Customer portal
What comes to mind when you think of Lapland? We’d bet on Father Christmas and the Northern Lights. But skiing?
Lapland, the largest and northernmost region of Finland, is one of the world’s most distinctive skiing destinations. Unlike the soaring peaks and vast ski areas of the Alps, Lapland’s resorts are much more compact, and characterised by gentle, well-groomed pistes, snow-blanketed forests, and endless wintery wilderness.
This friendly terrain makes Lapland a good option for beginners and families, but intermediate and advanced skiers, too, should get a thrill at the chance to ski in such a different and dramatic environment.
And there’s so much more to discover… From immersing yourself in Sami culture to snowmobile rides through the forest and ice karting, here’s everything you need to know about skiing in Lapland.
Ski holidays in Lapland
Most of Lapland is in the Arctic circle, so you won’t be surprised to learn that the ski season can often stretch from October right through to May, a feat matched by only very high altitude or glacier resorts elsewhere. This also means very cold temperatures and short days in the depths of winter, though Lappish resorts are well-equipped to handle these extreme conditions, and the darkest, coldest period is relatively short.
Many places have extensive floodlit slopes so that, even in the midst of the polar night, you can ski. For example, over 70% of Levi’s slopes are illuminated. There are also floodlit snowparks that are a natural playground for freestyle-hungry skiers and snowboarders.
Beyond skiing, you’ll find similar activities and amenities to the Alps. There are slopeside cafes serving hearty dishes, as well as restaurants for fancier fare, and bars with games, live music, and dancing. The bigger resorts also have activities like bowling, cinemas and ice rinks. While you can find late-night spots, there isn’t a massive après culture in Finland, but that’s because there’s so much else going on: if you’re not skiing until 11pm, you might be hunting for the aurora borealis on snow shoes or riding a snowmobile to an ice fishing spot.
Top reasons to ski in Lapland
There are so many reasons to choose Lapland for your next skiing adventure, including:
A very long season: with much of Lapland located inside the Arctic circle, the season lasts from October to May in some resorts.
Snow-sure: Lapland’s location also ensures that it’s very snow-sure, with the white stuff on the ground for up to 200 days a year.
Great for beginners: Lapland’s wide, gentle, often uncrowded slopes make it a top choice if you're a beginner skier.
Stunning natural scenery: with its vast, snowy wilderness, coniferous forests, and herds of roaming reindeer, Lapland is the very definition of a winter wonderland.
Unique activities: between visiting Santa’s grotto, ice karting, and snowmobile, husky and reindeer tours, you might wonder when you’ll even have time for skiing.
Read more:
Check out our guide to skiing in Finland to learn more about its unique resorts and ski culture.
What are the conditions and climate in Lapland like?
Lapland’s extreme northerly latitude means very cold temperatures and short days in the middle of winter. In January, the daily mean temperature is around -11°C, though it doesn’t actually feel as cold as you might think because the air is dry and still.
And while the sun all but disappears in December, by the middle of January, there are around four hours of daylight and up to eight by the middle of February. Not that it matters if you are there in the depths of winter — the high proportion of illuminated slopes means you’ll still be able to ski to your heart’s content.
When to go skiing in Lapland?
For prime snow conditions and the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights, you can’t beat the middle of the season in Lapland, which is from January to March.
If you’d prefer more sunlight and slightly warmer days, March provides a nice balance of good conditions and a more pleasant climate. However, there's certainly something intrepid and exciting about Lapland during those dark days in the first month of the year.
But if you want the ultimate festive experience, December is the only time to visit, especially if you're taking the kids. Visiting the land of Father Christmas and going on a journey to his grotto is a memory they’re sure to cherish forever.
What should I wear in Lapland?
Whether you go in January or March, one thing's for sure: it will be cold.
As with skiing, the best policy is to bring a variety of thermal layers, though you should bring extra to account for the even lower temperatures.
Use this Lapland holiday packing list to ensure you stay warm:
- Base layers - long-sleeved thermal tops and leggings, ideally merino wool or polyester (no cotton —see below)
- Mid-layers - looser-fitting jumpers or fleeces that go between your base and outer layer create pockets of warm air. You may also want to wear fleeced jogging bottoms under your snowsuit or salopettes if it’s really cold
- Outer layer - a warm, waterproof ski jacket and salopettes or waterproof trousers that can accommodate your base and mid layers underneath
- Woolen socks - 100% wool or wool blend socks. Bring thinner and thicker pairs to layer up or down depending on the temperature
- Mittens/gloves and liners - mittens are warmer than gloves and glove liners provide extra insulation
- Balaclava or buff - to protect your face from wind chill
- Warm woollen hat - stop heat escaping from your head with a woollen beanie
- Snow boots - a pair of thermal boots will keep your feet warm when you’re trudging through the snow
- Swimwear - don’t forget swimwear for the sauna or swimming pool at your accommodation
AVOID COTTON
Cotton absorbs sweat and moisture and then loses its ability to insulate. In contrast, wool fibres trap warm air in tiny pockets. It's also breathable and it wicks away moisture from your skin.
