A unique New Year at Hotel Harriniva, Finnish Lapland.

Hotel Harriniva’s unique location, and the hosts’ Kopi and Maria’s thirst for festivity and fun, mean that guests to the hotel get to see in the New Year not once but twice, first with the Swedes and then with the Finns!

Harriniva is in an idyllic setting on the banks of the Muonio River, which is the natural border between Sweden and Finland, in North western Lapland. 

For many guests the New Year’s Eve celebrations round off a visit crammed with amazing, and for most, once in a lifetime activities. The location is breathtaking with snow encrusted trees, natural ice formations and those carved by local craftsmen, and the highlight for many, if lucky, seeing the Northern Lights.

As well as the warm welcome, upon arrival hotel guests are provided with special clothing that will allow them to make the most of the Arctic conditions; after all, it is over 200km above the Arctic Circle!

During their stay, guests will get to test the clothing and their taste for adventure to the limit, taking part in exhilarating safaris. A full day is spent on snowmobiles exploring the beautiful forests and fells enjoying lunch in an isolated chalet. A particular highlight is a tour of the hotel’s husky farm, home to over 350 dogs, before harnessing up a team and setting off on a husky sled adventure.  There is also time to learn about local culture and the native reindeers who roam the area. In the quieter moments there is an opportunity to don cross country skis or snowshoes and explore the surroundings.  For those still looking for excitement there are always the toboggans.

Accommodation is in warm, cosy rooms, made of local wood and stone. All have private facilities. You will not find a TV in the room, but with so much going on outside and a welcoming bar where everyone meets to share stories of their day’s adventures, you won’t miss it.

The New Year’s Eve celebrations start with a wonderful dinner in the fireside restaurant, later moving outside onto the ice for the countdown and fireworks to see in the Swedish New Year. Afterwards, the brave can stay outside and enjoy drinks from the ice bar, keeping watch for the northern lights, and explore the igloo and carvings. An hour later it all takes place again!  The party then continues inside in the bar with dancing until the early hours.

Harriniva really is the place for New Year, new experiences, new friends………….

To experience New Year at Harriniva for yourself click here.

Image provides by flickr, Scott Robinson