When I decided to head up to Arctic Finland in winter, I had a few expectations involving reindeer rides, husky cuddles, and lots and lots of snow.
However, I didn’t correlate Finland with amethysts. Yes, amethysts, those lovely purple gems. Be honest, did you?
I am all about quirky and unique (dare I say weird?) local experiences when traveling, something Finland has in abundance. So when I heard that you can visit an amethyst mine in winter in Lapland, I put it on the list. This would be interesting! I put on my long underwear, bundled up and was off.
Turns out, visiting the Lampivaara Amethyst Mine was one of my favorite days in Finland. Random, I know. Who would have thought?
Tucked away on top of a fell (a big hill – Finland doesn’t really do mountains) smack in the middle of Pyhä-Luosto National Park near Luosto.
Just roll with me on the pronunciations, guys. Honestly, I tried to say things correctly when I was in Finland, but it’s actually the hardest language ever. I’d give it a crack, but at the end of the day, sometimes you just have to admit defeat.
Right, so back to Lampivaara in Pyhä near Luosto. Remember that, they’ll be a spelling test at the end. Lampivaara is a sustainable amethyst in Lapland that’s open to visitors.
Lapland in March is almost always a winter wonderland, and it’s a great time to visit because the long dark winter is almost over and there’s normal daylight hours and it’s not too cold. At the base of the fell and the beginning of the mine, there’s a cozy little cafe with delicious local donuts and crappy coffee you can warm up in before you’ll catch a purple snowcat which will bring you through the forest uphill. The Finns call it a Pendolino, which sounds exotic and exciting.
Suddenly the snow-covered trees turn into snow statues, tipping over under the heavy weight of the snow like some kind of Dr. Seuss creature. I call them snow trees because they are what appear to be trees of snow, with nay a branch nor leaf visible.
It was one of those white overcast days snowing intermittently that really set the mood. Why yes, I am not in Virginia anymore. Definitely the Arctic. It was so peaceful and quiet with just the sound of the wind; it really felt like I had stepped into a different world. It was unlike any place I’ve ever been – and you know me, I’ve been a lot of places.
So much snow. I was now in a world of white and black and my bright red jacket.