Lapland, Finland, is traditionally recognized as the snow-dusted winter home of Santa Claus and a prime viewing ground for the Northern Lights. However, a new initiative is inviting travelers to swap their winter parkas for hiking boots and join a summer-long treasure hunt. According to an official statement from the regional tourism board, Visit Levi, organizers have hidden a solid gold bar worth 20,000 euros (approximately $23,300) somewhere within the wilderness of Levi Ski Resort, kicking off a public quest known as the Midnight Sun Hunt.
The high-stakes scavenger hunt is scheduled to begin on June 18 at the Levi Visitor Centre, where fortune hunters can officially register and collect their first physical clue. From there, a sequence of riddle-like hints will be systematically distributed throughout the summer, guiding hikers along local trails, notable landmarks, and scenic alpine attractions. Visit Levi officials noted that additional hints will be steadily released until August 22, making the gold bar’s hiding spot progressively easier to pinpoint over time, though it remains entirely possible for an astute tracker to stumble upon the bounty following the very first set of clues.
Perched safely above the Arctic Circle, Levi resort has historically generated its global reputation as a premier winter playground. Yet during the midsummer months, the region experiences the midnight sun — a natural phenomenon that bathes the northern landscape in uninterrupted, 24-hour sunlight. As reported by CNN, the promotional event is part of a broader, industry-wide push across European winter hotspots to diversify their operations and cultivate viable summer-season economies by promoting snow-free activities like paragliding, river rafting, mountain biking, and long-distance trekking.
The unique campaign is being executed as a joint venture between Levi Ski Resort and Agnico Eagle Finland, a prominent gold mining company based in the neighboring municipality of Kittilä. Given the delicate nature of the Arctic ecosystem, tourism authorities have issued strict codes of conduct for all participating treasure hunters. Event organizers explicitly emphasize that the gold bar has been positioned in a way that requires absolutely no digging, excavation, or disruption to the landscape. Adventurers are instructed to travel responsibly, stick strictly to permitted trails, and maintain deep respect for the local Finnish environment as they search the terrain.
