area at the reception. It’s great place to read a book, play board games, and enjoy hot or cold drinks.

Kindly check the opening hours for Restaurant Aitta from here.

We have own menu for children in Restaurant Aitta.

Yes, without any problems. If possible, provide us the information of your special diet in advance so that our professional kitchen staff can make sure that they can cater your allergies and special diet the best way possible.