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Skiing in Lapland, Finland: A Complete Guide
If skiing in Lapland has been on your bucket list, let me save you hours of research: Finnish Lapland is home to some of the most magical ski resorts you’ll ever visit. Yes, the mountains are smaller than the Alps — but what they lack in height and expert terrain they more than make up for in aesthetic. Think reindeer on the slopes, Northern Lights after last lifts, twinkle-lit trails through snow-covered forests, all-day golden hour colors, and lift tickets prices that are about 1/4th ro 1/5th of US resort prices.
Lapland has three main ski destinations worth knowing about: Levi (Lapland’s best all-around ski town), Ruka (the gateway to Finland’s dreamiest national parks, with solid skiing too), and Saariselkä (the smallest and most remote — but arguably Lapland’s most beautiful). This guide covers all three so you can figure out which is right for you, or plan a trip that hits more than one!
In This Guide:
Also check out my full Lapland Winter Travel Guide covering all areas of Lapland & my recommendations — there are so many different areas to explore! Each area of Lapland has a personality of its own and this guide will help you decide which one (or all three!) belong on your itinerary.
Disclaimer: This article contains some links where I earn commission through booking. There is no extra cost to you, and I only recommend things I’ve used and love or places I’ve stayed and enjoyed!
Skiing in Levi, Lapland
Levi is my top ski recommendation in Lapland — and honestly, my top overall Lapland recommendation full stop. It’s the cutest ski town, has the best skiing in Lapland, and still manages to feel remote and untouched while being accessible and well-equipped. This is the main reason I preferred Levi to Rovaniemi, which is starting to feel quite commercial.
Read my full Levi Travel Guide for everything you need to plan your trip!
Skiing Levi: The Mountain
Lift tickets: ~58 euro/day for adults
Lift tickets in Finland are SO affordable compared to the US — I’ve been paying over $200 at US resorts this year, so 58 euro feels like a gift. The mountain itself is small, but it’s great for families, beginners, or those who just want to take in the scenery. One of the coolest things about Levi is that you can ski down all four sides of the mountain, so there’s a base on each side. Trail map here!
- Front slopes – the main slopes heading right into Levi Town. Start at Zero Point — this is also the best place to end your day if you want to apres. Hotel Levi Panorama sits right at the top of the front slopes.
- West Slopes – head west from the front slopes toward the peak. Home to some of the steepest trails and Santa’s Cabin. My favorite on-mountain bar, Ravintola Palovartija, is at the top of the Gondola here — best drinks with views!
- South Slopes – best for families and kids. The South Base is large and this area has tons of blues (the easiest trails in Levi).
- North East – picturesque, moderate terrain. You can ski down towards the lake here — I liked doing a few afternoon runs in this area.
Sunset tip – head to Ravintola Horizont at the end of the day for sunset. It’s stunning, right at the top of the Front Slopes, and you can easily ski down from there even if the lifts are closed!
Where to Stay in Levi
Levi has a wide range of accommodations — from glass igloos and ski-in/ski-out hotels to boutique options walkable to Levi Town. You can view all options here, or see my top two picks below.
Hotel Levi Panorama · Luxury · Ski In & Out
This hotel was unreal. Located on the slope of Levi Ski Resort, it’s the perfect stay whether or not you’re skiing. My room had 2 bedrooms, slopeside views from all windows, a private sauna, and an enclosed deck. The rooftop bar is a highlight. I paid $1,100 for 3 nights in early March — I booked late so only the 2-bedroom suite was available, but prices will be lower if you book earlier.
Northern Lights Ranch · Luxury · 8 Miles from Levi
For a remote luxury getaway where you still have driving access to a town, Northern Lights Ranch is perfect. These square glass cabins offer stunning Lapland views and ideal Northern Lights viewing. The on-site sauna, hot tub, bar, and restaurant mean you never have to leave if you don’t want to.