What activities can I do in Lapland?
Visit Santa
So, what does a visit to Santa actually involve? The excitement starts with an adventure into the enchanted Lappish forest, sometimes led by huskies or reindeer. The trail leads right to Santa’s secret hideaway, where it’s time for the main event: a private meeting with the man himself. You may also have the chance to play festive games with the elves, craft your own decorations, and tuck into a delicious Christmas meal.
Lapland experiences and Santa breaks
Meet Santa one day and find the Northern Lights the next. Iglu Ski offers a range of 24-hour to four-night Lapland holiday experiences, all of which include flights, transfers, and complimentary thermals.
The Northern Lights
Aside from Father Christmas, the Northern Lights are the quintessential Lapland experience, and there are few places on earth where you’re more likely to see one of the world’s most spectacular natural phenomenons.
One way to do so is to book an overnight stay in a purpose-built igloo with a thermal glass roof. Transfers and breakfast are included, and additional meals an optional extra. And don’t worry about falling asleep, you’ll get a wake up call if the lights appear.
Alternatively, you can hunt for the Northern Lights by car, on snowshoes, snowmobile, reindeer safari or any number of other guided tours.
Horse riding, snowmobile, husky sledding or reindeer sleigh rides
Whether horse-powered or hoof-powered, riding on a snowmobile or being towed by a four-legged animal is one of the best ways to get out and about in the Lappish wilderness. You can book trips or tours on a variety of modes of transportation from most resorts.
Ice karting
You guessed it, ice karting is nothing more than go karting around a snowy track on a specially adapted cart with spiky wheels. Available in Levi and Saariselka, it’s a fun and friendly experience, but there are prizes for the winners…
Cross-country skiing
If you’ve never seen the merits of cross-country skiing, a trip to Lapland just might change your mind. The largest resorts have hundreds of kilometres of well-maintained trails through unimaginably beautiful frozen landscapes, many of which are illuminated for evening excursions.
Snow village
Constructed from 27,000 cubic metres of snow and chunks of river ice, the Lainio Snow Village takes over 3500 hours to build, and features furniture and sculptures carved from ice, a bar and restaurant, and even an ice chapel.
The top ski resorts in Lapland
Lapland is home to around 10 resorts, some small and remote, others with a more substantial supply of slopes. Based on their skiing, amenities and activities, the top resorts in Lapland are:
Levi
Levi’s ski area is the most extensive and developed in Lapland, with its 44 slopes providing 38km of skiing, a roughly even proportion of blue and reds, and a handful of blacks. It’s great for beginners, intermediates, and families. There’s a dedicated kids’ zone, Leevilandia, which has the easiest slopes, two covered magic carpet lifts, and a sledding and snow-tubing hill.There’s also an indoor playground for children that has games and activities.
From Levi you can visit the snow village, go for a traditional Lappish meal, go ice karting and ice fishing, and visit Santa. The Samiland exhibition is a must see if you want to learn about the fascinating culture of the indigenous Sami people. There are lots of restaurants in the resort — you can find burgers, pizzas and pasta, as well as places serving traditional Lappish dishes.
Levi is undoubtedly Lapland’s après ski hotspot, with around a dozen bars where you can grab a drink, play some pool, or dance the night away. Arena and Lift are the biggest clubs in town.
Where to stay in Levi?
Levi Black Apartments
These warm and welcoming self-catered apartments are great for families. Each is spread over two floors, with space for 6-8 guests, an open plan living space, and a private sauna.
Ylläs
Lapland’s largest ski resort, Ylläs is home to more than 53km of pistes, with around 21km of blues and 26km of red, half of which are floodlit for nighttime skiing. With its quiet, gentle slopes, it’s great for beginners, while snowboarders will love the jumps and rails at its four snowparks. And don’t miss the longest run in Finland, the 3km Jättipitkä.
It’s a good jumping off point for a number of wintery activities, including snowmobile, husky, reindeer, and e-fat-bike safaris, as well as ice karting and northern lights trips. There are 12 restaurants in the resort and a handful of apres ski bars, including Bar Kappi, which has live music and quiz nights.
