Explore Lapland

Using our figures

The month data, hotel room prices and activity prices behind this site are published as files you can download, under a licence that asks one thing in return: say where they came from.

What you can take

Three files, each one built from figures we had already checked for a page on this site.

Published data. Checked 18 September 2026.
FileWhat is in itWhere it comes from
lapland-by-month.csvTwelve rows, one per month: daylight hours, whether the sun clears the horizon, the average low and high, how viable the aurora is, snow cover, how busy it gets, and the date each row was checkedThe Finnish Meteorological Institute’s 1991 to 2020 normals, a sun-time calculator read once a month, and Statistics Finland for the crowding
lapland-room-prices.csvThirty-six rows, one per month from August 2023 to July 2026: the average price paid per occupied hotel room per night, VAT included, in Rovaniemi, in Lapland and in Finland as a whole, and the share of hotel rooms taken in eachStatistics Finland’s accommodation statistics, tables 11ix and 11lm, read from its own API rather than typed, so a refresh is one command
lapland-activity-prices.csvSixty-two published prices for husky, reindeer, snowmobile and Northern Lights tours, glass-roofed rooms, an ice hotel and lift passes: operator, base, duration, adult and child price, what is included, the date checked, and the page of ours that prints itEach operator’s own page, or the tourist board’s listing if the price is published there instead. Prices that could not be matched to a source are left out

Every source is named inside the file itself, so a copy that travels still says where the numbers came from. The prices are the ones published on the day we checked, and operators change them between seasons: check a price with the operator before you rely on it.

The charts and maps

The charts on our pages are drawn from the same checked figures, when the site is built, so a chart and its table cannot disagree. They are under the same licence as the files: reuse one, credit Explore Lapland, and link the page it is on. The maps are drawn on Natural Earth outlines, which are in the public domain. Two of them, as they appear on the month and cost pages:

Daylight through the year at Rovaniemi Hours of sun above the horizon on the 15th of each month.
Daylight through the year at RovaniemiHours of sun above the horizon at Rovaniemi on the 15th of each month: January 4.3, February 8.2, March 11.6, April 15.4, May 19.4, June 24, July 21.4, August 17, September 13.2, October 9.6, November 5.7, December 2.4.6 h12 h18 h24 hJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecDaylight through the year at RovaniemiHours of sun above the horizon at Rovaniemi on the 15th of each month: January 4.3, February 8.2, March 11.6, April 15.4, May 19.4, June 24, July 21.4, August 17, September 13.2, October 9.6, November 5.7, December 2.4.6 h12 h18 h24 hJFMAMJJASOND

Source: moisio.fi sun times for Rovaniemi, using the Finnish Meteorological Institute’s definition of sunrise. Checked 17 September 2026.

What the average hotel room costs, month by month From December to March Lapland’s hotel rooms cost the most and are the fullest.
What the average hotel room costs, month by monthAverage Lapland hotel room in EUR by month (in brackets: all of Finland, and share of Lapland’s rooms taken): August 2025 101 (121, 37%); September 2025 134 (120, 46%); October 2025 127 (114, 33%); November 2025 213 (130, 42%); December 2025 324 (160, 79%); January 2026 261 (140, 68%); February 2026 263 (143, 80%); March 2026 231 (133, 66%); April 2026 147 (114, 35%); May 2026 105 (116, 24%); June 2026 102 (122, 35%); July 2026 103 (117, 35%).Lapland average, EUR a nightFinland-wide average101Aug37%134Sep46%127Oct33%213Nov42%324Dec79%261Jan68%263Feb80%231Mar66%147Apr35%105May24%102Jun35%103Jul35%Under each month: the share of Lapland’s hotel rooms taken, Aug 2025 to Jul 2026What the average hotel room costs, month by monthAverage Lapland hotel room in EUR by month (in brackets: all of Finland, and share of Lapland’s rooms taken): August 2025 101 (121, 37%); September 2025 134 (120, 46%); October 2025 127 (114, 33%); November 2025 213 (130, 42%); December 2025 324 (160, 79%); January 2026 261 (140, 68%); February 2026 263 (143, 80%); March 2026 231 (133, 66%); April 2026 147 (114, 35%); May 2026 105 (116, 24%); June 2026 102 (122, 35%); July 2026 103 (117, 35%).Lapland average, EUR a nightFinland-wide average101Aug37%134Sep46%127Oct33%213Nov42%324Dec79%261Jan68%263Feb80%231Mar66%147Apr35%105May24%102Jun35%103Jul35%% of rooms taken, Aug 2025 to Jul 2026

It is an average over every hotel room in Lapland, in euros, so premium stays cost a good deal more. Glass igloos and luxury trips list what those rooms charge.

