Winter Skiing Retreat in Finland for Adventure Seekers
Levi in Finland is the next level of experiencing winter and adventuring in real winter.
When thinking about skiing retreats in Europe – Italy, France or Switzerland will come to mind first above every other place, for budget skiers it would be Poland, Chezhia, or Slovakia but…
This brilliant idea it’s not the cheapest one, but worth every cent, it’s a place in the Arctic Circle, what a better place You can imagine to ski, enjoy nature and views that really look like winter all around You? It’s Levi Ski Resort located in Lapland. You can find any kind of winter activities there for adventure seekers: husky or reindeer safaris and sledding, alpine skiing and snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, E-biking through snowy trails in the forest around Levi mountain, riding a snowmobile, ice-karting, and of course hunting northern lights.
You’ll need to start this adventure in Kittilä or Rovaniemi and take the shuttle bus from the airport to Sirkka. We stayed at Levi Suites Levin Klubi and the experience was brilliant, the location was very good because it was away from the Levi hotspot (ZERO POINT), but You can get around with a bus or hop on Your skis and get up to the slopes exactly from there.
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Good to know
Don’t forget to buy a ski bus ticket so You can get around the place. You can buy it in any Levi ski pass office.
- 3,00 euros/day Area ticket which requires a valid ski lift pass and is sold ONLY at ski pass offices.
- 4,00 euros/day Advance ticket that is sold at ski pass offices, webstore, Levi Info, and hotels of Levi.
- 4,00 euros One-time ticket that is sold only in Ski Buses.
- 43,50 euros/season Ski Bus Pass that is sold at ski pass offices and in Ski Buses. No limitations for the use during winter season.
- Children under 6 years travel for free with adults.
Best Time To Go
The best time to go on a winter retreat in Levi is from October to May due to low winter temperatures all the winter activities will be available then.
If you’re planning on going on a Northern Lights hunt then the best time to go is from October to November and from February to March. At this time temperatures are not extreme, there is enough darkness and the sky at night is clearer than in December and January.
The cheapest time to go and enjoy winter in Levi is autumn (October and November), the snow is already on the mountain, and some skiing tracks are already open, after that the winter peak season starts and continues till the spring and the prices are higher. Of course, January and February is the coldest time of the year in the Arctic Circle.
Winter clothes are not a problem if You’re going to Levi, You can always rent winter clothes so You’ll be warm anytime if You’re willing to pay for that.
Best Things To Do
Best things to do in Levi
Cross-Country Skiing
In Levi and around You’ll find plenty of cross-country skiing tracks of different levels and lengths for different skiers and even children. Equipment rentals are all around Sirkka no matter where You stay. You can easily get on the track from anywhere around Levi.
The prices for equipment rentals are similar all around and Cross-Country skiing is for free excluding equipment rental. Cross-country ski set (skis, poles, and boots) price may vary from 30-40 EUR for 24 hours for adults, and for children price is 20 – 30 EUR for 24 hours, of course, it gets cheaper if You rent for more than one day.
Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding
Levi Mountain is full of downhill skiing and snowboarding slopes of different difficulty levels. Tracks are spread all around the mountain.
The best area for nonprofessionals is the South slopes – full of different slopes of different lengths and open all the skiing season because of the artificial lightning. South slopes feature blue slopes of different lengths, South park is for more advanced snowboarders and skiers with a lot of different jumps. South Slopes also gives You a little adventure through the trees if You want to. In South Slopes You can have a lot of fun. Other areas are for more advanced skiers and snowboarders.
The prices for equipment rentals are similar all around. Prices are the same as for a Cross-country ski set, but You’ll need to buy a ski pass to enjoy the adventure of downhill slopes.
E-Biking with a fat bike
E-biking in winter through the snowy forest is a thing I didn’t think I’d do, but all in all, it was a great experience, that You couldn’t think of while on a skiing getaway, but it’s a must-do, especially in this beautiful environment.