Apres Ski in Levi
For apres, head into Levi Town itself. There are a bunch of bars right at the base of the slopes. The best apres I went to was at Ravintola V’inkkari — they had a DJ, everyone was dancing outside (despite the freezing temps), it was an absolute vibe!
Best Restaurants in Levi
Levi Town has quite a few great restaurants. My top picks:
- Restaurant Panorama & Rooftop Bar
- Ravintola Horizont
- Pizzeria Via Tribunali Levi
- Stefan’s Steakhouse Levi
- Kota Cafe & Bar
- Lost Tacos Levi
See my full best restaurants in Levi guide for more details!
Getting to Levi
Kittilä International Airport (KTT) is a 20-minute drive from Levi. You can rent a car here, or grab a (very expensive) taxi into town. If you’re driving from Rovaniemi, it’s about a 2 and a half hour drive — always budget extra time in winter.
Getting Around Levi
A car gives you the most flexibility, but Levi is one of the easier Lapland destinations to manage without one — especially if you stay in Levi Town. You can walk to the slopes, restaurants, and most tours offer hotel pickup. Taxis are available but expensive — a 10-minute ride from the airport to my hotel was $60!
Skiing in Ruka, Lapland
Ruka is in eastern Lapland and is home to one of Lapland’s best ski resorts, plus two of Finland’s most stunning national parks right on its doorstep. It’s a great destination if you want to combine skiing with outdoor winter adventure — and I found it to be a bit more affordable than Levi, which is a bonus.
Read my full Ruka Travel Guide for everything you need!
Skiing Ruka: The Mountain
Lift tickets: ~58 euro/day for adults
Like Levi, Ruka’s lift tickets are incredibly affordable. The mountain is similar in size — small, family-friendly, and great for beginners and intermediates. You can ski down all four sides with a base on each. Trail map here!
- Front slopes (Ruka West) – the main slopes heading into Ruka Village, home to some of the steepest trails. The gondola leaves from here and takes you to the top and down to the opposite side (Ruka Valley). Hotel Scandic Rukahovi is right in Ruka Village.
- Back Slopes (Ruka East / Ruka Valley) – the family area of the mountain. Lots of shorter, kid-friendly trails and a large base lodge.
- Masto & Vuosseili – accessible from the summit, these serve Ruka’s best moderate terrain.
- Pessari – Ruka’s most remote and scenic area, with a cool daytime apres spot, Café Monomesta.
One thing to know: there are a lot of T-bars at Ruka! I found this challenging on a snowboard — some areas of the mountain are only accessible via T-bar. Check the trail map in advance if you want to avoid them.
Where to Stay in Ruka
Hotel Scandic Rukahovi · 3.5 Star · Ski In & Out · Ruka Village
You really can’t beat the location — right on the mountain in the small town, so everything is walkable. The hotel is massive and was the most affordable stay I had in all of Finland at $500 for 3 nights. Great for skiing with easy access to your car for day trips to the national parks.
Ski-Inn AurinkoRinne · Upscale Aparthotel · Ski In & Out · 6 min drive from Ruka Town
For a more upscale, remote-feeling stay, I loved Ski-Inn AurinkoRinne. It’s right at the base of a lift and sits on a small lake — the property is stunning. There’s a grocery store and a few restaurants nearby, plus easy access to Ruka base. Highly recommend!
Apres Ski in Ruka
The best apres is back in Ruka Village. The village is small but lively after the lifts close — a few spots that were fairly rowdy:
- Bar IHKU Ruka
- Restaurant Piste
- Zone Bistro
Best Restaurants in Ruka
Ruka is small but there were quite a few spots I enjoyed in the village and surrounding area:
- Restaurant Stefan’s Steakhouse
- Restaurant Vespino
- Pizzeria Ruka
- Restaurant Hanki Baari
- Restaurant RUOK Burger
See my full best restaurants in Ruka guide for more details!
Getting to Ruka
Kuusamo Airport (KAO) is 25 minutes from Ruka — the most convenient option. I rented a car in Levi and returned it in Ruka, which made it easy to explore multiple areas of Lapland on one trip. If driving from Rovaniemi, it’s about 2.5 hours — plan for longer in winter.