Source: Statistics Finland, table 11ix, updated 27 August 2026 (average price per occupied room, hotels). Checked 17 September 2026.

Ten more diagrams to take away

These ten are drawn from public data and broad facts, not from any one operator’s price list, so they date slowly and travel well. Each keeps the source line it carries on its own page. Under each one is a credit line you can paste as it stands; if you redraw the figure, keep the original source in the credit as well as ours.

Cold and snow through the Rovaniemi year

Monthly temperatures and snow depth at Rovaniemi airport, from the page on when to go.

A Rovaniemi year: the cold and the snow Snow lies from November to April and is deepest in March; the average high stays below freezing from November to March.
A Rovaniemi year: the cold and the snowRovaniemi airport: Jan -14 to -7 °C, 47 cm; Feb -13 to -7 °C, 66 cm; Mar -9 to -2 °C, 77 cm; Apr -3 to 4 °C, 64 cm; May 3 to 11 °C; Jun 9 to 17 °C; Jul 12 to 20 °C; Aug 10 to 17 °C; Sep 5 to 11 °C; Oct -1 to 3 °C; Nov -7 to -2 °C, 9 cm; Dec -11 to -5 °C, 28 cm.Temperature, °C: average daily low to high-15°-10°-5°0°5°10°15°20°-7-14-7-13-2-94-3113179201217101153-1-2-7-5-11JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecMedian snow depth on the 15th, cm (none from May to October)47667764928A Rovaniemi year: the cold and the snowRovaniemi airport: Jan -14 to -7 °C, 47 cm; Feb -13 to -7 °C, 66 cm; Mar -9 to -2 °C, 77 cm; Apr -3 to 4 °C, 64 cm; May 3 to 11 °C; Jun 9 to 17 °C; Jul 12 to 20 °C; Aug 10 to 17 °C; Sep 5 to 11 °C; Oct -1 to 3 °C; Nov -7 to -2 °C, 9 cm; Dec -11 to -5 °C, 28 cm.Temperature, °C: average daily low to high-15°-10°-5°0°5°10°15°20°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecMedian snow depth on the 15th, cm (nonefrom May to October)47667764928

Source: Finnish Meteorological Institute, 1991 to 2020, Rovaniemi airport, rounded. Checked 17 September 2026.

Credit line: Explore Lapland, “A Rovaniemi year: the cold and the snow”, from Finnish Meteorological Institute 1991 to 2020 normals, CC BY 4.0, https://explore-lapland.com/when-to-go/

Snow left at the end of April

Median snow depth on 30 April at stations from south to north, also from when to go.

How much snow is left on 30 April, from south to north Median snow depth on the last day of April at five Finnish Meteorological Institute stations, 1991 to 2020.
How much snow is left on 30 April, from south to northRovaniemi airport: 27 cm. Sodankylä Tähtelä (Luosto): 41 cm. Muonio village (Ylläs, Levi): 40 cm. Kittilä Pokka: 62 cm. Saariselkä village: 46 cm.Rovaniemi airport27 cmSodankylä Tähtelä (Luosto)41 cmMuonio village (Ylläs, Levi)40 cmKittilä Pokka62 cmSaariselkä village46 cmHow much snow is left on 30 April, from south to northRovaniemi airport: 27 cm. Sodankylä Tähtelä (Luosto): 41 cm. Muonio village (Ylläs, Levi): 40 cm. Kittilä Pokka: 62 cm. Saariselkä village: 46 cm.Rovaniemi airport27 cmSodankylä Tähtelä (Luosto)41 cmMuonio village (Ylläs, Levi)40 cmKittilä Pokka62 cmSaariselkä village46 cm

Source: Finnish Meteorological Institute, 1991 to 2020 normals. Checked 25 September 2026.

Credit line: Explore Lapland, “How much snow is left on 30 April, from south to north”, from Finnish Meteorological Institute 1991 to 2020 normals, CC BY 4.0, https://explore-lapland.com/when-to-go/

How high the Northern Lights glow

NOAA’s range for where the aurora forms beside the Finnish Meteorological Institute’s height for the light itself, from the Northern Lights guide.

