FAQ Ylläs

Each person driving a snowmobile must be at least 18 years of age and must hold a valid driving license. A class B license for driving cars is valid for snowmobiling too. National driving licenses, including ones from non-European countries, are also accepted.

Normal cancellation policy applies when illness has been mentioned as a reason for cancellation. We recommend you get a travel insurance when travelling to Finland.

All of our safaris are possible to book directly from our website at minimum 24 hours prior to safari departure. Choose your travel dates, preferred safaris from the selection and your holiday destination – and follow the instructions. Remember to inform the ages of your children and possible allergies/illnesses/special diets/pregnancy, so that we can take care of you the best possible way. You can also send us an email if you need help choosing the adventures!

Kindly note that all reservations must be paid in advance to be confirmed; therefore, booking over the phone is not possible. If you do not manage to book online, please send us an email at:

Rovaniemi: safartica@safartica.com
Levi: levi@safartica.com
Ylläs: yllas@safartica.com
Saariselkä: saariselka@safartica.com

If you are making a booking in less than 24 hours, please contact us by email or visit our offices to book on the spot.

Please send us an email or call us:

Rovaniemi: safartica@safartica.com / +358 16 311 485
Levi: levi@safartica.com / +358 40 660 8571
Ylläs: yllas@safartica.com / +358 40 502 6458
Saariselkä: saariselka@safartica.com / +358 40 838 8285

Kindly note that all reservations must be paid in advance to be confirmed.

Yes, each participant will be provided the necessary clothing and equipment before the start of the safari:

WINTER: thermal overall, winter boots, woollen socks, gloves, scarf. For snowmobile programs balaclava and helmet.
AUTUMN: thermal overall, winter boots, woollen socks, gloves, scarf.
SUMMER: rain coats, rubber boots, woollen socks

Available sizes:
Thermal overalls: children 86-164 cm, adults 44-70 (men’s size)
Winter boots: EU 23-52

Your own clothing, which can be worn under the overall, should be thin but warm and comfortable. We recommend you read our tips on how to dress in Lapland in the section below.

In Rovaniemi, you can also rent thermal clothing for the whole duration of your stay here on our website.

We offer discounts on our website when booking some selected activities together (you can see the offer when booking, before you go to the checkout). If you wish to book 3 or more activities, you can contact our front desk at safartica@safartica.com and get 10% off your reservation (valid for new bookings only, it’s not possible to apply the discount after payment).

We occasionally run special campaigns and offer discounts for a limited time. Follow us on social media and stay up to date with all our offers!

Sure, if you are our customer you can leave your luggage and your personal belongings at our office free of charge. Please, note that Safartica is not responsible for any loss or damage to your belongings. We recommend you take a small backpack or handbag with your valuables with you.

You need to have a proof of your driving license with you. A picture, paper or digital copy of driving license are also accepted. Police will patrol time to time also in snowmobile tracks and may ask to see your driving license. Most often the police will also check the alcohol levels with a breath test.

In snowmobile safaris children 4-12 years old are usually seated in a sledge behind the guide’s snowmobile. We recommend one of the parents to sit with a small child in the sledge for the child’s comfort and safety. Due to safety reasons, infants 0-3 years cannot join on snowmobile safaris.

Everyone seated on the snowmobile must be at least 140 cm tall and capable of sitting safely on the vehicle. If the child of 13 or 14 years old is less than 140 cm , they will be seated in the sledge.

If a child over 140 cm wishes to sit in a snowmobile as a passenger, a full adult price will be charged (according to availability).

We do not recommend long snowmobile safaris for children less than 12 years old.

Safartica reserves the right to change the timetables or contents of the activities due to unfavourable weather conditions. If it is not possible to adapt the programme, the activity will be cancelled and a full refund will be provided to the customer.

Refunds are always done with the same method as the original payment. If you have paid your booking with VISA credit card, the refunded sum is transferred to the same credit card. According to the law, there is no possibility to refund money to different location. Kindly note that refund procedure may take up to 10 working days in total.

In Ylläs and Levi, all our husky tours are self-driven. You will have a quick stop during during which you can swap drivers, if you wish.

In Rovaniemi, our shorter tours are driven by a husky musher. This information is specified in the “includes” section of the activity description. Tours with a 3-km or longer husky rides are always self-driven.

Depending on the size of your group, the guides will decide on the spot how to divide you between the sleds. This cannot be confirmed in advance, as it depends on the size of the sleds, the passengers’ weight, and the snow and weather conditions.

Normally, a reindeer sleigh can accommodate 2 adults or 1 adult and 1 child. On self-driven husky tours, the sleds usually fit 2 adults (one driving) and 1 child, depending on the child’s size. On short husky rides driven by a musher, the sleds are larger and can accommodate up to 2 adults and 2 children.

Yes, we provide accommodation in Ylläsjärvi, at Hotel Ylläsrinne and Ylläsrinne Deluxe.

