With Arctic tourism on the rise, Lapland’s glass igloos selling out, Northern Lights trips trending on TikTok, and icy city breaks in Helsinki, Tromsø, and Reykjavík filling Instagram feeds, cold-weather travel is having a moment right now. If those “Very Finnish Problems” memes made you both chuckle and shiver, this is your sign: it’s time to stop scrolling and step into the snow yourself.
Below are five traveler-tested ways to turn brutal temperatures into your next bold escape — inspired by the Finns, but ready for anywhere the mercury plunges.
Master The Art Of Layering (The Nordic Way)
If you’re dreaming of chasing the Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland or taking that overnight train from Helsinki up to Rovaniemi, your first “very Finnish problem” will be: how do people stand outside at –20°C and still look unfazed? The answer is smart layering, not just “more clothes.” Start with a moisture-wicking base layer (preferably merino wool) to pull sweat off your skin — this is what keeps you from freezing after a brisk walk or a reindeer safari. Add an insulating mid-layer (fleece or wool) to trap heat, and finish with a windproof, waterproof shell that blocks Arctic gusts and blowing snow.
Don’t neglect extremities: insulated boots with room for thick socks, proper gloves or mittens, and a hat that covers your ears are non-negotiable north of the Arctic Circle. In Nordic cities, locals often carry a small backpack with an extra layer and dry socks — a simple habit that turns a potentially miserable day into an easy one. Pack outfits like you’re building a toolkit, not a lookbook, and suddenly that “minus whatever” forecast feels less like a threat and more like an invitation.
Turn Darkness Into An Adventure, Not A Downer
The “Very Finnish Problems” account loves poking fun at endless darkness: sunrise at 10, sunset at 2, and the eternal question of whether it’s morning, afternoon, or existential crisis. But travelers who fall in love with the far north in winter learn a secret: darkness is a superpower when you know how to use it. Those long polar nights are exactly why Finnish Lapland, Norway’s Tromsø, and Sweden’s Abisko have become bucket-list Northern Lights hubs, especially right now as solar activity is surging and auroras are brighter and more frequent.
Rather than packing your days from 9 to 5 like a typical sunny city break, flip your rhythm. Plan slow, cozy mornings with long hotel breakfasts and daylight activities like snowshoeing or dogsledding, then keep your evenings flexible for aurora alerts, starlit walks, or late-night ice sauna sessions. Many local companies now offer real-time Northern Lights WhatsApp alerts or bus pick-ups so you don’t waste energy standing around in the cold. Think of the darkness as your personal planetarium ceiling — once you accept that you won’t get “normal” daylight, the whole trip becomes more magical and less draining.
Embrace “Cold Comforts”: Saunas, Steam, And Firelight
If you’ve laughed at memes of Finns jumping into ice holes after sauna, know this: it isn’t just national comedy material — it’s a survival strategy. Finland, Estonia, and Sweden are seeing a boom in sauna tourism right now, with new floating saunas, lakeside spa complexes, and design-forward public saunas popping up in Helsinki, Tallinn, and Stockholm. Travelers who build their days around these hot-cold rituals don’t just stay warm; they transform their entire winter experience.
Instead of running from the cold, move through it. Book a traditional smoke sauna followed by a (brief!) dip in an ice hole, or try a modern glass-fronted sauna overlooking snowy forests or a frozen harbor. The contrast floods your system with endorphins and a strange, addictive calm. Between sessions, linger in candlelit lounges, sip hot berry juice, and watch locals catch up like it’s the neighborhood café. When planning your trip, mark saunas and thermal experiences on your map the way you’d normally pin bars and viewpoints. They don’t just thaw your bones; they turn “cold weather” from a problem into the highlight of your journey.
Learn To Move Like A Local, Not A Tourist
Those “Very Finnish Problems” photos of people cycling in blizzards and pushing strollers through snowdrifts aren’t exaggerations — they’re daily life. The current travel trend of “living like a local” takes a very literal turn in the north: if you want to thrive, copy how people actually get around. In cities like Helsinki and Oulu, you’ll see residents biking with studded tires, using reflective vests, and treating snow like just another surface. In rural Lapland, locals rely on cross-country skis, snowmobiles, and kicksleds the way others use buses.
As a traveler, this opens up playful new ways to move. Join an evening cross-country ski lesson under trail lights, rent a kicksled to glide around a frozen lake, or try a fat-bike tour on packed snow. You’ll warm up faster, see more than you would from a bus window, and instantly feel less like an outsider battling the elements. Just remember basic safety: know when ice is officially safe (ask locals, don’t guess), respect snowmobile trails and reindeer crossings, and carry a headlamp and reflective gear if you’re out during the long twilight hours. Move with the season instead of against it, and winter becomes your ally.
Make Peace With “Very Cold Problems” Before You Land
Finns have turned their daily annoyances into viral content — fogged glasses, frozen door locks, eyelashes turned to crystal. Let that honesty be your best travel tip: anticipate your own “very cold problems” now, so they don’t derail your trip later. Airlines and rail companies across Scandinavia, Iceland, and northern Canada have become more transparent about winter delays and weather disruptions, so build margin into your itinerary. Plan flexible arrival days, avoid tight connections for Northern Lights tours or Arctic train journeys, and choose accommodation with generous cancellation policies.
On a practical level, pack like you expect things to go sideways: a power bank that works in low temperatures, offline maps for when your phone battery dips, hand warmers, lip balm, and a tiny thermos for hot tea or coffee. Download local weather and transport apps — in Finland, for example, people religiously check road and rail status before heading out. And most importantly, adjust your mindset. The unexpected snowstorm, the bus that never came, the frost-nipped walk back to your cabin? Those are the stories you’ll tell later. Approach them with the same dry humor as a “Very Finnish Problems” caption, and you’ll find yourself strangely proud of every icy hurdle you conquer.
Conclusion
Right now, as “Very Finnish Problems” racks up likes by showcasing just how absurdly cold life can be, the north is quietly inviting you to step into that world for real. The same cities and landscapes behind the jokes — Helsinki’s harbor, Lapland’s forests, frozen lakes dotted with saunas and ice holes — are waiting for travelers willing to swap comfort zones for snow boots.
Layer like a local, chase the darkness instead of the sun, claim saunas as your new après-everything ritual, move with the season, and welcome the little inconveniences as badges of honor. Do that, and winter stops being a problem to escape and becomes the wildest, brightest chapter of your travels yet.