Lapland in pictures

Lapland is a cool destination all year round, but it comes into its own at Christmas. You can chase the northern lights, learn the traditions and culture of the Sami people – one of the largest indigenous ethnic groups in Europe – and take husky sled rides through the snowy wilderness. Then how about bedding down in a cosy log cabin, a glass igloo or a hotel (and veritable work of art) made entirely of ice?

Northern lights above elks and coniferous trees, Norway (LOOK/Robert Harding)

Dogs pulling a sled in Finnish Lapland (age fotostock/Robert Harding)

Woman on kick sled with Aurora Borealis, Ice Hotel, Jukkasjarvi, Sweden (Ragnar Sigurdsson/Robert Harding)

Woman on bed with reindeer skins, Ice Hotel, Jukkasjarvi, Sweden (Ragnar Sigurdsson/Robert Harding)

Woman on Iron Line Railway, Kiruna to Narvik, Sweden (Ragnar Sigurdsson/Robert Harding)

Sami people experience in Boazo Sami Siida, Alta, Finnmark, Norway (age fotostock/Robert Harding)

Sami feeding reindeers, Jukkasjarvi, Sweden(Ragnar Sigurdsson/Robert Harding)

Ice hotel, Alta Igloo Hotel in Alta Friluftspark, Finnmark, Norway (age fotostock/Robert Harding)

Honningsvag, Puerta a Nordkapp, Finnmark, Norway (age fotostock/Robert Harding)

Glass Igloo at night, Hotel and Igloo Village, Kakslauttanen, Saariselk fell area of Lapland, Finland (Ragnar Sigurdsson/Robert Harding)

Dog sledding in Norway, Finnmark (Image Broker/Robert Harding)

Sami people with traditional costumes and reindeer, Inari lake, Finland (age fotostock/Robert Harding)

Herding reindeer across the arctic circle in Lapland (Dan Burton/Robert Harding)

See our full gallery of Lapland images here