FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions - YLLÄS
SKIING
When do the ski lifts actually open?
The first ski lifts are open up November 20th.
Can you tell me when all the ski slopes will be open?
We open the slopes little by little depending on the snow conditions and the amount of skiers. We have the whole capacity of lifts open on the 16th of February when the high season starts here in Ylläs. That is the case in all years.
Ski Bus and taxes
Find the ski bus time schedule here
Are the cross country ski tracks mechanically prepared?
All 330 km of Ylläs ski tracks are mechanically prepared and 38 km of these are illuminated. All tracks are also suitable for freestyle and cross-country skiing. Please remember, walking is not allowed on the ski tracks.
Is there a fee for using cross country ski tracks?
No, all cross country ski tracks are free of charge.
Where can I buy a cross country ski track map?
Maps of all trails are sold in most shops and hotels locally. The profits from the maps are used for trail maintenance. There are also Hiking maps and Snowmobile maps for sale. Ski area maps (Pisten Karten) are available in ski resorts.
Could you give me the contact information of the ski school?
Skiing and Nordic skiing:
Iso-Ylläs Ski School, in Ylläsjärvi village
hiihtokoulu@iso-yllas.fi
Tel. +358 (0)16 510 35 00
Ylläs-Ski Ski School, in Äkäslompolo village
yllas.skischool@laplandhotels.com
Tel. +358 (0)16 553 371
Nordic Skiing:
Arctic Safaris Ylläs, in Äkäslompolo and Ylläsjärvi villages
www.arcticsafaris.fi
Tel. +358(0)16-569 666
Snow Fun Safaris, in Äkäslompolo village
www.snowfunsafaris.com
Tel. +358(0)50-589 2223
Ylläs Adventures, in Ylläsjärvi village
www.yllasadventures.fi
Tel. +358(0) 40-502 6458
Where can I hire the ski equipments?
Both ski lift companies have an excellent selection of skis.
Sport Resort Ylläs
info@iso-yllas.fi
Tel. +358 (0)16 510 35 00
Ylläs-Ski
yllas-ski@laplandhotels.com
Tel. +358 (0)16 553 377
You can also rent the equipments, for example, in the local sport shops. They have also a good selection of skis, especially cross country skis.
Äkäslompolo Sport Shop
Tunturitie 17, Äkäslompolo
www.lompolosport.com
Tel. +358 (0)16 569 099
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CHILDREN
Are the downhill slopes suitable for skiing with children with little experience?
Ylläs fell has excellent children’s slopes. There are all together 20 slopes that are suitable for children. 13 of them are on the north side of the fell Ylläs (Ylläs-Ski) and 7 on the south side (Sport Resort Ylläs). It is also good to know that children under 7 years can use the lifts free of charge. The only condition is that they are wearing a helmet. Sport Resort Ylläs has also a carpet lift for children. It is easy to use and therefore it is ideal for young children. There is no fee for using the carpet lift.
Places to down hill sledge suitable for kids.
Is there a kindergarten available that the children could use while we are skiing?
Both ski lift companies in Äkäslompolo and Ylläsjärvi, are providing also kindergarten services. For every day there are a lot of activities for children. You can contact them by phone or e-mail.
Peikonpesä, in Ylläsjärvi
tel. +358 (0)16-510 3500
e-mail: info@iso-yllas.fi
Lastenpirtti, in Äkäslompolo
tel. +358 (0)16 553 396
e-mail: lastenpirtti@laplandhotels.com
Where can we see huskies or reindeers and participate in a husky or reindeer ride?
To visit and participate in short rides see link.
For huysky and dreindeer safaris see link.
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NATURE
What are the seasons like?
Ylläs and the whole Lapland has eight seasons instead of four:
1) Early spring: the days lengthen to become longer than nights, the crusts of frozen snow shimmer.
2) Spring: the ice on lakes and rivers melts and air is filled with the singing of birds.
3) Early summer: plants begin to grow and blossom.
