The Levi Times December 2019 - January 2020 by Levin Sanomat

Spa

OPEN 11 am - 9 pm

Travel Newspaper

DECEMBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020

Please take your free copy!

Photo: Levi Ski Resort Oy Ltd

Winter Snow and forest Taxi Transport Levi

+358 400 407 704 www.levintaksi.fi • taksilevi@gmail.com

Hi! Snow’s here. Why don’t you come too? Wide range of activities Surviving Arctic Lapland

Photo: Tundra Huskies, Levi

OPEN

11 am - 10 pm

Casual Fine Dining Open-plan Charcoal Grill

Levi Hotel Spa & Design Hotel Finland • Tel. + 358 16 646 301 •

DECEMBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020

Photo: The Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park/Valtteri Hyöky

The Polar Night begins, the sun no longer rises above the horizon

Encounters in Levi

Levi Levi is Finland’s largest winter travel resort. The accommodation establishments take 25,500 visitors, and there are 60 restaurants and bars, 200 different service companies, a wide range of wintertime programmes, with downhill skiing slopes and cross-country skiing tracks. Cross-country skiing tracks cover 230 kilometres and snowmobile trails cover 890 kilometres. Ski Bus takes tourists between the slopes and accommodation spots.

What interests you in Levi? Viivi Latvala

Yogya and Udani, who are originally from Sri Lanka, did some shopping in Levi, admired the snow and experienced the ski slopes, which they found amazing. They currently study in the University of Tromsø, Sweden.

Levi provides downhill skiing on excellently maintained slopes that cover the fell. The changing terrain makes sure beginners and the world’s top Alpine skiers alike are entertained. The Ski School gives instruction into downhill skiing, snowboarding and cross-country skiing. Children have programmes in Kids Land in the centre of the Levi resort and on the southern side of the fell next to South Point House service centre. Some of the programmes organised by the activity programme companies include snowshoe hiking, snowmobile safaris, winter fishing programmes, reindeer sleigh rides, horse riding, rally driving and karting, husky safaris, Santa Claus programmes, once-in-a-lifetime experiences and adventure programmes. Levi also has a spa, doctor, beauty and wellbeing services, two bowling alleys, and a number of gyms.

Travel Newspaper Published in the winter

Publisher: Levin Sanomat toimitus@levinsanomat.fi www.levinsanomat.fi

Alex from Greece and Edmund from Malaysia work in Levi. They have already made new friends here, enjoyed new experiences, walks in the forests, downhill skiing, snowboarding, sauna and fishing.

Aleksey and Sergey from Russia were in Levi for a skiing camp. They had fun and enjoyed their stay as well as the plentiful snow.

Editor-in-Chief: Veikko Erkkilä

ISSN1797-1896

English translations: Peter Culley

Printed by: Botnia Print, Kokkola

The next edition of The Levi Times will be published on 6.2.2020

DECEMBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020

Supermarket that’s Better than the rest! TAVALLISTA PAREMPI KESÄKAUPPA WE HAVE IT ALL...

Open year-round every day!

> _

Wide range of groceries, Lapland’s own delicacies and large variety of special goods. We also have plenty of toys, We also have household adapters, ery! SIM-cards and lott accessories, kitchenware and small home appliances. provided via Booking.com

LEVI

MEMORYCARDS

CABELS (audio, video)

CABELS AND CHARGERS FOR SMARTPHONES IITTALA AND ARABIA

MUUMI Winter specialities

ICEFISHING EQUIPMENT AND LIVE BAITS

SLEDGES AND SLIDERS

TUNTURITUULI-apartments

mon-sat 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. sun 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.

YOU’ll FIND...

SKIWAXES 509, KLIM BEANIES, GLOVES AND BALACLAVAS SCENTS AND GEAR FOR SAUNA

instagram.com/levimarket info@levimarket.fi

DECEMBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020

Samiland takes you on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Land of Sámi

Samiland, located in the Levi Summit Congress & Exhibition Centre at the top of Levi’s Eturinne slope, offers visitors an outstanding opportunity for exploring the culture and mythology of Lapland’s indigenous peoples. Opened in 2011, there is an indoor exhibition (500 m2/5,400 sq. ft) and an outdoor exhibition (10,000 m2/107,000 sq. ft) that gives an excellent picture of the traditional way of life and ancient beliefs of the indigenous Sámi. The indoor exhibition showcases the Sámi way of life in the form of items, photographs and tales, and is narrated in Finnish, English, Russian, German and French. Along the stepped 300-metre path, you can explore traditional Sámi structures set in an authentic forest environment. Also found along the path is a reindeer enclosure holding reindeer that you can feed lichen reindeer moss. The entire Samiland exhibition is a part of the worldwide UNESCO Observatory Cultural Village programme and the exhibition can be enjoyed independently or with a guided tour. The owner of the exhibition and real Sámi is Ante Aikio – quite a diverse character, musician, yoik chanter and writer, but above all a reindeer owner and herder. His colourful style at telling about the content of the exhibition and the Sámi way of life is a meaningful experience in itself and gives the visit to the exhibition enhanced depth and content. “Tickets and guided tours for

Samiland are available through Levi Hotel Panorama or the Spiella cafeteria in Levi Summit, when it is open. My book entitled Aigi is also on sale there and makes an excellent souvenir or gift. You can also purchase bags of lichen reindeer moss to feed to the reindeer in the reindeer enclosure of the outdoor exhibition. Reindeer are used to meeting people, so there’s no reason to be afraid of them, and of course we will tell you how to feed them properly”, says Ante Aikio. ANCIENT SÁMI BELIEFS AND FAIRYTALE CHARACTERS PRESENTED IN A MODERN WAY “The guided tour can be booked with a yoik chant performance. The guided tour is intensive and full of information, yet progresses consistently and intriguingly. Samiland is also a great venue for a variety of private occasions for groups, and it has been praised as a unique environment for all sorts of events”, tells Ante Aikio. The exhibition of Sámi mythology, opened in 2013, is located in the indoor area of Samiland. This entirety was implemented in cooperation with the company Goranius Oy, presenting the Sámi understanding of the world, ancient beliefs and fairytale characters in modern and interesting ways. The series of books written by Ante Aikio are based on this exhibition theme, the first of which, Aigi Fathoms of the Fenlake, has also been written in English. Timo Koivisto

Samiland’s host, Ante Aikio is a multi-talented individual and quite a storyteller and yoik chanter.

The Sámi World view and mythologie -Ante Aikio Come and hear all about the characters of Sami mythology with writer Ante Aikio who joins us from Samiland to describe and tell stories about the sacred spaces from Sami mythology, such as the amazing Saivo lakes and Seita rocks. At the end of the show Ante will present traditional joiku chants together with a shaman drum. Events in Nature Centre Kellokas every Thursday in English 19.12. 2019 at 6 pm-7 pm How to take Northern Lights photos. Local photographer Markus Kiili will give you a lecture, how to take Aurora Borealis photos using

characters of Sami mythology with writer Ante Aikio who joins us from Samiland to describe and tell stories about the sacred spaces from Sami mythology, such as the amazing Saivo lakes and Seita rocks. 9.1.2020 at 6 pm-7 pm How to take Northern Lights photos. Local photographer Markus Kiili will give you a lecture, how to take Aurora Borealis photos using camera with manual settings. You will also see his Aurora Borealis photos and videos.

camera with manual settings. You will also see his Aurora Borealis photos and videos. 26.12. 2019 at 6 pm-7 pm The Sámi World view and mythologie, Ante Aikio. Come and hear all about the characters of Sami mythology with writer Ante Aikio who joins us from Samiland to describe and tell stories about the sacred spaces from Sami mythology, such as the amazing Saivo lakes and Seita rocks. 2.1. 2020 at 6 pm-7 pm The Sámi World view and mythologie, Ante Aikio. Come and hear all about the

Price 5 € /person. Groups please register in advance kellokas@metsa.fi

Kilpisjärvi

To Norway Näkkälä To Sweden

Karesuvanto

Leppäjärvi Enontekiö

Palojoensuu

To Inari Nunnanen Peltovuoma

National Park Sonkamuotka

Pokka

Raattama

Pallas Muonio Särkijärvi To Sweden Olos Pöntsö

National Park Ylläs To Sweden

Pulju

Kolari

Tepasto Köngäs

Levi Kittilä To Sodankylä Kaukonen To Rovaniemi

DECEMBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020

RENT A SNOWMOBILE!

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Huskypark is open around the year. Welcome! +358 40 570 6572 - levihuskypark@gmail.com - www.levihuskypark.fi -

Levi Huskypark, Inarintie, 11 km from Levi

DECEMBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020

In Levi, everyone can go skiing Cross-country skiing tracks are maintained daily Timo Koivisto Thanks to the Slalom World Cup, Levi is best known as a ski resort, but about a third of winter tourists in Levi practice cross-country skiing. The 230-kilometre track network offers a great variety of routes for all levels of skiers. 28 kilometres of the tracks are lit. Ski trails are clearly marked, but if you are unsure of your skills to use the tracks, you can easily see your position on the map when skiing if you use the free online Levi Ski Track Service at Levi.fi. Using this service, you can also checkin real time, which tracks have been maintained. You can also plan the next day’s skiing route in advance. “Trails are maintained daily using snow groomers that have low emissions, in line with the resort’s values. The majority of crosscountry skiing tracks are located in the vicinity of the Levi resort and there are plenty of spots for taking a break. For beginners, the easiest routes start from the centre of the resort, there are lit routes that start from in front of Hullu Poro Areena and the Lake Immeljärvi direction

has the flat sections”, tells Levi Ski Resort’s Managing Director Jouni Palosaari. Renting equipment is the easiest way to get the right gear. Levi’s equipment hire companies have a good selection of ski equipment for all levels of skiers, for skate skiing and classic skiing styles. You should also take advantage of the ski maintenance services, because waxing is part of skiing. “Beginners and more experienced skiers will get tuition and information from the ski school, as they boast the most recent know-how in the field and professional skiing instructors. You can book skiing instruction from the ski school service counter, by telephone or online”, Palosaari informs. If slippery skis are a little scary, a good alternative for enjoying the winter nature is hiking with snowshoes. You can also use snowshoes to venture outside the routes. For example, the Levi and Kätkätunturi terrain is safe for hiking, as long as you keep within sight of the Levi resort. Clothing for cross-country skiing is available from local stores and the best way to dress for cross-country skiing and snowshoe hiking is to dress in layers according to the weather.

DECEMBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020

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DECEMBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020

An electrical outlet for heating a vehicle.

The sticks on the roadsides guide the snowplough operator as to where the road travels and how to adjust the plough accordingly, as the snow covers the road completely making it invisible.

What does winter feel like in the eyes of people who arrive here from outside Finland? These feelings are told by Peter Culley who lives in Rovaniemi. He is originally from Kent in the UK and has been living and working in Lapland for 28 years.

Local fashion

A winter tyre of a passenger car, where the best friction is created by metal studs.

Surviving Arctic Lapland Dressing in warm and comfortable clothes is vital for enduring Lapland’s winters. People here pay less attention to how good you look in the winter, but they might stare at you if you are not wearing sensible clothing. If you go on an excursion with a safari company, you are usually given winter outfits. If you feel your clothing isn’t warm enough, Levi has numerous outdoor clothing shops that will also advise you on how to dress properly. It’s not the amount of clothing, it’s all about choosing the right clothing and layering. You may feel like a sumo wrestler at times, but it’s better than freezing.

Freezing babies

Laplanders put their babies outside in a pram to sleep, even though the temperatures outside are well below freezing. Don’t worry, these sleeping babies are wrapped up well enough to endure the Arctic, and they are inhaling the cleanest air of the inhabited world.

Photo: Arctic Frontier / Juha Tolonen.

Snow is dry

Air is usually very dry in Lapland. This means that snow is also relatively dry. If you have snow on your clothes, simply brush it off before going inside and you won’t get wet. People also stamp their feet before entering a building. I recommend you do the same, as the indoor warmth will quickly turn the snow on your shoes into ice. Ice is much more slippery than snow. People remove their shoes when entering someone’s house, so snowy shoes would also cause a puddle and wet socks for everyone. Because snow is so dry for most of the winter, making snowmen or snowballs isn’t easy. If you feel you really need to make a snowman, just add water, or come back at Easter.

Local fashion

Dressing in warm and comfortable clothes is vital for enduring Lapland’s winters. People here pay less attention to how good you look in the winter, but they might stare at you if you are not wearing sensible clothing. If you go on an excursion with a safari company, you are usually given winter outfits. If you feel your clothing isn’t warm enough, Levi has numerous outdoor clothing shops that will also advise you on how to dress properly. It’s not the amount of clothing, it’s all about choosing the right clothing and layering. You may feel like a sumo wrestler at times, but it’s better than freezing.

Arctic cars

Most vehicles here are fitted with metal-studded tyres that give excellent grip during Lapland’s six-month winter season. Nobody drives using regular, so-called summer tyres in the winter. Anyone who does is either a rally driver or a thrill seeker and will be fined if the police notice. In Lapland, we change tyres twice a year, every year. When there is no more snow and ice on the roads, around May, people change their tyres for regular summer tyres. In November, they change back to winter tyres. When driving here, remember that Lapland has more reindeer than people and they wander freely, also in traffic. Rudolf and friends have no traffic sense at all.

Plugging in

Many parked cars are plugged into a post with a metal casing on top. These cars are not electrically powered, it’s a special system that keeps the engine warm. This makes it easier to start the car, even if temperatures fall below -50 degrees Celsius, it is better for the engine as well, and the car heats up faster. If you leave things in your car, remember it will probably freeze before you get back, as temperatures in Lapland can be up to three times colder than your freezer.

Windows don’t open

In Lapland, windows don’t open. The triple or quadruple-glazed windows are rather cumbersome, so opening them would be awkward, and snow and ice cause even more problems, but you probably don’t want to open windows in the winter anyway. Most rooms are fitted with machined ventilation, but if you want to air your accommodation quickly, open the latch or small window for a couple of minutes. You may also notice that the small window is covered in mosquito mesh, don’t worry, Levi only has mosquitos in the summertime!

Multiple-glazed windows help keep the accommodation warm and free of condensation.

Sauna

Levi Immeljärvi.

Northern Lights

What you need to increase your chances: less light pollution, clear skies and constantly looking up at the sky. Further multiply your chances by asking about the Aurora Alert service

that alerts your mobile when the Northern Lights are visible, or book a trip with a safari company. Don’t whistle at the Northern Lights, as the locals believe this will bring bad luck!

A stay in Lapland is not complete without a sauna visit. There are plenty of places to experience it, like the spa or just about any hotel, or perhaps your cabin has one. Temperature in the sauna is 80–110 degrees Celsius. Throw water on the stones, relax and enjoy. Some people sit in the sauna for a few minutes before rolling in the snow naked, or take a dip in a hole made in a frozen lake or river, returning to the sauna to warm up. Others like whipping each other with bundles of birch twigs, and many just sit there in silence and sip beer.

There are great selections of coats and footwear for small to large dogs.

DECEMBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020

Our customers are our guests and our team is our family. We are pleased to make your holiday dreams come true!

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DECEMBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020

Die schönsten Seiten des Winters Was den Wintersportort Levi in Lappland so einzigartig macht? Neben der Schneesicherheit von November bis spät in den April hinein ist es sicher die Vielseitigkeit dieser Destination, beide Grund genug, dass sich von der Kinderfamilie bis zum professionellen Skifahrer auf Trainingslager alljährlich immer mehr Wintersportbegeisterte in Levi, 170 Kilometer nördlich des Polarkreises, einfinden und wohlfühlen. Sicher, bis auf wenige Pisten hat das Skizentrum Levi keine extremen Abfahrten zu bieten, wie sie Alpinskifahrer aus den Alpen gewohnt sind – aber es tun sich ungewohnte Aspekte auf: Die Pisten sind breit, fantastisch präpariert und so gut wie nie überlaufen, und bei den Liften sind Wartezeiten in etwa so häufig wie ein Verkehrsstau in Lapplands.

das mitten im Dorf am Fusse des TunturiBerges Levi liegt. Hier erhalten Sie die Liftfahrkarten, das Angebot reicht von einer Drei-Stunden-Karte bis zum Sechs-TageKombiticket, mit dem der Gast auch die lokalen Buslinien rund um Levi benutzen kann. (Sämtliche Tickets sind auch online erhältlich, im Online-Ski-Shop unter nordicskipass.fi/levi).

LOS GEHT´S BEIM “ZERO POINT” Ein perfekter Start in den Skitag nimmt seinen Anfang beim “Zero Point”-Gebäude,

MIT DEM “SKI BUSSI” UNTERWEGS Egal, ob Sie mit Flugzeug, Bahn oder eigenem Auto nach Levi angereist sind – vor

Ort ist die angenehmste Art und Weise, von der Herberge an die Pisten und zurück zu gelangen, eindeutig der “Ski Bussi”. Die saisonal verkehrende, lokale Buslinie, die auf zwei verschiedenen Routen zwischen dem “Zero Point” und dem “South Point” auf der anderen Seite des Tunturi-Berges verkehrt und dabei an allen grösseren Hotels und Ferienwohnungsdörfern Haltestellen anfährt, verkehrt verlässlich und in kurzem Takt. Auch das kulinarische und kulturelle Angebot im Alpendorf Levi lässt sich entspannter geniessen, wenn man sich für die Heimfahrt nicht mehr hinters Steuer setzen muss. FAMILIENSTÜTZPUNKT “SOUTH POINT” Vor allem für Familien und Anfänger im Alpinskilauf ist eindeutig das Skizentrum “South Point” als Ausgangspunkt eines erlebnisreichen Skitages zu empfehlen. Die Sessellifte, die den Gast von hier aus in fünf Minuten zum Gipfel des Levi-Tunturis befördern, warten schon mit einer ersten

Überraschung auf: die Sitze sind nämlich beheizt. So angenehm das sich anhört – Rundfahrten sind nicht erlaubt, man muss also auf eigenen Brettern in die Talstation zurückkehren. Dort befindet sich übrigens “Leevilandia”, ein genau auf die Bedürfnisse der kleinsten Alpinisten zugeschnittenes Skizentrum “en miniature”, mit einer Vielzahl von Matten- und Knopfseilliften und perfekt präparierten, einfachen Abfahrtsstrecken. Hier können die Kinder auch an den Aktivitäten des vielseitigen und kostenfreien “Leevilandia”-Wochenprogramms teilnehmen – organisiert werden jeden Tag um elf Uhr vormittags Schlittenfahrwettbewerbe, Schatzsuchen oder spielerische Winterolympiaden. Am südlichen Pistenzentrum liegt auch der Ausgangspunkt diverser Kinderskikurse und der Skikindergarten “Muksutupa”, wo die Kleinsten gegen eine bescheidene Gebühr von kompetenter, vielsprachiger Aufsicht betreut werden, wenn sich die

