The best experiences of Lapland's winter season are yet to come – the most interesting tips for the snowy northern spring

Press release | Fri Mar 15 10:58:00 2024

Lapland's tourism broke records last year, and its growth has been faster than the national average. The ending winter season is predicted to be even stronger. The majority of visitors at the turn of the year and the beginning of the year are international tourists, while the spring season that begins after the winter holidays is popular with domestic tourists. There are still about two metres of snow in Lapland, and the best weather for outdoor activities has only just begun. In addition to outdoor activities, Lapland offers great experiences and a variety of events in the spring.

Winter in Lapland has been exceptionally snowy this year, which ensures that the season will continue well into the spring. At the Lapland Hotels ski resorts, the slopes and trails are open until May, but different winter sports can be enjoyed even up to the beginning of summer. In the spring, a number of events will also take place in the various northern locations.

Based on the amount of hotel reservations, there is still room for people to come and enjoy the spring in Lapland and at the ski resorts. Especially after Easter, there is plenty of room at all Lapland Hotels destinations.

Here are the best tips on what springtime in Lapland has to offer for tourists this year

1. Sunny days on the slopes – the downhill skiing season continues well into spring

The spring season means warm sunny days, especially on the slopes and ski tracks. For example, you can downhill ski in Äkäslompolo in Ylläs until May Day and in Pallas until 5 May. The spring season of crusted snow is the best time in Lapland, and, in addition to skiing, the crusted snow can also withstand various other activities.

2. Extensive ski track networks and traditional skiing events

The network of ski tracks, in particular, attracts tourists in the spring. The days are quite long and the sun pampers cross-country skiers. The traditional Ylläs-Levi skiing competition will take place on 6 April, and the Lapponia Ski Week will take place on 8-12 April, with Olos as the hub. Lapland Hotels Olos will organize a diverse side program during the event.

3. SnowVillage – visit the magical snow village

The unique Lapland Hotels SnowVillage is not to be missed. The theme this year is Nordic mythology, and the exhibition is open until 7 April 2024. As always, this year’s Lapland Hotels SnowVillage includes the Ice Restaurant and an exhibition room for arctic art with an ice bar, a movie theatre, a snow hotel with different suites to choose from, an ice slide and several spacious halls and lobbies adorned with sculptures.

4. Rent equipment for independent outdoor activities

In addition to downhill skiing, snowboarding and skiing, you can also go snowshoeing or on a snowmobile safari, or test the durability of the snow crust on a bike in the spring in Lapland. Lapland Safaris' winter season’s experience services will continue in Levi, Luosto, Rovaniemi, Saariselkä and Ylläs until the beginning of April. Versatile rental equipment, including electrically-assisted fatbikes and snowshoes, is available at all Lapland Safaris destinations for independent outdoor activities. For example, you can enjoy various outdoor activities at the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park.

5. Enjoy the sun and ice fishing in Kilpisjärvi

Further north in Kilpisjärvi, you can still enjoy the winter weather and ice fishing, among other things, in May. At the beginning of May, the traditional Only 2 Fish (Vain 2 kalaa) ice fishing competition will be held in Kilpisjärvi. Kilpisjärvi is home to the most spectacular peaks in Finland, where the skiing season continues until Midsummer. Lapland Hotels Kilpis, in the vicinity of Saana, offers, among other things, ice swimming as the highlight of a day outdoors.

6. Off-piste skiing in Pallas

The skiing slopes of Pallas are a real paradise for travellers who truly want to enjoy their holiday. Pallas Ski resort has nine well-maintained slopes. The aim of the resort is to maintain the natural snow on the slopes rather than producing artificial snow. This is the easiest and most diversified place for off-piste skiing in Finland – winter sports can be practiced independently up until June.

7. Culinary northern experiences in the fell

The best northern ingredients and views of Lapland can be experienced at the top of Ounasvaara, in the Sky Kitchen & View restaurant, which was selected as the 43rd best restaurant in Finland in 2024.

Lapland Hotels Hetta, on the other hand, hosts a culinary concert on 27 March, which combines a menu designed by Lapland Hotels' Executive Chef Tero Mäntykangas and Astor Piazzolla's Four Seasons of Buenos Aires series performed by VinoTri

8. Taiga’s entertaining live shows and stand-up gigs in Ylläs

The restaurant and event centre Taiga is located next to the Ylläs ski resort on the side of Ylläsjärvi. Springtime at Taiga is filled with renowned Finnish artists and stand-up gigs. The spring 2024 live show calendar includes, for example, Kuumaa and Tuure Kilpeläinen.

Image copyrights: Lapland Hotels & Safaris

Further information:
https://www.laplandhotels.com/FI/kevat-lapissa/yllas-levi.html
https://www.laplandhotels.com/EN/hotels-in-lapland/kilpis/lapland-hotels-kilpis.html

Travel enterprise Lapland Hotels & Safaris offers Northern experiences for all the senses. It consists of Finland’s largest private hotel chain, Lapland Hotels, the largest experience service company in the Nordic countries, Lapland Safaris Group Oy, and Lapland Ski Resorts. The group has approximately 1,950 employees in total.

Lapland Hotels has 20 hotels, more than 2,400 rooms and apartments, as well as over 10,000 restaurant seats around Finland: in Ylläs, Levi, Saariselkä, Rovaniemi, Olos, Luosto, Kilpisjärvi, Pallas and Hetta, as well as Helsinki, Tampere, Oulu, Kuopio and the Haikko Manor in Porvoo.

Lapland Safaris offers unique outdoor activities in five destinations in Lapland: Rovaniemi, Ylläs, Saariselkä, Levi and Luosto.

Lapland Ski Resorts comprises five ski centres located in Ylläs, Luosto, Olos, Pallas and Rovaniemi. www.laplandhotels.com/en/, www.laplandsafaris.com/en/