Best Things to Do in Ylläs: Winter & Summer Guide 2026

Here in Lapland, some places have a certain feeling, a unique character that sets them apart. Ylläs is one of those places. It’s not one village, but two — Äkäslompolo and Ylläsjärvi — nestled on opposite sides of the mighty Yllästunturi fell. This gives it a sprawling, wilder feel than some of our other resorts. It's a place defined by nature, with the incredible Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park as its backyard.

Whether you’re visiting when the world is hushed and white under a blanket of snow or during the endless light of the midnight sun, Ylläs is all about the outdoors. It’s about the sheer joy of gliding down Finland’s longest ski slope, the quiet crunch of snowshoes in a silent forest, or the breathtaking view from the fell top. We love Ylläs for its authenticity and its connection to the raw beauty of Lapland, and we're excited to share our favourite things to do here with you.

1. Conquer Finland's Premier Ski Resort

Ylläs isn't just a ski resort; it's the ski resort for many Finns, and for good reason. With 63 slopes and 28 lifts spread across the fell, it boasts the most slopes and the longest runs in the entire country. The longest of them all, Ylipitkä, winds its way down for a glorious 3 kilometres.

What we love is the variety. The Ylläsjärvi side offers wide, sunny slopes perfect for carving and the main gondola lift. The Äkäslompolo side has a more rugged feel with some challenging runs and beautiful tree-lined pistes. A day pass for the 2026-2027 season will cost around €53 for an adult, with a 6-day pass being a better value at about €250. Don't worry about getting between the villages; the Ski Bus runs regularly around the fell, connecting both ski areas and accommodation hubs (a weekly pass costs about €30).

Local Tip: Even if you're an expert, start your day on the sunny side (check the forecast!) and then follow the sun around the fell for the best snow conditions.

2. Explore Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park

Ylläs is the gateway to one of Europe's most beautiful and pristine wilderness areas. Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is the third largest in Finland and boasts some of the cleanest air in the world.

In winter, this means access to an incredible network of over 330 kilometres of meticulously maintained cross-country ski trails. You can rent skis in either village for around €25 per day and glide through silent, snow-caked forests. Snowshoeing is another fantastic way to explore, allowing you to venture off the beaten path. A popular, easy trail is the 3.5km Varkaankuru Nature Trail, which is magical in winter.

In summer, the park transforms into a hiker's paradise. The trails are well-marked, and you can choose anything from a short hour-long stroll to a multi-day trek along the fell chain. The Kellokas Visitor Centre near Äkäslompolo is your best starting point for maps, advice, and a fascinating exhibition on the local nature and culture.

3. Go Fatbiking on World-Class Trails

Ylläs has fully embraced fatbiking, and it's now a premier destination for it year-round. These bikes, with their oversized tires, float over snow and cruise easily over summer trails, making them the perfect way to explore.

During winter, a dedicated network of over 100km of trails is groomed specifically for fatbikes. It's a completely different experience from winter hiking, allowing you to cover more ground and get deeper into the wilderness. In summer, the trails expand, offering endless forest paths and fell-side routes.

Don't be intimidated if you're not a serious cyclist. Electric fatbikes are widely available for rent and make climbing the hills a breeze. Expect to pay around €45-€60 for a day's rental for a standard fatbike, or €70-€90 for an e-fatbike. It’s worth every cent.

4. Ride the Scenic Gondola (Even Without Skis)

You don't need to be a skier to enjoy the best view in Ylläs. The Ylläs Gondola, which departs from the Ylläsjärvi side, is open to everyone. A return ticket for a sightseer costs around €15 and is a fantastic activity for a clear day.

The 7-minute ride whisks you to the 719-metre summit of Yllästunturi. From the top, the panoramic view is simply staggering. You can see the entire fell chain of the national park stretching north and the vast, forested landscape in every direction. There’s a restaurant at the top, Ylläs Kammi, where you can grab a hot drink or a hearty lunch while soaking in the scenery. In winter, the snow-plastered trees at the summit look like something from a fantasy film.

5. Experience an Authentic Finnish Sauna

A trip to Lapland isn't complete without a proper sauna. Most cabins and many hotel rooms in Ylläs come with a private sauna, but for a truly memorable experience, you need to go all in. This means getting properly sweaty in the 80°C heat, creating löyly (steam) by throwing water on the hot stones, and then the crucial part: cooling off.

For the brave, this means a quick roll in the powdery snow or a dip into a hole carved in a frozen lake (avanto). The shock of the cold followed by the blissful warmth back in the sauna is an incredible, invigorating feeling. For something truly unique, Ylläs is home to the world's only Sauna Gondola! It's a novelty and quite pricey (starting from around €1500 for a group), but where else can you sweat while suspended over a snowy fell?

6. Chase the Northern Lights

Because of its location and relatively low light pollution, Ylläs is a fantastic place to witness the Aurora Borealis. The season runs from late August to early April, with the best chances on clear, dark nights between 9 PM and 2 AM.

