I just returned yesterday and can offer my thoughts on the excursions. We pre booked cross country ski lessons/ski hire/suits and boots for the week, super husky safari and snowmobile safari with Inghams before we left - and added the reindeer trip with David the rep once we arrived and had a chance to look at the programme for the week - you are given all of this in a pack when you get on the transfer bus so you can work out what you want to do and when etc.. We wanted to go to Inari for the Sami museum but as this is on the Saturday no one else wanted to go - I guess all the skiers want to spend their last day on the slopes. You can make the trip on the local bus yourself on Wednesdays but as we had ski lessons booked that morning we didnt go.
Cross Country Ski - Inghams offered a three lesson deal and whilst this was good value if you are reasonably fit and confident you really only need a basic lesson and then you will be fine to go off and practice yourself. Inghams use Top Safari for most of their activities and we found them to be excellent and their staff so friendly. You can just pop down there and speak to them about what you want - one lesson, two lessons, just ski hire etc etc
Our week was very quiet so we had only 5 people in our group for lessons. The ski trails are amazing and I cant understanbd why Inghams dont make more of the cross country ski attraction - or maybe they should keep it quiet so as not to spoil the peace!!!
Reindeer safari - we booked and paid for this once there - and so glad we decided to do it - more so for meeting the Sami family and hearing about their lives. The reindeer sleigh ride was very enjoyable, tranquil and gentle, lasting around 30 mins through some beautiful forest settings. Would recommend - thought it was excellent value.
Husky safari - do the longer one!!! You are out for around 40 mins and can swap places half way round - it was absolutely brilliant and great fun. The dogs are amazing and afterwards you visit the 'kota' for some warm juice and a chat with Ali - he came over from Scotland and is living with his family and those wonderful dogs in the most beautiful remote spot. You will get to see the two wee puppies!
Snowmobile safari - we had pre booked this and just had to decide which day to do it from a few different options. We went for an evening trip - we were out for approx 2h 30 mins and it was exhilerating but hard work for me as I was the driver for the whole trip - my husband cant drive so when other couples were swapping over I had to carry on! I enjoyed it but probably my husband enjoyed it more as he could enjoy the view!
Other trips are available, mostly with Top safari if you go through the Inghams rep - I cant comment on the other companies as we didnt use them. We hired snowshoes ourselves from them for a day for 15 euro each and went out at night on the trail to the top of the fell, take a head torch and just go for it - its very safe and was brilliant fun.
Any other questions I'd be happy to answer. Oh, and no, we did not see the Northern Lights, but we hadnt expected to so werent too disappointed! It didnt distract from what was a brilliant trip!