Things to do in Levi
A compact fell village 170 km north of the Arctic Circle, wrapped around Finland's largest ski resort — with snowmobile trails, husky kennels and unobstructed aurora skies starting where the last chairlift ends.
Levi is the closest Lapland gets to an all-in-one winter village. The resort sits at the foot of Levi fell in the municipality of Kittilä, and almost everything — hotels, restaurants, ski rental, activity desks and the gondola — is within a fifteen-minute walk. Kittilä Airport is only 15 km away, which means you can land at midday and be on a snowmobile before dark.
Because Levi is well north of Rovaniemi, the winter is longer and the snow more reliable: the ski season usually runs from October into May, and the surrounding fell landscape is treeless enough that the aurora is visible from the village itself on a good night. The resort side is genuinely substantial — over 40 slopes, more than two dozen lifts and around 230 km of cross-country trails — but most of our guests come for what happens off-piste: dog sledding through pine forest, ice fishing on frozen lakes, and photography tours out onto the open fells.
Below you will find how to get here, the best months to come, the different areas to stay in, and live availability for every Levi programme we sell.
Getting to Levi
Kittilä Airport (KTT) is 15 km from the village — around a 20-minute transfer.
By air
Finnair and Norwegian operate Helsinki–Kittilä year-round, taking about 1 h 25 min, with several daily departures in high season. From late November to March, seasonal direct flights connect Kittilä with London, Manchester, Dublin, Paris, Frankfurt, Zurich, Amsterdam, Milan and Warsaw among others — many of them weekly charter or scheduled winter routes.
Airport transfers
A scheduled shuttle bus meets every flight and drops off at the main Levi hotels; taxis and pre-booked private transfers are also available at the terminal. The drive takes roughly 20 minutes on a ploughed main road.
By train and bus
The night train from Helsinki runs to Kolari, the northernmost station in Finland, about 80 km from Levi. A connecting bus meets the train and reaches the village in around 1 h 15 min. Sleeper cabins and a car carriage make this a comfortable option if you want to bring your own vehicle north.
Getting around Levi
The village is designed to be walked, and a free ski bus loops between the accommodation areas, the slopes and the centre during the season. Activity operators collect guests from hotel lobbies, so a rental car is optional — useful only if you plan to explore further afield towards Ylläs or Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park.
Best time to visit Levi
Levi has one of the longest snow seasons in Finland — the slopes usually open in October and close in May.
| Month | Snow & conditions | Daylight | Aurora chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Deep snow, coldest weeks, −12 to −27 °C | About 3–6 hours plus long twilight | Excellent |
| February | Excellent snow, stable cold, clear skies | 6–9 hours | Excellent |
| March | The classic month: deep base and real sunshine | 10–13 hours | Excellent |
| April | Spring skiing, snow holds well on the fell | 14–18 hours | Good early, fading late |
| May | Late skiing on the fell, valleys thaw | 19–22 hours | None (too light) |
| June | Snow-free fells, hiking and biking | Midnight sun | None |
| July | Warmest month, lakes swimmable | Midnight sun into mid-July | None |
| August | Late summer, nights start to darken | 15–19 hours | Possible from late August |
| September | Autumn colours across the fells | 11–14 hours | Good |
| October | First snow; slopes often open late October | 8–11 hours | Very good |
| November | Winter properly settles in; quiet, good value | 3–7 hours | Very good |
| December | Polar night, Christmas season, peak demand | Sun below horizon; 3–4 h twilight | Excellent when skies clear |
If skiing matters, come between February and April, when the snow base is deepest and the days are long enough to make full use of the lifts. If the aurora is the priority, the darker window from late September to mid-March is stronger, and Levi's open fell terrain means you can often see the lights without leaving the village.
Where to stay in Levi
Everything in Levi is close together, so the choice is really about how much you want to walk in the cold.
Village centre
Hotels and apartments around the main street and the gondola base. Restaurants, ski rental, the après-ski bars and every activity pickup point are on your doorstep, and you can ski back to the door on most days. The most convenient — and the busiest — option.
