Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
LAPLAND SEASONS
It's important to pick your time in Lapland carefully. In the far north there's no sun for 50
days of the year, and no night for 70-odd days. In June it's very muddy, and in July insects
can be hard to deal with. If you're here to walk, August is great and in September the
ruska(autumn leaves) can be seen. There's thick snow cover from mid-October to May;
December draws charter flights looking for Santa, real reindeer and guaranteed snow,
but the best time for skiing and husky/reindeer/snowmobile safaris is March and April,
when you get a decent amount of daylight and less-extreme temperatures.
Ylläs
016
fell and Lapland's second-biggest ski resort. On either side of the mountain are the villages
Äkäslompolo
, prettily set by a lake, and smaller
Ylläsjärvi
. Both are typical ski-resort
towns with top-end hotels, holiday cottages, charter flights and winter activities. They shut
down substantially in summer, when reindeer roam with impunity. Both villages are about
5km from their respective slopes. The Ylläs area is enticing for hiking.
Sights & Activities
Äkäslompolo's remarkable modern wooden church is worth a look.
Kellokas
NATURE CENTRE
( 020-564-7039;
www.outdoors.fi
;
Tunturintie 54; 9am-4pm Mon-Fri Nov-May, plus Sat & Sun at
busy times, 9am-5pm daily Jun-Oct)
At the foot of the fell's western slopes, 2.5km from Äkäslompolo, this has a good down-
stairs exhibition on the local environment and way of life, as well as a cafe, maps, tourist
information and advice on hiking in the park.
Skiing & Snowboarding
