OlyaChasing Northern lights, skiing through snow covered forest, dog sledding, ice fishing, relaxing at a sauna with family and friends are some of many adventures to experience in the Finnish Lapland. If you’re a winter loving person like myself, then Lapland must be added to your destination wish list. This place is a true definition of the winter wonderland.
As a first timer to Lapland, I decided to pick Levi as our main destination, a small ski town that happens to be the largest ski resort in Finland. I figured if we weren’t lucky enough to see the Northern lights, at least we’d have a fantastic ski trip in Lapland.
GETTING TO LEVI, FINLAND
If you’re traveling to Lapland from abroad, Helsinki will be your stopover on the way to Levi. I highly recommend spending a night or two in Helsinki to experience this wonderful Nordic capital. Once you’re ready to continue on your journey to Levi, you will fly to Kittila airport. The flight is one and a half hours long and once you’re in Kittila airport, you may get on a bus or take a taxi to Levi, the ride is only fifteen minutes long.
WHERE TO STAY
LEVIN IGLUT GLASS IGLOOS (luxury accommodation) – If sleeping in a glass igloo watching the night sky is your dream activity in Lapland, be sure to book this accommodation early since most reservations are made months in advance.
LEVI FOXFIRES (luxury) – another beautiful boutique hotel near glass igloos. Their spa looks like a perfect Finnish sauna experience.
Panorama (mid range accommodation) – ski in/ ski out hotel located right on a ski slope in the town center.
LEVI SUITES LEVIN KLUBI (affordable accommodation) – This is a great accommodation for a group of friends or family on a ski trip. We were happy to stay in this cozy apartment type accommodation located right by a ski lift. There was a fully equipped kitchen and a sauna – perfect for our ten nights stay!
THINGS TO DO
SKIING
I was truly impressed by the entire skiing experience in Levi, there are some unique things that you simply won’t find anywhere else. To start, everything is covered in a thick blanket of snow. You’ll be skiing through trees resembling snow monsters. There are wooden mountain shelters right on ski slopes with fire inside where you can catch a break and warm up while roasting sausages. Since the sun sets early in winter, you’ll experience night time skiing in Levi, another unique aspect of this ski resort. Santa’s cabin from a movie Christmas Story is also everyone’s favorite attraction on ski slopes in Levi.
CHASE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
This one is a truly magical experience that requires certain conditions to be seen. Out of ten nights of our stay in Levi, we were lucky to see the Northern lights one night. Downloading apps like Aurora will help you stay alert while receiving notifications about the Northern lights activity on a given night. Also, be sure to look out your window frequently past 11 o’clock, stay on alert for the Northern lights!
SNOWSHOEING AND CROSS COUNTRY SKIING
Trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are amazing in Levi. The scenery is breathtaking and all locals seem to be using cross-country skis as their favorite mode of transportation.
FINNISH SAUNA
You will most probably have a sauna at your accommodation in Levi since Finns are obsessed with their saunas and once you experience a cold Finnish winter, you will understand their obsession with saunas! And if you’re feeling fancy, I’d recommend booking your spa experience at Foxfires, it looks very cozy and romantic.
HUSKY SLED RIDE
This one is a very popular activity in Lapland! If you love the idea of being pulled by huskies through a winter landscape, reserve your spot early since they fill up fast.
Ice fishing – If you’re into fishing, you must try ice fishing in Lapland. There’s something unique and fun about joining locals for ice fishing on a lake here.
Finnish Lapland is a a true winter paradise you should see at least once in your life time. Start planning your next adventure now.