How high the Northern Lights glow NOAA’s range for where the aurora forms and FMI’s height for the light itself, kept side by side: every cloud is below both.
How high the Northern Lights glowWhere the aurora forms (NOAA): 80 to 500 km. The light itself (FMI): 100 to 200 km.0 km100 km200 km500 kmWhere the aurora forms (NOAA): 80 to 500 kmThe light itself (FMI): 100 to 200 kmHow high the Northern Lights glowWhere the aurora forms (NOAA): 80 to 500 km. The light itself (FMI): 100 to 200 km.0 km100 km200 km500 kmWhere the aurora forms(NOAA): 80 to 500 kmThe light itself (FMI):100 to 200 km

Source: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center; Finnish Meteorological Institute. Checked 24 September 2026.

Credit line: Explore Lapland, “How high the Northern Lights glow”, from the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center and the Finnish Meteorological Institute, CC BY 4.0, https://explore-lapland.com/northern-lights/

What has to line up for an aurora

The three conditions a sighting needs at the same time, from the same guide.

Three things at once You see the Northern Lights only where all three overlap. Only the first can be planned.
Three things at onceDarkness: Travel between late August and early April, and watch from open ground away from street lights.. A clear sky: The aurora forms above all clouds, so thick cloud hides it. More nights, more chances of a clear one.. Solar activity: A disturbed magnetic field. Check the space weather services on the day; there is no booking it ahead.. All three at once: an aurora you can see.DarknessA clear skySolar activityAll three at once: an aurora you can see1. DarknessTravel between late August and early April,and watch from open ground away from streetlights.2. A clear skyThe aurora forms above all clouds, so thickcloud hides it. More nights, more chances ofa clear one.3. Solar activityA disturbed magnetic field. Check the spaceweather services on the day; there is nobooking it ahead.Three things at onceDarkness: Travel between late August and early April, and watch from open ground away from street lights.. A clear sky: The aurora forms above all clouds, so thick cloud hides it. More nights, more chances of a clear one.. Solar activity: A disturbed magnetic field. Check the space weather services on the day; there is no booking it ahead.. All three at once: an aurora you can see.DarknessA clear skySolar activityAll three at once: an aurora you can see1. DarknessTravel between late August and early April,and watch from open ground away from streetlights.2. A clear skyThe aurora forms above all clouds, so thickcloud hides it. More nights, more chances ofa clear one.3. Solar activityA disturbed magnetic field. Check the spaceweather services on the day; there is nobooking it ahead.

Source: Finnish Meteorological Institute; Visit Finland (the aurora season). Checked 17 September 2026.

Credit line: Explore Lapland, “Three things at once”, from the Finnish Meteorological Institute and Visit Finland, CC BY 4.0, https://explore-lapland.com/northern-lights/

The Kp index on NOAA’s scale

Each step of the planetary K-index as NOAA describes it, from our page on reading an aurora forecast.

What each step of the Kp index means, on NOAA’s scale Kp runs from 0 to 9. NOAA calls 5 and above a geomagnetic storm, G1 to G5, and the higher the number the further from the pole the aurora reaches.
What each step of the Kp index means, on NOAA’s scaleFar north, dim: 0 to 2 Kp. Brighter, further from the pole: 3 to 5 Kp. Bright, far from the pole: 6 to 9 Kp. G1 storm: 5 Kp (storm level starts). G3 storm: 7 Kp. G5 storm: 9 Kp.0 Kp3 Kp5 Kp7 Kp9 KpG1 stormstorm level startsG3 stormG5 stormWhat each step of the Kp index means, on NOAA’s scaleFar north, dim: 0 to 2 Kp. Brighter, further from the pole: 3 to 5 Kp. Bright, far from the pole: 6 to 9 Kp. G1 storm: 5 Kp (storm level starts). G3 storm: 7 Kp. G5 storm: 9 Kp.0 Kp3 Kp5 Kp7 Kp9 KpG1 stormstorm level startsG3 stormG5 storm

Source: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, planetary K-index and tips on viewing the aurora. Checked 25 September 2026.

Credit line: Explore Lapland, “What each step of the Kp index means, on NOAA’s scale”, from the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, CC BY 4.0, https://explore-lapland.com/northern-lights/forecast/

When the sun stops setting

Midnight sun dates for Finnish places and their neighbours in Norway and Sweden, from the midnight sun guide.