Ylläs has a clever system to help you out. When a good aurora display is likely, the streetlights in Äkäslompolo village are turned off between 10 PM and 11 PM, plunging the area into darkness and making the sky pop. Your best bet is to get away from any remaining lights. Take a short walk to the shore of Lake Ylläsjärvi or Lake Äkäslompolo, or join a guided tour that takes you further into the wilderness by snowmobile or snowshoes.

7. Visit a Reindeer or Husky Farm

It’s a classic Lapland experience for a reason. Meeting the animals that are so central to Lappish life is always special. In the Ylläs area, you'll find several family-run reindeer and husky farms that offer visits and sleigh rides.

Be honest with your expectations. A short 1km sleigh ride loop at a farm is great for photos and for small children, and will cost around €30-€50 per person. For a more immersive experience, we recommend a longer husky safari of 5km or more. You'll get to drive your own team of dogs, feel their power and excitement, and it becomes a real adventure. These longer safaris are more expensive, typically starting from €150 per person, but the memory is priceless.

8. Discover the Two Villages: Äkäslompolo vs. Ylläsjärvi

Understanding the two sides of the fell is key to planning your trip.

Äkäslompolo, on the northern side, is the original village. It has a more traditional, rustic feel, spread out among the trees with a huge number of log cabins. The village centre has a large supermarket, several restaurants, and a real community atmosphere. It's often called the 'village of seven fells' and is the preferred base for many cross-country skiers.

Ylläsjärvi, on the southern side, is more modern and compact. This is where you'll find the impressive Lapland Hotel Saaga, the base of the gondola, and a more resort-like feel. If your priority is downhill skiing and easy access to the main lifts, this side is incredibly convenient.

There’s no 'better' village, it’s a trade-off: rustic charm vs. modern convenience. The Ski Bus makes it easy to enjoy both, regardless of where you stay.

9. Summer Hiking & Canoeing Under the Midnight Sun

Don't overlook Ylläs in the summer! From late May to late July, the sun doesn't set, bathing the landscape in a soft, golden light 24 hours a day. This is the time for hiking and exploring.

One of our favourite challenging summer hikes is the 'Pirunkurun Ponnistus' (The Devil's Gully's Effort), a steep but short climb up a gorge on Kesänki fell that rewards you with incredible views. For something more serene, rent a canoe or stand-up paddleboard in Äkäslompolo and paddle across the calm lake, with the reflection of the fells on the water. Fishing is also a popular pastime. Summer in Ylläs is peaceful, green, and full of life.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ylläs

What is the best time to visit Ylläs? It truly depends on what you want to do. For a guaranteed winter wonderland with skiing and snow activities, visit between December and late March. For the Northern Lights, September-October and February-March offer a great balance of darkness and activity. For the Midnight Sun, hiking, and biking, come between June and August.

Is Ylläs good for beginners to ski? Yes, absolutely. While it has plenty of expert terrain, both sides of the fell have dedicated beginner areas with gentle slopes and easy-to-use lifts. The ski schools in both Äkäslompolo and Ylläsjärvi are excellent. The Ylläsjärvi side, in particular, has very wide, gentle blue runs perfect for learning.

Do I need a car in Ylläs? A car provides the most freedom, especially for chasing the Northern Lights or exploring the national park on your own schedule. However, it's not essential. The Ski Bus connects the slopes and the two villages efficiently during the winter season. Airport transfers are readily available from Kittilä Airport (KTT), and most activity providers include hotel pickups.

Which village is better to stay in, Äkäslompolo or Ylläsjärvi? Choose Äkäslompolo if you prefer a traditional, cosy log cabin atmosphere, a more spread-out village feel, and excellent access to cross-country ski trails. Choose Ylläsjärvi if you want ski-in/ski-out convenience, modern hotel accommodation, and easy access to the gondola and main downhill slopes.

Can you see the Northern Lights from Santa Claus Village? While Ylläs is a great spot, many visitors also ask about seeing auroras from the famous Santa Claus Village near Rovaniemi. It's possible on strong nights, but the light pollution from the village and the city of Rovaniemi makes it much more challenging. Places like Ylläs offer a significantly better chance due to darker skies.

How much does a trip to Ylläs cost in 2026? Lapland can be pricey, but Ylläs offers options. Your biggest cost is accommodation. A cosy cabin for a week can range from €800 to €2500+. On a daily basis, budget around €150-€300 per person. This would cover a mid-range cabin (shared among a group), groceries for some meals, a ski pass or daily activity, and one meal out. For accommodation options, you can check out our guide to the best Lapland hotels.

Buddy's Take

For us, Ylläs is the real deal. It’s a place that hasn't forgotten it's a fell first and a resort second. It’s for people who feel a pull towards the wild, who want to earn their views, and who appreciate the quiet majesty of the arctic landscape. It might not have the concentrated theme-park feel of some other spots, but it offers something more profound: space. The space to breathe the world's cleanest air, to ski for kilometres without seeing another soul, and to feel truly connected to the grand nature of Lapland. We think you'll love it.

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Top 9 Things to Do in Ylläs (Winter & Summer 2026-2027)