Ylläs offers families far more than skiing, with year-round activities that connect you to Lapland’s stunning natural environment. From exploring Finland’s most extensive trail network across seven fells to experiencing the pure Arctic wilderness, families can enjoy outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, and quality time together in nature. The region’s recognition as the Nordic region’s best outdoor destination in 2020 reflects its exceptional variety of family-friendly activities beyond the slopes.
What makes Ylläs a year-round destination for families?
Ylläs stands out as a year-round family destination because it combines seven distinctive fells with Finland’s largest ski centre and most extensive trail network in an environment that naturally supports relaxation and outdoor activities. The area’s recognition as the Nordic region’s best outdoor destination in 2020 confirms its appeal across all seasons, not just winter.
The unique geography of Ylläs creates an environment where outdoor recreation happens naturally. The seven fells provide varied landscapes for exploration, whilst the surrounding wilderness offers families space to disconnect from everyday routines. During summer months, the midnight sun illuminates endless opportunities for hiking and nature discovery. Autumn brings the spectacular ruska colour display across the fells, creating a magical backdrop for family adventures. Winter transforms the landscape into a snowy wonderland, and spring offers the return of golden light and awakening nature.
What makes this particularly valuable for families is how the environment itself encourages wellbeing. The fresh Arctic air, peaceful surroundings, and natural beauty create conditions where mental relaxation happens almost effortlessly. Children and adults alike find themselves naturally drawn outdoors, making family time more active and connected than typical holidays.
What outdoor activities can families enjoy in Ylläs?
Families visiting Ylläs can explore the extensive trail network that connects the seven fells, offering routes suitable for all ages and fitness levels. The natural environment provides year-round opportunities for hiking, with trails ranging from gentle family walks to more challenging fell ascents that reward you with breathtaking views across Lapland’s wilderness.
During summer and autumn, berry picking becomes a delightful family activity. Cloudberries, known as Lapland’s pure gold, grow wild in the marshlands, and the experience of foraging together teaches children about nature whilst creating lasting memories. The trails around Ylläs also lead to peaceful lakes where families can enjoy picnics in complete tranquillity, surrounded by pristine wilderness.
The changing seasons bring different outdoor possibilities. Misty August mornings create fairytale-like landscapes perfect for early family walks. September welcomes the ruska season when nature dresses in festive autumn colours, making every outdoor excursion visually spectacular. The midnight sun period allows families to explore at any hour, whilst winter brings opportunities for snowshoeing and experiencing the magical polar night under the northern lights.
The surroundings naturally encourage families to slow down and spend quality time together. Without the distractions of everyday life, you’ll find yourselves more present with each other, whether you’re hiking across the fells, watching the mist drift over morning lakes, or simply breathing the world’s purest air in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park.
Why is experiencing Lapland nature important for families?
Experiencing Lapland’s incredibly beautiful nature offers families something increasingly rare: connection to genuinely wild, pure environments that few places on Earth can match. The unspoiled landscapes around Ylläs provide children and adults with perspectives that simply cannot be replicated elsewhere, making it worth experiencing at least once in a lifetime.
The pure natural environment surrounding Ylläs remains pristine because sustainable tourism practices protect it for future generations. When families visit with respect for nature and an ecological mindset, they contribute to preserving these landscapes for their children and grandchildren. This creates meaningful experiences that go beyond simple recreation—you’re participating in something larger than yourselves.
For children, experiencing true wilderness shapes their understanding of the natural world. Walking through Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, Finland’s most popular national park, they see ecosystems functioning as they have for millennia. They learn that nature isn’t something manufactured for entertainment but a living environment deserving respect and care.
The foundation for meaningful family experiences comes from this combination of natural beauty and ecological awareness. When you explore the fells together, pick berries in the marshlands, or watch the northern lights dance across the Arctic sky, you’re creating memories rooted in authentic experiences. These moments teach values—appreciation for simplicity, respect for nature, and the importance of preserving wild places—that last far beyond the holiday itself.
At AuroraCottage, we provide comfortable cottages that serve as your base for exploring everything Ylläs offers families beyond skiing. Our accommodation creates the homely environment where relaxation comes naturally after days spent discovering Lapland’s remarkable wilderness together.