Levi Ski Resort Oy Ltd

Die Abfahrtspisten sind dazu bestens geeignet – man gelangt immer auf höchstens mittelschweren Strecken bis ins Tal, die Pisten sind breit und ausgezeichnet präpariert, und das “Verkehrsaufkommen” hält sich in Grenzen. Eltern kurz dem eigenen Alpinvergnügen widmen möchten. Reservierungen sind in der “Muksutupa”, dem “Knirpshäuschen”, nicht vonnöten. Ein vergleichbares Angebot bietet übrigens auch “Lastenmaa”- das “Kinderland” in Zentrumsnähe in Levi. –Das Skizentrum “South Point” erreichen Sie übrigens am einfachsten mit dem “Ski Bussi”, Fahrzeit etwa 15 Minuten vom “Zero Point” aus. AUCH SKIFAHREN WILL GELERNT SEIN Das Angebot an Skischulen in den Skigebieten von Lappland, allen voran in Levi, hat sich längst einen guten Ruf weit über die Grenzen Finnlands hinaus erworben. Unsere Skilehrer sind liebenswert um die kleinen und auch grossen Anfänger bemüht, und dank

ausgezeichneter Sprachkenntnisse und internationaler Erfahrung lassen sich fast immer Skilehrer finden, die die Muttersprache ihrer Klientel beherrschen. In Levi haben Sie die Auswahl zwischen Gruppenkursen und Einzelunterricht, gestaffelt nach den Vorkenntnissen und der Kursdauer – vom 1,5-Stunden-Unterricht bis zum individuellen Intensivkurs über mehrere Tage. Die Abfahrtspisten sind dazu bestens geeignet – man gelangt immer auf höchstens mittelschweren Strecken bis ins Tal, die Pisten sind breit und ausgezeichnet präpariert, und das “Verkehrsaufkommen” hält sich in Grenzen. Die Skischulen an beiden Seiten des Levi bieten auch Wochenprogramme an, bei denen man an jedem Tag eine neue Disziplin kennenlernen kann, oder für Altersgruppen zugeschnittene Angebote wie etwa die “Alpin-Skischule für

Vier- bis Sechsjährige”. Den Kleinen beim begeisterten Hinunterbrettern zuzusehen und nach zukünftigen Skiprofis Ausschau zu halten, ist ein Vergnügen per se. IMMER MAL WAS NEUES Levi wurde im Frühjahr des Jahres 2016 zum fünften Mal als “Skizentrum des Jahres in Finnland” ausgezeichnet. Ein entscheidender Grund für diese Wahl ist die kontinuierliche Erneuerung des Angebots – die Neuigkeiten in diesem Winter umfassen den annähernd kilometerlangen South Park für Snowboarder, mit zwei parallelen Abfahrtspisten für mehr Variation pro “run”. Im “Alpine Training Park” findet der Skifahrer vorgesteckte Slalom- und Super-G-Abfahrten und kann sich auf jenen mit den Fähigkeiten der Weltelite messen – der haushohe Unterschied erschliesst sich dem Amatör übrigens schon meist nach zwei, drei durchfahrenen Toren, wie der Autor dieses Textes aus eigener Erfahrung bestätigen kann.

Als persönlicher Favorit seien hier noch die phantastischen Tiefschneepisten angeführt, die sich abseits der präparierten Pisten auf allen Seiten des Levi-Tunturis ins Tal erstrecken. Auf frischem Pulver ins Tal zu rauschen, und dabei die Aussicht über die lappländischen Tundren zu geniessen, gehört wohl zum Besten, das ein Skifahrer auf dieser Welt erleben kann. SICHER AUF PISTE UND LOIPE Damit nichts passiert, wenn etwas passiert: Der Pistendienst der “Ski Patrol” ist im Skigebiet Levi der erste Ansprechpartner, wenn es um die Sicherheit auf Pisten und Loipen geht. Zu erkennen an roten Jacken mit gelbem Logo, helfen deren Mitglieder im Ernstfall und sind auch Ansprechpartner, wenn man einfach nur nach dem Weg fragen möchte. Die Notfallnummer lautet übrigens in Finnland 112. Gerade bei Schneeschuh- oder Langlauftouren stellen Sie übrigens immer sicher, dass Ihr Telefon aufgeladen und warm verstaut ist. Viel Spass im Schnee!

DECEMBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020

This is the elves’ mystical Seita Stone Within the depths of the Seita Stone is a kingdom of fairytale creatures A new world of fantasy has now been opened in the Hullu Poro’s Elves Village in Levi, called the Seita Stone. This two-storey kingdom of fairytale creatures inspires adults and children alike. Here you can meet a number of different fairytale characters in a wonderful world. From the outside, the Seita Stone looks quite natural and neatly blends in with its surroundings. The roots of an old spruce are set on the roof of the building, inside which is the magnificent nest of Avarit the raven. The two-story cave holds an exciting world of fairytales. Here, the elves, other mystical creatures and forest dwellers live in perfect harmony with humans. When opening the grand door and stepping inside, the visitor is first immersed in the world of the Lapps. As the Risu Band of the fairytale creatures plays their music, the journey continues into the Elves’ Kitchen. Downstairs, you will find the mystical characters’ laundry room, dressmaking shop, barn, wood workshop, and pantry. There

are also a few treasure stashes that are carefully guarded by a she-wolf and vixen, holding gold, gemstones and pearls. The chief guardian is the black-coloured, feisty creature named Hiisi. Upstairs you will discover the homes of bears, reindeer and Peräpeikko hobgoblin in person. This hobgoblin was once found lost wandering the depths of the forests and was taken in by these mystical creatures, who took very good care of him. To show his thanks, he grants one wish to anyone who tosses a coin. Upstairs you will also find the sauna and other important places for these wondrous creatures. If you look around carefully, you will notice that even the walls are alive, as there’s plenty of ears listening, fairies and elves. This wonderful world of fairytales is magically brought to life with sound and lighting effects. Tonttula Elves Hideaway is located only eight kilometres from the centre of the Levi resort, close to the village of Köngäs.

DECEMBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020

New this winter:

Spectacular suites beckon people to watch the Northern Lights and enjoy comfortable living.

Hotel Levi Panorama’s Sky Suites Hotel Levi Panorama is situated on Koutalaki, one of Levi Fell tops, in Kittilä. The hotel welcomed their first guests in November 2009 and as the hotel is now turning 10 years old, it’s time to remodel and renew. During the summer and autumn of 2019, the suites at the north end of the hotel and the 7th floor restaurant have undergone a transformation and gotten panoramic glass igloo roofs. The hotel suites and restaurant received new names after the remodel and are now called Sky Suite, Sky Suite Deluxe and Gold digger Sky Lounge.

THE GLAZED SUITES BRING THE OUTSIDE IN Both room types, Sky Suite and Sky Suite Deluxe, are in the North wing of the hotel in the upper floors 4, 5 and 6. Sky Suites accommodate up to 3 adults or 2 adults and two children and the bathrooms are equipped with a bathtub. Sky Suite Deluxe accommodates the same number of guests but offers even more luxury with a separate bedroom and a living room, two bathrooms and a private sauna. The glass-roofed and -walled living areas are furnished with

comfortable seating and the bedrooms with a double bed. “We wanted to offer our guests a new hotel experience and that’s what inspired the idea of Sky Suites”, tells Hanne Tohmo, the Sales Manager of Hotel Levi Panorama. “Sky Suites are designed to allow our guests to fully enjoy the magic of Lapland with its ever-changing light and landscape throughout the year. Midnight sun, autumn foliage, Levi village lights by night, star and aurora gazing –Sky Suites bring a little bit of the outside in.”, adds Tohmo.

The panoramic 7th floor restaurant received additional space with its glass dome. The renewed Gold Digger Sky Lounge now has 40 more seats and brings the total of seats to 110. The views from the Sky Lounge go beyond Levi Village to the neighbour fells and all the way to Pallas, some 50 kilometres away. “Gold Digger has been a popular place for celebrations such as weddings and corporate events and the new Sky Lounge brings more possibilities”, tells Tohmo.

Hullu Poro’s CEO Päivikki Palosaari.

Watch the Northern Lights from a “pyramid” at the Elves’ Hideaway Village Hullu Poro has constructed “Northern Lights Pyramids” Elves’ Hideaway Village and Taivaanvalkeat area in the village of Köngäs. A total of eleven pyramid-shaped glass houses have been placed in an open area. Owner of Hullu Poro, Päivikki Palosaari, tells that these pyramid-shaped Northern

Light viewing structures perfectly blend in with the milieu of the Elves’ Hideaway Village, and being unique, they enhance the overall mysticism of the area. This exclusive accommodation is perfectly combined with the Taivaanvalkeat hotel premises, Elves’ Hideaway exhibition area, its restaurants and other functions providing support.

Taivaanvalkeat also has more conventional hotel accommodation to spend nights marvelling at the Northern Lights. The “pyramid” is like its own luxurious hotel room with all the comforts and amenities, and even motorised beds. The pyramids also have plenty of space, so there is sufficient space for everything the visitors

bring with them. Amenities include a television that can also be used for viewing the photographs taken during the day. During 2019, the Taivaanvalkeat and Elves’ Hideaway Village had a solarpowered electricity-generating plant installed that produces a quarter of all the electricity consumed by the resort.

DECEMBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020

Levin Lapinkylä welcomes all guests to admire the Northern Light and bright sky in cosy roofed lappish huts!

Levi Northern Light Huts

Huts are equipped with two separate beds that can be joined together, toilet, shower , fridge and electric kettle. Area is remote and has dark skies to frame bright stars and Northern Light. Seven huts with pax 2, three huts with pax 2+2

Lapinkylä is logated at old lappish reindeer farm with picturesque old log buildings.

Oldest building dates way back to 18th century with an small exhibition of the life in past days. Restaurant serves tasty Lappish food incliding breakfast in traditional Lappish main building.

