A Finnish ironwoman’s guide to Finland’s best outdoor icy plunges

The lake is far from any habitation and somewhat difficult to reach, although there are route signs for hiking from the Ketomella bridge parking spot. However, you are likely to spot many of the furry, hooved locals during your hike here. “You have to pass reindeer roundup sites and you might encounter a lot of reindeer,” says Mäkinen. Fun fact: there are more reindeer (around 200,000) living in Finnish Lapland than there are people.

Mäkinen notes that this experience is for advanced ice swimmers as you need your own equipment, such as an ahkio (a long sledge for snowy conditions) and an ice saw, to create the ice hole. “Whenever you go for a hike to find ice bathing spots, you need to make sure of safety and warm up after [the plunge],” she says. “But for sure, you’ll be the only person in winter to make up an ice hole here.”

Suvi Mansikkasalo, courtesy of Visit Finland

5. Best for the magical Lapland feel: Lake Kilpisjärvi and Mount Saana

In the northernmost reaches of Arctic Lapland, Lake Kilpisjärvi and Mount Saana, the 1,029m mountain rising on its shore, form a revered landscape, lauded in songs and paintings.

“I lived in Kilpisjärvi (village) one winter for three months,” says Mäkinen. “Normally, there are about 100 inhabitants. It’s a very communal place and immensely beautiful – you’ll also get a little piece of the Swedish and Norwegian mountains. If I could live anywhere in the world, it would be here.”