Lapland's nature belongs to everyone

Kristiina Rentola, who was a nature and wilderness guide at the time, still remembers that moment to this day.

She had just returned from the Lapland wilderness, where she had been leading a tour – something she had been doing for years. She told the customer about it: the frost on the pine needles, the silence of the forest, the Arctic light.

The customer in the wheelchair listened quietly. Then, with tears in their eyes, they said how much they missed nature. Since becoming disabled, they simply hadn’t been able to go there anymore.

That moment changed everything. "Nature belongs to everyone," Kristiina thought. "Something has to be done."

That conviction eventually led him to Jaana Koskinen, and together they founded Sense Lapland.

Jaana and Kristiina: Two Paths to the Same Dream

Jaana Koskinen and Kristiina Rentola are two entrepreneurs from Rovaniemi who, independently of one another, had come to the same conclusion: Lapland’s unique natural environment should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their physical abilities, age, or needs.

Jaana’s roots run deep along the shores of Lake Norvajärvi. For years, she has built and managed Arcticmint – a private, high-quality vacation destination on her family’s land by the lake, nestled in the tranquility of the Finnish forest. She has always known that Lapland’s nature can (and should) welcome everyone, and she has designed her cottage to prove it: accessibility extends from the entrance ramp to the indoor sauna, and every detail exudes warmth and a sense of calm.

Kristiina approached the issue from a different angle. With a background in healthcare and as a certified nature guide, she has spent years working with people who need special support. She founded her own company, Saarni Outdoor, to lead outdoor experiences in the heart of Lapland’s wilderness.

When they combined their expertise, Sense Lapland was born: a service based not on a general concept of “accessibility,” but on genuine human connection and a shared love for Lapland’s nature.

What is it like to be a guest at Sense Lapland?

At Sense Lapland, every visit is private. There are no other guests or shared schedules.

Guests stay at Villa Arcticmint, a beautiful and bright villa on the shores of Lake Norvajärvi, just 20 minutes from Rovaniemi.

The days are tailored to what each guest truly needs and wants.

Afterward, guests often describe something they hadn’t quite expected: the unique quality of silence in Lapland’s nature. The sound of the wind in the pine trees. The scent of the forest. The weight of a reindeer’s nose in the palm of your hand. Laughter around the campfire when the food is ready and everyone is together.

This is not a staged experience, but an authentic and time-honored one in which guests are warmly welcomed to participate.

Presence at the heart of everything

"Being present is part of the Lapland way of life," Jaana and Kristiina say. The experiences they offer aren't rushed or overly planned. They're built around slowing down, taking in the world, and spending time together.

Kristiina leads all outdoor activities with calm, attentive professionalism – with the touch of someone who, over the years, has learned to read others’ needs and respond to them effortlessly. She communicates in Finnish, English, sign language, and with picture cards. Whatever method of communication suits each guest, that is what she uses.

Jaana creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere: a cottage, a fire, carefully prepared food, and the feeling that someone has truly thought about you and what would make you feel comfortable.

Together, they offer something rare in accessible tourism: not just the removal of barriers, but the active creation of joy.

Sense Lapland – All Year Round in Rovaniemi

Sense Lapland welcomes guests all year round. In winter, Lake Norvajärvi freezes over and the sky clears to reveal the Northern Lights. In spring, the sun welcomes the swans and brings joyful moments on the lake and in nature. In summer, the midnight sun bathes the lake’s surface in golden light. In autumn, the birch trees glow in shades of copper and red as the leaves change color.

Every season has its own charms. Jaana and Kristiina know them all and will help you discover the ones that are perfect for your visit.

If you’d like to plan your own trip to experience Lapland’s culture and nature, please contact Kristiina and Jaan.