Spring in the Arctic

Spring in the Arctic

Spring means playtime in the Arctic - longer days, warmer temperatures and open trails, ideal for relaxed multiday safaris and families.

Spring, in the Arctic, means playtime to the locals. Each day brings more daylight, warmer temperatures and more trails that are open and maintained. Hence, this is the time of year when Finns living in the south come north to play and to ski.

  • Warmer days, generally -5 to -15C (nights can still be very cold)
  • More daylight and more open, maintained trails
  • Ideal for relaxed multiday safaris and families - best in late spring
  • Mushing with clients through to the end of April; shorter trails open to at least mid-May
  • Occasionally still skiing on frozen lakes at the end of June

Landscape and conditions

Some argue the landscape isn't as spectacular as in midwinter, since the sun melts the snow from the trees and you lose the 'fairy-tale' feel. But the warmer days (generally -5 to -15C, though nights can still be very cold) and longer daylight hours more than compensate.

Daytimes are warm enough that you may need to shed your outer layers to stay comfortable while active. This makes it a great time for multiday safaris, particularly for those who don't want such an extreme adventure. Families taking longer safaris with children are encouraged to wait until late spring, when the pace is more relaxed and there is plenty of time in the evenings to tell stories, play with the dogs, sauna and recap the day.

When we can mush

We will reliably be mushing with clients through the end of April, and can usually keep the shorter trails open until at least mid-May. Very occasionally we are still skiing on frozen lakes at the end of June, though this can't be counted upon.

The end of the season brings a second transition period (generally mid April through the first week of May) when we have fewer clients, but those who come can still take part in very intensive training - by now the dogs are fit and the guides experienced enough to play with whatever conditions are out there. When the snow finally goes in May and the lakes thaw, we bring the quadbikes back out to fine-tune the older dogs on commands like GEE and HAW and give the newest pups their first training, before the warm summer days signal a well-earned holiday.

Spring activities in Enontekiö

See also our annual husky guiding camp and the farm activities and tours, possible year-round; summer activities like kayaking may also be possible depending on the temperature. NB: late August to early October are arguably the best times here for hiking and biking, with stunning autumn colours sweeping the landscape from east to west.

In spring, local entrepreneurs organise Hetta Snow Adventure Week and Ice Fishing Contests. Kilpisjärvi, in the western 'arm' of Enontekiö, draws many spring tourists (particularly Norwegians) for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, with guided trips arranged by accommodation sites and its own Snow Adventure Week programme. Many ski to the Three Countries Border Marker, visit Siilastupa Information Point or explore the region's nature trails.

The snow then usually goes within about two weeks and we reach the end days of spring - cool, crisp and fresh, and genuinely a lovely time to be in the Arctic.