There comes a point when Father Christmas is no longer the reason for going to Lapland — but that definitely doesn’t mean your family has outgrown it.
Our Lapland holidays for older families are about doing something extraordinary together — with enough adventure for teenagers, enough comfort for adults and plenty of moments you’ll still be talking about years later.
For older children and teenagers, Lapland becomes something different. Snowmobiling across frozen landscapes. Driving a husky team through the forest. Searching for the Northern Lights. Staying somewhere you can barely believe exists.
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Family holidays change as children get older.
You’re no longer planning around naps, kids’ clubs or meeting Father Christmas. You’re trying to find something that a 12-year-old, a 16-year-old and the adults will all genuinely want to do.
Lapland is rather good at that.
Enjoy the fleeting moment when they see you driving a snowmobile across a frozen lake and suddenly you are the cool parent again! Or snap a family selfie as you drive the husky sleigh with them tucked up enjoying the view. Head off on snowshoes into the wilderness after dark, looking for the Northern Lights. Warm up around a fire and toast marshmallows again like you did years ago – every day is something new to experience… together.
There are fewer screens, fewer everyday distractions and – unusually – everyone has something to get excited about.
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There isn’t one perfect Arctic holiday for every older family. Some want more adventure, others want Northern Lights, incredible accommodation or simply somewhere extraordinary to spend time together.
Huskies, snowmobiling, Arctic animals and plenty of time outdoors make this a brilliant option for active older children and teenagers.
A remote wilderness setting, authentic Arctic activities and wonderfully dark skies for families who want the Aurora to be a real focus of their trip.
Combine memorable Arctic accommodation with the freedom to choose the activities that suit your family best.
A different kind of family winter escape, combining a vibrant city, Northern Lights adventures, dramatic landscapes and time to explore and unwind together.
A great choice for families who want an Arctic adventure with the convenience of regional flight options, combining a quieter Lapland setting with plenty to experience together once you arrive.
You get to experience it together
This isn’t a holiday where everyone disappears off to do their own thing. You’re on the husky sled together, searching for the Northern Lights together and laughing about the same snowy faceplant.
Adventure without having to rough it
Spend the day out in the Arctic wilderness, then come back to a warm hotel, good food, a sauna or a glass-roofed cabin. You get the adventure without turning the holiday into an endurance test.
There’s very little room for boredom
Snowmobiling, huskies, Northern Lights, snowshoeing and snowy forests all feel completely different. Even a short break can pack in a surprising number of genuinely new experiences.
It gives you something new to discover together
Nobody is the expert.
For most families, driving a husky sled, crossing a frozen lake or standing beneath the Northern Lights is new to everyone — which makes it feel like a shared adventure rather than simply another family holiday.
Lapland has a way of making everyday life disappear for a while.
You’re wrapped up in thermals, your phone is buried under layers of clothing and everyone is doing something completely new together. A husky safari. The Northern Lights appearing unexpectedly. A snowball fight that gets slightly out of hand.
Those are often the moments families remember most.
A cosy log cabin or glass-roofed Aurora Cabin can make the accommodation feel every bit as memorable as the activities.
Some properties are particularly good for older families, with larger cabins, suites or separate sleeping areas giving everyone a little more space — while still letting you experience the Arctic sky and, if you’re lucky, the Northern Lights together.
Planning an Arctic holiday with older children brings a different set of questions.
Can they drive a snowmobile? Which activities have age or height restrictions? Is there enough for a teenager to do? Can four of us comfortably fit in an Aurora Cabin? Which resort gives us the right balance of activities and independence?
You don’t need to become an expert in Lapland before you book it.
Our team knows the destinations, accommodation and activities first-hand and can help you find a holiday that works for the ages, interests and personalities in your family.
Because there is a very big difference between a holiday that’s technically suitable for teenagers and one they’ll actually think is brilliant. You can meet our team, read our customer reviews or find out more about why to book with The Aurora Zone.
And if you would simply rather talk it through, call us on 01670 785012 or click here to send an enquiry.
Very.
Older children and teenagers are often able to take part in a wider range of Arctic activities, and experiences such as husky sledding, snowmobiling, skiing and Northern Lights hunting tend to work particularly well for this age group.
Older children can take part in more adventurous activities, stay outside for longer and appreciate experiences such as the Northern Lights and unusual accommodation in a completely different way.
And because you’re experiencing so many things together rather than organising entertainment for them, it can make for an unusually good family holiday at an age when finding something everybody loves isn’t always easy.
There isn’t a fixed age, but these holidays are particularly suited to families with children from around 10 years old through the teenage years.
Age, height and sometimes driving-licence restrictions apply to individual activities, so our team can help you check what everyone will actually be able to take part in before you book.
Driving a full-sized snowmobile requires a valid driving licence, so younger guests generally travel as passengers in a sleigh pulled by the guide. Children may be able to ride pillion from around 16 years old but this is decided by the guide prior to an activity beginning.
Yes, although cabin sizes and layouts vary significantly.
Some glass-roofed accommodation is best suited to couples or families with younger children, while other Aurora Cabins and suites can comfortably accommodate families with older children or four adults.
If the accommodation is one of the most important parts of your holiday, we can point you towards the options that genuinely work.
Absolutely not.
Lapland is one of Europe’s great winter adventure destinations in its own right.
Choose a holiday centred around Northern Lights, huskies, snowmobiling, skiing, wilderness experiences and unusual Arctic accommodation, without a Santa experience anywhere in the itinerary.
It is possible to arrange a Lapland holiday independently, but there can be a lot to coordinate: flights, transfers, accommodation, winter clothing and individual Arctic activities, and if anything goes awry, then you are very much on your own.
An Aurora Zone package takes all the stress out of the planning, all the hassle out of the booking, and all the anxiety away from the travel. We sort out all the details, so you don’t have to think about anything other than getting excited. You will have our expert team on hand to help to deal with anything that doesn’t go exactly to plan either before or during your holiday and you will have the security of our financial protection – so for such a special trip like this, it is definitely worth having experts looking after you!
If you are still deciding which route is right for you, read more about why book with The Aurora Zone.
