Piparina – where Lapland flavours meet gingerbread magic
From Santamus to the magical Piparina gingerbread village
Piparina is the newest real-life fairytale created by Snowhotel Family, now bringing new life to the legendary Santamus restaurant in Rovaniemi. What began as Santamus’s story of Lapland flavours and warm hospitality has now grown into something even more enchanting: a gingerbread village you can actually step inside, right in the heart of Santa Claus Village.
Contact us
Piparina
Santa Claus Village, 96930 Rovaniemi, Finland
Email: sales@piparina.fi
Phone: +358 40 575 7805
Our story
The idea for Piparina was born on a family trip when the entrepreneurs Heidi and Ville Haavikko rented a cabana as their family’s base for a relaxing day at the spa and realized how valuable it is to have your own private space during a busy activities filled day. They dreamed of bringing that comfort to Santa Claus Village – but with a Lapland twist.
That dream became Piparina, a cozy base for your Santa Claus Village visit, with life-sized gingerbread cabins where visitors can pause, relax, and enjoy the flavours of Lapland.
Opened 28 October 2025, Piparina is the world’s only (as far as we know) gingerbread village you can actually step inside.
Why the name Piparina?
The name comes from the Finnish word pipari, meaning Finnish-style gingerbread. Unlike the softer versions found in many countries, Finnish gingerbread is thin, crisp, and richly spiced with cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and ginger. For generations, baking these cookies has been a central Christmas tradition in Finnish homes.
Our gingerbread cabins are inspired by this tradition. Their look, details, and atmosphere reflect the timeless Finnish love for gingerbread. In Piparina, we bring this tradition to life at full scale, turning something small and familiar into an experience unlike anywhere else in the world.
How Santamus lives on
Many ask: is Santamus still open? The answer is yes – in a new form. Santamus continues as Piparina, our restaurant and gingerbread village in Santa Claus Village. The spirit of Santamus is very much alive: warm hospitality, Lapland flavours , and the tranquil stream flowing through the restaurant, creating moments to remember.
The legendary Santamus restaurant, founded by musician Matti Korva and inspired by Lapland’s gold rush, was known for experiences that engaged all the senses, from candlelight and live music to real gold panning. Piparina carries this legacy forward with new stories and cabins made of gingerbread magic.
Piparina is part of Snowhotel Family
Snowhotel Family is a family-owned company from Rovaniemi, founded by Heidi and Ville Haavikko in 2008. We are deeply rooted in Lapland and proud of our local identity. Every concept we create grows from our family values and passion for Lapland hospitality.
Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos – a unique visiting destination and accommodation experience in Lehtojärvi, featuring stunning ice art, the SnowHotel, glass igloos, and Lapland experiences.
Snowman World – a winter attraction in Santa Claus Village filled with snow slides, activities, and ice and snow art, home to the beloved snowmen Lumi, Tykky and Hanki.
Piparina (formerly Santamus) – private gingerbread cabins and a restaurant in Santa Claus Village
Together, we are Snowhotel Family.