Visitors express excitement over snowfall in Rovaniemi, Lapland

Carmen García and Patricia Domenech, visitors from Madrid, have expressed their excitement over experiencing snow during their trip to Rovaniemi in Lapland. It has been quite a while since they last saw snow back in Spain, where snow is mostly limited to the mountains and northern regions. On Thursday afternoon, the pair had yet to frolic in the snow, but planned to do so soon. “We’re dry now, but we will probably be drenched by the time we get home,” García remarked.

Visit Rovaniemi’s CEO, Sanna Kärkkäinen, also celebrated the snowfall, noting that “the first snow fell quite heavily last night.” However, she cautioned against becoming overly exuberant, as snow conditions in October can be very unpredictable. By Thursday evening, the main reminders of the snowfall in Rovaniemi city center were water puddles. “We accept nature as it is; sometimes it offers beautiful northern lights, while other times it’s rain and sleet,” Kärkkäinen stated. This awareness seems to stem from a desire to prevent disappointment among international tourists, particularly in light of the infamous 2018 incident when British media dubbed snowless Lapland “Crapland.”

According to Kärkkäinen, travelers’ knowledge about the region varies widely; some believe snow exists even in summer. “We answer questions daily,” she added.

Meanwhile, García and Domenech have been posting snowy photos and videos on social media, not only as keepsakes but to incite envy among their friends back in Spain, who were working in temperatures of 24 degrees Celsius when they left. The first snowfall has led to a spike in discussions around tourism, as shared posts trend highly on social media platforms. Another visitor from Spain, Daniel Gomez, shared in the excitement, stating he traveled to Lapland for its peace and quiet, remarking, “It’s a bit cold, but it’s manageable.”