Why now? Because the Arctic winter has well and truly arrived and the raw material for the Kiruna Snow Festival 2009 (Jan 27-Feb 1, snofestivalen.se) is growing deeper and crisper by the day. It's set to be a blizzard of sledging, reindeer racing and snowmobile jumping, or, as the fun-loving locals call it, skoterhopp. The spectating is almost as fun as taking part, as long as you're wearing thermals.

Getting there From £255 return including tax with SAS (0871 521 2772, flysas.co.uk)

Where to stay The ethereally beautiful sculptures at the nearby Ice Hotel (icehotel.com) should inspire snowman building at least. Discover the World (01737 218801, discoverlapland.co.uk) offers three nights' B&B, direct flights and transfers from £881pp. Too pricey? Try Hotel Arctic Eden (0046 980 611 86, hotelarcticeden.se), Kiruna's old custom house, with doubles from £160 per night.

Where to eat Elk and reindeer look cute - and taste better. Eat them with Sámi 'gahkku' bread at cosy Restaurant Rallaren (+980 611 26, hotelrallaren.se).