Major city · Finland
Ylläs
Go for 3–4 nights if you want fells, cross-country trails and quiet aurora nights; skip if you want a party scene — that is Levi.
Ylläs is a fell north of the Arctic Circle, split between two resort bases and two villages about 10 km apart. It is one of Finland's largest winter sport areas, with downhill runs, a long cross-country network and aurora chances from late August to early April. Most visitors come for 3–4 nights in winter; summer is quiet and green.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Dec–Apr for snow; Mar–Apr for milder days and longer light; late Aug–early Apr for auroras
- avoid Nov (dark, thin snow), Dec–Jan if you dislike extreme cold and polar night
- Airports
- KTT · RVN
- Nights
- 3–4
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Nordic countries ↗Decide light or dark before anything else: summer trips (June–August) and aurora trips (September–March in the Arctic) need different countries, clothes and bases.
- Nordic countries ↗Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroes sell stronger alcohol only in state shops with short hours; buy before evening and before Sundays and holidays.
- Finland ↗Finland is in the EU and the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border.
- Finland ↗The land border with Russia is closed to travellers; do not plan a route across it.
- Finland ↗Everyman's rights let you walk, camp for a night and pick berries on most land, but not near homes, and not to make fires without permission.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Ylläs112 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance112
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Ylläs, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).Finland-wide
- SIM or eSIMEU roaming applies.Finland-wide
- Tap waterTap water is excellent.Finland-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Not expected; round up for great service.Finland-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Finland-wide
- SafetyFinland is calm and safe; the real risks here are cold, wind on the open fell, and dark roads.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in libraries, malls and many stations; some charge €1 (≈ US$2) by card.Finland-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police, fire, ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums often close Mondays; many summer cafés and island services open only June–August.Finland-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportKTT Kittilä Airport (About 50 km (31 mi) east; buses meet most flights, roughly 40 min to Ylläs, flat fare €13.80 (≈ US$17)).KTT Kittilä Airport (About 31 mi (50 km) east; buses meet most flights, roughly 40 min to Ylläs, flat fare €13.80 (≈ US$17)).
- Getting aroundWithout a car the Ski Bus is the practical option: it loops between the four areas roughly hourly in season.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee and a doughnut at a trail cabin€5–9 (≈ US$6–11)
- Sit-down mealThree-course dinner on the fellfrom €60 (≈ US$70)
- Street or quick mealSoup, bread and coffee set lunch€10 (≈ US$12)
- BeerBeer in a pub / can from the shop€7–9 (≈ US$9–11)€2–3 (≈ US$3–4)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person€35 (≈ US$45)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per room€180 (≈ US$250)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per room€320 (≈ US$400)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €70 (≈ US$85) · Mid €130 (≈ US$160) · High €220 (≈ US$300)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- KTT Kittilä Airport (About 50 km (31 mi) east; buses meet most flights, roughly 40 min to Ylläs, flat fare €13.80) · RVN Rovaniemi Airport (About 170 km (106 mi) away; needs a taxi or several buses — slow and costly)KTT Kittilä Airport (About 31 mi (50 km) east; buses meet most flights, roughly 40 min to Ylläs, flat fare €13.80) · RVN Rovaniemi Airport (About 106 mi (170 km) away; needs a taxi or several buses — slow and costly)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Care
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
Feb
Best
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
Mar
Best
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Apr
Best*
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
May
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Jun
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jul
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Aug
Best*
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Sep
Best
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Oct
Best
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Nov
Care
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Dec
Care
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
Best: Feb–Apr, Aug–Oct. Mixed: Nov–Jan. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)), coolest Jan (−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C) low), wettest Jul (11 rain days), driest Apr (7). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Ylläs: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C)
9 rd
Feb
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
−16°C (3°F)3°F (−16°C)
8 rd
Mar
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
8 rd
Apr
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
7 rd
May
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
8 rd
Jun
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Jul
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Aug
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
11 rd
Sep
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
Oct
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
10 rd
Nov
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
10 rd
Dec
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Without a car the Ski Bus is the practical option: it loops between the four areas roughly hourly in season. A single ride is €6; an area ticket added to a ski pass gives unlimited rides for €2/day. Downhill skiers can cross the top of the fell by the Kuru lift between the two resorts. Cross-country trails are extensive, but skiing down to the villages means a long climb back.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Levi
goDoor to door: About 1–1.5 h
Drive or bus via Kittilä, about 60–80 km (37–50 mi)Drive or bus via Kittilä, about 37–50 mi (60–80 km)
Bigger resort with a louder après-ski scene; a day or a night away.
Door to door: About 45–60 min
Bus or car, about 50 km (31 mi)Bus or car, about 31 mi (50 km)
Airport, shops and the Lainio Snow Village with ice sculptures and ice rooms.
