June 16, 2026, 10:24 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Ever spent an entire vacation on a treasure hunt? What sounds like a childhood dream is soon to become a reality for visitors to a ski resort in Finland–with the chance of a real reward. Somewhere in the forests of Lapland, a gold nugget worth 20,000 euros is hidden. TRAVELBOOK explains how vacationers can participate in the search and why the conditions are particularly favorable right now.
It’s hardly surprising that ski resorts attract significantly fewer visitors in the summer than during the winter season. What captivates with meters of powder snow and snowy forests in the cold months loses its appeal for many without ski offerings. Therefore, the Levi Ski Resort in northwestern Finland has developed an unusual idea: Those who hike through the region can find a real treasure with the help of clues released over the summer months.
Treasure Hunt Through Lapland
On June 18, the first clue for the “Midnight Sun Hunt” will be published on the website. More puzzles will follow regularly until the end of August, leading visitors through the nature of Lapland. According to the organizers, the treasure can theoretically be discovered after the first tip, but with each additional clue, the chances of finding it increase. And with a bit of luck, you might find it: a small gold bar worth 20,000 euros.
The trail leads over an extensive network of hiking and biking paths, past sights and local attractions. And this is through Finland’s largest and most famous ski resort. Levi reveals a side that many travelers hardly know: Instead of snow and ice, visitors can expect temperatures of up to 20 degrees Celsius in the Arctic summer. “Levi is primarily known for its winter, but the summer in the north is still undiscovered for many. We want to give travelers a new reason to visit Levi when the sun never sets and the fell landscape shows a completely different side of itself,” says the director of the tourism information in Kittilä.
In the Light of the Midnight Sun
The fact that the treasure hunt is practically possible around the clock has a special reason. Levi is located far north of the Arctic Circle. There, the sun hardly sets from May to August. Instead of darkness, daylight prevails even at midnight. Particularly impressive: The low sun bathes the surroundings in warm red and gold tones, creating the impression of an endless sunset.
Those who embark on the trail of gold experience the vastness of the Arctic North in unique light. To ensure the event does not harm the sensitive nature, the organizers ask all participants to stay on marked paths and respect the surroundings. According to their own statements, the gold bar is hidden in such a way that no digging or damage to vegetation is necessary.