For a country that doesn’t actually boast any mountains, there are still plenty of opportunities to go skiing in Finland. Finland also has, in my opinion, some of the best snow in the world. When we originally planned our trip to Lapland with kids, we didn’t plan to ski. Not because we didn’t want to but because we didn’t know what we would do with our three-year-old non skier. So, we found a friendly babysitter and got ready to ski.
The fells of Finnish Lapland form the country’s main ski area and the four biggest resorts are Levi, Pyhä-Luosto, Ruka and Ylläs.
Ylläs: A Snowboarder's Paradise
The Ylläs fell is home to two separate ski resorts on either side of the fell. Both Ylläsjärvi and Äkäslompolo are authentic Finnish villages peppered with wooden cabins, small local businesses and reindeer! We stayed at the traditional log cabin, Yllashilla, in Äkäslompolo during our time in Lapland. The slopes are a short ski bus ride away from the village centres.
During peak season you can buy a ski pass and ski the whole of the Ylläs fell. Some of the lifts weren’t open when we visited, however so we stuck to the Sport Resort Ylläs on the Äkäslompolo side. This worked out well because this is the resort that has a gondola. And, when it’s -18C outside, you will be thankful for the gondola in between runs!
Skiing in Finland is very different to skiing somewhere like the Alps. The resorts are small and the terrain is not particularly challenging, particularly if you’re an experienced skier. We visited in mid-December, during polar night, when the sun never quite rises above the horizon. This means that there are only a few hours of light per day. Some of the slopes are floodlit so you can continue skiing even when it’s dark.
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Sport Resort Ylläs: Perfect for All Skill Levels
Sport Resort Ylläs was perfect for my two older children. Sport Resort Ylläs is also a great place to learn to ski and there are private and group ski school lessons available. The lack of crowds means its ideal for beginners. There are two “magic carpet” lifts for novice skiers, which you don’t need a ski pass for (children under six ride free on all lifts). For boarders and freestyle skiers, there are also four snow parks to suit all abilities.
In front of the slopes is the Y1 Service Ski Centre where you can hire equipment, buy lift passes and organise ski school lessons. There are also a handful of cafes and restaurants here.
I can honestly say that the few hours we had skiing on the slopes of Ylläs were some of the best I have ever enjoyed.
Other Notable Resorts in Lapland:
Besides Ylläs, Lapland offers other fantastic resorts:
- Levi: One of the largest and most popular ski resorts in Finland, known for its diverse slopes and vibrant après-ski scene.
- Pyhä-Luosto: Offers a combination of two resorts, providing a variety of slopes for different skill levels and stunning natural scenery.
- Ruka: Famous for its long ski season and challenging slopes, attracting experienced skiers and snowboarders.
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tags: #lapland #finland #snowboarding