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What if summer holidays became a real quest for fortune? In Finnish Lapland, a tourist resort is offering visitors the chance to search for a gold ingot valued at 20,000 euros. For more than two months, participants will have to follow a series of clues scattered across the landscapes of the Far North. An initiative aimed as much at delighting treasure hunters as at shedding light on a facet of the region that remains little known.

A Hidden Treasure at the Heart of Lapland

Known for its snowy winters, its Northern Lights, and its association with Santa Claus, Finnish Lapland seeks to attract visitors during the summer season. To achieve this, Levi ski resort, located in the north of the country, has devised a large treasure hunt called “Midnight Sun Hunt”, literally “Chase of the Midnight Sun”.

The event will kick off on June 18 at Levi’s tourist information center. Participants will need to register there and collect a first clue before setting off onto the region’s trails. The subsequent stages will lead them to explore various natural sites, points of interest and local attractions, in the hope of locating the valuable prize.

To maintain the suspense, new clues will be published throughout the summer. These will progressively narrow the search area until the reveal of the final clue, scheduled for August 22. At stake: a gold ingot worth 20,000 euros. The organizers note that it could be discovered as early as the first clues, so waiting for the end of the treasure hunt to win the big prize is not strictly necessary.

Located above the Arctic Circle, Levi is among Finland’s most frequented winter sports destinations. But once the snow disappears, the terrain takes on a radically different face. For several weeks, the Midnight Sun phenomenon provides nearly constant light, creating unique conditions for outdoor activities.

Showcasing a Summer Still Largely Unknown

Through this treasure hunt, local tourism players are primarily aiming to promote the summer season. According to Satu Pesonen, CEO of Visit Levi, this period remains largely underestimated by travelers. “Levi is mostly known for its winter, but Nordic summer remains unknown to many people”, she said in a Visit Levi press release.

The official believes that the Lapland landscapes reveal a completely different personality. “We want to give travelers a new reason to visit Levi when the sun never sets and the hillside landscape reveals a face entirely different from itself”, she added.

This strategy is part of a broader trend observed in several European resorts traditionally dependent on winter tourism. Faced with evolving tourist practices and the uncertainty linked to snow cover, many of them are now developing summer activities. In Levi, visitors can thus hike, mountain bike, paraglide, or raft. The treasure hunt thus complements this offering, delivering an immersive experience through the region’s landscapes.

The operation is organized in partnership with Agnico Eagle Finland, a gold-mining company based in Kittilä, and Levi Ski Resort. The organizers also emphasize environmental respect: participants must stay within authorized zones and preserve natural spaces. They also note that it will not be necessary to dig or damage the terrain in order to hope to lay hands on the famous gold ingot.