
Cross-country skiing in Lapland
Superb, family-run hotel in a typical Finnish village in the heart of snow sure Lapland. Option to try out different snow activities during your stay.
-
Reviews 0 Reviews0/5
-
Vacation Style Holiday Type
-
Self Guided
-
Winter
-
-
Activity Level Leisurely
-
Perfectly picturesque and surrounded by the 7 softly rounded, snow-capped fells of the Pallas-Yllastunturi National Park, the village of Akaslompolo makes for superb cross-country skiing exploration whatever your ski ability. With over 300km of designated tracks – the most in Finland – trails vary from flat and easy to more demanding routes into the fells. There are even about 40km of trails that are illuminated at night for superb skiing even in the atmospheric twilight of the Polar Night in December and into January. The intricate network of signposted trails crisscross and intercept each other, so your route can even be changed halfway through, giving countless alternatives through the beautifully preserved Lappish landscape. There are even so-called ‘warm tracks’ on the upper fells where it might be as much as 15 degrees warmer than in the village!
Using prepared cross-country trails directly from the hotel, follow the freshly prepared ski tracks to the frozen lake of Akaslomopojarvi, through peaceful ancient forest and pristine white and unspoilt nature. The trails are dotted with traditional Finnish kotas – small wigwam shaped huts where you can take a break from skiing to marvel at the silent snow covered landscapes – or enjoy Finnish hospitality in a skiers’ cafe where you can try the local energy booster of a pulla (sweet sticky bun), munkki (the doughnut equivalent) and a hot blueberry juice.
Just 200km north of the Arctic Circle, this far north there are good opportunities to glimpse the celebrated Northern Lights. Street lights here are turned off at 10pm to showcase this extraordinary natural phenomenon. Admire from the hotel or take to your snowshoes as night falls in a guided search (payable locally) over the snow for the Aurora.
When you fancy a day off from skiing, a convenient ski bus connects Akaslompolo with the impressive Snow Village – constructed as the first snows come down in November, artists from around the globe come here to design and sculpt this intricately chiseled ice hotel. Or take the chair lift to the summit of 719m high Yllastunturi Fell – which gives the Yllas region its name – to savour the views at the highest restaurant in Finland.
The base for your 7-night stay is the Yllashumina Hotel, set near the shores of Akaslomopojarvi lake and a home away from home run by the Qvist family for over 70 years. With just 32 rooms, housed in 8 separate traditional wooden cabins, it makes for wonderfully cosy and intimate accommodation. Dinners here, served in a separate log building, where you’ll also find the welcoming lounge and Humina pub, are highly recommended with buffet style, hearty Lappish fayre based on locally sourced game, fish, cheese and berries. All guests can take advantage of the hotel’s sauna, a must for any Finnish accommodation!, as well as the Arctic Spa: an outdoor hot tub for the ultimate in relaxation.
- 7 nights en suite hotel
- All breakfasts
- 6 days leisurely, independent cross-country skiing exploration
- Cross-country skiing available for all grades
- Ski hire / ski lessons available at a pre-bookable supplement
- Optional snow activities nearby
- Use of the sauna and Arctic spa at the hotel
- Use of Cross-country ski trails
- Flights
- Arrival & departure transfers (available on request, inquire for supplement)
- Dinners (available at a pre-bookable supplement)
- Single accommodation (available on request)
- Ski rental (classic or skating), ski lessons, guided ski excursions and guided snowshoeing trips
Highlights
- Stay in the resort of Yllas in the heart of Finnish Lapland, a cross country skier’s paradise
- Pallas-Yllastunturi National Park – officially where the world’s cleanest air has been measured
- Ski in ski out 3* family run accommodation based in the Lappish village of Akaslompolo
- Snow sure destination
- Opportunity to see the Northern Lights!
- Plenty of activities to choose from including snowmobiling, husky rides, snowshoeing, fat biking and nearby, downhill skiing
All breakfasts are included and are buffet-style continental. Inquire for supplement to add dinners each evening.
This trip is operated by our trusted associate, Headwater, who offer more flexibility, so you can ski as much or as little as you like.
Minimum age: children over the age of 13yrs are welcome to join as long as they are able to participate in the skiing.
No minimum group size: departures are not subject to a minimum group size in order to run, although occasionally a ‘small group’ or ‘sole traveler’ supplement may apply.
Sole travelers: if travelling on your own a compulsory single supplement will apply (unless stated otherwise – look out for dates where there is no charge for single rooms).
