From November to March, landscape photography in Finnish Lapland reveals a magical world of snow-covered forests, frozen lakes, and pastel skies. This remote region, home to Santa Claus himself in Rovaniemi, invites you to slow down and embrace the silence of winter.
As you explore Finnish Lapland, you will walk through mystical forests of snow-laden spruces (also known as tykky trees), hike along peaceful trails in national parks like Riisitunturi or Iso-Syöte, and cross paths with reindeers and huskies. If you’re lucky and patient, you might even witness the northern lights dancing across the arctic sky. If you visit in December or January, you will experience the Polar Night, when the sun barely rises and the world glows in soft shades of blue and pink. In this article, I share 5 of my favorite landscape photography spots in Finnish Lapland.
Quick Guide to Winter Photography in Finnish Lapland
Best Winter Photography Spots in Finnish Lapland
📍 Riisitunturi National Park
📍 Iso-Syöte National Park
📍 Lake Valkeajärvi
📍 Kotisaari Island
📍 Ruka Region
Why Visit Finnish Lapland in Winter?
✅ Snow-covered forests
✅ Tykky trees covered in snow
✅ Northern lights
✅ Minimalist winter landscapes
✅ Frozen lakes
✅ Pink and blue polar twilight
1. Riisitunturi National Park: sunrise and moonset
Riisitunturi National Park, located just below the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland, is a winter paradise for landscape photographers. Nestled between Rovaniemi and Ruka, this peaceful national park is famous for its forests of snow-covered spruces, known as tykky trees. These frozen giants bend under the weight of snow, creating surreal shapes that feel almost alive.
That morning, I set out in the blue twilight, hoping to capture both the soft colors of sunrise and the setting half moon I had spotted above the trees. The air was still, the landscape completely silent. As I reached the top of the hill, the moon was still there, glowing between two snow-laden spruces. I stood still for a long moment, letting the quiet beauty of the scene settle before taking the shot.
➜ Read my full article about Riisitunturi National Park
How to get there
The Riisitunturi parking lot is located at the end of a narrow but accessible road, about 163 km from Rovaniemi and 34 km from Ruka. During my visit, snow conditions were light, so the road was easy to navigate. It includes several passing places if you encounter another vehicle. From the parking area, it takes about 25 minutes to reach the top of the hill.
➜ Riisitunturi National Park car park
How I photographed this scene
I arrived at the parking lot 45 minutes before sunrise and hiked up in the soft pre-dawn light. The higher I went, the more the forest opened up, making it easier to isolate individual trees. Once I reached the summit, I framed the moon between two snowy spruces. The composition felt simple and quiet, exactly like the moment I was living.
My gear
✅ Nikon Z8
✅ Nikkor 24–70 mm
✅ Peak Design tripod
2. Riisitunturi National Park: fading pink light and a lonely tree
This photo was taken about 30 minutes after my first sunrise shot at Riisitunturi National Park. The golden tones had slowly faded, giving way to delicate pink hues floating across the sky. I kept walking along the snowy trail until I found this beautiful tree, standing alone on a small hill. From there, you could see the entire valley below, soft and silent.
The shape of the tree might change each winter, depending on the snow and the wind. If you visit this national park yourself, you will probably discover your own version of this composition.
How to get there
The tree was located further along the same marked trail, about 30 minutes past my original sunrise spot. You simply need to follow the main path until you reach a small rise with a wide-open view of the park. The snow formations change every season, so you’ll likely find new shapes and scenes each time.
➜ Riisitunturi National Park car park
How I photographed this scene
I wanted to make sure the crisp snow in the foreground and the tree behind it were both perfectly sharp, so I used focus stacking. The wind was strong on this hill, and I could see the clouds drifting away fast. I had only a few minutes to capture the last pink light before it disappeared.
One of the biggest challenges in this park is finding compositions without footprints. Many people visit on snowshoes or skis, and it’s not easy to find untouched snow.
My gear
✅ Nikon Z8
✅ Nikkor 24–70 mm
✅ Peak Design tripod
3. Iso-Syöte: winter forest panorama from the sky
Syöte National Park is a peaceful haven of snow-covered spruce trees, rolling hills and frozen mires. Located about 1h30 from Ruka and 2 hours from Rovaniemi, it is one of the best destinations in Finland for outdoor sports and nature photography. In winter, the hiking trails become quiet white corridors, winding through dense forest or opening onto wide, open views. You can choose well-marked paths or narrow tracks hidden beneath heavy snow.