Reindeer safaries implements the services of Lapinkylä. More information: www.lapinkyla.fi

Address: Levin Lapinkylä Oy, Isotaalontie 285, 99130 Sirkka, mob. +358 400 225 240, email: levin@lapinkyla.fi Distance: Levi centrum 13 km/ 17 mins

In Northern Lights travel, the appeal of luxury services is growing all the time Levi’s igloo accommodation is taken to a new level in October, as the Utsuvaara area managed by Levi Igloos sees completion of three luxury class igloo suites. The founder of the company, Tauno Mäkelä, came up with the idea in 2007 for constructing the very first Northern Lights igloos for the plot he owns in Levi. The family-run business, Levi Igloos, marketed under the brand name Golden Crown, now has 27 igloos providing accommodation for a total of 70 guests. The company also runs the Northern Lights House and Aurora Sky restaurant. Tauno Mäkelä tells that high-standard services are in great demand, as demanding customers arrive to view the Northern Lights and the world-renowned glass igloos. Guests fly directly from the United States to Kittilä Airport with the aim of spending short-break and extended stays in igloos before returning home on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. The new igloos have a floor space of 54 square metres (~580 square feet) and include a large bedroom, lounge/ dining room, kitchen, shower and toilet, and a decked terrace with hot tub and spectacular views. “We welcome the guests outside when they arrive and checking in takes place

inside the igloo. We tell our guests about the services we provide, give them practical advice and inform them that they can contact us using Whatsapp messages whenever they need to. Guests are given a welcome package gift that includes Champagne or sparkling wine and a variety of tasty treats. The newest igloos also have a television that also operates as an interior design Northern

Lights picture. Artificial Northern Lights can also be produced inside the igloos. The extra-wide beds provide new sleeping comfort”, tell the daughters who took on the task of running the enterprise, Kristiina Kylmälahti and Katriina Moksi. The service provided by the company are perfectly rounded off with the company’s own restaurant Aurora Sky, open daily and

is open for all accommodating guests and the general public. Those after a bit more luxury can request for the chef to prepare or finish off meals in the kitchens of the luxury suites. In this way, guests can choose to focus on their own comfort and privacy. The restaurant favours local food, and the principles of ecological and sustainable development.

DECEMBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020

What to take as a souvenir from the trip? In the Levi ski resort and its surroundings, you can find a variety of collections for souvenirs and gifts. These and other

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products can be bought from specialised shops as well as from shopping centres. There are offerings from local producers,

other areas of Lapland and Finland, as well as from foreign countries. In Levi, there are many boutiques which offer

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fashionable Finnish and international clothing brands, along with other high-quality products for your home.

DECEMBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020

Spa

OPEN 11 am - 9 pm

OPEN

11 am - 10 pm

Casual Fine Dining Open-plan Charcoal Grill

Levi Hotel Spa & Design Hotel Levi • Levintie 1590, 99130 Levi, Finland • Tel. + 358 16 646 301 • hotel@levihotelspa.fi

DECEMBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020

SUPERMARKET • SOUVENIRS • CLOTHING

HOTEL • RESTAURANT • SAUNA

RESTAURANT

LEVI

Levi’s largest souvenir store with the biggest collection of

HOTEL • RESTAURANT

Welcome!

* (0,8€/min+local charge)

SPORT SHOP

SOUVENIRS

Address: Myllyjoentie 2, FI-99130 Levi Tel. +358 (0) 600 550 134 * levi.info@levi.fi, Levi.fi, m.levi.fi

+ 358400 693 062

PROGRAM SERVICES

DOCTOR

SPA • HOTEL • RESTAURANT

IIKENNE

NMUK

www.polarstartravel.fi

KEVY TL OPERO

MARTINMUTK A

+358 10 325 4040 sales@polarstartravel.fi

MEDICAL CENTER DENTIST Appointments by phone +358 10 312 141

NTIE

Levintie 1590 • pihlajalinna.fi

LAPLAND HOTELS SIRKANT

ITT

LY J O E

IRA

+35816 646 301 www.levihotelspa.fi

MYL

Levi

LEV

SOUVENIRS • GIFTS

LEVI

Book all Levi excursions & activities from Levi Tourist Office

NTIE

INFO • ROOM RESERVATION

MYLL YJ O E

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HOTEL K5 LEVI

LEVIN MATKAILU

ITI E

LEVIN PORTTI

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Pihlajalinna

LEVI HOTEL SPA

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DECEMBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020

RESTAURANT

REAL ESTATE AGENCY

HOTEL • RESTAURANT

Photo: Levi Ski Resort Oy Ltd

RESTAURANT

KingCrab House Arctic Seafood Restaurant

+358 (0) 400 138 333 restaurant@kingcrabhouse.ﬁ www.kingcrabhouse.ﬁ

Centre TIE

HIMM

MEDIA

ERIIKI

IRAITTI

VIPRA

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11WANHA HULLU PORO

HOTEL HULLU PORO

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Cross-country skiing tracks

ZERO POINT

Eturinne slope (Front piste)

LEVI SUMMIT

HOTEL PANORAMA

Kid’s Land

HOTEL • RESTAURANT

Levi Next to the Eturinne Slope.

15 16 ITIE S S HI

CHAPEL

You won’t find tastier pizzas

RESTAURANT

Levi

IKUJ

Welcome!

+35845 1255 000

AREENA

SPORT SHOP

Torikuja 3B +35840 171 5411 intersport.fi/levi

SIR

LEVIN TORI

LÄN

KUJA

SIT

Pihvipirtti

HIS

TÄHTI

RANT

AVA A

Local Levi Enterprise

AKK

RAKK

REAL ESTATE AGENCY

We also sell beers and ciders. Hissitie 11, Levi, +35816 643 034

+358 16 336 3000

DECEMBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020

Köngäs

PROGRAM SERVICES

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Munajärvi

JOKELANVAARA

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O A ST TEP

OUNASJOENTIE

HOTEL • RESTAURANT

18 19

KÖNGÄS

Rautusjärvi

INARINTIE

OUNASJOENTIE

RESTAURANT

ACCOMMODATION • ACTIVITY

RESTAURANT

RESTAURANT AURORA SKY

An oasis in the middle of the fell On the top of Levi – on ski lift no. 5.

ICEKARTING

SNOWMOBILING

• Snowmobile Hire Shop • Sales and Service • Equipment Sales

LAPLAND VILLAGE

Levi Northern Light Huts

FELL RESTAURANT

Pokka

RAUTUSKYLÄ

Isotaalontie 285, 99130 Sirkka, +358 400 225 240, levin@lapinkyla.fi

+ 358 45 162 5606 Harjatie 2, Levi I leviniglut.fi

Levi Fell Region

Sirkkajärvi OUNASJOENTIE

PETSUKKA

LEVIN YMPÄRYSTIE

RAKKA

To Muonio

HOSSA

LEVI CENTER Tunturitie 2, LEVI • +358 400 394 182 www.immelkartano.fi info@immelkartano.fi

RAKKAVAARANTIE

KOUTA

RESTAURANT DRAIVI

LEVITUNTURI

KOILLISRINNE

RESTAURANT AURORA SKY

WORLD CUP CENTER

PROGRAM SERVICES

BY VMAXRENTALS.FI

We operate right next to the snowmobile route. Easy route access means you get to ride your snowmobile immediately. Even children can join the snowmobile trip! 3,5km kilometres from the centre of Levi in the direction of Kittilä. TEL. +358 40 585 5333 • RENTALS@VMAX.FI

Ahvenjärvi

TAALOVAARA

UTSUVAARA GONDOLA

LEVIN YMPÄRYSTIE

Kaakkoisrinne

28 Immellompolo

RESTAURANT TUIKKU

LEVI GOLF

asjo

RESTAURANT HORIZONT

Oun

Immeljärvi

RESTAURANT • SAUNA

TIEVA

79 8 km KITTILÄ 13 km

Etelärinne slope

South Point

SAMMU

24 LAPLAND VILLAGE

DECEMBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020

BOOK Y GROUP OUR LESSO N FROM WEBST ORE LEVI.SK I/ SKISCH OOL

DECEMBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020

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Managing Director Sanna Leinonen: “The hotel has plenty of Lapland-themed art. The interior glass walls and doors have been decorated with artwork.”

New hotel opens in Levi “We give five stars for the hotel’s décor, facilities and services.” The new hotel, build next to Levi Hotel Spa, is the new monument for the centre of the Levi resort. This introduces to Levi a totally new premium-class hotel concept. CEO at Levi Hotel Spa & Design Hotel Levi Sanna Leinonen tells that the Design Hotel Levi project was the largest additional investment the company has made in its 40-year history. “This new hotel, built next to our existing hotel rich in tradition, has been given five-star décor, facilities and services. Design Hotel Levi depicts modern hotel notions where the intention is to highlight the local

ambiance in a revolutionary manner. Architect Pave Mikkonen, who designed the hotel, has dressed the façades with grey-shaded Lappish pine, with the lobby decorated in natural stone. Meandering corridors lead to rooms like a mountain stream. Large windows allow views of open skies and fell highland landscapes to fill the hotel. Colours and materials used throughout are wood, natural stone, black and copper”, tells Sanna Leinonen. Hotel architecture, as well as pieces of art showcasing Lapland and the northern regions, are also present in the indoor areas of Design Hotel Levi.

Pave Mikkonen, managing director of PAVE Architects, creative director and architect, tells that the element to perfectly finish off this monument set in the fell highlands is lighting, that has to be unique. The new hotel partly replaces the old wing of the spa hotel. A total of 17 old rooms were demolished to make way for 77 new rooms and the lobby for the entire Levi Hotel Spa Resort. The actual size of the lobby is rather surprising, as it includes lounge areas. The idea is to avoid any crowded atmosphere, even with many guests all arriving at the same time.

