Snowsure: 4.7
- Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing
- Is often closed due to a lack of snow
- Occasionally suffers from a lack of snow
- Rarely suffers from a lack of snow
- Yllas is snowsure even in the poorest seasons
Visitor reviews for Yllas Ski Resort
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(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
Latest
February 14, 2025
Paul Chapelhow from
United Kingdom
Paul Chapelhow from
United Kingdom
We are approaching retirement and, having skied mostly in the Alps and North America, decided to spend the first week of February skiing in Yllas.
We stayed near the Yllas gondola in the Lapland Hotels Saaga apartments.
The slopes on the Yllas side were wide, beautifully groomed with plenty of room and none of the overcrowding of the Alps. Most of the time we had the piste to ourselves and we never had a lift queue.
We didn’t get to see much of the Akaslompolo side due to the weather and the link being closed, but the runs felt narrower in the poor visibility when we did go across.
We found enough skiing to enjoy ourselves, but if you are after moguls or steep challenges, then go somewhere else.
The weather was variable, but we did see the sun occasionally, but there were a lot of days with high winds and low clouds that made skiing at the top unpleasant. Temperatures increased from -24c to +1c over the week.
As we went in the low season, not all runs and lifts were open, and this was also reflected in the resort, which did not have much open after the lifts closed, so it was just as well that the Saaga hotel had a lot of food options available. The slopeside food options were varied and generally good and again uncrowded, but as with everything in Finland - a bit pricey.
Take your own painkillers, as there is no pharmacy in the resort, and you would have to get the ski bus to the nearest one. The supermarkets do not sell any medicines, only pharmacies are allowed, and the local pharmacies are closed at weekends.
November 18, 2019
John from
United Kingdom
John from
United Kingdom
Going back to Yllas again this year (4th year in a row now)
Not a brilliant skier but my family and myself have truly fallen in love with Yllas and Akaslompolo. Everywhere you go is a picture perfect place. Inghams reps are outstanding as always and the Finish people are the friendliest in the world. Our log cabins we have stayed in have, to date, been nothing short of spectacular; last year in Kurunkolo B4 and this year will be in Hillanhukka (excuse the spelling).
Lapland is one of the most beautiful places on earth during the winter and seeing the northern lights is just the icing for us. Anyone thinking of excursions I recommend the huskies and the snowmobiling at night.
December 05, 2017
Marion from
United Kingdom
Marion from
United Kingdom
March 25, 2015
JR&MR from
United Kingdom
JR&MR from
United Kingdom
In 2014 we went to the Yllas area and stayed in Akaslompolo village for the first time aiming to learn cross-country skiing. For just half a day, at the beginning, we had a very good and caring instructor in the classic style of skiing whose command of English was excellent. The weather conditions were generally good. We found all the routes very well prepared and the Lapland scenery truly beautiful and inspiring. Skiing on the lakes and wooded areas in that area was very pleasant as the views of the countryside and sky were often changing depending on the weather conditions. We were lucky to see the Northern Lights during three nights of our stay although the temperature dropped down to -22C whilst we were outside admiring magnificent streamers of blue lights of Aurora Borealis. One of us is a committed downhill skier in the more extensive resorts of the European Alps and the U S Rockies; I would find the downhill area of Yllas too limited but we would definitely return to Lapland because of its unique and very peaceful white winter ambience.
April 01, 2011
Boltie from
United Kingdom
Boltie from
United Kingdom
Our 4th time in Yllas-I think that says something?! We stayed in the much prettier part of the village-Akaslompolo in the Villa Armas cabins situated just behind the Akas hotel which is the central meeting place for ski bus, excursions etc.
Predominately we are downhill skiers & have skied twice here downhill. However, even in March when we tend to go it can be extremely cold on the fell, especially when travelling the lifts which is why we decided to give the cross country a try.
With Inghams quite a few of the cabins include free x-country equipment & snowshoes too so it would've been silly not to use them. We're so glad we did, the trails are immaculately groomed, well signposted & take you right out into the middle of nature. There's plenty of cute little rustic hut cafes & lean-to shelters with small fires burning so that you can cook your own toasties, sausages etc & the Siberian jays who watch your every move will take food gently from your hand if invited-amazing!
The log cabins are well presented with modern fully fitted kitchen, TV, sauna etc & add the finishing touch to a truly memorable holiday.
On the down side, Lapland isn't cheap once you're there. Expect to pay 6 Euros for a beer & up to 9 Euros for a glass of wine. However, there is a fantastic supermarket-food prices are generally on par with the UK & also an extremely well stocked off license-we were well impressed with the selection of reasonably priced wines on offer.
