Only in Lapland, the frost and the sunlight make magic together. During January, there are only a few hours of daylight in Lapland, but they are magical: the sun gives the snow a fairy touch transforming the frozen land into a truly fantasy land.
I have returned from Finland with a bunch of beautiful memories, being the place where I lived experiences to try at least once in a life time. Skiing in Levi, watching for the first time the miracle of the Northern Lights, or sleeping under the starry skies, made from Finland a fairy winter destination with a plenty of authentic things to do and see.
We spent one week in Levi area, which is located in the Finnish Lapland, a perfect region for the first time visitors, offering many local attractions, breathtaking winter landscapes, the purest air in the inhabited world and, since I love to ski, it’s also the biggest ski resort in Finland. We spent 5 days in Levi Resort in order to ski and to try the local activities and 3 more days at Northern Lights Ranch, located 15 km away from Levi Resort, in order to have a Finnish authentic experience: sleeping under the starry skies.
How to get to Levi, Lapland
Levi is located in the Sirkka Village, which is 15 minute away from the Kittilä airport and approximately 170 km north of the Arctic Circle. The fastest way to get to Levi is by plane from Helsinki airport to Kittilä airport. There is also a night train from Helsinki, a ride lasting minimum 12 hours, or, a good option, in order to see a larger part of Finland, is renting a car from Helsinki airport, but there are over 1,000 km to Levi.
The accommodation in Levi, Lapland
Our first accommodation was located in Levi Resort, where we stayed at Levi Suites Levin Klubi, 4 km away from the city center, just across of ski slope number 6. It was an ideal location for accommodation, almost hidden into the forest, where we found many walk paths into the winter wonderland. Also, the area is optimal for chasing the Northern Lights, being away from the city light sources.
The second accommodation was at Northern Lights Ranch, located 15 km away from Levi Resort. Sleeping into a sky view cabin, watching the starry skies, remains among the most incredible experience I have tried so far. You can read more about it in my previous blog post, here.
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Best things to do in Levi for an authentic Finnish experience
Seeing The Northern Lights
Seeing the Northern Lights for the first time is similar with witnessing a miracle. The best time to see the Northern Lights in Lapland is between September – April. Although, there are big chances that the lights not to be shown during one single week, we were lucky to catch them on 2 nights during our stay in Levi. After of 2 hours spent outside, we were ready to go back inside. It was so cold and the chances of Northern Lights to show were only 20%. And, then the miracle appeared in all its splendor.
Sleeping into a sky view cabin
The Finnish way of sleeping under the starry skies is one of the best things to do in Lapland. There are many accommodations offering sky view cabins, including Northern Lights Ranch, near Levi, where we stayed. Sleeping into a cosy room with big windows and glass ceiling, being able to witness the miracle of the nature, even the Northern Lights, while staying in your bed, it’s magical.
Warming up by the fire
Warming up by a fire is an authentic way of enjoying a frosty winter day in Lapland. We found many wooden cabins on the slopes, with a big fire in the middle, being a perfect way to warm up, while sharing stories.
Walking into the winter wonderland
This is one of the most accessible activity to do in Lapland. There are many walk-paths in Levi, the beauty of the frozen nature and the fresh clean air make Finnish Lapland a dreamy winter destination.
Skiing in Levi
Levi is one of the biggest ski resort in Finland, there being 28 lifts and 48 slopes, mostly intermediate. The slopes are very easy I would say, since I only skied in Austria before, the highest altitude being 531 meters. The slopes are opened until 18:00, 19:00 and even 21:00, offering the possibility of spending enough time on the slopes. But, the true charm of skiing in Levi stays in the beauty of its landscapes, one of the best I have ever seen: the golden and pink light of sunset lasts all day, transforming the winter scenery into a fairy tale. The daylight in Levi area lasts only 4-5 hours during January, but the beauty of it creates memories that lasts for a life time.
The best places to admire the Arctic Sun in Levi, Lapland
- Santa’s Cabin which is also one of the most popular photography spots in Levi. This cottage was built as a prop for the movie Christmas Story, being the place where a boy Nicholas lived. Later, the boy became Santa Clause. The cabin is located on the ski slopes and can be reached from Levi 2000 Gondoli, being a romantic spot and one of the best to watch the Arctic sunset.
- The slope starting from the South Point.
- Tuikku restaurant being at the same time a good place to stop and enjoy a traditional Finnish meal.
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