Luosto Amethyst Mine in Winter: Our Honest Family Experience
Updated: Sep 4
If you're visiting Luosto, Lapland, the Lampivaara Amethyst Mine is an experience we would definitely recommend adding to your itinerary. We had seen the amethyst mine mentioned as one of the things to do around Luosto, but nothing quite prepared us for just how beautiful the setting would be — or quite how cold it would feel at the top of the fell! But the views were incredible, we couldn't get over just how beautiful the trees were completely covered in snow.
We visited with our four children in February during our two week self drive tour of Lapland, Finland and despite the freezing temperatures and some very cold little faces by the end, it was an experience that we all really enjoyed.
Where is the Luosto Amethyst Mine?
The Lampivaara Amethyst Mine is located on Lampivaara Fell within Pyhä-Luosto National Park, close to Luosto in Finnish Lapland. One thing that isn't immediately obvious when you look at visiting the mine, is that you don't simply drive right up to it because it's in the national park.
Getting to the Amethyst Mine in February
During the summer you can walk to the mine. However during the winter season the transport to the mine is on a pendolino snow train, with a heated carriage. This was brilliant, such an adventure and definitely made the whole experience really special. The pendolino takes you 2.5km from the lower carpark (Ukko-Luosto parking lot) up to the first stop at the cafe. Then it takes you up to the summit.
Online I was a bit confused as it said you could meet the group at the cafe and buy tickets, which would be cheaper. But that would have involved a 45 min walk, which sounds not bad .... however it was freezing!. On the day we visited it was really windy and the temperatures had dropped. We'd definitely recommend taking the transport rather than attempting the walk with or without children if the weather looks bad.
The first stop: Lampivaara Café
Our first stop was the Lampivaara Café, and the location was amazing. Even before getting to the mine itself, the scenery surrounding the café is incredible. You're high up on the fell with views stretching across the snowy Finnish landscape. We spent time taking photo's, and the older two enjoyed just playing and walking in the snow. However with the wind chill it wasn't long before we were in the cafe, warming up with hot chocolate and dougnuts. Just enough to keep the little ones going.
After leaving the café, we continued further up towards the mine.
The views from the top are incredible
The snow-covered landscape at the top of the fen stretches out around you, and it feels like you're standing right in the middle of the Arctic wilderness. We took some more photo's and It wasn't long before we were whisked into a cabin for a presentation about the amethyst mine.
The presentation in the cabin explains the history of the mine and the geology behind the amethyst found here. It was interesting to discover more about what we were actually looking for before we headed into the amethyst mine to find our own.
At this point the kids were ready and really excited. We headed outside towards the entrance to the amyethyst mine. As you enter you head down some wooden steps. Intrestingly this is actually an open air mine, as it's an open quarry rather than an underground tunnel / mine. However in the winter they enclose an area which is then covered so you don't feel that artic wind!
Can you really dig for your own amethyst?
Once you get to the bottom of the stairs there is a fairly big area with rocks. The area is quite large, easy to stand in and not at all claustrophobic. They give you digging tools and chisels to break up the rocks and soil. This was a huge highlight for the children, they loved searching for and digging up their own amethyst to take home. You are allowed to take one Amythyst each, they are normally fairly small, but my son was so pleased with his which was a decent size.
How long do you spend at the Amethyst Mine?
In total it was around two hours from the ride up in the pendolino snow train. In the actual mine, I think it was around 25 minutes. But the whole overall experience was really good and the staff were fantastic. We would really recommend visiting if you are in the Phya - Luosto area.
Do you need to book the Amethyst Mine in advance?
We booked our visit online in advance, as spaces can fill up, particularly during the busy winter season. We had a hire car and self drove around Lapland. If you don't have a car you can book via online agents who can drive you from different areas around Lapland - Finland.
How cold is the Amethyst Mine in February?
I think we were quite unlucky at the time we visited. The temperature itself was extremely cold, but the wind chill at the top of the fell made it feel even colder. We had the children wearing plenty of layers, along with hats and balaclavas. So if you're visiting the Amethyst Mine in February, don't just look at the temperature forecast check the wind chill as well.
You'll want:
Plenty of warm layers
A good winter coat
Warm trousers
Proper insulated winter boots
Thick gloves
A warm hat
A balaclava or face covering
Hand warmers if your children feel the cold easily
Despite this the kids had a fantastic time and still talk about this experience. The good thing is that there are opportunities to get inside and warm up, including the café and the hut where you learn about the amethyst.
I hope you have found this information helpful if you are looking at exploring places to visit in Luosto, Lapland. Any questions let us know and we will try and answer them. We loved Lapland.
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