Club cross country ski trip to Yllas, Finland
Saturday 13th to Saturday 20th March 2027
;)
About this trip
;)
The Ylläs cross country ski area is situated 150km north of the Artic circle in Finnish Lapland. It is named after the largest fell in the area, has a total of 330km of Nordic ski tracks, including 38 kilometres which are lit, and is Finland’s largest cross country ski network.
The main area for cross country skiing centres around Akäslompolo and there are local buses which extend your skiing options. The club has had many successful trips to this resort, but this will be the first return for over 10 years.
- The trip offers the opportunity to cross country ski on varied terrain ; typically Lapland offers extensive stretches of flat/undulating forest and scenic lakeside tracks, allowing good distances to be covered. There are some moderate hills to tackle as well as fells to test your ability.
- Ski trail cafes are available and several warming huts and shelters.
- The intention is to ski in groups and explore the area.
- There are also opportunities to hire snowmobiles, take reindeer sleigh or husky sled rides, visit the museum, or go winter hiking or snowshoeing. There is also downhill skiing if you fancy a change of technique. This is a holiday after all!!
Who is this trip for?
The trip is open to LRNSC members, and those wishing to join the club. It is suitable for confident improvers, intermediate and advanced level skiers, who are able to ski on their own over varied terrain for several hours at a time. You can see the definition of levels here. It is not suitable for novice skiers. There won’t be any coaching, and whilst we will ski in groups, and more experienced skiers may give tips, you will ultimately be responsible for yourself and your own safety.
About Akäslompolo
The village centre of Akäs is quite compact and has a supermarket, restaurants, ski hire and a few sports retail outlets. The tracks start just a walk away from most accommodations, and a ski bus will take you further afield and help with tired legs at the end of the day.
Skiing and ski hire
Ski hire is available locally. You can buy access to an online interactive map for €10, but here's an overview of the track system.
Accommodation
;)
There are cabins reserved for our party so there are options to choose your own room or share a room. The deadline to book for these cabins is 31/7/26, and after this, or when they are full, you can easily find somewhere to book your own accommodation through https://destinationlapland.com or the usual online search agents.
See information about the cabins - we will be based in the Peltotieva area of town in cabins numbered 29 and 35 on the map. It’s 0.3 kms to the ski tracks and a short walk into town for groceries and restaurants.
Flights
The suggested indirect flights from London to Kittila changing in Helsinki are below.
On Finnair you must book ski carriage as special baggage as you can’t use your hold baggage allowance. I can vouch for this, as whilst Heathrow were happy to check skis in as hold baggage, on the return in Finland they made me pay for special baggage for both flights! Ski baggage is £27.50 each way, so if you’re only taking a ski bag with everything in it, it’s best to book the basic fare with hand luggage and add special baggage on.
13/3/27 - £293 + luggage as at 10/6/26
LHR Finnair 07:30 – 14:40 Kittilä
Transfer in Helsinki (50 mins)
or
LHR Finnair 10:20 - 17:50 Kittilä
Transfer in Helsinki (1 hour)
20/3/27
Kittila Finnair 11:55 – 15:15 LHR
Short transfer in Helsinki (40 mins)
Or
Kittila Finnair 13:20 – 17:00 LHR
Transfer in Helsinki (1 hr 15 mins)
Airport transfer
There is an airport bus from Kittilä airport to Ylläs which takes about 30 minutes. There are no current details for next season, but the website is https://www.rundgrenoy.fi/en-gb/airport-bus
Itinerary
Each evening we will meet to discuss options and plan the next day’s activities according to the weather forecast and people’s preferences. This will either be during/after dinner if we are eating out together, or in an appropriate place within accommodation if we are catering in.
We will ski in groups according to pace. This is very easily worked out on the first day once people ski together. If this is your first independent ski trip here is what you can expect:
- Whatsapp will be used to liaise, so if you can’t make the planning session, the arrangements for the next day will be posted there, and you can send in your preference beforehand.
- We’ll ski a variety of terrains, some of which may not be suitable for all on the trip. You are responsible for choosing your best options each day as there should be a couple of choices.
- As a group of Club members skiing together with no specific leader, we are each responsible for ourselves. If you are skiing as part of a group, you can expect that the group will wait at junctions for the slowest person. If there is a tricky/fast descent we will regroup at a safe place at the bottom to ensure all are down safely to continue.
- However, should this prove difficult to maintain due to the slowest skier/s lack of technique/speed resulting in the rest of the group waiting too long, options to ski more locally/take tuition would be suggested.
- Advanced skiers, if happy to ski solo, are free to explore the vast expanse of tracks in the area. We just ask that you tell the organiser your plans for the day and check in with the group on return. NB It’s generally safer to ski with one other person, if possible.
- Ski tours for the day will differ in distances of around 10, 15, 20+ km. These could be in either technique, depending on the terrain and ability – it’s your choice. At least one day will be a skate day with an appropriate tour, but you can join it on classic skis if the route allows.
Apart from these basics, the rest of the trip is up to you. No one is in charge of leading each day, but those more experienced in skiing independently will invariably take the lead if no one else does. However, this is also an opportunity to learn how to plan for yourself and become more confident.
Insurance etc
Everyone on the trip is recommended to have their own travel health insurance policy that covers the Covid-19 situation. Rules are changing all the time, so please be aware of what is required at the time of travel. The GIC (Global Health Insurance Card) issued by Gov.uk is also recommended in case of emergencies.
Please also be aware of the entry requirements for Finland/the Schengen area.
Costs
You will pay for and book your flights individually.
As some accommodation has been pre-booked, you can state your preferences on the booking form. The exact price of your room will be determined by how many share each cabin. 50% of the full cabin price will be paid 1/8/2026 and the balance of 50% is due on 1/12/2026. Both payments are non refundable so please make sure your insurance will cover any losses if you have to cancel.
Once transfer arrangements are known, these may be coordinated centrally, but if you wish to make your own arrangements you are free to do so.
What to do next
Stage 1
Complete the registration form. This will confirm that you want to come on the trip, which accommodation you want to book and request a roommate if appropriate. The deadline to book a place in the reserved cabins is 31/7/2026.
If joining after this time, or if the pre-booked accommodation is full, you will need to source your own for the trip. Accommodation and flights are available at present, but this may not be the case in a few months’ time. If you wish to be paired up in a room it would be best to book early.
Stage 2
The organiser will send you an acceptance email and information of accommodation sharing, if appropriate.
- You will be asked to pay 50% of your share of the accommodation if you have been allocated a room. This is payable by 1/8/2026.
- You will be asked at a later date, to pay the balance of 50% of your share of the accommodation. This is payable by 1/12/2026.
- You will be added to the Whatsapp group (please indicate if you do not wish this on the form).