A resort in Lapland has hidden a bar of gold worth €20,000 (£17,000), and it’s free for whoever finds it first.
The Levi tourist office hopes the stunt will see visitors flock to the region where the sun never sets during summer.
The 24-hour a day Midnight Sun Hunt is set to begin on 18 June and will run until late August – or until a lucky winner snags the bar of gold.
Anyone expecting to come across a huge and heavy bar may be disappointed however, as the actual prize appears to be quite small in size, if not value.
”Levi is known above all for its winter, but the northern summer is still undiscovered by many,” Satu Pesonen, the CEO of Visit Levi said.
“We want to give travellers a new reason to visit Levi when the sun never sets and the fell landscape reveals a completely different side of itself.”
Participants will follow a series of clues across Levi, with each clue bringing them closer to the location of the bar. The route will lead through trails, local services and landmarks, Visit Levi says.
The prize can, in theory, be found after any clue, but as new clues are released throughout the summer, the bar of gold should become easier to locate.
The first hint will be revealed on 18 June, with the final clue released on 22 August.
Alongside Visit Levi, the Midnight Sun Hunt has been organised with Agnico Eagle Finland, a gold mining company in Kittilä, and with Levi Ski Resort.
The organisation says the hunt does not require any digging or disturbing of the terrain, and participants have been advised to stay within permitted areas and respect the natural environment while they search for the treasure.
Throughout winter, Levi is a popular ski resort and can be visited to see the northern lights.
Skiing in the region is on fells rather than mountains, and overall is more low-key than the rest of Europe, with fewer pistes and parties than the Alps or the Dolomites.
But a consistent blanket of deep snow, the scenery and a range of activities away from the slopes have made Lapland an increasingly popular skiing destination.
More details here...