When the sun stops setting, in Finland and next door Finnish dates are calculated for 2026; Tromsø, Abisko and Kiruna are as their tourist boards publish them, not checked by us.
When the sun stops setting, in Finland and next doorKemi: 20 Jun to 23 Jun. Rovaniemi: 6 Jun to 7 Jul. Sodankylä: 30 May to 14 Jul. Inari: 21 May to 23 Jul. Utsjoki: 17 May to 27 Jul. Tromsø: 20 May to 22 Jul (Visit Tromsø, around these dates). Abisko: 25 May to 18 Jul (Visit Sweden). Kiruna: 28 May to 14 Jul (Visit Sweden).MayJunJulKemi20 Jun to 23 JunRovaniemi6 Jun to 7 JulSodankylä30 May to 14 JulInari21 May to 23 JulUtsjoki17 May to 27 JulTromsø20 May to 22 Jul · Visit Tromsø, around these datesAbisko25 May to 18 Jul · Visit SwedenKiruna28 May to 14 Jul · Visit SwedenWhen the sun stops setting, in Finland and next doorKemi: 20 Jun to 23 Jun. Rovaniemi: 6 Jun to 7 Jul. Sodankylä: 30 May to 14 Jul. Inari: 21 May to 23 Jul. Utsjoki: 17 May to 27 Jul. Tromsø: 20 May to 22 Jul (Visit Tromsø, around these dates). Abisko: 25 May to 18 Jul (Visit Sweden). Kiruna: 28 May to 14 Jul (Visit Sweden).MayJunJulKemi20 Jun to 23 JunRovaniemi6 Jun to 7 JulSodankylä30 May to 14 JulInari21 May to 23 JulUtsjoki17 May to 27 JulTromsø20 May to 22 Jul · Visit Tromsø, around thesedatesAbisko25 May to 18 Jul · Visit SwedenKiruna28 May to 14 Jul · Visit Sweden

Source: moisio.fi, 2026 (Finland); Visit Tromsø; Visit Sweden. Checked 24 September 2026.

Credit line: Explore Lapland, “When the sun stops setting, in Finland and next door”, from moisio.fi (Finland), Visit Tromsø and Visit Sweden, CC BY 4.0, https://explore-lapland.com/travel-guide/midnight-sun/

The whole Arctic Circle

The line drawn round the pole, with the eight countries it crosses, from our Arctic Circle guide.

The Arctic Circle, all the way round Seen from above the North Pole, the circle crosses eight countries: Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, the United States (Alaska), Canada, Greenland (Denmark) and Iceland, where it touches only the island of Grímsey.
The Arctic Circle, all the way roundMap. Grímsey (Iceland).Arctic CircleNorwayFinlandRussiaAlaska (US)CanadaGreenlandGrímsey (Iceland)The Arctic Circle, all the way roundMap. Grímsey (Iceland).Arctic CircleNorwayRussiaCanadaGreenlandGrímsey (Iceland)

Source: Natural Earth (outlines); Wikipedia coordinates (places). Checked 25 September 2026.

Credit line: Explore Lapland, “The Arctic Circle, all the way round”, outlines from Natural Earth, CC BY 4.0, https://explore-lapland.com/travel-guide/arctic-circle/

The Sámi homeland in Finland

The four municipalities the Sámi Parliament of Finland defines as the Sámi homeland, from our page on the Sámi people.

The Sámi homeland covers only the far north of Lapland The homeland’s municipalities are in the far north, and Rovaniemi and the fell resorts further south are outside it.
The Sámi homeland covers only the far north of LaplandMap. Utsjoki: Utsjoki municipality, inside the homeland. Inari: Inari municipality, inside the homeland; Sajos and Siida are here. Hetta (Enontekiö): Enontekiö municipality, inside the homeland. Levi: Outside the homeland. Rovaniemi: Outside the homeland.Arctic Circle1 Utsjoki2 Inari3 Hetta (Enontekiö)4 Levi5 Rovaniemi1 Utsjoki: Utsjoki municipality, inside the homeland2 Inari: Inari municipality, inside the homeland; Sajosand Siida are here3 Hetta (Enontekiö): Enontekiö municipality, inside thehomeland4 Levi: Outside the homeland5 Rovaniemi: Outside the homelandThe Sámi homeland covers only the far north of LaplandMap. Utsjoki: Utsjoki municipality, inside the homeland. Inari: Inari municipality, inside the homeland; Sajos and Siida are here. Hetta (Enontekiö): Enontekiö municipality, inside the homeland. Levi: Outside the homeland. Rovaniemi: Outside the homeland.Arctic Circle1 Utsjoki2 Inari3 Hetta (Enontekiö)4 Levi5 Rovaniemi1 Utsjoki: Utsjoki municipality, insidethe homeland2 Inari: Inari municipality, inside thehomeland; Sajos and Siida are here3 Hetta (Enontekiö): Enontekiömunicipality, inside the homeland4 Levi: Outside the homeland5 Rovaniemi: Outside the homeland

The northern part of Sodankylä, around Vuotso village, is also in the homeland. Places are marked by their centres; municipal boundaries are not drawn.

