As if the unsettling under water ice fishing was strange enough, a group of divers in Austria it seems have come up with a new craze: underwater hockey. It’s only a matter of time before this takes off over here in Finland too!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=58sa4r5k0zk

I was going to write a post about how much snow we have here in Kuusamo, but a picture, as they say, paints a thousand words. So here’s three thousand words for you. And every single one of them is snow.

What happens when you mix a couple of bored fisherman, an iced over lake and an underwater video camera? This crazy and unsettling video. It took me a lot longer than it should to work out they were upside down.

People who consider themselves a bit of a globetrotter will always tell you; moving light is the best way to travel. You won’t be burdened by heavy bags which can interfere with the enjoyment of your trip. When travelling anywhere – be it locally or internationally – you want the focus of the journey to be on the destination, not on the heavy luggage you’re lugging with you everywhere you go.

Another advantage of lightweight luggage is that it can actually save you money. Think about your baggage allowance. Airlines are strict these days and will penny pinch where possible. Most will charge you if your bags are over the allowance. Costs can be high; and always unnecessary.

The most experienced of intrepid travellers will tell you to try and reduce any baggage issues with simply taking carry-on luggage. This may be only possible for short trips, but will save you time on the cost of your ticket and any unnecessary time spent watching the airport luggage carousel.

Here are a few tips to become a lightweight traveller today:

Start With Your Luggage:

The general definition of a lightweight suitcase is that a 22-inch upright suitcase should weigh at or below 10 pounds when it is empty – any higher amount of weight at this size and it is not considered lightweight.

The following features are also worth looking at:

• Shells – You can choose from either a hard shell or a soft shell. Hard-shell suitcases are stronger than soft-shell cases but are also heavier.
• Frames – The frames on lightweight luggage add durability and stability to the travel accessory. These are usually made from light but durable materials like aluminium, graphite and fibreglass with many actually being collapsible for easy storage.
• Extras – You should also consider the extras before buying one piece or a set. These extras include telescoping handles, spinner wheels and compartments etc

Have a think about your travelling habits. Where do you go? How often do you travel? What are any issues you could experience with your luggage while away?

Packing

Now we’re not about to start telling you how to fold your clothes, well actually we will just a little bit, but it is a handy tip.

Travelling light is all about planning. What does your trip entail? What are you going to need? Do you really need that extra pair of shoes? Remember be ruthless and pack only what is essential for your trip.

Now comes the packing bit. Roll your clothes, don’t fold them. You’ll be surprised the small spaces you can fill. This is an old backpacker’s tip, but one that shouldn’t be ignored by any traveller.

Whether it’s to see the northern lights

Visit Santa

Sleep in an igloo

Take a husky safari

Or maybe go on a snowmobile trip through the pristine wilderness.

Or perhaps you’d prefer summer to see the midnight sun

Hike through the unspoilt forests

and swim in lakes so clean you can drink them?

Or perhaps it’s a visit to Helsinki you’d prefer?

Whatever is on your wish list, Visit Finland can help it come true. Simply tell them who you’d like to take to Wonder Land and why, for the chance to win a trip for two to Finland.

Competition closes 31st March 2012.

Yup, STILL snowing here in Kuusamo. At this rate we are going to have a record winter of the white stuff.

And whilst it may be a pain for us adults at times, it’s nothing but joy for the kids. Up at the playground in Ruka, the slides are so slidey you fly right off the end and there’s a veritable snow mountain to be slid down.

Here’s a video of my two taking out unsuspecting adults walking too close to the bottom of the slide and throwing themselves of the snow mountain. Who needs a sledge?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCkPXk-V40M

Happy New Year to you all!

2012 looks set to be a very snowy one in Ruka and Kuusamo, we have had nothing but snow now for about 4 weeks; a continuous deluge of white stuff falling from the sky. And whilst it makes it things a little more difficult in every day life, things like having to dig the car out every day…

It does make things very, very pretty.

One of the AirBaltic  planes gets a festive make-over at Riga airport. I really wish I’d been at the airport to see this.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-UinluQJpE

AirBaltic are a budget airline that fly from Riga, Latvia, all over Europe. They don’t fly to Kuusamo airport, sadly, but do fly to Oulu and Rovaniemi.

After a very slow start to the winter here in Kuusamo, we are finally up and running.

Sort of.

We have about 10 cms of natural snow on the ground with plenty more snow forecast over the next few days. The temperature is forecast to be between 0 and -5C for the next few days as well – perfect snow making weather.

At the moment 11 out of 30 ski slopes are open, with 8 or 20 lifts running and more slopes opening all the time. As well as the natural snowfall forecast over the next few days, Ruka are also making plenty of their own snow to get those closed slopes open as quickly as they can.

Dog sledding and reindeer sleigh rides are running and there are over 10kms of illuminated cross-country ski tracks open.

As of the moment there are no snowmobile routes open in Ruka but I doubt they will be closed for long given the snow we have forecast over the next few days.

If we don’t get much more snow soon though, I promise to go outside and do a snow dance for you.