Slopeside apartments
Ski-in ski-out apartment buildings on the lower slopes of the fell. These are the family favourite: kitchens, drying rooms, saunas and enough space for gear, a few minutes' walk from the lifts and a short bus ride from the restaurants.
Log cabins around the village
Traditional Finnish cabins spread through the forest within a couple of kilometres of the centre. You get privacy, your own sauna and dark enough surroundings for aurora watching from the terrace. A car or the ski bus makes the difference between relaxing and trudging.
Glass-roofed and aurora accommodation
Glass igloos, aurora cabins and panoramic suites are scattered around Levi and in the surrounding wilderness. Book these for one or two nights of the trip rather than the whole stay — they are expensive, and a cloudy week is always possible.
Top experiences in Levi
Husky safaris
Short rides for families, 2–3 hour self-driving safaris and evening aurora husky tours in the snowy wilderness around Levi.
Reindeer & Sámi culture
Calm sleigh rides through silent forests, with local herders sharing reindeer-herding traditions over coffee by the fire.
Snowmobile tours
Open fells, frozen lakes and deep wilderness routes — from beginner rides to full-day adrenaline safaris for experienced drivers.
Northern Lights tours
Minibus aurora hunts, snowmobile aurora rides, photography trips and campfire aurora evenings under exceptionally dark skies.
Activities in Levi
Live availability and pricing from our Levi partners, grouped by type. Everything below can be confirmed instantly.
Northern lights
Levi: Guaranteed Northern Lights Expedition with Photographer & Unlimited Mileage/Time - Small Group
Levi: Private Guaranteed Northern Lights Expedition with Photographer & Unlimited Mileage/Time - Private Tour
Northern Lights Campfire in Levi
Northern lights hunting photo tour from Levi
Snowmobile
Easy snowmobile safari into the nature / Levi
Evening snowmobile safari in Levi
Full Day Snowmobile Safari to Wilderness in Levi
Snowmobile safari for adults in Levi
Snowmobile safari with ice fishing and outdoor lunch in Levi
Snowshoe & hike
Levi on the map
Levi lies in the village of Sirkka, Kittilä, in western Finnish Lapland.
Practical information
Kittilä Airport (KTT), 15 minutes from Levi village by transfer.
December–April. The season opens in November and extends into late April with long sunny days.
September to early April. The aurora was visible on average every third night during the 2025 season.
Most providers offer round-trip pickup from Levi hotels, apartments and cabins — no car needed.
Levi FAQ
Is Levi better than Rovaniemi?
They answer different questions. Levi is a walkable resort village with better skiing, more reliable snow and darker skies; Rovaniemi is a city with an easier airport, Santa Claus Village and more choice of restaurants and museums. Families with small children often prefer Rovaniemi; skiers and aurora hunters usually prefer Levi.
Can you see the northern lights from Levi village?
Often, yes. Levi is far enough north and the fell terrain open enough that a strong display is visible from the village on a clear night. For weaker displays and for photography you still want to get away from the resort lighting, which is what the guided aurora tours do.
How long is the ski season in Levi?
Typically from mid or late October, when snowmaking allows the first runs to open, until early May. February to April combines the deepest base with usable daylight; October and November skiing is on a limited number of pistes.
Do I need a car in Levi?
No. The village is compact, a free ski bus circulates during the season, and activity operators pick guests up from their accommodation. A car only helps if you are staying in an outlying cabin or want to drive to Ylläs, Pallas or the Swedish border.
Is Levi suitable for children?
Very. The ski school and beginner slopes are separated from the main runs, most activity operators run shorter family versions of their programmes, and apartments with kitchens and saunas make the practical side of a family week much easier.
What is there to do in Levi if you don't ski?
Most of our bookings are non-skiing: husky safaris, snowmobile trips, reindeer farm visits, ice fishing, snowshoeing, ice floating and aurora photography tours. The gondola also runs for non-skiers who just want the view from the top of the fell.
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