Top Things to do in Lapland
Things to do in Lapland, Finland: The Best Ski & Snowboard Areas
Finland's largest ski resort, Lapland's Ylläs has 61 slopes, the longest running two miles, with a vertical drop of over a quarter mile. This is the highest Finnish fell (mountain) with ski lifts, and there are 29 here in all. Also at Ylläs are 210 miles of cross-country tracks, 24 miles of which are lit.
Restaurants in Lapland
1. Discover Lapland
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Discover Lapland provides guided tours through out the year in the beautiful and unique Finnish Lapland. Nature has a positive impact on health and well-being and there is no better place to experience the mother natures power than in the Arctic Circle. Discover Lapland wants to bring you to the wilderness to empower your mind, body and soul while being outdoors on an adventure.
2. Ruka
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By GallowaysOnTour2912 - Seaford, United Kingdom
We visited Ruka AGAIN!!! 3rd year in a row over Christmas. We travelled with our 2 teenage boys and younger daughters. Ruka, has something for everyone, hence why we have returned 3 years in a row. This trip was for 2 weeks, we sampled most of the activities and we hired a people carrier and ventured out to Lammintupa, which is a MUST!!! Fantastic value where reindeer rides and husky rides cost you €15 & €25, plus snowmobile rides for the kids and there is also a restaurant onsite that is great! Overall, Ruka is a fantastic place to visit.
3. Urho Kekkonen National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 175 reviews
Reviewed By Minion_adventurer - Southern Finland, Finland
As the second biggest National Park in Finland this park offers peace and tranquility just few steps from the center of Saariselkä village. You have easy walking routes coming to the border and then short and longer snowshoeing trail. Short one you can do on any weather but the longer one takes you up on the fjell so you don't want to take that in a bad weather. Skiing tracks are going more deeply inside the park. At the summer hiking routes are going everywhere.
4. Syote Ski & Nature Resort
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Syote is all year round tourist resort, which consist of two ski areas Iso-Syote and Pikku-Syote and is surrounded by Syote National Park. During winter you can enjoy cross-country and downhill skiing, snowshoeing, winter fatbiking, snowmobile-, husky- and reindeer safaris, northern lights spotting, etc. Summer activities: hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, river tubing, fishing, trail running.
Reviewed By margusj2018 - Keila, Estonia
No que in working days. Slopes nicely maintained. Possible to rent gear - snowboard, skies, fatbike etc
5. Yllas Ski Resort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 116 reviews
Reviewed By FinnishMom - Southwest Finland, Finland
The slopes are well maintained, safe, broad and I’d say this skiing was the best I have had in Finland during my 25 years of skiing and the kids liked it, too. When you go during late March-April it is not too cold either, and you can continue skiing until late in the evening - the sun sets at 9 pm and the slopes close at 7 pm!
6. Levi Ski Resort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 845 reviews
Levi resort is located in the western Lapland, in the middle of pure nature and large wilderness areas. Levi Ski Resort is the most popular and fast-growing sport resort in Finland. Alpine World Cup Race is arranged every November. The first snowflakes usually fall in October-November and the skiing season continues until early-May. With 43 slopes, 27 lifts and more than 200 km of cross-country trails, Levi offers the skiers the best there is. There are different types of slopes and skiing tracks that offer a possibility to enjoy skiing for both beginners and more experienced skiers. In the beginning of the season one can start with skiing on the 9 km long artificial "first snow" track, which is free of charge. The most challenging and well-assorted South Park in Finland for the snowboarders and the freestyle enthusiasts is situated in Levi. Alpine Training Park for racing teams and clubs. International ski school offers lessons and courses for all skill levels. 2 rentals and shops
7. Kids' Land
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 173 reviews
Kids come first! Kids find a fun playground right next to the Front Slopes. When the adults enjoy some skiing on the slopes, the sledging hill and daily activities at the Kids' Land offer lots of fun and things to do for the younger members of the family. At Kids' Land, there are two poma lifts for children to practise skiing. You can borrow sledges, sliders and stigas for children to play at Kids' Land area. If you get cold, warm up in a Lappish hut next to a blazing fire while enjoying a hot drink. It is also possible to bring along your own packed lunch or grill sausages in a hut. The indoor day care center Tenavatokka is a safe and fun place for the smallest kids and babies. You can bring your children to play and do handicrafts whenever your family needs a break. All events at Kids' Land are free of charge!