For the chance to win a pair of Cushe boots every day in December until 24th, scroll down the bottom of the page for details

Lapland is a difficult place to buy footware for. Even when you live here. The winters are cold and full of snow and you need something warm and comfortable. Something that isn’t going to leak, rub or let your toes go blue and fall off. But still you don’t want to spend all your time wearing ugly, clod-hopping thermal boots that make your feet look 3 sizes bigger than they are and are about as stylish as your Great Aunt Mable’s undergarments.

Step up, Cushe. A company that make stylish, comfortable and WARM winter boots.

I’ve spent the last few months testing out their gorgeous IT Boot Cuff.

Firstly in the UK, putting them through their paces on the streets of London, Manchester and Scotland; and then in Lapland, testing them against the snow and cold.

NB. I expect a decent winter boot to keep my feet warm down to about -10C. Lower than that and you really need to pull out the big, ugly, thermal boots. These can be rented from the majority of safari companies in Ruka and Kuusamo so you don’t have to waste money buying a pair for your holidays.

Back to the boots…

Durability: After 2 months of regular wear on the pavements of the UK the boots look pretty much the same as they did when they arrived, albeit a tad dirtier. The pretty, fancy ties are all still attached – they broke off my FatFace boots within weeks – the rubber sole is still firmly attached to the boot, there are no breaks, cracks, or weak looking points anywhere on the boot.

The stitching is still holding strong and despite being taken through rain, mud and snow, the nap of the suede is still in excellent condition.

Practicality: Mostly perfect, except for one weird little thing: the sole.

The front half of the sole is non-slip rubber and the back half a soft, squidgy (technical term) rubber.

When walking on the flat or uphill on slippery surfaces like a slick pavement or snow they are great. You really feel the benefit of the non-slip part. But when walking downhill, when you put your weight on the back portion of the boot, you do tend to slip a little. Not enough that you fall, but enough to unnerve you on very slippery surfaces.

I’m not really sure what the thought process behind this was.

Other than that – no complaints at all. Mud has cleaned off them easily, the rain hasn’t penetrated them or damaged the suede.

Oh, and the ties at the back stay tied! A big plus compare to similar style boots I’ve had in the past where the tie has come undone at least once an outing if not more.

Warmth: In the UK they were great; lovely and warm on those cold, wet days. Whether it was strolling down a windy high street in the rain or hiking through a forest in the mud, the boots kept my feet dry and warm.

Back in Lapland in the snow and cold, they have faired very well too. Whilst walking, they kept my feet lovely and warm down to -11C. Sitting still however, my feet started to get chilly at about -8C.

Which makes them perfect for people in the UK and places where -6C is extremely cold. And even here, as I don’t tend to do much sitting around at -8C and colder, they are more than adequate.

Comfort: Sightseeing in London, shopping in Manchester, walking through the woods in Hampshire or trudging through snow in Lapland, these boots have been every where with me and I’ve barely had them off my feet. Comfortable? Hell yes!

Stylishness: Just look at them! *drools slightly on screen* If one has to wear flat, practical boots for the winter months, then these babies are perfect.

Conclusion: I LOVE these boots. Warm, durable, practical, comfortable and stylish. If it wasn’t for the weird sole I would give them full marks.

9/10 practically perfect winter boots.

The Cushe IT Boot Cuff is available from www.cushe.com and retails at £90.

Cushe are running an advent calender giveaway. For the chance to win a pair of Cushe boots every day until Dec 24th 2011, visit their blog, follow them onTwitter or visit their Facebook page.

The boots for this review were supplied by Cushe for free. The opinions however are all mine and as ever, can not be bought or paid for.

We’ve all got one, haven’t we? That list of places and things we want to experience before we die. I’ve been lucky enough to tick a number of things off mine in the last few years but there are still plenty more on there. Here’s a few of mine.

Visit the Pyramids of Egypt

Everything about the pyramids amazes me: how they were built; the culture of the time period in which they were built; the fascinating hieroglyphs. All of it really. And annoyingly it seems that everyone I know has been on Egypt holidays at one point of another. But one day… One day I WILL get there and see them for myself.

Witness the Northern Lights

Photo source: Image Editor

I couldn’t have chosen a better place to live to achieve this. At least once a week in the winter months (weather permitting) the beautiful greens of the aurora Borealis weave and sway across the night sky right above my garden. You can find out more about seeing the northern lights in Kuusamo here.

Visit Petra

The ancient city of Petra in Jordan fascinates me. I find the architecture carved into the rock completely captivating and awe inspiring. One day I will get to Petra and stand outside these magnificent man-made wonders. The only question really is whether I will be able to tear myself away again afterwards.

Sleep in an igloo

Another fantastic experience I managed to tick off my list thanks to the wonderful people at XXX. You can read about my fun if a little chilly night spent in an igloo here.