Levi’s kitchens create great flavours Lapland’s nature, its purity and intense Midnight Sun in the summer months gives food ingredients a unique flavour. Food supply has largely been based on what nature provides: reindeer meat, fish, berries, mushrooms and vegetables. These have become esteemed and sought-after delicacies throughout Finland, but also internationally. Levi also serves international gourmet delicacies and ethnic meals. The resort also has numerous fast food restaurants and cafeterias. The restaurants have played their own part in raising the esteem of Lappish cuisine, with servings of traditional dishes, but also modern twists to satisfy global trends. The now renowned Lappish cuisine is experiencing great popularity. Meal presentation and restaurant milieu also highlight the Lapland ambiance, dining in a Lappish kota shelter, snow castle, and dining by the open fire in the glow of burning embers. The ingredients for Lappish cuisine are aromatic and pure and have received great international acclaim. Local meat, fish, vegetables, berries and mushrooms are served. Lappish culinary traditions have been influenced by both East and West and these traditions change with the seasons. The subsistence economy has been the basis of the offering of natural ingredients. Vegetable and meat produce have been thoroughly utilised and commercially traded. Food was preserved using fermentation, drying, smoking and salting. Levi is the world’s largest centre for the serving of reindeer meals. There are many ways to savour reindeer meat and many culinary delights have been developed using the meat. The most common and traditional of these dishes is sautéed reindeer, which can be found from almost every restaurant menu in Levi. It is customarily served with mashed potato, lingonberries and gherkins. You can also savour the fine flavour of reindeer meat for a reasonable price in pizzas, hamburgers, pasta dishes and soups. Levi menus now include a number of catches from the Arctic Ocean, American-style steaks, the finest Mediterranean cuisine, flavours from all over the world and plenty of ethnic dishes. The gastronomic experiences are strongly supported by the food shops in the area.

DECEMBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020

soma@levi.fi

Open daily

www.cafesoma.fi

LEVI • KITTILÄ

Cute cafeteria in the middle of Levi, next to Levi Market

Cafes • Cakes • Burgers • Toasts • Salads • Soupss

Veli Koljonen.

DECEMBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020

Elina Koljonen (Angelina Sitova). A painting by Veli Koljonen.

A part of the artist’s huge atelier and gallery building.

“In the early 2000s:

I was astonished to discover that my mother was actually from Petrozavodsk in Russia” When he was sixty years old, Veli Koljonen, who lives in the Lappish village of Muonio close to the Swedish border, received information that his mother was from Petrozavodsk. His mother had a secret past, a Russian background that Veli only found out gradually and through rumours over decades. He was always very close to his mother, but she never spoke about her family or revealed her roots. In Finland, his mother used the name Elina – Elina Koljonen – the wife of Finnish-born Vilho Koljonen. It was never told that his mother’s real name was actually Angelina Sitova. Just before her death in the 2010s, her past life became apparent to her son by complete accident, who cared for his mother and stayed with her till the very end. The reason behind hiding this information was war, politics, fear and the mother’s trauma at having to keep her roots a secret and keeping herself isolated from her family. The events of the Second World War had led to her migrate to Finland with her Finnish fiancé Vilho. “At school, people called me a black sheep. I had no idea what they meant. Later, people started to reveal their suspicions and the “information” they had heard that my mother was not a normal mother. No-one said these things about my father, even though he had moved from Southern Finland to live in this small village in Lapland. My father was a teacher here at Muonio’s Särkijärvi School, the village where I was born and grew up”, Veli Koljonen tells. He is missing a lot of detailed information about many life stages of his mother and father. During wartime, his father accompanied the Finnish occupying forces in Petrozavodsk. Whether or not he spent the entire term of Finnish occupation 1941–1944 in the city remains a mystery for Veli. Nevertheless, his father met the young Angelina in Petrozavodsk, who was 18 years old at the time and ready to leave with the Finnish gentleman she had met. When this loving couple left Petrozavodsk, is also unknown. The couple did, however,

evacuate to Sweden. They fled after the war between Finland and the Soviet Union ended in early September 1944. Finland was ordered to return to the Soviet Union all persons who had relocated from the Soviet Union to Finland. During the war years, many people with Finnish roots came to Finland. They had already arrived in Finland during, before and after the first war between Finland and the Soviet Union, the Winter War in 1939–1940. After the second war, the Continuation War, many gladly returned to the Soviet Union, but some were forced to return and many escaped and fled to Sweden. “My mother and father crossed the sea from Finland to Sweden in a rowing boat. Father did tell about this event, but spoke nothing of my mother’s background. In Sweden, the couple had two children. My father was working in a mine. They returned to Finland with the children through the Haparanda northern border crossing point, just before I was born. I was born in 1950. My father deliberately applied for the job of teacher in the western part of Lapland, close to the Swedish border, to ensure that the potential escape route would be as short as possible. They ended up settling down in Särkijärvi, located just 12 kilometres from the border between Finland and Sweden. The border has always been easy to cross. My mother’s past was a closely guarded secret, as even long after the war, there was no certainty if my mother was allowed to be in Finland. I have no idea where they were married, but I have seen a wedding picture. Official registers were made, but I just don’t know everything could have been arranged. This success was probably down to who you could trust. After the 1950s, this risk was either very minor or perhaps even non-existent, but the fear remained with my parents. They even hid the truth about our mother’s past from their own children. Living a lie brought about unhappiness for mother. I think she was so scared that she didn’t even have the courage to send her family back in Petrozavodsk any information about herself. I have absolutely

no information about her family during wartime and if I have any relatives living today in Petrozavodsk. At some stage, my mother had said that she would reveal her past on her death bed.” Veli found out about where his mother was born and spent her childhood through an interesting coincidence. Veli’s partner, Natalia, was from Petrozavodsk and today works as a doctor in Kuusamo, in the eastern part of Northern Finland. When Natalia met Veli’s mother in Särkijärvi in the early 2010s, some new things were revealed. Both started to speak Russian to one another. Veli was astonished at how

well his mother could speak Russian. Then both women started to laugh. The reason was that Veli’s mother said that she was also originally from Petrozavodsk. Veli Koljonen is a well-respected and renowned artist in Finland. He had built his own peculiar world, a large villa made from silver pine logs in the village where he was born – Särkijärvi. The building has been extended over the decades. He knows that he had inherited his artistic painting skills from his mother, who died at the age of 88. From his father, he had inherited the gift of composing music. Veikko Erkkilä

Visma Ski Classics Ylläs-Levi 2020 The international final event of the crosscountry skiing season, the Visma Ski Classics Ylläs-Levi event will be held on 4 April 2020. The start is in Ylläs and the finish is in Levi. Ylläs-Levi is a long-distance cross-country skiing competition with 12 competition stages in Europe. The route starts from the centre of the Ylläs resort and traverses the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park towards

Levi. Skiers can choose skiing distances of 70 or 55 kilometres. The longer distance is intended for professional skiers and it includes demanding ascents and descents. The shorter distance mainly covers the same route as the longer distance, but the demanding fell highland section at the beginning is omitted. The ascents on the final stage are more easy-going. http://yllaslevi.com.

Visma Ski Classics X (2019/2020) Event 1: 29th November, Livigno Pro Team Tempo, Livigno Italy 15 km Event 2: 1st December, Livigno Prologue, Livigno Italy 35 km Event 3: 14th December, La Venosta, Val Venosta Italy 45 km Event 4: 11th January, Kaiser Maximilian Lauf Seefeld Austria 60 km Event 5: 18th January, La Diagonela St Moritz Switzerland 65 km Event 6: 26th January, Marcialonga Trentino Italy 70 km Event 7: 1st February, Toblach-Cortina Italy 42 km Event 8: 9th February, Jizerska Padesatka Czech Republic 50 km Event 9: 1st March, Vasaloppet Sweden 90 km Event 10: 21st March, Birkebeinerrennet Norway 54 km Event 11: 28th March, Reistadløpet Bardufoss Norway 50 km Event 12: 4th April, Ylläs-Levi Finland 70 km

DECEMBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020

One of Levi’s strengths is its wide range of activities

Levi has huge number of things to do and you can find services for a whole variety of subjects. You could even try making a wedding proposal. Once you have proposed and had the wedding ceremony, why not take a safari, ride a snowmobile, a husky-drawn sled, reindeer sleigh ride, drive a rally car... Go cross-country and downhill skiing, hiking with snowshoes or

your own shoes, kick-sledding, discover the Northern Lights on a trip, explore snow buildings, swim in the spa or the winter pool cut into the frozen lake, try catching fish from a hole made in the frozen waterway, drink coffee at an activity trail café, let the children play outside in the snow, on a small sledging hill or indoors, try out some wellbeing services, experience bathing

in the sauna, and savour the wealth of restaurant services... You can also choose your own programmes. Levi also sees tourists who want unique or traditional old-style services, where guests are greeted and taken care of during the entire stay, sharing of personal and shares experiences, and a genuine willingness to serve from the heart.

Funny foxes In the Levi Husky Park located in Köngäs, live two red foxes who are fond of people and enjoy amusing them. In the fox enclosure it’s possible to take a selfie, for example. First in the enclosure was the fully-grown fox Maisa, who was later accompanied by a male fox that had been born last summer. Now they have fun times together.