On a skiing note, Yllas is an excellent place to learn how to ski, with some lovely gentle tree lined runs, but you need to really wrap up & use hand & toe warmers. You can hire thermal suits, gloves & boots very cheaply if you don't have your own.
We don't normally return to the same resort year after year but the magic of Lapland has got to us, give it a go-I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
January 01, 2010
Malcolm from
United Kingdom
Malcolm from
United Kingdom
We're just off to Yllas for the fifth time, Why? As a cross country skier, the area is heaven! More track than I can ski in a week - all well groomed for both classic and skating styles. There are plenty of easy "blue" routes for relative novices, but also red and black routes for the experienced. With a ski bus running to the bottom of the down-hill slopes, and to the other side of the fell, you can all ski in the morning on easy routes, then those who have had enough can bus back whilst the others ski more demanding routes back.
Skiing through the woods, over a fell or across a lake by yourselves, under a glorious pink and mauve ski, coming across reindeer, spotting a ptarmigan or stopping to feed Arctic Jays from your hand is all part of the magic.
Be aware of the low temperatures, always put on a warm coat when you stop - it is a lot colder than it feels! and always wear gloves when you open your flask, or your fingers can freeze to it!
Also be aware of time and darkness - in early January the sun is up for only 2 hours, but it is twilight for longer, giving you 4-5 hours of skiing, unless you plan your route to ski on lit routes, which stay lit until 10.pm.
To find out more about cross country skiing in Yllas ask the locals and the ski shops - British reps focus on downhill and excursions.
April 06, 2009
matt from
United Kingdom
matt from
United Kingdom
Just just got back from Yllas. We stayed at the Saaga hotel and had a fab time. The Finnish are really lovely people and the ski slopes were very well groomed. We want to say a special thanks to Bev for making our holiday so brillant; we will be coming back next year we enjoyed it so much. Hope you will still be our rep and thanks to the staff of the Saaga hotel.
February 23, 2009
Philippa from
United Kingdom
Philippa from
United Kingdom
Just returned from Yllas: a last minute booking at half term. Great experience - very beautiful, think Christmas cards and fairy tales. However, it was very cold at the beginning of the week (hit -26 one night) that my daughter and I were almost in tears with throbbing fingers and toes despite silk liners ('miracle gloves 'from the ski shop AND normal ski gloves). Advice: wear mittens rather than gloves and take hand warmers if you feel the cold. Also, don't forget the balaclavas, something that you probably won't have thought of before if you've only skied the Alps. Yllas is unsophisticated but sweet and the skiing delightful but not challenging; a great place to learn. Extra curricular activities are fab. Loved the husky safari and the boys loved the snowmobiles. Three days were unski-able unfortunately due to weather conditions. In fact, the low cloud, wind and snow made it thoroughly unpleasant. This did spoil it for us as we had to spend quite some time killing time, something one tends not to do on a skiing holiday. Very glad we went. Yllas was a very different experience but it would be unlikely that we would return.
February 03, 2009
Ron from
Finland
Ron from
Finland
Went to Yllas in Feb 2008 and had a fantastic time. There are two villages/resorts that make up Yllas; we stayed in the smaller, quieter one: Akaslompolo.
Supposedly it was the Finish holidays so the rep said it would be busy. Had to wait at least 2 minutes for a lift at one point. Friendly people, quiet slopes, beautiful landscape with waist deep snow. My 12 year old's first ski holiday but he picked it up quickly in the excellent ski school and loved stopping for lunch on the fell and cooking sausages on the open fires that they have. A snow mobile trip at night to see the Northern lights is great fun although you can see them from most places as long as you are away from the street lights and it's not too cloudy. The slopes are ideal for beginners and intermediates but not that challenging for people who like black runs.
Going back to Yllas this year but will stay in a larger log cabin this time as the single room ones at the Akas Hotel, although nice, were a bit cramped.
April 04, 2008
RICHARD SWIFT from
Finland
RICHARD SWIFT from
Finland
Just back from Yllas on a learn to ski holiday at Easter. Instructors spoke very good English and the lessons were excellent. Snow cover was approx a foot and half deep. New bar and cafe just opened 6 weeks ago in the centre and was very good. We stayed in hotel Saga next to the slope and by day 2 could ski from and to the hotel. Temperature ranged from -12 to -5 but never really felt cold as we had hired arctic weather clothing.
All in all: brilliant for beginners and mid range maybe not quite steep enough for black run skiers. Maybe that's why it never seems to get a mention in the papers! All the Finish people were lovely and spoke good English.
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