Where to stay in Ylläs?
Akas Alp Apartments
Located in a tranquil forest just five minutes walk from one of Ylläs two main villages, Akas Alp Apartments feature a bar with a dance floor, a restaurant, and leisure facilities.
Saariselkä
Located 260km inside the Arctic Circle, Saariselkä is the most northerly ski resort in Europe. It has 19km of pistes across its 23 runs, and is probably the best resort in Lapland for cross-country skiing, with over 200km of trails. A significant percentage of these are floodlit, so you can get out there even if you visit during the polar night. As well as blue runs accounting for about two thirds of its ski area, there’s a simplicity to the layout of Saariselkä that makes it very beginner-friendly, with every piste leading back to the resort centre and its amenities.
It’s also a good place to go if the Northern Lights are a priority: there's a planetarium dedicated to the phenomenon and, in 10-20 minutes, you can walk to the Aurora Hut in the national park, a great vantage point to see them from on a clear night. There are a few restaurants and bars in Saariselkä, but don’t expect shots and table dancing — it’s much more a place for getting close to nature and hunkering down in a cosy cabin after an invigorating day outside.
Where to stay in Saariselkä?
Gielas Hotel
The 4-star Gielas hotel gives you access several restaurants, saunas, and a bar, and is located just 250m from the village centre.
Pyhä
Deep in the Pyhä-Lusto National Park, Pyhä is the most southerly of our resorts and, while by far the smallest, has qualities that make it the perfect place for a family skiing adventure. There are 15 slopes, nine lifts, and a number of dedicated children and family areas, including a mini snowpark with small jumps and rails, and a family sledding hill. Children under 6 ski for free.
Pyhä is one of the best places in Lapland for freeriding, with loads of off-piste routes easily accessible from the main lifts. Even kids can take a freeriding lesson, where they’ll learn the basics of skiing or boarding in powder. The national park is also home to 150km of cross-country tracks, a fun way to discover the Lappish wilderness.
Where to stay in Pyhä?
Pyhä Ski-Inn Suites
These self-catered, ski-in-ski-out apartments are equipped with everything you’ll need for your stay in Pyhä, including a kitchenette, TV, dining area, and laundry facilities.
FAQS?
How do you get to Lapland?
Depending on when you travel and who you book with, you can fly direct to Lapland from London and some regional airports, including Bristol and Manchester. As part of their package deals, some travel providers charter exclusive flights to Kittilä, the nearest international airport to most of the main resorts.
From there you’ll transfer by coach. Transfer times for each resort are around:
- Levi - 20 minutes
- Ylläs - 40 minutes to 1 hour
- Saariselkä - 3 hours (or 30 mins to 1 hr from Ivalo)
- Pyhä - 2 hours
Can you see the Northern Lights in Lapland?
Not only can you see the Northern Lights, you are very likely to if you visit between January and March. The aurora borealis are visible approximately 200 out of 365 days a year in Lapland, and its vast wilderness, which is untroubled by light pollution, provides prime viewing.
Is Lapland good for beginners?
Lapland is perfect for beginners. It has fells (like the rolling hills of the Lake or Peak District) rather than mountains, meaning the slopes are generally wide and gentle. On top of that, the pistes are well-groomed and rarely crowded.
Can you ski in Lapland year-round?
You can’t ski year-round but Lapland has an exceptionally long season (October to May), much longer than most resorts in the Alps.
What is the apres-ski like in Lapland?
Lapland probably shouldn’t be your go-to destination if you’re all about apres ski. That said, there are bars in most resorts and even clubs in some, and the Finns know how to party as well as anyone else.
Is skiing in Finland expensive?
The average cost of eating and drinking is roughly comparable to the Alps, meaning it's slightly more expensive than everyday living but not prohibitively so. You’ll pay about €7 for a pint of beer and €75 for a meal in a mid-range restaurant. Ski passes are cheaper, around €250 in the main resorts compared to over €400 in most of the big French or Austrian resorts. And flights are roughly comparable in price, depending on when you go.
Discover the magic of Lapland with Iglu Ski
Are you eager to ski the slopes of Saariselkä or snow shoe through the forest in search of the Northern Lights? Iglu Ski has deals on a a number of cosy apartments and hotels in our top Lapland resorts, with self-catered, half board and bed & breakfast options available, and flights from several regional airports.
Need some advice before booking your Lapland experience? Just give our ski experts a call. They can help you find the right resort and accommodation for your needs.