Learn to Cross Country Ski in Ylläs, Finnish Lapland

Northern Lights, Ylläs

Winter in Finnish Lapland

Hotel Ylläshumina, Ylläs

Northern Lights, Ylläs

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Learn to Cross Country Ski in Ylläs

Five cross country ski lessons included
See Finnish Lapland's plains and pine forests
Lively nightlife in Ylläs
Saunas plus optional local winter activities
Look out for the regular Northern Lights

Why Choose Cloud 9 Adventure

We are XC ski tour specialists
Qualified and experienced guide
Stay at the comfortable Ylläshumina Hotel with access to cross-country trails
6 days' equipment hire and a guided ski tour included

AT A GLANCE

7 nights

6 days' skiing

Hotel-based

Group size 4-8

Join/ End: Kittilä Airport

ACCOMMODATION

7 nights in the Ylläshumina Hotel

DIFFICULTY GRADING

5

Moderate

Learn to Cross Country Ski in Ylläs: Dates and Prices

Learn to Cross Country Ski in Ylläs: Overview

Ylläs (pronounced 'oo-las') is a winter sports mecca in Finnish Lapland. It's 150km inside the Arctic Circle and is a pretty reliable spot for catching glimpses of the Northern Lights - though we can't guarantee a sighting of course! It's in Finland's third largest national park, Pallas-Yllästunturi, and is great location to learn cross-country skiing. This hotel-based holiday includes five morning lessons, to make sure that everyone goes away confident in their new-found skiing skills. Find a selection of the region's winter activities below which are available to book during your free time. We'll regroup each evening for a team meal after which you can explore the resort's bars or retire for a relaxing sauna.

The accommodation: Hotel Ylläshumina

Our chosen hotel is made up of collection of low wooden chalet-styled cabins gathered around a central, social restaurant. Evening meals feature local specialities such as reindeer and take the form of a three-course buffet. The hotel has its own bar, the Humina Pub, plus an outdoor hot tub (open certain nights) and men's and women's saunas. In short, there's plenty to keep you occupied if you don't want to stray far in the evenings.

What to expect

Experience of cross-country skiing and technique is not required to join this trip which is aimed at beginners. A reasonable level of general fitness will be required to help you get the most out the experience. The region has over 300km of trails, and 38km of illuminated tracks for magical evening adventures. There are many beginners' trails to explore at your own pace outside of your daily lessons, with the opportunity to push on into more remote or more challenging terrain if and when you're ready. If you have any questions at all about whether this trip is right for you, just ask.

Optional activities

This region was made for winter time and Ylläs bursts with memorable things to do. Try a snowshoeing or snowmobile adventure or join a dog-sled safari. Go on a mission to see the Northern Lights, or head out to the Ice Village nearby to visit the frozen Ice Hotel with its ice beds and ice bar. There's reindeer sledding, classic downhill skiing and snowboarding of course.

Learn to Cross Country Ski in Ylläs: Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival at Kittilä Airport, transfer to Ylläs

Your week-long introduction to cross-country skiing begins at Kittilä Airport, where one single-timed group transfer will await to bring you to the cosy wooden cabins that make up the Ylläshumina Hotel. Those travelling independently should join the rest of the group at the hotel in time for an evening trip briefing with your professional cross-country skiing instructor and guide, followed by a group dinner.

Accommodation: seven nights at the Ylläshumina Hotel

Luggage access: available all week

Meals included: breakfast and dinner are included every day

Days 2 to 6 - one 90-minute XC ski lesson per morning following by free time

Your first day in resort will begin with a trip to the hotel's ski shop after breakfast, to get you kitted out for the week. Ski hire is included. You'll then head out to enjoy your first 90-minute cross country ski lesson. The next four days will then continue in a similar fashion, with breakfast at the hotel followed by a lesson. You'll be absolutely spoilt for choice in terms of cross-country trails around Ylläs - with around 330km of mapped routes there's very little danger of you exhausting them in a week. There are diverse lunch options for you to try, from packed lunches to cafes and restaurants. Suggestions for optional free time activities are provided above.

Day 7 - Free day or rest day

This is your last full day in Ylläs. You're welcome to return to your favourite ski spots, head off on your own full-day ski tour, or to book solo or group activities in and around Ylläs. Don't forget the hotel's own sauna. Some day-trip suggestions are provided above but this is a resourceful and innovative region so look out for new ways to explore it once you've arrived! Father Christmas doesn't live too far away...