4) Summer: the nigthless night.
5) Late Summer: nature offers delicacies that include cloudberries, blueberries and mushrooms.
6) Autumn colours: as weather cools, the trees and plants create a symphony of colours.
7) Early winter: fluttering snowflakes signal the beginning of winter and the northern lights.
8) Winter: Mother Nature rests during the polar night, when the sun never rises. Clear skies and white snow bring more and more light as the winter turns to spring.
|
season (months) |
light |
temperature |
nature phenomena |
|
Summer (06 – 08) |
light 24 h |
warm |
midnight sun |
|
Fall (09 -10) |
nights are dark |
varies |
ruska, northern lights |
|
Winter (11 – 02) |
little daylight |
freezing |
snow, northern lights |
|
Spring (03 – 05) |
light days |
varies |
snow, sun |
How cold can it really be?
For the coldest month, January, the average temperature is -15°C in Lapland, but it is not unusual for it to drop below -30°C. The dry climate means, however, that even very low temperatures are not too hash. To fully enjoy the experience of cold be sure to dress up properly.
Temperature inversion
Even when the valleys are cold and covered in frost, higher on Ylläs fell can still be warm enough for skiing. This is caused by a phenomenon called temperature inversion: on calm, clear nights, cold air flows down into the valleys and warm air rises up. The temperature up on the warmth track can be up to 25 degrees warmer than on the tracks down by the villages!
Is it really correct that the sun does not rise in the winter? How much light is there or is it permanently dark?
On the north side of Artic Circle there is the period of Polar Night (kaamos), when the sun doesn’t rise above the horizon. However, it does not mean that it’s totally dark in the day time, because of the twilight. The darkness descents slowly during the Polar Night. The table shows the time for sunrise and sunset and the duration of twilight in Äkäslompolo village in Midwinter.
|
date |
the sun is rising at |
the sun is setting at |
duration of the twilight |
|
December 1st |
10.45 |
13.39 |
1:43 |
|
December 15th |
- |
- |
5:35 |
|
January 1st |
11.54 |
13.00 |
2:19 |
|
February 29th |
7.44 |
17.29 |
0:56 |
Many think that the Polar Night is one of the most beautiful periods in Lapland. The darkness is something quite different because of the snow. It is also good to know that Ylläs offers illuminated cross-country tracks (38km) and 33 downhill slopes.
 
What is the best time to see the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis (revontulet), are a light phenomenon that occurs in the Arctic sky on clear, dark nights. Probably, the best time to see the Northern Lights would be a dark autumn night. Another good time to see them is Midwinter from January to March.
Is there really snow in the winter?
In Ylläs snow is guaranteed every winter. The first snow usually falls around October and is around untill May.
How much snow there is during the winter?
Approximately there is over one meter snow from January till April.
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CLOTHING
What do I need to wear to keep me warm in the winter?
The use of several layers of clothing is a very effective method to protect the body against cold, wind and damp. In wintertime the first layer should consist of long skin-tight underwear, both shirt and pants. The proper winter socks to use are made of a mixture of wool, should have a good fit and offer protection against humidity coming to- and from the body. The amount of additional layers of clothing depends on the weather conditions and the type of outdoor activity. Recommended are a fleece or woollen pullover, sweater and trousers.
Do I need to take any special clothes myself?
If you are travelling with a tour operator, the thermal over clothing is usually provided. You can also rent it in the local safari companies. Contact information
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SANTA CLAUS
Is it possible to visit Santa Claus?
In Ylläs Lapp Village you will have the opportunity to personally meet Santa Claus (joulupukki), when he is not working.
Ylläs Lapp Village
Reittitie 2, Äkäslompolo
info@lappvillage.fi
www.lappvillage.fi
Various Safari companies are offering trips to visit Santa: Contact information.
In case you want Santa to visit your cabin, please contact Ylläs Travel Info: +358(0)16-569996.
Where can we get a Christmas tree?
Please contact Ylläs Travel Info: +358(0)16-569996 to ask who sells chritmas trees.
