Falls during March – April. The Light and warmth returns after several months of winter weather. As the snow and ice melt, the birds return to accompany the water sounds with birdsong. During this season, you can go on snowmobile adventures over the lake ice, over the mountains and through the forests. The skiing is also fantastic during this period, and you can wear lighter ski gear in the relative warmth. For the Sami reindeer herders, this part of the late winter is a busy time, as the reindeer are transported from the winter pastures up to higher ground.

The light months of April and May. Now the snow and ice really start to melt and the crystal-clean and clear waters start to flow and cascade down the mountains. By May, the whole environment is bursting into green, and the early spring flowers begin to blossom. Daytime temperatures are getting really nice and up in the mountains you can still snowmobile or ski. This is also the time the reindeer calves are born.

By now it is light all day long! In June, the landscape explodes into green life. The transformation is extreme as the ground is laid bare from ice and snow and the time becomes ripe for hiking, paddling and biking. This is also the time to go fly-fishing. The reindeer calves grow stronger with each day as the herds graze across the mountains.

June – July brings real warmth to the region and this is the time to dip in the lakes and rivers, sun-bathe, quench your thirst or cool off your feet in the clean waters of a cool mountain brook after your hike. The summer is a busy time in all the Sámi villages. The new-born reindeer calves now have to be marked, and all the Sami families gather to help.  In the forests, the herders light large fires using moss in order to spread smoke which helps to keep the insects away from both reindeer and people.

August forms the beginning of the summer – autumn period. This is the time for foraging of berries and mushrooms!  There are now less insects around and the landscape starts to turn into a variety of autumnal colours. This late part of the summer is also a vital time for the reindeer to feed on everything the land can provide. They need to develop a serious layer of fat and muscle mass in order to last through the winter.

Autumn falls in September – October. It is still light and warm, and most of the summer activities can still be enjoyed. Some nights can begin to be frosty and provide the landscape with a beautiful white coating and the rivers can produce a fairytale-like mist along its surface. This is a truly magical time for hiking and photography. Berries and wild mushrooms can still be foraged (in the early weeks). This is also the season for traditional elk hunting. In the world of the reindeer, they are now grazing mainly on the low ground and the uncastrated males are slaughtered.

November – December forms early winter. The landscape is now turning more and more white with the arrival of snow and the days grow shorter. The snow provides both light (as it reflects) and offers great opportunities for winter sports such as skiing, snow shoeing, skating and ice fishing. When the ice sets on the lakes, cross country skating is an awesome sport to try! For the reindeer, the last of the grass and sedge provide feed, wherever the snow and ice are not too thick. In this early winter period the reindeer are divided into groups and transported to winter pastures.

This is the longest season up here in the north and runs from December to March. These winter months create a beautiful and cold landscape with crystals, ice formations and vast white glistening fields of snow. This is a time for serious winter sports such as dog sledding, skiing and snowmobiling. Appropriate clothing to retain and maximize body-heat are crucial now. Conditions may be harsh, but we really relish all the opportunities the snow and ice bring for outdoor fun! We also enjoy spending time in our saunas and hot tubs to really heat up after a day of adventures.