Getting Around Ruka
A car is particularly necessary in Ruka. Unlike Rovaniemi or Levi where you can get by on tours, Ruka is less touristy and a car is essential for visiting the national parks and the area’s highlights. This is a non-negotiable if Ruka is on your itinerary!
Skiing in Saariselkä, Lapland
Saariselkä is Lapland’s most remote, northern region — and honestly, it might be its most beautiful. The ski resort here is the smallest of the three, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in pure magic. Think slopes draped in twinkle lights, Arctic golden hour light all day, and snow-covered trees so dramatic they look like something out of a Dr. Seuss book. If you want that quiet, remote Lapland experience paired with a truly picturesque ski day, this is it.
Read my full Saariselkä Travel Guide for everything you need!
Skiing Saariselkä: The Mountain
Lift tickets: ~53 euro/day for adults
Don’t come to Saariselkä expecting a big, adrenaline-heavy mountain — Finnish mountains are generally small, and this is the smallest of the three. What you get instead is a charming, intimate resort with stunning Arctic scenery, golden-hour light that feels almost perpetual in winter, and a peaceful, magical vibe that’s completely unlike anywhere else. View the piste map here.
Where to Stay in Saariselkä
Saariselkä is home to some of Lapland’s most bucket-list-worthy accommodation. If you’re going to splurge on one stay during your Lapland trip, make it here. You’ll find lots of luxury optoins up here, and the price point reflects it!
Hotels Aurora Collection · Luxury · Saariselkä
The dreamy glass treehouse experience you’ve seen all over Instagram — sky-facing glass walls for Northern Lights viewing, stunning design, and that remote arctic atmosphere that Saariselkä does better than anywhere else in Lapland. This is the type of room you’ll never want to leave.
Northern Lights Village Saariselkä · Upscale · Ski In & Out
A ski-in/ski-out high-end property where most rooms and cabins include glass walls and ceilings for aurora viewing. Features a free breakfast buffet, lovely terrace, restaurant, and outdoor cold plunge pool. Stunning.
Wilderness Hotel Kieppi · Upscale · Saariselkä Village
Log cabins, open fires, and a cozy Lapland atmosphere right in the small town of Saariselkä — a 1-minute walk from the ski resort. Perfect for convenience combined with that wilderness feel.
Apres Ski in Saariselkä
Saariselkä is quieter than Levi or Ruka for apres — this is a more remote, intimate destination overall. The best bet is to head back to your accommodation for a sauna, hot tub, or fireside drink after skiing. Most of the upscale properties here have on-site bars and restaurants that are perfect for a cozy end to a ski day, especially with Northern Lights chances in the evening!
Getting to Saariselkä
Ivalo Airport (IVL) is about a 20-minute drive from Saariselkä. Flights connect through Helsinki — book in advance for the best options. If you’re doing a wider Lapland loop, Saariselkä is about 3 hours from both Rovaniemi and Levi, so driving makes a lot of sense and the winter scenery along the way is spectacular.
Getting Around Saariselkä
You need a car in Saariselkä. The region is genuinely remote, tour operators are fewer, and the highlights are spread out across the wilderness. Rent at Ivalo Airport when you land. If winter driving genuinely isn’t for you, Rovaniemi or Levi will serve you much better.
Planning Your Lapland Ski Trip?
Check out all of my Lapland Finland guides and recommendations below!
- Ultimate Lapland Winter Travel Guide
- Levi Travel Guide – Lapland’s cutest ski town + ultimate homebase for arctic excursions
- Ruka Travel Guide – gateway to Lapland’s dreamiest national parks + skiing
- Saariselkä Travel Guide – quiet, remote boutique stays + Northern Lights haven in Lapland’s most remote area
- Rovaniemi Travel Guide – Lapland’s capital & Santa’s home – not my favorite, but worth a stop for the highlights!