Hike to Machu Picchu

I once got close to Machu Picchu, I spent a few months backpacking and working in Peru, but I never managed to get to the amazing Inca site. At the time I justified my not visiting with the expense of the trip for someone living on a teeny tiny budget and the fact that it would be crawling with tourists, but I regret it now. Especially as it’s unlikely I’ll ever get back.

Swim with sharks

Sharks terrify and fascinated me all at the same time. I don’t think I could ever bring myself to swim off the coast of Australia after hearing about the shark attacks there and yet I can’t think of anything more exciting or more of an adrenaline rush than climbing in a shark cage and witnessing these magnificent beasts in the ocean.

What about you, what’s on your bucket list?

We had our first northern lights sighting last week and it’s got me all excited about the coming winter and sights like this being here soon.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lc3FxNXjBs0

Find out more about the northern lights in Kuusamo

Photo source: Image Editor

The excitable yapping and barking of the dogs straining against their harness; your breath spiralling from your mouth in the frozen air; footsteps crunching through the snow as you make your way to the dog sled for your trip through the beautiful wilderness powered by eager canines.

Flying through forest, following the winding, narrow path; zooming over flat frozen lakes, the dogs picking up speed out in the open; the exhilarating rush of Arctic air against your face; ice crystals forming on your eyelashes and the ends of your hair poking out of your hat turning white.

It’s that time of the year again: time to start thinking about your winter ski holidays. When is the best time to come skiing in Ruka? Well, that all depends on what you want.

November

We may not have much in the way of ground snow in November but thanks to snow stored from last winter and the brilliant snow cannons they have on the slopes here, there will be some ski runs and some cross country ski tracks open in Ruka. And, if the weather is obliging, it may even be possible to go snowmobiling or ice fishing at this time of the year.

Daylight: Average of 5 hours per day
Average Temperatures: -10 to -3 degrees Celsius

Good: cheap pre-season holidays

Bad: no guaranteed natural snow so possible lack of other winter activities

December

This is the darkest month, with only a couple of hours of daylight towards the end of the month. The temperature can be anywhere from a few minus degrees to -20C. The majority of the ski slopes will be open at this time of the year, and activities like reindeer sleigh rides, husky sledding and snowmobile driving will be in full swing. Northern lights sightings are quite possible in December, especially towards the end of the month. The Christmas nativity play and new years celebrations are great fun.

Daylight: Average of 3 hours per day
Average Temperatures: -16 to -8 degrees Celsius

Good: Ruka is a great place for a magical Christmas holiday

Bad: a very dark month

January

January is usually the coldest month of the year and the temperature can be as low as -30C. For some this is an exciting time of the year to visit, for other’s the cold is off putting. With an average of 5 hours daylight a day it’s brighter than December and a great time of the year to see the northern lights, kaamos (the eerie blue light when the sun isn’t up) and the trees frozen into Dali-like statues on snowmobile trips to the Russian border. It’s wonderfully quiet on the ski slopes with no queues for lifts – except for the week starting the 7th January which is Russian Christmas week and quite a busy week in Ruka.

Daylight: Average of hours of daylight 5
Average Temperature: -19 to -10 degrees Celsius

Good: beautiful, quite month – great for photographers. Best month for northern lights

Bad: cold, dark and quiet.

February

February is very similar to January but a touch warmer and a touch lighter. By February the sun is up for an average of 9 hours a day. The slopes are still pretty quiet and the snow cover is fantastic. The northern lights are still quite common. The ski slopes are still lovely and quiet at this time of the year and all winter activities like husky sledding, reindeer sleigh rides, santa trips are running.

Daylight: Average of 9 hours a day.
Average Temperature: -18 to -9 degrees Celsius

Good: lighter and warmer than january but northern lights still common

Bad: Can still be quite cold and quiet.

 March

March is a great month for skiing, the slopes are bathed in sunshine and the temperature can be as warm as -3C. However it’s a busier month with the slopes filling with people and the activities being quite full. You can still see the northern lights although they are not as frequent and the closer to the end of the month you get the less frequent they become.

Daylight: Average of 13 hours per day
Average Temperature: -14 to -3 degrees Celsius

Good: warm, bright days. Good snow.

Bad: busier, queues for ski lifts.

April

Another good month for skiing, April can be quite warm, with temperatures above 0C, however towards the end of the month it can also mean slushy snow and which can make skiing and other snow related activities like snowmobiling more challenging.

Daylight: Average of 17 hours per day
Average Temperature: -7 to 2 degrees Celsius

Good: Warm and sunny

Bad: If it’s too warm the snow conditions can deteriorate.

May

Weather depending, May can either be a great ski month or a terrible one. Generally all other winter activities like snow mobiling and husky sledding are finished by this time as there isn’t enough ground snow for them to continue, and some of the restaurants will be closed. However, the slopes will still be open and if you get a cold week it can still be great skiing. May is best booked last minute depending on the weather.

Daylight: Average of 21 hours per day
Average Temperature: 0 to 10 degrees Celsius

Good: cheap out of season holiday. Bright, sunny days.

Bad: it can be too warm and slushy to ski. Some restaurants closed.