Forming part of the village of Sirkka, Levi is an alpine fell and the largest ski resort in Finland. It lies around 170 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle and is renowned for its views of the Northern Lights. In addition to skiing, the area holds strong ties to Sami indigenous culture and is on the doorstep of one of Finland’s largest national parks.
Things to do in Levi
Most visitors come to Levi for its over 200 kilometres of skiing trails, including a downhill piste that stretches for 2,500 metres. Snowshoeing and ice fishing excursions are also on offer during the winter months, as are guided husky safaris. In the summer, you can go hiking or mountain biking in Levi’s scenic surroundings while keeping your eyes peeled for Arctic foxes and Siberian wolves.
You can learn about Finland’s indigenous people at the Samiland Exhibition, which explores the history, reindeer herding lifestyle and mythology of the Sami. Discover the difference between Skolt and Mountain Sami while browsing the cultural artefacts on display, then wander between the recreated traditional buildings that dot the surroundings.
In the nearby town of Kittilä is a charming wooden church constructed in 1831 on a design by C.L. Engel. It’s significant in being the only building in Kittilä that wasn’t burned to the ground as German soldiers retreated following the Lapland War of 1944 to 1945. If you drive in the other direction from Levi you’ll arrive at Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, which encompasses the oldest marked hiking trail in Finland, the 50-kilometre-long Hetta-Pallas Trail.
Getting around Levi
Kittilä Airport is a 15-minute drive from Levi and has seasonal flights to destinations across Europe. Buses travel from Helsinki to Levi via Rovaniemi while the centre of Levi is compact enough to explore on foot.