Source: Saamelaismatkailu (the Sámi Parliament of Finland), Sámi Homeland; Natural Earth outlines and Wikipedia coordinates. Checked 17 September 2026.

Credit line: Explore Lapland, “The Sámi homeland covers only the far north of Lapland”, from Saamelaismatkailu (the Sámi Parliament of Finland), outlines from Natural Earth, CC BY 4.0, https://explore-lapland.com/travel-guide/sami-culture/

Lapland’s three land borders

The length of the region’s borders with Sweden, Norway and Russia, from where Lapland is.

Three land borders, and how long each one is Lapland’s longest land border is with Norway, then Sweden, then Russia.
Three land borders, and how long each one isNorway: 700 km, more than this. Sweden: 600 km, more than this. Russia: 400 km, a little less than this.Norway700 km · more than thisSweden600 km · more than thisRussia400 km · a little less than thisThree land borders, and how long each one isNorway: 700 km, more than this. Sweden: 600 km, more than this. Russia: 400 km, a little less than this.Norway700 km · more than thisSweden600 km · more than thisRussia400 km · a little less than this

Source: Regional Council of Lapland. Checked 17 September 2026.

Credit line: Explore Lapland, “Three land borders, and how long each one is”, from the Regional Council of Lapland, CC BY 4.0, https://explore-lapland.com/travel-guide/where-is-lapland/

Every base on one map

The bases this site covers, with the Arctic Circle and Finnish Lapland outlined, from our destinations.

Where the bases are Every base this site covers, with the Arctic Circle and Finnish Lapland outlined.
Where the bases areMap. Rovaniemi. Levi. Ylläs. Pyhä. Luosto. Saariselkä. Inari. Kilpisjärvi. Kemi. Ruka. Salla. Kiruna. Abisko. Tromsø.Arctic CircleRovaniemiLeviYlläsPyhäLuostoSaariselkäInariKilpisjärviKemiRukaSallaKirunaAbiskoTromsøWhere the bases areMap. Rovaniemi. Levi. Ylläs. Pyhä. Luosto. Saariselkä. Inari. Kilpisjärvi. Kemi. Ruka. Salla. Kiruna. Abisko. Tromsø.Arctic CircleRovaniemiLeviYlläsPyhäLuostoSaariselkäInariKilpisjärviKemiRukaSallaKirunaAbiskoTromsø

Source: Natural Earth (outlines); Wikipedia coordinates (places). Checked 24 September 2026.

Credit line: Explore Lapland, “Where the bases are”, outlines from Natural Earth, CC BY 4.0, https://explore-lapland.com/destinations/

The licence, in one paragraph

The data is published under CC BY 4.0. You may copy it, change it, chart it and use it commercially. The one condition is attribution: name Explore Lapland, link the page or the file you took it from, and say if you changed anything. You do not need to ask us first, and there is no fee.

The photographs are a different matter. They are licensed to us by the photographers, often under terms that do not transfer, so our licence does not cover them. Each one carries its own credit on the page that shows it, and if you want to use one, go to its source.

Our written pages are not under this licence either. Quote a sentence or two with a link, as anyone would; do not republish a page.

How to cite it

In a chart or a table, one line is enough:

  • Explore Lapland, Lapland month by month, CC BY 4.0, https://explore-lapland.com/reuse/
  • Explore Lapland, hotel room prices in Lapland by month, from Statistics Finland, CC BY 4.0, https://explore-lapland.com/reuse/
  • Explore Lapland, published activity prices in Lapland, CC BY 4.0, https://explore-lapland.com/reuse/

If you are writing about a single figure, cite the page that carries it rather than the file. The month pages name the source of each number and the date we checked it, and a reader chasing the figure will want both.

Why we publish it at all

We compiled these numbers after failing to find them in one place. A month page that says “about four hours of daylight in January” is only worth reading if the four hours came from somewhere, and the easiest way to prove that is to hand over the whole table.

It also keeps us honest. A figure that is wrong in a file anyone can download is wrong in public. The editorial policy covers how corrections are handled.