Lapland ski resorts compared
Ylläs or Levi? Choosing where to buy a holiday home in Lapland
Finland's two biggest ski resorts, side by side: slopes, villages, access, prices and what each suits, from an independent adviser based in Levi.
Last updated: 30 September 2026 · By Uniikki Ventures Oy
Contents: Ylläs at a glance · Ylläs and Levi compared · The villages · Property prices · Which suits you · Buying in Finland · FAQs
Ylläs at a glance
Location
Kolari municipality, western Lapland
Fell
Yllästunturi, 719 m, the highest fell in Finland with ski lifts
Villages
Äkäslompolo (north side) and Ylläsjärvi (south side), about 15 km apart by road
Slopes
53 km of pistes, 26 lifts, 464 m vertical, the largest in Finland by slope length and vertical
Cross-country
Around 330 km of trails
National park
Pallas-Yllästunturi, Finland's most visited national park (598,800 visits in 2024)
Nearest airport
Kittilä, about 30 minutes (35 km)
Train
Kolari station, about 30 minutes (35 km)
Rovaniemi
160 km
Unusual fact
Ylläs has the only sauna gondola cabin in the world
Sources: Ylläs Ski Resort, skiresort.com, Metsähallitus via Wikipedia. Figures as published 2024–2026.
How do Ylläs and Levi compare?
Ylläs is bigger on the slopes and quieter in the villages, with more wilderness and lower prices. Levi is more compact and lively, closer to the airport, and has higher prices and a busier resort centre.
Ylläs
Levi
Slopes
53 km, 26 lifts
38.5 km, 44 slopes, 26 lifts
Vertical drop
464 m (Finland's biggest)
335 m
Summit
719 m
531 m
Villages
Two, about 15 km apart
One compact centre at the foot of the slopes
Feel
Quieter, nature-focused
Lively: restaurants, events, nightlife
Cross-country
Around 330 km, national park on the doorstep
Extensive trails around the fell
From Kittilä Airport
About 30 minutes
About 15 minutes
Train
Kolari, about 30 minutes
No nearby station
New-build asking prices
Around €4,900–€5,400 per m²
Around €9,800–€11,200 per m² (central)
Ski days
Not published
A record 599,000 (2025–26)
Sources as above, plus Levi Ski Resort and Finavia. Prices from Oikotie listings, September 2026.
The villages: Äkäslompolo and Ylläsjärvi
Both are traditional Lapland villages, with log cabins, chalets and hotels, cafés and restaurants, set among fells, forests and lakes on the edge of Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park.
Äkäslompolo: the larger village, on the north side of the fell, by lake Äkäslompolo. Restaurants, shops and accommodation, with good access to the slopes and cross-country trails, and many new holiday home projects.
Ylläsjärvi: the quieter village on the south side, by lake Ylläsjärvi, close to the southern slopes and the gondola.
Why it matters for owners: the two villages are separate, so guests usually stay on one side of the fell. Check travel times to the slopes and services for any home you're considering.
Things to do in Ylläs
Winter
Skiing and snowboarding, cross-country skiing through snow-covered forests, swamps and lakes, snowmobiling, husky and reindeer sledding, northern lights spotting, winter walking and cycling trails, campfires at the national park's wilderness huts, and Finnish sauna with a cold-water dip, including the sauna gondola.
Summer and autumn
Walking, hiking and mountain biking in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, swimming and paddleboarding on the lakes, berry picking, and campfires in traditional kotas.
How much do holiday homes cost in Ylläs?
New holiday homes in Äkäslompolo are currently listed at around €4,900–€5,400 per m², roughly half the price per m² of new apartments in central Levi.
Examples from Ylläs listings, September 2026
Home
Size
Built
Plot
Asking price
Per m²
Apartment, Äkäslompolo
39.5 m²
2026 (new)
Owned
€199,475
~€5,050
Villa in a housing company, Äkäslompolo
65.5 m²
2026 (new)
Leased
€319,000
~€4,870
Detached cabin, Äkäslompolo
85 m²
2026 (new)
Owned
€459,000
~€5,400
Compare with Levi
Home
Size
Built
Plot
Asking price
Per m²
Apartment, Levi
51.5 m²
2024
Owned
€299,000
~€5,800
New central apartment, Levi
75.5 m²
2025
Owned
€742,980
~€9,800
Asking prices from public listings on Oikotie in September 2026. Final prices may differ. Apartment prices are debt-free prices. Some Ylläs homes stand on leased plots, which affects costs and resale.
