Lapland anyone ?

Hi all,

Ski chatter seems to be the only place for this one.

Finally booked my next ski holiday for the family in Yllas, Lapland. :D
The hotel is Hotel Yllas Saaga booked with First Choice for beginning of March 2009. (booked back in June).

Reports generally from sites like Tripadvisor seem very positive.

But has anyone here got first hand experience of the ski schools there, particularly for children? Any info would be appreciated. Oh, and the children are ages 6 and 9. They have had excellent ski instruction in Niederau over the last couple of years and are comfortable on Red and Black runs already. :shock:

Thanks in advance.

PS. Hope to see the Northern lights as well

Hi

We've been to Lapland 9......yes 9 times but each time stayed in Levi so I can only advise on that. The children went from aged 18mth to 10yrs. They LOVED it and are disappointed it's kaprun this year and not Lapland. Good points are - very beautiful, winter wonder land, guaranteed snow. Lesser points are - cold as i minus 30 but this is January time BUT even though it's cold it is a dry cold so not as cold as you'd think but several years we've needed balaclavas! However I see you're going in March. We went with Inghams and trips are pricey but amazing, Ice Hotel, skidoo trips, Santa in the woods etc.

I would advise - plenty of warm clothes, no need to for anything formal or dressy us you'll only venture out in thermal ski gear. Take a phrase book if you intend to sefl caterer and shop.

All in all you'll love it - we booked private lessons as some children found the cold too much for ski school duration. Instructors speak good english and they cater well for kids.

My advice - wrap up, look forward to it and make the most of the amazing scenery and of course the Northern Lights!

Yllas! you and your family will love it.
Went to Yllas March 07, Levi 08, whilst I have no experience of the ski schools I would not think there would be any problems.
Lapland so underated and you have picked a good time of year not so cold, more day light hours etc.
Good luck with the Northern Lights,hope you dont end up with to much of a stiff neck looking for them.

I am off to Ruka in January, can not wait. Good reviews. Sure fire snow.

Thanks for all the replies.

I think we will have an excellent time, and fun trying to fit in all the extras around skiing. But it has to be done.

Glyn

Having been on the verge of booking to go to France again this year, I started doing some research into Finland & now really fancy going as I think it will give us a very different experience. Even skiers who normally choose resorts which give them plenty of off piste & black runs seem to say they would return to Finland because it is so unique.

I've read lots of reviews & have hardly come across a negative comment about the country (one or two don't like the cold). I was thinking about the end of January but am concerned about the short daylight hours. Has anyone been to Levi or Yllas at this time & how did you find it? I realise that March would be warmer with longer days, but is this at the expense of the surreal light conditions that people talk about? I don't want to get too excited about the Northern Lights, as I know that we may not see them.

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts. The trips that the main tour operators all seem to organise (snowmobiles, huskies etc.)seem expensive but do vary in price. Is it cheaper to book these in resort?

We are going to Ruka for the same reason, different sort of snow experiences. We have booked all the excursions through the tour operator, they worked out slightly cheaper than resorts prices. I know the daylight hours will be less but every-where is flood-lit from about 3.30pm so you can ski a lot later. I know it will be a lot colder but you can hire thermal boots and suits and all the excursions usually provide you with extra warm clothing.

I cant quite put my finger on it, but I have absolutely no desire to go to Lapland. I think it looks great for beginners, young kids, and people who like to sit around and not ski all day, and it looks beautiful too. But I just dont think it has any appeal to someone like me who likes to get up and down slopes and ski from first to last lift.