Trip to the (real) Santa Claus village

(Rovaniemi) There are these opaque mysteries that have intrigued humans since the dawn of time.

Philippe Mercury
Press

What was the purpose of the Easter Island statues? Did Atlantis really exist? In what year will the extension of the blue line of the Montreal metro be inaugurated?

But a much bigger conundrum is bothering children around the world. Where does Santa Claus live when he doesn’t travel the planet to distribute his gifts on Christmas night?

There are several answers to this question. Some claim that the pot-bellied figure lives in Alaska. Others rather locate his village in Norway. Still others point to Val-David, in the Laurentians.

Don’t listen to this nonsense. Because the real Santa Claus village is in the north of Finland. I know it. I went there.

It was February 2020, just before COVID-19 rocked the world. The roofs were crumbling with snow. There were reindeer and elves. The children were sliding on high snow banks like this.

But let’s start from the beginning.

To reach this mythical place, you must first reach Rovaniemi, a city at the end of the world located in the heart of Finnish Lapland. From the capital, Helsinki, it takes 8 to 12 hours by train. Internal and even international flights are also offered. Rovaniemi is notably connected to Paris, London, Barcelona, ​​Istanbul and Amsterdam.

What tourists from all over the world come here for is a true winter experience. You will come across snowmobile enthusiasts, Northern Lights hunters, adventurers who are preparing a dog sled expedition.

And, of course, Rovaniemi attracts young and old alike who want to see Santa Claus. He lives a few kilometers from the city. At the entrance to his village, proof that you are dealing with the authentic place and not a faint copy is erected in the form of a sign. He indicates that we are here at the limit of the polar circle, more than 66 degrees north latitude. It is further north than the northernmost point of Quebec.

Rennes, slide, snowmobile

Santa Claus being welcoming, we enter his village like a mill, without a ticket to buy. But since the elves who make the gifts have to be paid well, most of the activities are paid.

The choice is great.

You can take a seat in a reindeer sled, drive a snowmobile or go dog sledding. The routes range from a few laps of the track to a “winter adventure” in the forest that unfolds for miles.

You can also admire an exhibition of ice sculptures in a huge igloo. Tube sliding and skate. See the huskies in their enclosure. Or simply warm up near a fire under a reindeer skin or have fun sliding on the huge snow banks (that’s free).

Nestled in the middle of the forest, the site is large and full of pretty log buildings. In particular, there is the post office, where the wish letters of children from all over the world converge. You can also send letters to relatives, who will receive a stamp attesting that they were sent from the Arctic Circle.

From kitsch to wow

Christmas means shopping, and souvenirs abound on the spot – from Chinese-made baubles to the best of Finnish design (Marimekko and Iittala have boutiques there).

There are restaurants, bars, cafes and even hotels in the village. Here again, we oscillate between kitsch and wow, all price and quality ranges being offered.

A room for two in the “Glass Village,” where glass-fronted apartments are offered, cost 769 euros for one night at the time of our recent checks (over C $ 1,100). Small cabins that can accommodate a family of four are also offered starting at 269 euros per night (approximately CAN $ 390). Other options obviously exist in the city of Rovaniemi.

As for food, the restaurant devoted to pizzas and burgers is obviously popular. But those looking for a more authentic dining experience also have several choices. Kotahovi serves typical dishes from Lapland. Santamus also feeds you local specialties, in addition to allowing you to try the famous Finnish sauna – a quasi-religion in the country. You can even play gold digger in the Lemmenjoki river.

Many other restaurants can be found on the site, including a hut where salmon is grilled directly over a wood fire.

You can also meet Mother Christmas in her “chalet”. And, of course, have your photo taken on the lap of REAL Santa Claus. He is there every day of the year, summer and winter – further proof, if one was needed, that he really does live here.

Obviously, if you visit the village in the middle of Christmas Eve, it is possible that you are dealing with a replacement. But that will only confirm the authenticity of your experience.

Since December 15, the Government of Canada has asked Canadians to avoid all non-essential travel outside the country. You can’t get to Santa Claus Village, but Santa is still allowed to come to you!