Group leader/evenings: if you choose to purchase lessons or guiding services locally, the ski guides will ski with you during the lesson or guided portion of the day, but they will not join you in the evenings. There are no ‘group’ dinners and parties tend to dine separately. The hotel will also help you to arrange other activities.
Insurance: insurance details are required at the time of booking.
Cross-country skiing is an increasingly popular winter pastime. Compared to those used for downhill, the skis are longer, thinner and lighter with bindings that allow you to lift up your heel. Most cross-country skiing is undertaken on prepared tracks (loipe) covering flat and hillier terrain enabling you to explore the winter landscapes away from the confines of the alpine piste.
The area is excellent for cross-country skiing, both for families and for those who enjoy a challenge. All weeks are suitable for all cross-country skiers
Beginners and Intermediate:
For those wishing to try cross-country skiing for the first time, improve their technique, or master the art of skating, ski tuition can be arranged locally, as can guided group excursions (supplements payable locally). If you fancy a change from cross-country, downhill skiing, snowmobiling, husky sledding and snow shoeing are all available (payable locally).
Advanced:
Guided group excursions can be arranged (supplements payable locally). If you fancy a change from cross-country, downhill skiing, snowmobiling, husky sledding and snow shoeing are all available (payable locally).
-
finland/finland-ski/001c25/Northern-Lights-over-g.jpg
-
finland/finland-ski/001c17/Prepared-ski-tracks--g.jpg
-
finland/finland-ski/001c16/Northern-Lights-over-g.jpg
-
finland/finland-ski/001c20/Undulating-ski-trail-g.jpg
-
finland/finland-ski/001c1f/Snowshoeing-through--g.jpg
-
finland/finland-ski/001c12/Cosy-cabins-at-the-Y-g.jpg
-
finland/finland-ski/001c10/Buffet-at-the-Hotel--g.jpg
-
finland/finland-ski/001c11/Restaurant-at-the-Yl-g.jpg
-
finland/finland-ski/001c1d/Miles-of-prepared-tr-g.jpg
Package Confirmed Dates | Trip Status Trip Status | Price (PP) Excluding Flights | Price (PP) Including Flights | |
---|---|---|---|---|
December 8, 2019
|
Available |
$1,499.00 |
N/A |
|
December 15, 2019
|
Available |
$1,499.00 |
N/A |
|
December 22, 2019
|
Available |
$1,799.00 |
N/A |
|
December 29, 2019
|
Available |
$1,799.00 |
N/A |
|
January 5, 2020
|
Available |
$1,499.00 |
N/A |
|
January 12, 2020
|
Available |
$1,499.00 |
N/A |
|
January 19, 2020
|
Available |
$1,499.00 |
N/A |
|
January 26, 2020
|
Available |
$1,799.00 |
N/A |
|
February 2, 2020
|
Available |
$1,799.00 |
N/A |
|
February 9, 2020
|
Available |
$1,799.00 |
N/A |
|
February 16, 2020
|
Available |
$1,849.00 |
N/A |
|
February 23, 2020
|
Available |
$1,799.00 |
N/A |
|
March 1, 2020
|
Available |
$1,799.00 |
N/A |
|
March 15, 2020
|
Available |
$1,799.00 |
N/A |
|
March 22, 2020
|
Available |
$1,799.00 |
N/A |
|
December 6, 2020
|
Available |
$1,549.00 |
N/A |
|
December 13, 2020
|
Available |
$1,549.00 |
N/A |
|
December 20, 2020
|
Available |
$1,849.00 |
N/A |
|
December 27, 2020
|
Available |
$1,849.00 |
N/A |
|
January 3, 2021
|
Available |
$1,849.00 |
N/A |
|
January 10, 2021
|
Available |
$1,549.00 |
N/A |
|
January 17, 2021
|
Available |
$1,549.00 |
N/A |
|
January 24, 2021
|
Available |
$1,849.00 |
N/A |
|
January 31, 2021
|
Available |
$1,849.00 |
N/A |
|
February 7, 2021
|
Available |
$1,849.00 |
N/A |
|
February 14, 2021
|
Available |
$1,899.00 |
N/A |
|
February 21, 2021
|
Available |
$1,849.00 |
N/A |
|
February 28, 2021
|
Available |
$1,849.00 |
N/A |
|
March 7, 2021
|
Available |
$1,849.00 |
N/A |
|
March 14, 2021
|
Available |
$1,849.00 |
N/A |
|
March 21, 2021
|
Available |
$1,849.00 |
N/A |