Should you buy in Ylläs or Levi?
Choose Ylläs for space, nature, cross-country skiing and a lower entry price. Choose Levi for a lively village, the quickest airport access and a compact resort where guests can walk everywhere.
Ylläs may suit you if…
— You love cross-country skiing, hiking and the national park
— You want a quieter, more natural setting
— You want more space for your budget
— You'll arrive by train, or don't mind 30 minutes from the airport
Levi may suit you if…
— You want restaurants, events and services within walking distance
— You want to be 15 minutes from the airport
— You want a compact resort where guests don't need a car
— You're looking for a home in Finland's busiest ski season (a record 599,000 ski days in 2025–26)
Both are excellent places to own a home. The right choice depends on how you'll use it.
Buying a holiday home in Finland: the essentials
The same rules apply in Ylläs (Kolari municipality) and Levi (Kittilä municipality).
Apartments are usually bought as housing-company shares (1.5% transfer tax on the debt-free price), and detached homes and plots as real property (3% transfer tax). Housing companies explained →
Some homes stand on leased plots. Check the lease terms before you buy.
Buyers from outside the EU and EEA may need permission to buy real property, but usually not housing-company shares.
In most sales the seller pays the estate agent's fee.
Looking for a home in Ylläs?
Our team and local knowledge are in Levi, so we don't offer viewings, area advice or property management in Ylläs. We can introduce you to trusted estate agents who know the area, free of charge.
For Ylläs: a free introduction
— Tell us what you're looking for: budget, property type, village and timing
— With your consent, we'll pass your brief to a licensed estate agent (LKV) who works in Ylläs
— The agent contacts you directly about homes that match
— No cost and no obligation
Our full services are in Levi
— Viewing & Consultation
— The Levi Visit Weekend
— Independent buyer advice, from the brief to the keys
— Property management, guest care and direct bookings
Read our Levi property guide.
Uniikki Ventures Oy is not an estate agency. Introductions are made only with your consent. The estate agent you're introduced to acts for their sellers, so we recommend an independent building inspector and a lawyer for your side of any purchase.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ylläs or Levi better for a holiday home?
It depends on how you'll use it. Ylläs suits owners who want space, nature, cross-country skiing and lower prices. Levi suits owners who want a lively, compact village close to the airport, where guests can walk to everything.
Which is bigger, Ylläs or Levi?
Ylläs has more slope kilometres (53 km against 38.5 km) and Finland's biggest vertical drop (464 m). Levi has more individual slopes (44) and recorded a record 599,000 ski days in 2025–26.
Is property cheaper in Ylläs than in Levi?
Generally, yes. New holiday homes in Äkäslompolo are listed at around €4,900–€5,400 per m², against around €9,800–€11,200 per m² for new central apartments in Levi (Oikotie listings, September 2026).
How far is Ylläs from Levi?
Under an hour by car. Both are reached from Kittilä Airport: Levi in about 15 minutes, and Ylläs in about 30.
How do you get to Ylläs?
Fly to Kittilä (about 30 minutes away), or take the train to Kolari (also about 30 minutes). Rovaniemi is 160 km away.
What are the villages in Ylläs?
Äkäslompolo on the north side of the fell and Ylläsjärvi on the south side, about 15 km apart by road.
Can foreigners buy property in Ylläs?
Yes, on the same terms as anywhere in Finland. EU and EEA buyers can buy freely. Buyers from outside the EU and EEA may need permission from the Finnish Ministry of Defence to buy real property, but usually not housing-company shares.
Does Uniikki offer services in Ylläs?
Our services are based in Levi. For Ylläs, we offer a free introduction to licensed estate agents who work in the area. With your consent, we pass on your brief and they contact you directly.
Sources: Ylläs Ski Resort · skiresort.com (Ylläs) and (Levi) · Levi Ski Resort · Finavia · Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park (Wikipedia/Metsähallitus) · Oikotie, public listings, September 2026.
Weighing up Ylläs and Levi?
Tell us how you'd use a holiday home. The first call is free, and we'll give you an honest view.
Book a first call+358 45 188 7076 · colin@uniikki.com · Hissitie 10, 99130 Levi, Finland
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