Snowshoe hiking involves falling over and laughing Timo Koivisto One of the easiest ways to venture into the snowy nature is to strap on snowshoes. Snowshoes enable you to easily travel through even the deepest of snow, but if you are planning to experience snowshoe hiking for the first time, it’s worth considering a guided trip. Once you learn the snowshoe hiking technique in varying terrain and consider important things in nature, hiking will be pleasant and safe in the future. Sports journalist, television newsreader and racing driver Anette Latva-Piikkilä moved from Helsinki, Finland’s capital, to Levi in 2016, simply because she wanted to live in a tranquil environment with clean air and close to nature. Then she studied to be a nature experience instructor and set up her own company in Levi named Discover Lapland that provides a wide range of different nature programmes, including snowshoe hiking excursions. Anette Latva-Piikkilä tells that for snowshoe hiking you will need to wear warm winter footwear, preferably a supporting shoe or boot with ankle support, a winter hat and warm gloves. Warm memories are naturally nicer than chilly memories. In addition, you will need a little spirit of adventure, and if you want to try snowshoe hiking without a guide, it is recommended you plan the route in advance and stick to the marked trails. Your first attempt at hiking with snowshoes is worth doing on flat and firm ground. The use of sticks with help you to balance, which is not rocket science. Place your legs a little further apart than normal and start walking like a duck. The area between

Anette Latva-Piikkilä moved to Levi three years Falling over when snowshoe hiking isn’t wrong, it’s actually recommended. When snowshoe ago. She works in Levi as a nature experience hiking during the Polar Night, it’s worth bringing a headlamp along. instructor and loves living in Lapland.

Levi’s Eturinne Slope and the Golf Course is a good place to start. This area has easy, marked routes that are close to the centre of the resort”, tells Anette. TAKE IT MORE AS AN EXPERIENCE THAN A CHALLENGE Anette also recommends bring a small backpack along, as you will break out into a sweat at some stage and you might want to remove a layer of clothing and store it in your backpack. Some hot beverages and snacks are also great when taking a break, so it’s worth packing well. On Tuesdays and Thursdays,

she guides snowshoe hikes to the iconic Santa Claus Cabin, and she also organises bespoke tours. “A guided hike is the best way to begin snowshoe hiking. This gives you the opportunity to ask whatever you need during the trip and you will also get a lot of information about local culture, way of life and the surrounding snowscape nature. My trips always have a certain theme, something to expect on the trip. It is also much safer to take a trip with a guide, as the guide knows the area, so you won’t get lost or wander off into hazardous areas, such as fragmented rock

outcrops and cliffs.” Before starting the snowshoe hike, it is worth being honest with yourself and the guide as to your physical fitness, health and you need to know your own limits – this avoids any nasty surprises out in nature. Anette says that snowshoe hiking is by no means a serious pastime, and it’s worth taking it more as an experience, rather than a challenge that is measuring performance. Trips are always paced according to the slowest participant, and everyone can, and indeed should, fall over, play around and have snow fun.

DECEMBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020

Reindeer is an animal of Lapland that is almost tame The reindeer has adapted itself to its habitat in Lapland. It lives and roams the forest, but often comes close to housing areas, people and roadsides. It is also perfectly adapted for terrain with very deep snow. In the winter, the reindeer uses its hooves to dig up food from beneath the snow, but it also gets nutrition from the beard moss growing on coniferous trees. The reindeer’s diet comprises hundreds of different plant species, with early summer delights being wetland flora and fungi being popular in the autumn.

The reindeer is a normal part of everyday life in traffic throughout Lapland. The reindeer behaves in a rather calm fashion on the roads, as they are well used to cars. However, you should always be aware that the reindeer can make sudden movements. If you hit a reindeer with your vehicle, even if you just clipped the animal, always call the emergency number 112 and report the collision. A reindeer can be injured even from the slightest of bumps. Insurance covers all damages. Reindeer are also good at pulling people and goods, pulling a sleigh or sled in the winter. Of course, reindeer are mainly used for pulling Santa’s sleigh, but now anyone can try a ride in a sleigh pulled by a reindeer! Reindeer have always primarily belonged to people who mainly concentrate on

reindeer husbandry. Nevertheless, very many cattle farmers have also kept reindeer. Nowadays reindeer ownership is shared among people who perform a number of different jobs, but the reindeer economy is maintained by professional reindeer herders, with related traditional reindeer herding expertise being passed down from one generation to the next. Reindeer husbandry, with its own customs, orientations and vocabulary, is the only livelihood that has remained almost unchanged for a very long time,

perhaps up to two hundred years. Only the technologies used for reindeer husbandry have been renewed. The first snowmobiles to be used for work in Lapland were used by the reindeer herders. Today, GPS systems are used for locating herds of reindeer, and helicopters help with rounding up the reindeer. Reindeer are allowed to freely roam and graze almost everywhere. This is why we see so many reindeer in housing areas and on the main roads. Even today’s Reindeer Husbandry Act conforms to old laws related to grazing activities..

The reindeer have hundreds of plant species to feed on in Lapland. Their delicacy is lichen, which gives them energy fast. During the winter the reindeer will dig for lichen, grass and other plants from under the snow.

Johanna Hietanen.

Stag’s greatest energy resources spent defending its harem. In the autumn, every sexually mature stag tries to gather its herd of female reindeer for the harem. The stag fights for its female reindeer or does in a seemingly harsh manner. The strong may continue their genus and the weaker will give up the fight before it ends badly. They do not waste time and fighting spirit on eating. One strong stag can impregnate 20 does at most. The number would be higher if the stag would not have to waste most of its energy resources fighting and guarding the harem.

Meet reindeer and enjoy a thrilling sleigh ride at Ounaskievari Timo Koivisto

In operation for already 30 years, the Ounaskievari Reindeer Farm, located approximately ten kilometres north of Levi, is an easily accessible location to get to know reindeer and reindeer husbandry. The programmes the farm offers programmes that either give you a brief introduction to the world of reindeer or a holistic experience that provides a deeper understanding.

Longer reindeer sleigh rides involve greater speeds.

“The reindeer is a semi-wild animal, so even though they look rather docile, the animal can react unexpectedly, so it is worth asking for advice, if you want to have closer contact with the reindeer. Reindeer travel in single file along a familiar route that they find easy to traverse, but occasionally they get up to a bit of mischief. However, there is no need to worry if everything does not always go to plan”, reveals Johanna Hietanen, hostess and guide at Ounaskievari Reindeer Farm. It is worth putting too much clothing on, rather than too little, as the below freezing temperatures can easily bite your cheeks, but fingers and toes can also start to get cold

on a speedy sleigh ride. With a duration of around an hour, the visit to the reindeer farm includes a short reindeer sleigh ride, either controlling the reindeer yourself, or just sitting in the sleigh and enjoying the ride, then there is reindeer feeding and the reindeer driver’s licence test. A threekilometre journey is enough to get a real feel for the reindeer sleigh ride, and depending on weather, the reindeer and driver, the journey takes 10–45 minutes. A two-hour trip will take you into tranquil nature, in the heart of the snow-laden forest. On the trip, we will stop for a break at a traditional Lappish kota shelter, rich in atmosphere with warmth provided by the fire. A ten-kilometre trip will take you deep into nature to a remote forest cabin, giving you plenty of time to really enjoy tranquillity and the true sound of silence. All programmes also include coffee with pastry, and longer programmes include sausages fried on the campfire or other food to order. “I also arrange bespoke reindeer trips, for instance wedding transportation. In other words, if you want an exotic way of getting from one place to the next, it’s worth asking if it can be done with a reindeer sleigh”, Johanna suggests.

DECEMBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020

Photo: Levi Ski Resort Oy Ltd

FUN WITH SNOW

he ski slopes in Levi provide plenty of entertainment for families and alpine sports stars alike right through to the month of May. The Levi Fell is not as tall as a mountain, but downhill skiing is very easy and a great deal of fun. The slopes are wide, extremely well maintained, and you normally do not have to queue for the ski lift either. The best known of the ski slopes is the Levi Black competition ski slope that is used in mid-November for hosting the Alpine World Cup competition. The lit ski slopes provide their own ambiance, as skiing can continue after sunset. The invigorating search for the Northern Lights can also be done on skis in the middle of nature. THIS ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EXPERIENCE IS EASILY STARTED FROM THE ZERO POINT BUILDING Downhill skiing experiences are best commenced from the Zero Point building located in the heart of the resort, where all the necessary services are available. Ski lift passes can be purchased in advance from Online Ski Shop (skipass.fi/levi), or you can buy them on arrival. Ski lift passes of varying durations are available according to skiing enthusiasm, starting from a three-hour trial pass. The six-day ski lift pass packages are also very popular, and these also include a bus pass for local transportation. Zero Point also provides equipment hire for having fun in the snow. The large hire shop has a full range of equipment and supplies for a number of snowy pastimes, such as downhill skiing, crosscountry skiing and snowboarding. Some really great activities are riding fatbikes or snowshoe hiking through the snowy forests. SKI-BUS MAKES IT EASY Whether you arrive in Levi by plane, car or bus, the best way to get around the area is by using the Ski-Buses. The buses drive two routes and the terminal stops are

located right in the centre of the village by the Eturinne slopes, just in front of the Zero Point building. The buses are there to take people between the ski slopes and the largest accommodation establishments. Even going shopping is made much easier using the Ski-Bus services. SKI SCHOOL Ski School is all about learning something new, succeeding, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and sometimes honing of skills to perfection. Best of all, however, is fun and safe time spent together on the snow instructed by an experienced skiing instructor. In Levi, you can choose from private tuition or group instruction courses, beginner lessons or coaching for more experienced skiing skills. These courses normally have a duration of 90 minutes or three hours. Private tuition is a particularly effective method for learning how to ski or improving existing skills, and it is suitable for people of all ages. The Ski School’s abundant weekly programme has alternatives suitable for children, young people and adults. You will learn something new, meet other skiers, and receive instruction from Finland’s leading professional ski school. For instance, “Downhill Skiing School for children aged 4–6 years” is suitable for the younger members of the family who are able to take part in a group without their parents.

