Downhill Skiing

There are a few ski centres in northern Finland and although they do not compare to slopes in the Alps there is certainly enough to entertain even the most proficient skiier for a day. The three mian ski centres that you will have access to are at Hetta, Levi and Ylläs.

Whilst we have run a number of corporate heli-skiing programes (eg for Nike ACG and Lapin Kulta) in the Kilpisjärvi region in the past, the Finnish northern helicopters are currently being reserved for rescue and other medical purposes so this is a bit more challenging to operate without bringing in helicopters from Sweden. This is Hetta's ski centre's website.



Downhill Skiing in Hetta

Hetta's (1 lift, 2 runs) Family Ski Centre

The Hetta ski centre (signposted Hetta Hiihtomaa) is located next the Nature Centre in Hetta. This family-targeted centre has been since c. 2010 and the slopes slopes are 250 to 800 metres long. At present only has one lift and 2 runs open although children have their own 100 metres ski slope and sledding hill. This is an excellent place to learn how to ski, or for those who haven't skiied in a while, to rebuild some confidence and practice carving or learning a new discipline like telemarking, for which the slope steepness is perfect.

For the more experienced skiier the centre also provides the chance to practise more techinal off-piste skills in a small forest section although you are better looking at Pyhakero or Kilpisjarvi if you truly want to go off piste.

Anna and Pasi can teach all levels of skiiers but they can only really do this outside of peak husky season. Ski rental is around €10 for 3 hours and lift passes are €15 for 3 hours.

T-bar lift, 580 m, 105 m altitude
Both our slopes have jumps and rails for those who are more skilled or are training for more. Slope 1 is 600 metres long with 105 m altitude difference, slope 2 750 metres with 105 m altitude.
Slope for children and likeminded to try toboggan and stigas
Illuminated ski tracks 10 km
Snowshoe tracks
Snowshoe frisbee golf track

More information can be found here.


Nearest International Ski Centres

Levi (17 lifts, 45 runs)

The Levi ski resort, c. 2 hours drive from Hetta (SE), is one of the bigger ski centres in northern Finland. It has a total of 45 varied pistes covering 43.6 km. These pistes are colour-coded: blue for beginners, red for those who have mastered the basics, black for experts and green for transition routes. Taking you up the fell are 2 gondolas, 1 chair lift, 14 T-bar lifts, 6 stick lifts for children and 4 rope lifts for children. The piests are faily varied, but depending in the time of year, not all of them may be open. The centre also hosts the Ski World Cup and the World Cup Run is open all season. Ski rental is around €23.50 for 3 hours and lift passes range from €15 - €30 for 3 hours depending on the time of year.


Ylläs (29 lifts, 63 runs)
The Yllas ski centre, also c. 2 hours drive from Hetta (due South), is located in the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park with the lappish villages of Ylläsjärvi and Äkäslompolo located on opposing sides of the Ylläs Fell. The centre is home to the longest runs in Finland and with 63 pistes and 29 lifts it is the largest resort in Lapland and Finland. Ylläs has also excellent snowpark areas, super-G slope, off-piste slopes and longest runs in Finland. Ylläs is also one of the most popular places among telemark skiers and off-piste skiers with several fells and forest sections of untouched snow. It has some very long T-bar lift sections, and at 738m, the view from the top of the fell is excellent. It also had suana gondola for those seeking more attention than is provided by spectacularly loosing it on black run.