Levi
Finland's largest ski resort, with a compact village where slopes, restaurants and glass igloos all sit within walking distance.
Aurora season: 09-01 - 03-31
Practical info
- Population
- About 7,000 residents (Kittilä municipality, Levi itself is not a town)
- Airport
- Kittilä Airport (KTT), 15 km from Levi, direct seasonal flights from London, Vienna and the Baltics (Dec-Mar)
- Train
- Yes but indirect: Kolari station is about 80 km away, then a shuttle of roughly 1h15
- Car
- Not needed on site: walkable resort, shuttles run to the airport and Kolari station
- Temperatures
- -20°C to -7°C on average, nights sometimes below -20°C
Why choose this destination
Levi suits travellers who want to alternate skiing and aurora hunting without switching base. The village is compact and walkable, with a real choice of restaurants and bars in the evening, making it the liveliest destination in the region for groups of friends and skiing families alike.
Accommodation options
A compact resort where everything is walkable: hotels with spas, self-catering apartments, and a handful of glass igloos on the hillside above the village.
Things to do
Skiing and snowboarding (Finland's largest resort), Spa Water World, husky sledding and snowmobile trips.
Best spots to watch the northern lights
Levi Fell summit
A 360-degree view above the treeline, reachable by gondola by day; on foot or by vehicle in the evening since the gondola does not run at night.
Lake Immeljärvi
Less than a 10-minute walk from the centre, its flat frozen surface reflects the lights.
Utsuvaara Hill
A quiet area about 10 km from the centre, with very little artificial light.
Ounasjoki River
Open, quiet riverbanks a few minutes from the village.
Activities to book
Ski rental and lessons
The lift pass itself is bought on the spot with no booking, but rental gear and lessons are best booked a few days ahead during peak weeks (Christmas, February).
Husky sledding
Same rule as elsewhere in Lapland: a few days ahead is enough outside peak weeks, allow several weeks around Christmas and February.
Snowmobiling
A few days' notice is usually enough outside the busiest weeks.
Stays on the map
Where to stay
Glass iglooGolden Crown Levin Iglut
€€€Standalone glass igloos on Levi's fell, with clear views over the slopes and sky.
- Panoramic fell views
- Private sauna in some igloos
- 5 min from Levi centre
from €299 / night
HotelBreak Sokos Hotel Levi
€€A large family hotel in the heart of Levi village, a practical base for skiing and aurora tours.
- Village-centre location
- Pool and spa
- Family-friendly
from €114 / night
HotelHotel K5 Levi
€€€A design hotel, the best-rated property in the area, within walking distance of the ski lifts.
- Best-rated in the area
- Walk to the lifts
- Well-regarded on-site restaurant
from €119 / night
HotelLevi Hotel Spa
€€5 minutes' walk from the slopes, with access to Spa Water World: 17 indoor and outdoor pools and a water slide. Four restaurants on site.
- 5 min walk to the slopes
- 17 pools at Spa Water World
- Four on-site restaurants
from €234 / night
HotelHotel Hullu Poro
€€In the heart of the resort, 5 minutes from Sirkka, with an all-wood interior. Many rooms have a private sauna, and there are 13 restaurants plus a ten-bar nightlife area (Hullu Poro Areena).
- Private sauna in many rooms
- 13 on-site restaurants
- Ten-bar nightlife area
from €160 / night
HotelHotel Levi Panorama
€€A ski-in/ski-out hotel right beside the express gondola. Panoramic sauna and sky bar on the 7th floor, with a breakfast that travellers rate highly.
- Ski-in/ski-out
- Panoramic 7th-floor sauna
- Highly rated breakfast
from €170 / night
HotelLevilehto Apartments
€Self-catering studios and apartments in central Levi, 300 m from the Myllyjoki river and 400 m from the slopes. Private sauna, full kitchen and washing machine.
- Full kitchen and washing machine
- 400 m from the slopes
- Private sauna included
from €130 / night
Cabin / chaletLevi Log Cabin Viprakka 4A
€€€A 100 m² log cabin with four bedrooms, sleeping up to 6, 1.1 km from Spa Water World. Private sauna, fireplace and equipped kitchen; price is for the whole cabin.
- 100 m², four bedrooms
- 1.1 km from Spa Water World
- Private sauna and fireplace
from €540 / night
Cabin / chaletChalet Auroras
€€A ski-in/ski-out apartment of 56 m² with two bedrooms, sleeping up to 6. Private garage, sauna and two bathrooms; price is for the whole apartment.
- Ski-in/ski-out
- Private garage
- Sauna and two bathrooms
from €352 / night
Glass iglooAurora Pyramid Glass Igloos
€€€Pyramid-shaped glass-roofed igloos in Elves Village Levi, 7.6 km from Spa Water World. Breakfast included.
- Pyramid-shaped glass roof
- Breakfast included
- Elves Village Levi
from €785 / night
Glass iglooLevi Aurora Igloo
€€€A standalone 38 m² villa in the Utsunkulma area of Levi, with a glass roof above the bed. Private jacuzzi and sauna; rental of the entire unit.
- 38 m², standalone unit
- Glass roof above the bed
- Private jacuzzi and sauna
from €1,499 / night
Frequently asked questions
Can I ski and see the northern lights on the same trip in Levi?
Yes, that is Levi's main draw: the slopes close in the late afternoon, leaving the evening free for tours or watching from a glass igloo.
When do ski season and aurora season overlap?
From November to April, with peak conditions (guaranteed snow, long dark nights) between January and March.
Is Levi good for beginner skiers?
Yes, it is a family-friendly resort with varied slopes and on-site ski schools catering to every level, including beginners.
Are there activities beyond skiing and the northern lights?
Yes: Spa Water World, husky sledding and snowmobile trips round out a stay in Levi nicely.
Do I need to bring my own ski equipment?
No, most visitors rent locally: shops at the foot of the slopes cover skis, snowboards and technical clothing.