Have you ever dreamed of a perfect skiing day in the Lappish fell landscapes, embraced by seven fells? Ylläs’ extensive trail network and diverse services offer unforgettable experiences for cross-country skiers. This guide is aimed at everyone who wants to make the most of the opportunities Ylläs has to offer. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced skier, you’ll find practical tips and information about services that will make your skiing trips even more enjoyable. Read on to find out how to maximize your skiing experience in Ylläs.
Cross-country skiing in Ylläs
Ylläs has Finland’s largest trail network, offering a total of approximately 300 kilometers of skiing trails. The trails are diverse and suitable for various types of skiers – ranging from challenging hilly loops to flat skiing tracks. It’s no wonder Ylläs is often praised as a cross-country skier’s paradise.
In Ylläs, we get to enjoy the diversity of nature: within the trail network, the terrain and landscape vary widely. The trails feature flat, open marsh areas, rolling tracks through quiet forests, and sweaty climbs at the foot of stunning fell landscapes. Explore the cross-country skiing opportunities in Ylläs more deeply.
Parking areas and recommended starting points
The easiest starting point is often the trail closest to your accommodation, allowing you to leave your car at home. Thanks to the extensive trail network, you can start skiing from the villages in any direction.
If your accommodation is far from the trail network, you can drive to the starting points. Parking areas along the ski trails can be found in Äkäslompolo, for example, next to the dog park in Äkäslompolo on Nililahentie as well as at the Ylläs Ski Resort Ylläsjärvi. It’s also worth using the Ski Bus for your ski trips. This way, you can enjoy a variety of skiing without long travel distances.
Flat trails are well-suited for beginners. For example, the ice of Äkäslompolo, the trail from Eelin Kauppa to Aurinkotupa, and the Ahvenkangas loop are excellent trails for novice skiers. Easy trails are marked in blue on the https://map.yllas.fi/. Start your skiing from here:
From behind K-Supermarket in Äkäslompolo
In Äkäslompolo you can access easy trails directly from behind the supermarket Jounin Kauppa. The trail branches out on the ice in several directions, so no matter your destination, you can certainly start from the ice.
From the parking area on Nililahentie in Äkäslompolo
Trails in multiple directions and space for several cars.
Near Eelin Kauppa in Ylläsjärvi
In Ylläsjärvi, you can access trails in multiple directions on foot from near supermarket Eelin Kauppa. For those driving, parking is available, for example, behind Ylläs Lake Hotel.
From Ylläs Ski Resort Ylläsjärvi
On the Ylläsjärvi side, you can access trails in four different directions from the Ylläs Ski Resort Ylläsjärvi.
From Ihmisenrinki
On the Äkäslompolo side, higher up the fell, you’ll find Ihmisenrinki, an open-air theater that shares a parking area with the ski resort. There is plenty of parking space here, and from this point, you can also access the so-called ’lämpökolmonen,’ a trail that is always the first to open in the winter.
From Aurinkotupa
Illuminated trail – open all winter. Children’s ski area, large parking lot, and treats directly from Aurinkotupa café.
With your own car in late winter
Starting from the Finnish ski holidays, you can begin your adventures further away in the trail network. You can park at the Lainio parking lot along the road leading to Kittilä. Parking areas at Totovaara and Pyhäjärvi, located at the southern and northern ends of fell Aakenustunturi, are plowed starting from week 8. There is also parking space at Peurakaltio, allowing you to ski away from the hustle and bustle of the village.
Ski trail maintenance
In Ylläs, the trails are made on natural snow. The first class-one trails are opened early in the season as soon as there is enough snow. The trails are maintained according to maintenance classes, weather permitting, until May 1st. The trails are groomed to ensure as much good skiing as possible in the mornings. Often, the trails remain in good skiing condition for several days if no new snow has fallen. You can follow the snow accumulation and current weather directly on the Ylläs weather page.
Ski trail Maintenance Classes
There are three different maintenance classes for the skiing trails. Class-one trails cover the nearby areas and are maintained daily if necessary. Maintenance of class-two trails begins on February 1st, and class-three trails on February 15th. In mid-winter, approximately 150 kilometers of trails are usually open. From mid-February, all approximately 300 kilometers of trails are available for longer ski trips.