Safartica Office in Ylläs is located at Hotel Ylläsrinne, in Hotellintie 6, Ylläsjärvi. This is also the starting point of our safaris.
Our safaris are open to everyone. Pick-up service from the main accommodation in Ylläsjärvi area is included when booking activities with us.

Ylläs is a great destination if you enjoy skiing, cross-country skiing, hiking and peaceful Arctic nature. In winter, you can explore the snowy fell landscapes on snowmobiles, husky and reindeer safaris, go snowshoeing or head out to hunt for the Northern Lights.

Ylläs is especially well known for its extensive cross-country skiing network and fell scenery, making it an excellent destination for those who want to enjoy Lapland’s nature at their own pace. The area is also part of Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, where you can explore beautiful trails and landscapes in every season.

For a more relaxing experience, enjoy the Finnish sauna tradition, visit the SnowVillage in Kittilä, discover cosy cafes in the villages of Äkäslompolo and Ylläsjärvi. In summer and autumn, Ylläs transforms into a hiking and cycling destination, with trails leading through forests, fells and the colourful Arctic landscape.

Ylläs is located in Finnish Lapland, around 150 km north of Rovaniemi. The destination consists of two villages on opposite sides of Ylläs Fell: Ylläsjärvi and Äkäslompolo. The closest airport is Kittilä Airport, while Kolari is the nearest railway station. Here are our tips for your journey.

By plane – Kittilä Airport to Ylläs

Kittilä Airport is the closest airport to Ylläs, located around 40 km from Ylläsjärvi and 50 km from Äkäslompolo. During the winter season, the airport has direct connections from Helsinki and several European cities.

Finnair operates direct flights between Helsinki and Kittilä all year round.

During winter, Kittilä Airport has direct connections from several European cities, including Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, London, Manchester, Milan, Munich, Paris, Vienna and Zürich.

From Kittilä Airport, you can continue to Ylläs by airport bus, taxi or pre-booked transfer.

Airport buses operate to both Ylläsjärvi and Äkäslompolo, with services coordinated with flight arrivals and departures. Flight routes and schedules vary depending on the season, so we recommend checking the latest connections before booking your trip.

By bus – Rovaniemi to Ylläs

If you are already in Rovaniemi, travelling by bus is a convenient way to reach Ylläs. There are bus connections from Rovaniemi to both Ylläsjärvi and Äkäslompolo, with the journey taking approximately 2.5–3 hours depending on the service.

Bus tickets and timetables can be checked through Matkahuolto and local bus operators.

By train + bus – Kolari to Ylläs

Ylläs does not have its own railway station, but Kolari railway station is the closest station, located approximately 35 km from Äkäslompolo and 40 km from Ylläsjärvi.

During the winter season, night trains operate from southern Finland to Kolari. From Kolari railway station, you can continue to Ylläs by connecting bus, taxi or pre-booked transfer.

Another option is to take a train to Rovaniemi and continue to Ylläs by bus. All trains in Finland are operated by state-owned company VR. The easiest option is to buy your train tickets beforehand from VR’s own website.

By car

Ylläs is easy to reach by car from Rovaniemi, Kittilä and other destinations in Finnish Lapland. The drive from Rovaniemi to Ylläs takes approximately 2–2.5 hours, depending on whether you are travelling to Ylläsjärvi or Äkäslompolo.

Travelling by car is also a convenient option if you are planning a multi-destination Lapland holiday and want to combine Ylläs with destinations such as Rovaniemi, Levi or Saariselkä.

– Dress in layers. Use many thin, warm layers rather than a few thick layers. It will insulate better and allow you to strip off some layers if the temperature climbs. Staying dry is the top priority.

– When wearing layers, better to wear clothing that is not too tight. Loose clothing helps to trap a layer of warm air between the fabric and your body, which acts as insulation to keep you warm.

– Add a first layer consisting of a comfortably light fabric that will remove the sweat away from your body. Avoid pure cotton, linen, or other similar materials, however, because these fabrics retain moisture and will chill you down. The best material is synthetic fiber.

– Next layer should be a knit sweater, sweatshirt or fleece. This layer is to keep you warm. Also, a warm tracking suit will do or the latest trend of one piece overalls.

– Wear thick socks, preferably layering one thin pair with one or two thicker ones. Use socks made of 100% wool or wool blends for a better insulation, and avoid cotton socks in cold temperatures.

– Thin under gloves (best material is fleece).

– Also, remember to pack a good moisturizer with you as the cold air can dry your skin and lips.

Children

Children should be dressed the same way as adults: remember the layers and warm, long, underwear. As long as the children keep on moving, they will be warm in same weather as the adults. Smallest children such as babies and toddlers should be protected with more layers, as they do not move as much.

Important: before booking your safari, please consider if 2-5 hours outside in winter conditions is suitable for your child.