MEET ME IN…
Husky-sledding, snowmobiling, piste-pounding – we have your snow adventures covered
…snowier climates, with these escapes to Finland and Austria
LAPLAND, FINLAND
JÁVRI LODGE
Hidden away 15O miles north of the Arctic Circle, there is something Bond-esque about Jávri Lodge. Maybe it’s being able to ski right up to the massive front door, the cool Nordic interiors and womb-like lighting, or knowing that former Finnish president Urho Kekkonen hosted top-secret Cold War talks here in the Seventies. But now it’s luxury not politics on the agenda, from the Michelin-star-winning meals made by chef/owner Juha Mehtajarvi to the 13 luxe rooms, some with floor-toceiling windows through which you can watch the stars and, if you’re lucky, the northern lights. Venture out to try ice fishing, husky sledding, snowmobiling or cross-country skiing, and return to steam in the sauna, wallow in the indoor pool or curl up by one of the log fires.
Red Savannah (redsavannah.com) offers three nights at Jávri Lodge from around £2,216, full board, with one daily activity and return Finnair (finnair.com) flights from London Gatwick to Ivalo
FISS, AUSTRIA
HOTEL TIROL
Traditional chalet-style on the outside, but pleasingly modern inside, this cosy, family run mountain hotel has 6O bedrooms – most with balconies and some with small gardens. It’s all simple, clean lines and pale wooden floors, with the large bathrooms lined in dark slate. Breakfast on warm-from-the-oven bread and honey from the family’s hives before a day on the piste (it’s just a five-minute walk to the ski lifts), and when you’re done, chill out in the hotel spa’s Finnish sauna, Kneipp therapy pool and steam room. The brave can even take a moonlit dip in the Tirol’s outdoor rooftop pool.
Doubles from £176, half board. British Airways (ba.com) has return flights from London Gatwick to Innsbruck from around £12O