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ACCOMMODATION
We would like to rent a cabin?
There are two firms providing accommodation services.
Destination Lapland – Ylläs Travel Service
www.destinationlapland.com
info@destinationlapland.com
Tel. +358 (0)16 510 3300
Ylläs Travel Ltd
www.yllaksenmatkailu.fi
yllaksen.matkailu@yllas.fi
Tel. +358 (0)3 0650 2580
You can also rent a cabin from private owners. Please, follow the link to see the list.
I wanted to sleep in a iglu, where I can do that?
Lainio Snow Village have Snow hotel and iglus.
I want to sleep in the forest, how I can do that and does it cost something?
In Finland everyman’s rights allows you to walk freely in the forest. Find a big spruce tree with thick branches and sleep in its cover. Suitable clothing and equimpment maybe necessary depending on temperature.
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MONEY
What is the currency in Finland?
Finland uses euro (€). Major credit cards are also accepted in most places.
Where is the nearest cash point?
The nearest cash point is located in the Super Market “Jounin Kauppa” in Äkäslompolo village.
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SERVICES
Where are the nearest hospital, doctor and pharmacy?
There are doctor’s services available in Äkäslompolo village:
Medical Centre MediYlläs
Äkäsentie 10, Äkäslompolo (in Äkäshotelli)
Tel:+358(0)40-4112262.
Vaeltajantie 2, Ylläsjärvi
Tel: +358(0)40-5896226 (opposite end to Taiga)
www.mediyllas.fi
Ylläksen lääkärikeskus
Äkäsentie 8, Äkäslompolo
Tel: +358 (0)16 569 169
The pharmacy is located in the Super Market "Jounin kauppa" in Äkäslompolo. Also grocery store “Eelin Kauppa” in Ylläsjärvi has a limited medical supply. There you will find the common medicaments.
YLLÄS PHARMACY
Sannanrannantie 3 (inside Jounin kauppa)
tel. +358 (0)40-839 0579
Eelin Kauppa
Tirroniementie 1, Ylläsjärvi
The nearest health centre is in Kolari, which is approximately 35 kilometres from Ylläs.
In case of emergency call 112.
Where are the grocery stores?
Eelin Kauppa
Tirroniementie 1, Ylläsjärvi
There is also a small grocery store at Saaga hotel.
Jounin Kauppa
Tunturintie 16, Äkäslompolo
Where is the nearest post office?
In Ylläsjärvi Eelin Kauppa is working as a franchised post office. There you can buy stamps and leave letters and packages to be delivered. Yellow mail boxes are for daily collections.
Eelin Kauppa
Tirroniementie 1, Ylläsjärvi
In Äkäslompolo village you can find a small post office in the internet cafe called Info Kiosk. Stamps you can also buy from the Super Market Jounin kauppa and the major hotels, where you find the mailboxes.
Jounin Kauppa
Tunturintie 16, Äkäslompolo
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TRANSPORTATION
Could you indicate me how to contact car hire agencies to rent a car?
Scandia Rent and Ylläs Express are renting cars. On request they can also deliver the car to you.
Scandia Rent
www.scandiarent.fi
Tel. +358 (0)16 342 0506
Ylläs Express
www.yllasexpress.fi
info@yllasexpress.fi
How can I contact for taxi?
Taxis (taksi) can be obtained by telephone. The central taxi reservation number in Ylläs is +358 (0)16 106 422 (0.58€ + local telephone fee).
How do I get from airport or railway station to Ylläsjärvi or Äkäslompolo?
See for more details: How to get to Ylläs?
Where can I rent a snowmobile?
See contact information here
Do I need a licence to drive a snow mobile?
Yes, a normal driving licence is required.
TIME ZONE
What is the time in Finland?
Finland is in the Eastern European Time Zone: GMT +2 hours
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DRINKING WATER
Is it safe to drink tap water?
Finland’s tap water is perfectly safe for drinking
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FAQ
