Skiing in Lapland
Are you looking for some new slopes this winter? In Finnish Lapland there are versatile resorts that offer downhill enthusiasts everything from kids’ runs to black slopes, and snow parks to backcountry exploring. The season starts in late October, and high season spans from February until the snow melts in early May.
There are around 75 ski resorts in Finland, most of them small local hills next to cities and villages. The big ones, however, lie in the fells of Lapland, and are classic winter holiday destinations. The “Big Four” of Lapland’s ski resorts – Levi, Ylläs, Pyhä-Luosto and Ruka – rise from roughly 1,640 to more than 2,296 feet above sea level and boast slope lengths up to 1.8 miles.
Levi
Levi is the most popular ski resort in Finland. Two snow parks, a variety of slopes for skiers and snowboarders and a lively village center are the main attractions. The resort is easily accessed through Kittilä airport just a few minutes’ drive away. Levi hosts an annual FIS World Cup slalom competition in November.
More information: http://www.levi.fi/en/home.html
Ylläs
Many would argue Ylläs is the most fabled of Finnish ski resorts. A ski lift has been running on these fells since 1957, and the allure of Ylläs and the six fells around it never loses the charm. A bit of après-ski in these surroundings can’t be wrong.
Ylläs: http://www.yllas.fi/en
Pyhä-Luosto
The twin resorts of Pyhä-Luosto are the most unhurried of Lapland’s ski centers. The fells offer great variation for all types of skiing and riding. Pyhä is famous for its picturesque backcountry, a feature that keeps domestic experts coming back year after year, and many ending up living here.
More information: http://ski3.pyha.fi/eng/
Ruka
Ruka offers a whole range of winter sports, from downhill skiing and snowboarding to top-class snowmobiling on forests and ice covered lakes, not to mention husky safaris and reindeer sledge rides. In addition, there are over 310 miles of cross-country skiing tracks.
More information: http://www.ruka.fi/en
Text: Visit Finland