Rent an E-fat bike and head to the trails even in winter. A great tip is to understand how an e-bike works, before heading on the snowy and hilly trails, once You understand the whole thing it’s such an adventure. The trails are in very good condition for biking and hiking, daily driven through with a snowmobile. Try not to fall into the snowdrifts on the sides of the trails, getting out of them may be both fun and difficult.
E-Fatbike rental for 3 hours is around 50 EUR + 20 if You want a helmet, E-Fatbike rental for a full day 10:00-17:00 is around 70 EUR + 20 for a helmet.
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is an experience You have to try when enjoying winter in Finland, it can be very fun but at the same time, You have to be in good shape because trails are not easy to complete because of the elevation during Your hike and snow, but the views are stunning and it’s easier to walk in snowshoes on the snow. In your own boots, it can be very hard because of the thickness of the snow and the slipperiness throughout the trails.
Of course, there are easy trails too, but the difficult ones are more beautiful.
Snowshoe rental for 3 hours is around 14 EUR + 4 for the poles. Snowshoe rental for a full day is around 18 EUR + 6 for the poles. Take the poles too!!!
Itinerary Suggestion For 7 Days
Day 1
Summary: On the first day arrive at Sirkka, check in at Your hotel, go grocery shopping, explore the surroundings, and settle down.
Day 2
Cross-Country skiing
For the next day, it’s a great time to do the hardest part of adventures in Levi. You can rent Your cross-country skiing set and explore the cross-country skiing tracks around Levi Mountain and the beautiful white views all around while sliding on the tracks in excellent condition. If You’re an early bird, then the tracks may not be ready for the day. If it was snowing the previous day and night then it would be also a great adventure to find the right tracks. Cross-country skiing tracks in Levi are hilly so choose the right track for Your abilities.
Day 3 and 4
Downhill skiing/snowboarding
The next 2 days are for downhill slopes. Skiing and snowboarding slopes are really good in Levi, most of the slopes are equipped with artificial lights, because of the darkness in winter. It may be just 2 hours or less with the daylight, but any time on the slopes is an adventure in itself. Imagine getting up the mountain in the darkness but up at the top, You’ll see the sunrise or sunset, these views over the snowy landscape are mesmerizing. From the top station, You can get literally to any slope on the mountain. Also next to the slopes are little forested areas where You can ski or snowboard through and that’s another amazing adventure if You’re brave enough.
From any side down the mountain, You can catch a ski bus and get to another place or Your hotel.
If You have more than a week there I recommend downhill slopes from 3 to 4 days, so You can explore more slopes.
Day 5
E-Fatbiking
On day 5, rent an E-fatbike and explore the trails around Levi Mountain. These trails are for bikes, hiking, and snowshoeing sou You will find many adventure seekers on the trails. These trails are driven over with a snowmobile almost every day and marked with ribbons. But trails are not really wide so You can easily fall in snowdrifts on the sides and it’s not very easy to get out of them, but it’s fun if You have proper clothing.
On Your way You may find some lean-to shelters too, feel free to use them and light a fire for a little while.
Before starting your adventure understand how e-bikes work, so You can easily bike through the hilly trails. While on the trail You’ll see some amazing views and maybe some animals too, so look around.
Day 6
Snowshoeing
On day 6, rent snowshoes and explore some other trails around Levi. I recommend snowshoeing up some of the mountains nearby, THE TRAIL will be marked for snowshoes. This trail is fun for snowshoeing because of the views around You, it’s steep and slippery at some points so You will not be able to complete it without snowshoes. Take a good flashlight with You, because your phone will die from the cold if You use it, and rent snowshoes together with poles, poles will be very useful especially to get down.
On Your way and nearby You may find some lean-to shelters too, feel free to use them and light a fire for a little while.
Day 7
Summary: This day is for relaxing, resting, looking back at Your adventures here, and getting back home.
Useful Links
All the information about trails and cross-country skiing tracks and many more can be found at InfoGIS LEVI
All the information about Downhill skiing slopes, ski passes, and everything else about Levi can be found at Levi Ski Resort
For a pleasant experience and to understand everything about Levi You can download the Levi Resort APP (android).