Two authentic bases, one fell. From the top you can ski north to Äkäslompolo or south to Ylläsjärvi, or hop the ski bus if you prefer wheels to skis. Views stretch over Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, so every lap comes with big sky scenery.

Skiing in Ylläs

Beginners: Both sides have beginner zones with magic carpets and wide, gentle greens. Calm gradients, clear signage and sheltered lower slopes make first turns simple, and the ski schools are used to hosting new skiers.

Intermediates: Cruising is the sweet spot here. Link long blues and steady reds across 53 km (33 mi) of piste (tree-lined runs lower down, open fell skiing up high), for easy mileage days.

Advanced: You won’t get Alpine-style vertical, but Ylläs still has bite: up to 464 m (1,522 ft) of drop, faster fall-line sections and bumped pitches after snowfall. It’s great for carving and technique days, with the benefit of long, uninterrupted descents.

Snowboarding: Wide, well-groomed pistes make progression easy, and parks on both sides (e.g., YlläsPark and junior areas) offer clear step-ups in difficulty. Long blues are perfect for carving laps.

Cross-country skiing: A Nordic standout. Expect 330 km (205 mi) of groomed classic and skate trails, including lit loops for evenings and longer forest routes linking shelters and cafés, easy to reach from both villages.

Families

Short walks from your accommodation to the lifts, everything you need at the base, and a peaceful village vibe, that’s what makes Ylläs so family-friendly. Most places to stay are apartments or cabins (often with a private sauna), making meals and nap time easy. Gentle green and blue runs keep the whole family smiling, and the ski bus makes getting between areas a breeze.

Activities

Snow activities: Snowshoeing, snowmobiling (including evening aurora tours), husky sledding, reindeer sleigh rides, tobogganing, and scenic gondola rides.

Non-skiing activities: Saunas and wellness, cozy cafés and family-run restaurants, winter walks in the national park, and Santa/holiday experiences in peak season.

Ylläs après-ski

Evenings are relaxed and family-friendly. Think fireside drinks and live music on busy weeks. For something livelier, Ski Pub Ala-asema (by the gondola base) adds karaoke, billiards and darts; otherwise expect small, sociable bars rather than full-on clubbing.

Ylläs restaurants

You’re never far from a good pit-stop in Ylläs. Try Ylläskammi at the top station, Finland’s highest restaurant, for hot chocolate, doughnuts, soups and simple plates with big views. Down at the Ylläsjärvi base, Taiga serves warm, hearty lunches with easy après and occasional live music, while BistroHissi offers straightforward bistro dishes by a cozy fireplace. On the Äkäslompolo side, Y1 Food Garden keeps things family-friendly with a pizza buffet, home-style meals and a play area, and Aurinko near the treeline is a sunny stop for quick snacks and drinks. You’ll also find cafés like Café Lippuluukku for soups and pastries, plus village spots ranging from Lappish fare (reindeer, Arctic char, mushrooms and berries), to pizzas and burgers.

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