KIDS LAND LASTENMAA What would a holiday with children be like in Levi without the Kids Land on the southern side of the resort. They organise a free-of-charge full week of programmes to keep the little ones active twice a day. At Kids Land visitors are allowed to have their own food and drinks, so pack

Levi’s downhill skiing services The Ski School’s abundant weekly programme has alternatives suitable for children, young people and adults some sausages and juice along, just like the Finnish families do! Kids Land also provides a childminding service available for a small fee. FAMILY-FRIENDLY SOUTH POINT Particularly for beginners and families we recommend the South Point skiing centre located on the southern side of the Levi Fell. The South Point chair lifts are heated and will comfortably take you up to the top of the fell in around five minutes. At the children’s Leevilandia there are safe and covered magic carpet lifts as well as the traditional button lift take skiing beginners to a sufficiently high point, in order for them to safely learn the basics of skiing downhill. You may also see the beginners groups of the Ski School practice here. Leevilandia provides a free-of-charge weekly programme for children, in addition to having a charged childminding service Muksutupa, and you do not even have to make a booking in advance. Ski lift passes and hire equipment are available from the South Point building located by the lower station of the chairlift. The best way to get to South Point is by using the Ski-Bus service, and the trip only takes around 15 minutes. ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW Levi’s South Park is almost a kilometre in length, which means jumps and rails can be used on the same run. South Park is also an illuminated area, so skiing can continue even when it is dark. In addition to having specifically built jump elements intended for more experienced park enthusiasts, South Park has another route with smaller jumps and easier rails. Located by ski lift no. 13, at Alpine Training Park, alpine teams get to utilise totally new practice runs for regular and

giant slalom events. For example, on the giant slalom track, skiers can practice descending sharply using the exits for the former Snowpark boxes. There are also two slalom runs and an undulating ski track available. OFF-PISTE DOWNHILL SKIING AREA Levi’s off-piste downhill skiing area makes it possible for all those interested in the sport to enjoy off-piste skiing. The ungroomed slope areas offer an easy and safe opportunity for experiencing off-piste downhill skiing in the snowscapes of Lapland’s fell highlands. The piste routes from the upper ski lift station for lift no. 6 are over one kilometre in length, and the height difference of these is 290 metres. The area is a fun place for skiing, where the open fell area at the top is full of moguls and nice slopes. On both sides of the actual ski slopes, there is the possibility for experiencing downhill skiing through the forest, something that provides even the most experienced of skiers a little bit of a challenge. In early winter, it is precisely in these forested areas where you will find the softest snow, as the wind does not hit these slopes as effectively due to the tree coverage. HIT THE SLOPES SAFETY ASSURED The skiers on the slopes wearing red jackets Ski Patrolien are there to supervise and improve ski slope safety. They provide advice and guidance for downhill skiers, conduct preventative ski slope and safety measures, as well as taking part in first aid and rescue operations. By following the ski lift and slope rules, everyone will enjoy time on the slopes more and skiing will be safer.

DECEMBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020 Photo: Levi Ski Resort Oy Ltd

Levi West: New chairlift completed for the Länsirinne slope A new chairlift has been installed for downhill skiers on Levi’s Länsirinne slope. The chairlift is the state-of-the-art Doppelmayer D-Line. The ski lift is almost silent and the seats are especially safe and comfortable. The new ski lift cost eight million euros. Jouni Palosaari, CEO of Levi Ski Resort Ltd tells that construction and installation work started on June 18th and everything was ready in late September/early October. The work was completed a month in advance. The ski lift company did all the ski lift installation work itself, as the company has the best competence in the task. The new lift is exceptionally children friendly. It is impossible for a child to fall from the lift. The lift is boarded via a loading carpet and the skiers sit on seats that are heated and extra wide. Each skier has their own seat with a beam between the skiers’ legs. The transparent cabin protector keeps wind and snow outside of the chairlift. Revolutionary technology makes the lift silent. The silence is not perfect, but it is very quiet compared to more conventional ski lifts. One six-person chair lift weighs 830

Jouni Palosaari.

kilograms when empty. Weight is increased with the system’s “shock absorbers” that prevent the chairlifts from excessively swaying on windy days. When the chairlift carries six people, it weighs an average of 1,300 kilograms. As the ski lift has 69 chairlifts, the total weight carried by the ski

One chair on the new ski lift weighs 830 kilograms. Eine Garnitur des neuen Sesselliftes wiegt 830 Kilo.

lift is rather a lot. “At the end of the day, the chairlifts are stored overnight in an indoor heated facility. If the chairlifts were left outside, they would accumulate snow and ice. However, taking the ski lifts inside overnight is nothing new. We have been doing things this way

since the turn of the millennium when we introduced the gondola ski lift”, tells Jouni Palosaari. The lower station of the ski lift has premises in the West Point village that can be used for building accommodation and commercial premises.

Im Westen viel Neues: Moderner Sessellift in Levi

m Westhang des Levi-Fjällberges wurde kürzlich ein neuer Sessellift der österreichischen Firma Doppelmayr in Betrieb genommen, der in Komfort und Sicherheit neue Standards setzt. Beheizte Sitze, eine Sichtkupel als Schutz vor Wind und Wetter und ein nahezu geräuschloser Betrieb sind nur einige der Neuerungen, die den Skifahrern ab sofort eine bequeme und rasche Auffahrt bis zum Gipfel des Levi-Fjälls ermöglichen. Jouni Palosaari, der Geschäftsführer des Skigebietes nördlich von Kittilä in Lappland, berichtet von der reibungslosen

Konstruktion der neuen Liftanlage namens Doppelmayr D-Line, die am 18. Juni dieses Jahres begonnen hat – und bereits Ende September abgeschlossen werden konnte. ”Einen Monat früher als geplant!”, freut sich Palosaari, der bei den Bauarbeiten natürlich vor Ort war. Mit einem GesamtInvestitionsvolumen von acht Millionen Euro ist der neue Sessellift nämlich das Herzstück für ein neues Skigebiet an den Westhängen des Levi-Fjällberges, das rund um die Talstation ”West Point” gerade im Aufbau begriffen ist. ”Erste Investitionen rund um das neue Skigebiet sind getätigt”, berichtet Palosaari, moderne Infrastruktur mit Hotels, Restaurants und Ferienhäusern

entsteht hier schon im nächsten Frühjahr. Aber alles dreht sich natürlich um den neuen Sessellift, der mit 69 Ganituren zu je sechs Sitzplätzen die Skifahrer auf eine besonders angenehme Bergfahrt mitnehmen wird. Die Sitzgondeln fahren verlangsamt durch die Tal- und Bergstation, was besonders Kindern den Ein- und Ausstieg erleichtert. Auf ergonomisch gestalteten Sitzen, die beheizt sind, und unter einer Plexiglas-Kuppel, die über die gesamte Breite der Sitzgondel gestülpt wird, geht es dann in Richtung Bergstation. Der besonders ruhige Lauf des Sesselliftes ist einer neuen Technologie zu verdanken, bei der eine besondere Federung für grösste Laufruhe

und Stabilität sorgt – dadurch sind die Garnituren mit über 800 Kilo Leergewicht besonders belastbar. ”Über Nacht kommen alle Sitzgondeln in eine geschützte Halle”, berichtet Palosaari weiter – schneebedeckte oder vereiste Garnituren gehören damit auch der Vergangenheit an. Und der Winter hat heuer auch nicht lange auf sich warten lassen – schon Ende Oktober kamen die ersten Reisenden in den Genuss der neuen Anlage, und zur Eröffnung des Ski-Weltcups am Wochenende vom 22. bis zum 24. November 2019 wird sich das neue Skigebiet am Westhang des Levi schon von seiner besten – und schneereichsten - Seite zeigen.

DECEMBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020

LEVI WINTER WEEKLY PROGRAM 1.12.2019-30.4.2020 The versatile weekly program is a rare opportunity, as it takes place every day even with only two participants! All this and much more, check and book online at www.levi.fi/en/winteractivity. Bookings also at Levi Tourist Information, tel +358 16 639 3378, info@visitlevi.fi.

CULTURAL EXPERIENCES Snow, fire and feast Mon and Sat at 10.00. Discover the unique Arctic environment and delights of Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. Enjoy a meal cooked by the fire using locally sourced and foraged ingredients. Duration: 4h. Price: 165€/person, 90€/child (4-15 yrs. under 4-yrs old free of charge). Santa Claus Village & Arctic Cirlce Tue&Thu at 10. Come to meet Santa at his official Santa Village & Post Office in Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland. Duration 10h. Price: 105€/person, 63€/child (211yrs) Sami culture tour to Inari Thu at 9.00. Visit to the Sami Museum in Inari and a local reindeer farm. Duration 9h. Lunch included. Price: 158€/person, 118€/child (2-10yrs) Cocooning int the Halipuu forest Thu at 11.00. Forget your worries and experience the forest from a new perspective – snuggled in a cozy hammock, breathing the purest air of the inhabited world and listening to the sounds of the Arctic.Duration 2h. Price: 99€/person, 55€/child 4-10yrs in the hammock with a parent Feel the magic of the arctic drum Sun at 18.40 Feel the magic of Lapland and the mystical stories of old times guided by a descendant of the great Shaman Torajainen. You will be guided to focus on your breathing, feeling warmness and sounds of burning fire. Duration 1,5h. Price 55€/person.

