The review Yllas was created by Skiresort.info, the world’s largest test portal for ski resorts.
The Ylläs ski resort is the largest ski resort in Finland with respect to total slope length.
Altitude difference
518 m (Valley 200 m - Mountain 718 m )
Lifts/ cable cars
26
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 2 ← 2
Slope offering, variety of runs
The ski resort offers a good mixture of runs with easy runs down near the valley, many intermediate runs and some difficult runs in the upper area. About 50% of the runs have flood lighting.
Run location
above tree line, under tree line
The highlight is the Ylläs gondola lift that brings guests up to the highest point in 7 minutes and provides access to most of the southern slopes. The famous sauna gondola can also be attached here. Otherwise, besides a quick chair lift, only t-bars are in operation.
Total capacity
28284 Passengers / hour
Length of all lifts
20.8 km Total
The geographic location and the snow-making capabilities guarantee a very long season and a high level of snow reliability.
Worth knowing
- Artificial snow-making
36 Snow canons
50 % of the slopes have snow-making capabilities
- The valley run is always open when ski resort is open; without the valley run, ski operation is not possible.
Season 2010/2011
170 Days open
170 Days when valley run open
The slope preparation is excellent.
Tip: By new snow, an optimal slope prepartion is not always possible, even with a large effort. In addition, the new snow can not combine with the snow lying underneath and moguls are created quickly. For safety reasons, usually no slope preparation is possible during operating times.
The E8 highway as well as the Kittila Airport are only 40 km away. Paved parking lots are found on both sides of the ski resort, right at the valley stations.
Access via E8 Turku-Tromso, Exit Kurtakontie/Route 80
Ylläs 1 Gondoli (Ylläs), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 38 km · approx. 35 Minutes driving time
Parking spaces: enough available,
Tarred parking lot,
free of charge
Ylläs 1+2 T-bar (Kolari), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 40 km · approx. 36 Minutes driving time
Parking spaces: enough available,
Tarred parking lot,
free of charge
Orientation (trail map, information boards, sign-postings)
Trail map and overview maps:
The trail map depicts the ski resort very well. Some detailed information could be added however.
Information boards and sign-postings on the slopes:
The sign-posting on the slopes is good. The slope markings could be a bit more clear and the information boards could include some more information. Every lift is marked by name at the lift entrance.
The ski resort and its facilities are very clean and well-maintained.
Environmentally friendly ski operation
The Sport Resort Ylläs features a bio energy heating system.
Public transportation/ on-site mobility
- No direct train connection
- Ski busses
- Free ski buses to Äkäslompolo on the northern side and Ylläsjärvi on the southern side.
The staff is always friendly and helpful to guests entering the t-bars.
Mountain restaurants, ski huts, gastronomy
There are restaurants (usually self-service) distributed throughout the ski resort. There are some good restaurants located in the valley stations. There are also open fire pits where you can grill your own sausages.
13 Mountain restaurants & Ski huts
Gastronomy tip
-
Café Gondel
In the mountain station of the gondola lift
The special thing about the Café Gondel is that the room is used for three purposes. During the day, it is a café. After the lifts have closed, the gondolas are stored in this room. The sauna gondola is also stored in the café. This can be rented for € 1500.- for sauna sessions on the gondola lift after the lifts have closed.
Mountain hut tip
There are Après Ski Bars at both valley stations. Live concerts also take place here.
-
TaigaNext to the valley station of the gondola liftBar with live concerts
Accommodation offering directly on the slopes and lifts
Two old-established villages are located near the ski resort. Äkäslompolo is 3 km away on the northern side and Ylläsjärvi is 4 km away on the southern side. One section of Ylläsjärvi is located directly at the ski resort (Sport Resort Ylläs) and offers numerous accommodations in all categories. There are 2000 guest beds directly at the ski resort and 20,000 beds in the Ylläs region, thereof 12,000 in log cabins.
Ski-in/Ski-out
There are many accommodations with direct access to the slopes and to lifts (Ski-in/Ski-out)
Tips
Towns/villages
- Ylläsjärvi
Distance to ski resort
Guest beds 8000
- Äkäslompolo
Distance to ski resort
Guest beds 12000
Note: For the evaluation, only the accommodations which are located directly on the slopes and lifts, or have very easy access to the ski resort have been considered.
There are large children's areas on both sides of the ski resort.
Information for families and children
- Kid's Land/ separated area for children
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
- Child friendly access to lifts
Special tips for children
-
Ylläs Kids (Äkäslompolo side)
Children's area with magic carpet, rope tow, children's carousel, day care and playground
-
Ylläs Kids (Ylläsjärvi side)
Children's area with magic carpet, children's carousel, playground and tubing run
There are very good conditions for beginners at both of the large parking lots near the valley. Easy t-bars, rope tows and magic carpets are offered. There is even a free rope tow and a free magic carpet. However, the runs at the gondola lift and chair lift are intermediate level or advanced level and are therefore not recommendable for true beginners.
Information for beginners
- Easy and manageable slope offering, which is easy to achieve
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
- Free practice lift/ beginner lift
Advanced skiers, freeriders
Advanced skiers can enjoy 6 black runs, which however, are not too steep.
Information for advanced skiers, freeriders
- some freeride / deep snow areas
Slope offering advanced skiers
Most difficult run
-
Superrinne · Length 0.9 km · Altitude difference 252 m
Note: Always mind the avalanche warnings and barriers, please. Never ski into a closed and unsecured area.
Information for Snowboarders
- some freeride / deep snow areas
Snow parks
Offering snow parks
Cross-country skiing and trails
- Cross-country trail offering
Total trail length: 330 km
The Ylläs region offers an enormous amount of cross country tracks - 330km. Classic as well as skating tracks are available. 40 km of tracks are lit.
Conclusion
Gondola lift, snow reliability, snowpark, slope grooming, cross-country skiing
No chair lifts with bubbles
Test Report issued on 2011-04-16
Top ski regions • Tips for the ski holiday