During my visit, I hiked through different parts of the forest without following a fixed route. As I reached an area where the trees became less dense, I stopped and looked up at the sky. The clouds were soft, the light was muted, and the landscape all around me felt still and untouched. It was the perfect moment to send the drone into the air and discover this magical world from above.
How to get there
We parked just below the Iso-Syöte Visitor Centre, then walked around 10 minutes to reach the top. From there, you can stop by the centre to get more information or start your hike directly into the park. Trails are well signposted, and there are many route options depending on your time and energy.
➜ Visitor centre information
➜ Parking location
How I photographed this scene
As I was walking through the snow-covered forest, I found an open area where the trees were more spaced out. GPS signal wasn’t perfect, so I flew the drone directly above me, staying within a safe range. From the sky, the view was stunning. Snow-covered spruces stretched in every direction, the light was soft and the air seemed frozen in time. I composed a vertical panorama with four frames to capture the textures and rhythm of the landscape below.
My gear
✅ DJI Mini 3 Pro
4. Lake Valkeajärvi: northern lights near the Swedish border
Of course, I was hoping to see the northern lights when I planned my trip to Lapland. I knew I would need patience, warm clothes and a bit of luck. I got lucky twice, but the best night came at the very end of my journey.
That evening, I had the chance to join a small group of aurora hunters. We drove west, following the roads almost to the Swedish border. After a while, we stopped at Lake Valkeajärvi, near the town of Pello. The lake was frozen and completely covered in snow, surrounded by dark silhouettes of trees. We stood quietly, eyes on the sky, waiting for the green lady to appear.
How to get there
With my friend, we joined a local group that was aurora hunting. We followed them by car. The general idea is to head towards open areas with low light pollution, far from towns or artificial lights. Our final stop was Lake Valkeajärvi, just outside of Pello and the Ritavalkea Resort, a great area with wide views of the sky.
➜ Lake Valkeajärvi car park
How I photographed this scene
The surface of the lake was just a flat white field. To make the composition more interesting, I looked for natural lines in the snow, hoping to create some depth in the image. I finally found a subtle shape in the snow, and I set up my tripod carefully, facing the northern sky.
I stayed there for over an hour and a half, barely moving. When the auroras finally appeared, they danced right above my chosen frame. It was freezing cold, but completely magical. The kind of moment you don’t forget.
My gear
✅ Nikon Z8
✅ Nikkor 24–70 mm
✅ Peak Design tripod
5. Kotisaari Island: minimalism above the ice in Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi was both the starting point and the final stop of my winter road trip in Finnish Lapland. To be honest, it wasn’t my favorite place of the journey. I felt more connected to the peaceful forests of Riisitunturi and Iso-Syöte National Parks, where the snow was deeper and the atmosphere more immersive. Still, I had one image in mind before leaving: a drone shot of the tiny island of Kotisaari.
This little piece of land sits quietly on a frozen river, and from above, it becomes a perfect subject for minimalist compositions.
How to get there
The island is very close to the shore, and you can easily park your car right in front of it. With my friend, we stayed about 20 minutes and didn’t go far from the vehicle. If you plan to stay longer, it’s better to find a more suitable parking spot nearby.
How I photographed this scene
It looks like a simple shot, but it actually took some patience. I went there the first time in beautiful light, but by the time I launched the drone, it had already faded. The timing wasn’t right.
So I returned the next morning before leaving Rovaniemi. The light was soft and slightly foggy, just enough to give the scene a dreamy mood. I flew above the frozen lake and framed Kotisaari island right in the center, surrounded only by white snow and silence. It was my last photo from the trip, a peaceful image to say goodbye to Lapland.
My gear
✅ DJI Mini 3 Pro
Capturing the magic of winter in Finnish Lapland
Photographing Finnish Lapland in winter is more than just chasing light. It’s about embracing the stillness, listening to the snow fall between the trees, and learning to be patient with the weather, with the light, with yourself.
Each of these places offered me something different. Sometimes it was a perfect pink glow at sunrise. Sometimes, just a quiet tree standing in the wind. Other times, the scene I imagined never appeared, but something even more magical did.
So bring your camera, yes, but also your curiosity and your sense of wonder.
And most of all, enjoy the moment. Happy shooting!
Published on November 7, 2025 by Jennifer Esseiva