Kolari
goDoor to door: About 40–50 min
Bus or car, about 35 km (22 mi)Bus or car, about 22 mi (35 km)
Nearest train station, northernmost in Finland; useful for arrivals and departures.
Muonio
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Car or bus north-west, about 60 km (37 mi)Car or bus north-west, about 37 mi (60 km)
Quiet fell village; only worth it with your own transport.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Ski Resort Ylläsjärvi
South-east base at the lifts; closest to the slopes and the gondola.
Ski Resort Äkäslompolo
North-west base at the lifts; quieter, with the fell on your doorstep.
Äkäslompolo village
About 4 km (2.5 mi) north of its resort; the widest range of beds, from hostel dorms to lodges, plus the main grocery and Alko.About 2.5 mi (4 km) north of its resort; the widest range of beds, from hostel dorms to lodges, plus the main grocery and Alko.
Ylläsjärvi village
About 5 km (3.1 mi) south of its resort; smaller and quieter.About 3.1 mi (5 km) south of its resort; smaller and quieter.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €70–110 (≈ US$85–130) excl. bed
- Mid
- €110–180 (≈ US$130–250) excl. bed
- High
- €180 (≈ US$250)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 4 nights × €180 | €720 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 4 days × €130 | €1,040 |
| Ski bus single ride2 × €6 | €12 |
| Ski bus area ticket, per day with a ski pass2 × €2 | €4 |
| Airport bus Kittilä → Ylläs, one way2 × €14 | €28 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €20 | €40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €184 |
| Trip total≈ €254 per person per day, bed included | €2,028≈ US$2,500 |
2026 estimate in euro; flights and ski passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee and a doughnut at a trail cabin | €5–9 (≈ US$6–11) |
| Soup, bread and coffee set lunch | €10 (≈ US$12) |
| Pizza at the resort (Lappish flatbread base) | from €15 (≈ US$18) |
| Three-course dinner on the fell | from €60 (≈ US$70) |
| Beer in a pub / can from the shop | €7–9 (≈ US$9–11) / €2–3 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Taxi Kittilä airport → Ylläs | about €100 (≈ US$120) |
| Sleeper cabin on the Kolari train, per cabin | €180–240 (≈ US$250–300) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Polar night in Dec–Jan: only a few hours of twilight, and cold — average highs near -9 °C (16 °F), lows near -17 °C (1 °F), colder with wind on the open fell.Polar night in Dec–Jan: only a few hours of twilight, and cold — average highs near 16 °F (-9 °C), lows near 1 °F (-17 °C), colder with wind on the open fell.
- Auroras are never guaranteed: cloud and luck decide. Check the space weather forecast before going out.
- The only grocery inside the resorts is Antin Mini-Market in the Hotel Saaga building, with a limited food range; stock up in the villages or order online.
- Takeaway alcohol in the resort is limited to drinks under 5.5% ABV; for wine and spirits go to the Alko in Äkäslompolo.
- Distances between the four areas are real: without the Ski Bus or a car, your day is decided by the timetable.
- Winter driving needs winter tyres and headlights on; the drive from Helsinki is about 1,000 km (621 mi).Winter driving needs winter tyres and headlights on; the drive from Helsinki is about 621 mi (1,000 km).
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
YlläsYlläs
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Tähän osoitteeseen, kiitosTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance112
Embassy
No embassies in Lapland; most are in Helsinki. Consular help for EU citizens via their own embassy there.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ski bus, single: €6 (≈ US$7); unlimited with an area ticket on a ski pass, €2 (≈ US$3)/day
- Kittilä airport → Ylläs, bus: €13.80 (≈ US$17), roughly 40 min
- Kolari station → Ylläs, bus: €13.80 (≈ US$17), roughly 1 h, timed to trains
Say or show
- Hei — Hello (hay)
- Kiitos — Thank you (kee-tos)
- Paljonko se maksaa? — How much is it? (pahl-yon-ko se mak-saa)
- Voinko maksaa kortilla? — Can I pay by card? (voyn-ko mak-saa kor-til-la)
- Missä on WC? — Where is the toilet? (mis-sa on vee-see)
- Apua! — Help! (ah-poo-ah)
Distances are long and buses are few: check the timetable before you set out.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ylläs. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr for snow; Mar–Apr for milder days and longer light; late Aug–early Apr for auroras · avoid Nov (dark, thin snow), Dec–Jan if you dislike extreme cold and polar night · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for Kittilä: bus times against flight arrivals, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four-area walking and ski-bus clusters with rescue anchors: Ylläsjärvi resort, Äkäslompolo resort, Äkäslompolo village, Ylläsjärvi village.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (gondola, ski bus season, national park trails) and eat pages with last orders.
- Aurora-night fixture: forecast link, dark-sky spots and a no-go rule for cloud.