Salla - In the Middle of Nowhere Finland

Salla is a municipality of Finland, located in Lapland. The municipality has a population of 3,600 and covers an area of 5,873.08 square kilometers of which 142.73 km2 is water. The population density is 0.63 inhabitants per square kilometer.

Weather - 6°C, Wind W at 14 km/h, 58% Humidity

Subregion - Eastern Lapland sub-region

Travelling has gained more patrons in recent years than it may have ever had. Everyone from intrepid backpackers to families exploring new places is traveling. It can be within the same country or to different countries, but travel really is getting all the attention. So when we think of a getaway, it is sometimes difficult to find a place which won’t be crowded. My search for a place like this led me to Salla, which is a small village and ski resort nestled in the quiet countryside of Finland close to where it borders Russia.

It is beyond the Arctic Circle and lives up to its name of being “in the middle of nowhere” since there are no airports or train stations within 76 km of Salla. 

Salla is known for skiing. With snow in the village all through the year, skiing has been the best means of transportation for the people of the place. The oldest ski in the world was unearthed in this unassuming village in Finland. They were found to be over 5000 years old. 

Reindeer Country

With just a few hours of sunlight, every minute of our time exploring the place becomes important. At Salla, the number of reindeer outnumber the number of people and the two live in complete harmony with each other. The reindeer roam free in the region and live a semi-wild life. The people of Salla take them home only when a reindeer is sick or when they are needed for work. Keeping in mind that the reindeer are well-adapted to the harsh and freezing weather of the place, they work well as a mode of transportation. They are used for pulling sleighs when people need to travel across the vast, frozen landscapes of the Arctic. 

The Salla Reindeer Park organizes reindeer sleigh safaris every day. The safari helps you explore the beauty of the untamed North and the majesty of the huge snow-covered trees. Spotting a reindeer is easy here. Your sled is drawn by reindeer and the exciting part of the safari is to explore the landscapes and delight in the remarkable views of the frozen North. If you are from a region that does not experience snowfall, Salla is going to be a breath of fresh air. 

Sitting in the sleigh, you will find yourself wrapped in blankets and warm clothes and nothing but your eyes exposed. If it ends up snowing, then every snowflake would sting your nose or cheeks if they end up exposed. The people of the place believe that reindeer can never be completely domesticated. They belong to wild and no matter how much they are tamed, they still have some wildness in them.

You will get to see reindeer of all ages from the very little ones to the grown-up reindeer. Salla is amazing in its simple way of life. For someone who has grown up in an urban way of life, Salla is refreshing. It offers beauty and serenity of a kind that is barely even thinkable for an urban-dweller. 

Riding with the Huskies

Reindeer don’t really run, they simply amble their way through the snow and the trees. Reindeer sleighs are good for sightseeing as they coolly take you through the region. But huskies are completely opposite. Excitement is nearly immeasurable in them when it comes to Huskies looking forward to a joyful ride. They love playfully running around the snow. Their vivacity is somewhat contagious and for me, I there is nothing better than seeing a happy dog in his moment. The Huskies at Salla are pure joy. They love their work; probably because it allows them to run in the snow. 

A dog sled ride is one of the best things about Salla. The dogs are well looked after and they always seem to be excited about their work. The sled is pulled by six furry huskies and the snowy landscape seemed to look so much more beautiful with the presence of these delightful dogs. Dogsledding is much faster than riding a reindeer but it involves a rush of adrenaline which you may not have felt before. 

I found myself becoming more aware of the place as the sled rushed through the scenic Laplands. 

Chasing the Northern Lights

This can be a tricky one. The Northern Lights don’t always make their appearance so you may or may not get the chance to witness them. If you do then it will be an experience of a lifetime as you see lights dancing in the sky. Salla often experiences cloudy skies which means that the lights may not show at all. This is why visiting the region in the summers when the skies are clearer is a better option. 

Stepping out at night when this Finnish region is wrapped in darkness, you will find the eerie quietness of the place to be unsettling. But once the Northern Lights show up, you would end up forgetting everything around you as you lose yourself in the enamoring beauty of the lit up sky. 

Salla - Connection-Stay

Salla doesn’t really have a train station. The closest places from the middle of nowhere are Rovaniemi, Kuusamo and Kemijarvi. From Helsinki, you can fly to Rovaniemi or Kuusamo from where you can take a bus to Salla. If you are traveling by train then the closest station is Rovaniemi from where you can take a bus. 

There are a number of cabins, ski resorts, hotels and caravan parks. If you prefer eating out then there are a number of restaurants around the region where you can enjoy good food. The Log Restaurant on the ski slopes of Salla is a great place to eat if you are interested in trying the local delicacies. 

Far from the developing world of today, Salla offers comfort and peace of a new kind. It is quiet and its people follow a pace of their own. There is no hurry in the way of living here. Salla is indeed the middle of nowhere. 

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