ICE-HOTEL Build your own snow igloo Tue & Sat at 15.00. Come and learn how to survive in a snowy wilderness with hardly any equipment and make a igloo to stay in during a snowstorm. Duration: 3h. Price: 80€/person (not recommended for children under 10yrs)

Magical Northern Lights Night at Luvattumaa, Levi Ice Gallery Tue at 17.00. Northern Lights acommodation package includes: overnight in Standard douple room at the ice hotel Levi Ice Gallery, dinner and breakfast. Price: 280€/person, 190€/child(4-12y)

SNOWSHOEING, SKIING & BIKING Fun and easy snowshoe walk Mon at 10.00. Snowshoewalk through the forest. The guide tells about the Finnish nature and stories about the fells. Duration 2,5h. Price: 55€/person Snowshoeing at Nationalpark Wed & Fri at 10.00. We go snowshoeing in the beautiful Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park between the highest fells of west Lapland. Duration 4h. Price:120€/person. Snowshoeing to Santa’s Cabin Tue & Thu at 9.15. Enjoy beautiful Lapland views from the top of Levi fell and visit one of its most photographed and scenic places, The Santa´s cabin. Duration: 3h. Minimum age 18 years. Price: 110 €. Guided Fat-bike ride Wed at 12.00. Come and explore the Lappish nature with us on a fat bike. Duration: 2,5h. Price: 78€/person, 45€/child 8-12yrs. Not recommended for children under 8 yrs. Cross-Country skiing for beginners Tue at 12.00. In this program you have an access to the traditional winter sport with a guide. Duration 2h. Price:69€/person, 45€/child under 12yrs.

ICE-FISHING Reindeer, Ice-fishing and Snowshoeing Mon at 11.00. Reindeer ride, ice-fishing and short snowshoewalk. The participants will be awarded with a reindeer driving license. Duration 4,5h. Price: 125€/person, 75€/child(4-12yrs, not recommended for children under 4yrs)

DECEMBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020

Ice-fishing 2,5h Thu at 11.00. We will aim at catching perch, which is among the fishermen often better valued than salmon. Price: 60€/person.

NORTHERN LIGHTS Lapland Express Snowcat Tue, Fri & Sun at 21.30. Come and experience the Lapland Express Snowcat tour in the amazing scenery of Levitunturi. Duration 2,5h. Price: 98€/person. Aurora Base Camp Tue & Thu at 19.00. Experience the magic of the Northern Lights and the beauty of the Arctic night at Aurora Base Camp. Savour our famous homemade brownies and warm berry juice. Duration 3h. Price: 110€/person, 60€/child (4-15yrs). Aurora Hunt Thu at 20.00. A Northern lights hunt with a professional local photographer, who knows the best spots to see and capture the northern lights. Duration 3-4h. Price:125€/person.

SNOWMOBILING & ICE-KARTING Leviloop – snowmobiling around Levi Tue, Thu & Sat. The safari takes us through snow covered forests and lakes around the Levi fell. Duration 2h. Price: 122€/person (1/snowmobile), 93€/person (2/snowmobile) 69€/child under 12 yrs. Snowmobile safari to see the reindeer daily at 13.45. Snowmobiling in the beautiful sceneries to the reindeer farm. We’ll get to know the farm and experience 1km reindeer sleigh ride. Duration 3h. Price: 193€/person (1/snowmobile), 144€/person (2/snowmobile), 102€/child 4-14yrs sitting in the sledge. Snowmobilesafari for children Wed & Thu at 17.15. This safari offers children an opportunity to try out the thrill of snowmobiling in a safe environment with own family.Price: 70€/person. Ice-Karting daily at 16.00. Icekarting is driving on an ice track with go-karts equipped with studded tires and four-cycle engines. Duration 1h. Price: 65€/person. Minimum height of the driver 140cm.

HUSKYSAFARIS Huskysafari 10km Tue & Sun. Come and experience how to ride a team of longdistance racing huskies! Duration 3h. Price: 140€/person (2persons/sled), 90€/child (2-14yrs) Forest’s huskyride at Levi Huskypark 2km Wed & Sun. Enjoy a thrilling husky ride sitting in the sled driven by a musher and guided visit of the Park. Duration 2,5h. Price: 60€/person, 37€/child (2-11y) 20km husky safari to forest kota Wed at 9.30. The Husky team will lead you through the snowy land. On the way, we will take a break in a forest teepee, kota. Duration 4h. Price: 220€/person (2/sled), 135€/child (8-12yrs, not recommended for children under 8yrs) Husky safari 5km and visit of the husky farm Thu &

Sat at 14.00. Go for a joyful ride through the winter landscape. Duration 2h. Price: 95€/person (2/sled), 70€/child (0-12yrs) Husky experience – drive the team of the huskies daily. About 4-6km husky safari and introduction to kennel’s everyday life. Duration 1,5h. Price: 115€/person (2/sled) 85€/child under 12yrs.

REINDEER SAFARIS 1,5km reindeer sleigh ride Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri at 11.00. Reindeer sleigh ride in the snowy forest. Price: 45€/person. 2km reindeer ride on the frozen lake Wed & Sat at 11.45. The reindeer sleigh ride takes about 15 to 30 minutes and after that hot drinks and snacks will be served around a brilliance of an open fire Price: 60€/person, 30€/child under 12yrs.

HORSE RIDING Steps on the snow in a pine forest Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat. Our Finn horses are ready to take you to the nearby surroundings along a step path. Duration 2h. Price:100€/person. Icelandic horse trek Levi Tue, Wed & Thu. Riding trek in the beautiful nature. Duration 2h. Price: 75€/person. Not suitable for children under 12 yrs old, unless they have previous experience of riding treks. Weight limit for rider 90-100kg.

HUSKY & REINDEER COMBOS Speed & relaxation, husky & reindeer rides Mon at 14.45. Feel the power of sled dogs in the sledge driven by the musher and enjoy the relaxing reindeer ride. Duration 1,5h. Price: 70€/person 50€/child (412yrs) Arctic Rides Fri at 10.15. Experience the highlights of a holiday in Lapland through the traditional vehicles of the arctic, reindeer and husky rides at Levi Huskypark. Duration 2,5h. Price: 94€/person, 61€/child (2-11yrs).

LASER WORLD Play with or against your family or friends and try to make points avoiding the red lasers. Each player is provided with camo helmet with hit sensors and colour codes. Fun without being messy. Duration 2h. Price: 55€/person, 45€/child 7-12yrs with a playing adult. Child under 7yrs free of charge with a playing adult.

Bookings and further information: Levi Tourist Information Myllyjoentie 2, 99130 Levi tel. +358 16 639 3378 info@visitlevi.fi. www.levi.fi We reserve the rights to changes.

DECEMBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020

The national park

Photo: The Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park/Maarit Kyöstilä

Over-wintering swans in the Kutuniva area of Muonio, where the shallow water remains thawed throughout the winter. Swans are clever enough to be able to adjust the number of birds (5–11) to stay in the small thawed water area over the winter, thereby ensuring there is sufficient food for all. People do, however, help them receive nutrition. Swans can endure temperatures even below -30 degrees Celsius, but in harsher temperatures, they sit on the frozen waterway, huddle up and place their neck and head under their wing. Each year, swans that stay over the winter can be found in about a dozen places of thawed water in Lapland.

Finland’s most popular Finnlands beliebtester national park Nationalpark The Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park has been in operation for 81 years. The smaller section of the area was protected as a national park back in 1938, with the second section being incorporated in 2005. The fell highland landscapes of the area have fascinated tourists since as far back as the late nineteenth century, and the national landscapes continue to appeal to its visitors,

as the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is Finland’s most popular national park. Its diverse trails and services are used every year by almost 700,000 visitors. The enchantment of the national park is based on its nature, spectacular landscapes and rich history. These are also great foundations for new developments.

Käännös-, tulkkaus- ja opetuspalvelut 28 vuoden kokemuksella

Arctic language company

Arctic Language Company Oy 040 774 9945 myynti@arcticlanguagecompany.fi

Den Pallas-Yllästunturi Nationalpark gibt es seit 81 Jahren. Ein erstes kleines Gebiet wurde schon 1938 unter Schutz gestellt und ein zweiter Teil 2005. Die Natur am Fjäll hat Reisende bereits Ende des 19.Jahrhunderts fasziniert und als Nationallandschaft tut sie es auch heute noch. Es ist der beliebteste Nationalpark

Finnlands. Seine verzweigten Wanderrouten und sein Serviceangebot erleben alljährlich eine 700.000 Besucher. Die Anziehungskraft des Nationalparks beruht auf seiner Natur, der grandiosen Landschaft und seiner reichen Historie, alles Grundlagen, den Park weiter zu entwickeln.

Enjoying the atmosphere in Särestö The Särestöniemi Museum is a unique place to visit for all people interested in history, art and local culture. Combination of beautiful nature and Reidar Särestöniemi’s art offers an unforgettable experience. From the museum area you will find artist`s childhood milieu, the Old Särestö. There is also a great Gallery, which was built when artist Reidar Särestöniemi (1925–1981) was still alive. You can also visit artist`s Studio, which was built in 1978 and where he lived and worked his very last years. Both in the Gallery and in the Studio

you will find exhibitions presenting Särestöniemi`s art. In the Studio current exhibition is called “Glances”, and it consists of drawings and portraits. In the Gallery, in the “Northern heritage” -exhibition, the paintings tell about artist`s influences. Reidar lived his life in the middle of vivid storytelling culture which was full of spirits and stories from the past. For example his mother was originally from Northern Norway and told tales from there. Reidar also heard stories originated sámi mythology

DECEMBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020

K S Y OUR

SPAR

EXPERIENCES FOR EVERYONE, ALL-YEAR ROUND #VISITLEVI #LEVILAPLAND #SPARKSYOURSOUL

LEVI TOURIST INFORMATION / VISIT LEVI +358 16 639 3300, levi@levi.fi Mon - Fri 9 - 18, Sat - Sun 10 - 16 Myllyjoentie 2 Exceptional opening hours from levi.fi

DECEMBER 2019 - JANUARY 2020

Winter from

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SHOP Torikuja 3 B • P. 040 171 5411 WE SERVICE EVERYDAY! Confirm the opening hours: www.intersport.fi/levi