Ski trail numbers
- Total trails: approximately 300 km
- Class-one trails: approximately 150 km
- Illuminated trails: over 30 km
- Dog friendly trails: approximately 46 km
Ski school
In the Ylläs area, skilled ski instruction is available. Professional instructors can provide personalized tips to help you improve. Proper skiing technique not only makes skiing more enjoyable but also conserves energy. This way, you can enjoy the scenery and the tranquility of the trails for longer. Practicing technique pays off. After a ski lesson, you can train and apply the techniques you’ve learned on the trails of Ylläs.
Services along the trail
Wilderness cafés and rest areas maintained by Metsähallitus throughout the trail network ensure skiers’ endurance. Pack your own snacks and stop at a lean-to or enjoy a steaming lunch soup at a wilderness café. Plan a whole day trip through the forests and fells, stopping at cafés for warmth. You can find wilderness cafés and rest areas directly on the digital map.
Don’t have your own cross-country skis with you? No worries. In Ylläs, you’ll find comprehensive rental services. Rent cross-country skis from shops offering expert service and head to the trails directly from near the rental shops. You can get equipment for both classic and freestyle skiing from the rental shops.
Skiing events in Ylläs
The Ylläs area hosts traditional skiing events annually. These events offer unforgettable experiences for both beginners and experienced skiers. The annually held Ylläs-Levi Hiihto ski race is particularly popular.
Myllyhiihto
The traditional group skiing event, Myllyhiihto, is held weekly in late winter. The idea of Myllyhiihto is a paid bus transport to the old Äkäsmylly, from where skiers can directly access the freshly groomed trail in the morning. You can choose your own route, but most head towards the village of Äkäslompolo via Peurakaltio. Some circle around Äkäskero, and some even cross Kukastunturi on their way to the village. There are many trail cafes along the way where you can get extra energy for skiing. The transport schedules are always available in the local newspaper Kuukkeli before the events.
Aakenushiihto
Aakenushiihto is a similar long-standing skiing event like Myllyhiihto. In this event, a paid bus transport is arranged to the Totovaara parking lot near Aakenustunturi. From there, skiers return towards the mountain villages. There are several rest spots along the way for eating your own snacks or enjoying treats at a wilderness cafe. The schedules for Aakenushiihto can also be found in the Kuukkeli newspaper before the events.
Ylläs-Levi Hiihto
Ylläs-Levi ski race is a larger-scale skiing event, often featuring top names in skiing. The route goes through Ylläsjärvi, Äkäslompolo, Kukastunturi, and Pyhäjärvi to Levi. The journey partly traverses the stunning landscapes of Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park.
Tips
Cross-country skiing in Ylläs is diverse. By considering a few factors, you can ensure a successful skiing trip.
- Consider the weather and remember to check the forecast. On windy days, it’s best to choose more sheltered routes in the forests.
- Check the digital map to see which trails have been groomed. Take into account the recent weather and its effects on the trail conditions. Sometimes, wind and drifting snow can quickly cover freshly groomed trails. On the other hand, trails can remain in prime condition for many days after grooming. In certain conditions, the trail might even be better some time after grooming rather than immediately after. Windy weather can also bring debris from trees onto the trails.
- Always be prepared by bringing some snacks and a trail map. For longer trips, also bring a change of clothes and, if necessary, a headlamp. Skiing in cold weather when sweaty is uncomfortable and, for safety reasons, it’s important to stay warm on longer trips.
- Consider elevation changes when planning your route. If the route has long uphill sections, there will usually be long downhill sections as well. Choose routes that match your skill and fitness levels. Long downhill sections can be challenging, especially in icy conditions. You can anticipate elevation changes by looking at the trail colors on the map. Blue trails are the easiest, red trails are more challenging, and black trails are the most demanding in terms of elevation. In the digital trail map, skilled map readers can also select the topographic map from the National Land Survey of Finland, which shows elevation contours most clearly.
- Take advantage of the Ski Bus to get more skiing done. Take the Ski Bus to the other side of the fell and ski the best route back to your starting point. This way, you avoid searching for parking and can ski new routes more easily without the need for long day trips.
In conclusion
Ylläs offers cross-country skiers a unique opportunity to enjoy Finland’s beautiful fell nature and diverse ski trails. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced skier, Ylläs’s extensive trail network and stunning landscapes guarantee an unforgettable skiing experience. Remember to take advantage of the area’s diverse services, such as ski schools and wilderness cafes, which make your skiing trips even more enjoyable. Pack some snacks, check the weather conditions, and boldly explore Ylläs’s trails – skiing adventures await!