 Poster: A snowHead
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Afternoon hive-mind!
So we are off to Levi in 2 weeks. 5 day trip. Flying into Rovaniemi and driving up from there. We've got an airbnb booked in the Isorakka area so equal kinda distance by the looks of it to both the Zero point lifts and the lift by the golf course.
We are going to do 1 day on the slops downhill skiing. But so far that is our only plan! So I'm here asking for any recommendations for must do activities in the area. Me and the OH are fairly independent, so don't mind going off by ourselves doing stuff rather than "group tours" kinda thing, but appreciate that some activities leave little choice!
- We are 100% wanting to give cross country a go. But will need a crash course beginner lesson so if anyone can recommend a company or instructor then that would be great!
- We will probably rent snow shoes and go for a trek somewhere. Any good spots to aim for?
- Are the "hunt the northern lights" tours worth it? I have a gut feeling, they are a bit gimmicky? Surely if you are lucky enough to be there when they occur, we'll see them from our cabin just as good as if we travel out on a snow mobile or sled somewhere?
- Has anybody done the husky sleds tours? Are they any good? They look like the could be good fun if they take you out into the wilderness a little bit rather than just the short ones around a well used route?
Any must-dos that we'd kick ourselves for not doing whilst there?
Also, whilst we are used to the cold...obviously lapland is a different level to the alps. So just wondering if anyone has any tips to stay warm?
Thanking you!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I haven't done cross country, but when I asked a similar question on here a couple of years back (I was in Levi at the time and my parents had offered to watch our kids for a day) the consensus was very much that it's more difficult than it looks, and a lesson would be advised.
Snow shoeing in the quiet forest was a lovely experience when I've been up in Lapland in the past (this time with a pregnant wife, so most other activities off the agenda). There's a lot of quiet forest and open land surrounding Levi. We walked west/north (without snowshoes) and quickly found ourselves alone, which was really nice.
In my view, I wouldn't bother with a specific northern lights tour. As you say, you're either lucky or you're not. It would be good to get out of Levi a bit though, firstly to get away from the lights (the floodlights on the skiing hill remain lit into the night) and secondly to get away from the rest of the people. We saw the lights standing on the frozen lake to the south-west of the town, but lots of other people were out too. On a previous Lapland trip, we found a much quieter spot to watch the lights and that felt like a more special experience.
I found the husky sled rides much more exciting than the snowmobile/reindeer sled rides. We're going back to Lapland over Christmas again and it's the one thing I want to do again.
No real tips for the cold beyond what I'd usually do for skiing. People will likely tell you to make use of the numerous huts dotted around that usually have an open fire going in the middle.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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While it's currently -22C in Levi, it's warming up to -3C next week - so anything could happen in terms of temperature by the time you get there.
If it is to be very cold for your visit, you will need your warmest ski clothing, thick gloves, thermals, layers, goggles and a face mask/balaclava. Plus glove liners and heated hand warmers - the disposable ones from Sports Direct etc are cheap enough. You can get them to go in your boots too. You'll also need sturdy boots for your outdoor activities.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Badpanda here, can't seem to find my own account. 
We're cross country skiers, never been to Finland but lots in Norway.
V strongly recommend lessons. It's not like downhill, I don't think you need many. Essentially you just need to learn the "knack" of XC that is gliding, so you avoid trudging around on skis. I would imagine no more than 3 lessons but YMMV obvs. Once you've got the knack and you can get down hills, you just get out there and keep getting better at it thru practice. This is a joy as it is so beautiful. My tip, is concentrate on gliding at first just on one foot and stepping with the other foot. When that feels good, add in the other foot - and you're good to go.
As to keeping warm, lots of good ideas already. A flask can really help. Also stop occasionally and check you have tucked all your clothes in so no precious warm air is escaping. Sounds obvious but easy to forget, a cold lower back will sap your will to live. XC keeps you much much warmer than downhill so don't overdo it and soak yourself with sweat. You'll probably be adjusting your layers a lot esp at first. For baselayers, don't think you can beat merino. A fleecy neck buff is great . A small sit mat is nice for lunch. A serious bobble hat. A proper down jacket is absolutely necessary in the Nordics and a hooded one is luxury but Decathlon cheapo is fine.
Really hope you see the Northern Lights, never yet managed it but still hoping...
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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We were in a very cold Levi over new year. We were fortunate to have a very good northern lights display on New Years day. The thing to do is keep an eye on this live camera with a slow shutter speed.
https://www.youtube.com/live/p9zw4PxLRYw?feature=shared
When you can see the aurora on that camera you will be able to see it at levijarvi beach.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/zXjehAWN24bruwah6
Take a small tripod or selfie stick for phone if you dont have a camera and go through settings and change the shutter speed for better pictures 2-5 seconds and iso 1200 worked well for me. I got some amazing pictures also with a 30 sec shutter, lots you cant see by eye.
It was so cold while we were they that you could only use the south chair, west chair or Gondola without it being unbearable. Recorded -35 on car on 2nd and 3rd. It is the feet that get you, take foot warmers at a minimum, perhaps get some heated socks. The rest of me was fine, wool liner gloves and decent mittens and hands will be fine without warmer, just dont take the mittens off for long.
There is a snowmobile hire place behind the levi market or on the road between zero and south point. Worth a go. Did a short reindeer ride in rovaniemi but kids being on upper limits for that kind of thing didn't want to hang about there that long and dona long husky ride or anything, just wanted to get up to levi and ski. First few days were ok and managed most of the day. We will go back again at some point but probably earlier or later.
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Forgot to say used the Elan ski hire shop in town, gave me what looked like a brand new pair of 170 elan SLX, the wife an kids were also happy with their all-mountain skis. I booked them online for 10% off for 6 days. Took them back after 4 and they only charged me for the 4 days and still gave 10% off. I think they do cross country skis.
Something I didn't mention about northern lights, you need to be away from artificial lighting and it is better without any nearby trees obstructing the view which is why the south shores of lakes looking north are usually best.
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Thank you all for the tips! Yes we will defo be having cross country lessons! The OH is far more looking forward to it than me. I'm a defo....skiing is for downhill person! Is it worth a drive over to Yllas about 50 mins away or is it much of the same there?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Slight change in plans due to upcoming strike means we’re driving to Yllas from Helsinki for 3 nights before going onto Levi. As it’ll only be me doing the driving am looking to break the trip up and am looking for recommendations for a reasonable hotel just short of Rovaniemi.
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