Reviewed By bryant1984 - Plymouth, United Kingdom
Perfect place for the little ones (and bigger ones if still a novice skier) with warming hut, 2 nursery slopes, sledging hill and toilets. Really enjoyed our time here and felt like it was a very safe environment for all.
8. Pyhatunturi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Pyhä is a true Lappish ski resort surrounded by the natural beauty of fell landscapes in the Pyhä-Luosto National Park. Here reindeers roam free and Northern lights dance in the sky. Already the ancient Lappish people recognized the beauty of Pyhä, and brought offerings to the gods on these impressive fells. Today well-maintained ski slopes, efficient ski lifts and great service guarantee fabulous skiing days at Pyhä. Ski area is totally renewed with a superfast 6 person chair lift, new Piste Palander (FIS) Slope and improved beginners’ area. Pyhä is easily reached from Rovaniemi. In just 90 minutes from the airport you are skiing surrounded by pure nature. At Pyhä the quietness and magnificent nature of the National Park are just at 300m from the accommodation.
Reviewed By Whe123 - London, United Kingdom
Chilled skiing holiday with 2 teens (all beginners) staying at the hotel. Staff are really nice and helpful. We were all impressed by the food on HB even though the choice is small (1 starter, 2 mains and a pud) and when I asked a veggie option was always available . Children get a larger choice on a children’s menu. Breakfast good as well, lots of healthy options and we all loved their bread and fresh fruit choices. Rooms are everything you need but a comfy chair would be nice. The drying cupboard in the bathroom came in handy. The resort/ hotel were perfect for us. We leave tomorrow feeling we might well come back one day and hope to be booking one of the apartments or chalets as we heard great things about them from other guests. One word to describe this holiday CHILLED!
9. Salla Ski Resort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 144 reviews
Ski Resort: 15 Slopes, 6 lifts, Skirental and service, Skischool, Sport Shop, Cafe.*Salla - In The Middle of Snowhere*
Reviewed By JariJK - Kouvola, Finland
We had a wonderful winter holiday in Salla Ski Resort, Sallatunturi, although we didn't take part in downhill skiing. Instead of it we tried many other activities: cross-country skiing, electric fatbikes, snowshoes etc. They lend the necessary equipment in Salla Ski Resort. So you can borrow them there and you don't need any own equipment. There are 160 kilometers of cross-country skiing tracks (43 kilometers of them are illuminated), 3 winter biking tracks (each 12-16 kilometers), 2 snowshoe trails (2.5-5 kilometers) and 3 winter walking trails (2-5 kilometers) in Salla Ski Resort and the nearby nature with fell views. All tracks and trails are maintained very well with snowmobiles. The most wonderful winter walking route starts from Sallatunturintie 4 Parking (next to Salla Sports Center) and more precisely from the northern side of the black slope (Kilparinne). This route goes on the top of Fell Small Sallatunturi (Pieni Sallatunturi). The route follows the sides of the black slope and the northern slope and ends to the observation tower of Fell Small Sallatunturi. There is also a Lapp hut named Peak Hut (Huippukota) next to the observation tower. There is a campfire site in the hut. The route is about 2 kilometers in one direction. It is maintained so well that you can walk with normal winter shoes. However, the slope is very deep. So you should walk slowly and have much time. Best snowshoe trails and winter biking tracks start from the northern side of Tunturikummuntie Parking. This snowshoe trail is a circle route (5 kilometers) over the Fell Big Sallatunturi (Iso Sallatunturi). The winter biking track is called Kaippahanoja trail and it is a circle route, which is 13-16 kilometers long. It may be quite challenging if snow is very soft. You should have an electric fatbike and plenty of time. However, I guarantee that you will see extremely beautiful scenery on the way. This was our dream holiday!
10. Ounasvaaran Hiihtokeskus Oy
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 95 reviews
Reviewed By Travelphiliac
We came here twice both visits on weekday afternoons during school term. The slopes are open till the evening under floodlights due to the short hours of daylight in winter. Hireage of gear is easy and straight forward. Prices are not cheap but considering its vicinity to town and the lack of crowds when we visited it made it worth it. Some of our party were on the easier slopes that finished near the office and the rest of us were in the beginner's area. During our 2 visits both areas had hardly anybody on them so it actually felt like quite a luxury to ski with noone else on the same part of the slope at the same time. If time permitted we would have been back again without hesitation to practice our skills. I cannot comment though on numbers on the slopes during weekends or school holidays.
