VI
EN
It's hard to imagine Lapland without a blanket of snow. Yet, according to Euronews, in recent weeks, towns like Rovaniemi – dubbed the "official home" of Santa Claus – have been experiencing an unusual winter.
Instead of the usual thick snow cover of 20-30 cm, throughout November the snow was only a few centimeters thin, making the otherwise warm Christmas atmosphere feel somewhat chilly.
Unusually heavy rains have become the number one enemy of winter in Europe this year. The excessive rainfall not only reduced snowfall but also rapidly washed away the already meager snow cover, leaving many areas once famous for their pristine white landscapes barren and bleak.
Warmer weather due to global warming is one of the reasons why there isn't much snowfall.
In its latest statement, TUI, one of Germany's largest travel companies, emphasized: "After closely monitoring the weather situation in Lapland, we have been forced to cancel planned trips because many activities and experiences will be impossible once the snow is washed away by rain."
To maintain Lapland's image as a magical winter wonderland in the eyes of tourists, many areas have resorted to using artificial snowmaking machines. This artificial snowmaking is a commendable effort to ensure that visitors can still experience typical winter activities such as skiing, ice skating, or simply immerse themselves in the pristine white snow.
The thin layer of snow, a severe lack of snow, has shattered the familiar image of Lapland.
Affected travelers have one of three options: change their travel dates (including the following winter) free of charge, rebook a different tour with a 10% discount, or receive a full refund.
In just a few decades, the dream of visiting Santa Claus's home in Lapland has become a reality for millions of children around the world. The rapid development of the aviation industry has opened the door to this magical land, transforming Lapland from a distant land of imagination into an attractive tourist destination. According to Finnavia, over 1.5 million tourists chose Lapland as their destination last year, proving the undiminished appeal of this wonderland.
This place used to be a dream destination for many tourists when winter arrived.
Most tourists who come here hope to experience activities only available in the cold winter months, such as skiing or reindeer hunting. However, with the current scarcity of snow, these activities are unlikely to take place. Even the reindeer are struggling to obtain the lichens deep beneath the thick snow, their favorite food source.
