Kaamos Ylläksen tunturihuipulla

Winter bucket list for Ylläs – experience at least these

Forget performance mode and sink into the calming atmosphere of the fells. Ylläs offers riches that can’t be measured in money. Experience moments that leave you rested and peaceful, or try something completely new and feel inspired. The real treasure might be hidden in those small moments you didn’t even know to expect from your holiday. We’ve listed experiences and activities from which you can build your own dream bucket list for Ylläs.

A skier arriving at the Kotamaja wilderness café in the dim light of the polar night. In the background, the Kotamaja lodge is surrounded by snow-covered trees. In the foreground, large trees are heavily laden with snow.
Along Ylläs’ trails you’ll find charming wilderness cafés – perfect places to rest on a frosty day, grab a snack, and warm up your toes.

The power of silence and grounding experiences

  • Wake up in the heart of the polar night – feel the silence, the unhurried pace, and deep peace.
  • Admire the bright night sky – wait for darkness to fall and wander beyond the reach of streetlights.
  • Spot the Milky Way – the stars shine so clearly that you can even see the Milky Way with the naked eye.
  • See the northern lights – in Ylläs, northern lights are statistically visible two nights out of three.
  • Enjoy campfire coffee or visit a wilderness café – walk through the national park landscapes to a remote café and sip a cup of steaming hot juice in the warmth of the hut.
Five people are walking in the dark with headlamps in the middle of a snow-laden landscape. In the background, green northern lights glow across the sky.
Northern lights can be admired at their best already in the afternoon during the polar night, as darkness arrives early.

Adventures and new experiences

  • Conquer a fell – on foot, by lift, or even with snowshoes.
  • Try a new sport – winter cycling, snowshoeing, or snowboarding. Give something new a go, you might get excited, or even fall in love with it for good.
  • Lift-assisted sledding – at Ylläs Ski Resort Äkäslompolo you can feel the thrill of speed on lift-towed sleds.
Three cyclists on a winter trail. In the background, snow-laden trees and a beautiful pastel pink sky of the polar night.
In Ylläs, nature and unique experiences, like cycling beneath the snow‑laden, “tykky” trees – create unforgettable memories.

Wellbeing and pampering

  • Relax in the sauna – and challenge yourself to also roll in the snow or dip into an ice hole. A rush of feel‑good hormones is guaranteed.
  • Enjoy local delicacies – book a table at a restaurant and indulge. Ask for dishes made with local ingredients or go for a classic: sautéed reindeer.
  • Visit a spa or enjoy a massage – unwind and pamper yourself alongside all your other activities.
A woman relaxing in a sauna, sitting with her eyes closed and resting her legs on the railing.
Did you know that Finland has over three million saunas? A sauna is a wonderful place for relaxation.

Iconic winter experiences

  • A trip through a snow‑laden “tykky” forest – rent snowshoes and head up the fell through a fairytale landscape.
  • A gondola ride to the top of the fell – hop into the gondola lift at Ylläs Ski Resort Ylläsjärvi and admire the scenery from the cabin and the summit. Treat yourself to a cup of hot cocoa at the top. The views never disappoint! And no worries if you don’t want to ski down — you can buy a round‑trip ticket just for sightseeing.
  • A ski tour on Finland’s longest trails – the Ylläs ski trail network is the longest in Finland. Enjoy perhaps the most iconic winter sport of all: cross‑country skiing. To ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience, you can also book a guided ski tour or ski lessons.
  • A reindeer or husky sleigh ride – what could be more magical than meeting excited sled dogs or sensing the calm presence of reindeer and feeling their power as they pull a sleigh through the winter scenery?
  • The blue moment and soft pastel hues – winter magic at its finest. On clear days, especially during the polar night, the sky often glows in countless pastel shades: peach and cotton‑candy pink. As daylight fades just before darkness, winter brings the “blue moment,” when nature and the snowy landscape are filled with shades of blue.
A woman in an orange jacket feeding a reindeer with lichen. The reindeer’s breath steams in the cold air. In the background, a bright, sunny sky.
Reindeer don’t enjoy being petted, but during a visit to a reindeer farm you may get the chance to feed them and observe these magnificent animals up close.

Create your own bucket list for Ylläs

Great experiences don’t always require grand plans — sometimes it’s enough to pause and look around. In Ylläs, you can let time flow at its own pace and find a sense of peace you didn’t even know you were missing. Which moment from your holiday will stay with you the most?

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