Skiing in the National Park
More than 500km of machine-groomed cross-country trail through the Pallas-Yllas fells, and the classic Pallas to Hetta ski route leg by leg.
The Pallas-Yllas Fells area has more than 500 kilometers of cross-country skiing trails, most of them machine groomed. Trails across the open fells, swamps and forests are marked with a cross symbol and blue ribbon or blue triangles on the trees. Near the ski trails at West Lawrence Mile Lake, Jerisjärvi, Pallas fell, Raattama, Ylikyrö and Hetta Village you can ski in both classical and skating style. Some remote wilderness trails have bases serviced only by snowmobile.
- Metsahallitus manages hunting sustainably on state-owned lands
- Locals in Enontekio, Inari and Utsjoki may trap Willow Grouse
- Poyrisjarvi Wilderness needs permit 1615 (Nakkala) or 1616 (Nunnanen)
- Use of hounds is forbidden to protect reindeer husbandry
- Willow grouse and ptarmigan protected 1 April - 9 September in the far north
Skiing through the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
The route can be skied in either direction. We describe it here from Pallas to Hetta.
- Start: from the Pallas ski centre you descend, in the opposite direction from the start of the summer hiking trail, onto well-groomed trails
- The fork: watch after a while for a path division to the right off the best-groomed trail, leading into a section with a big, relatively tight downhill. At the bottom, the easier left fork stays on lower ground, while the right fork climbs back towards the Nammalakuru huts and magnificent, tundra-like views
- Montelinmaja: the small hut lies just down a steep hill from there, and you can always take your skis off and walk
- Short cut: from this point you can shorten the route by skiing out to the Vuontispirti fell hotel and wilderness section
- Overnight: otherwise, continue over a fairly steep uphill and downhill towards Hannukuru, where most people sleep overnight
- Lapponia ski marathon: each year the final race runs from Hetta to Ollos through the national park, the culmination of a racing week with alternate days on and off, raced mostly on tracks within the park around Muonio and Pallas. See the Lapponia Ski Week website
- Car transfers: we are one of several companies offering transfers from one end of the park to the other for those hiking or skiing its length, so ask for details
Ready when you are
Real wilderness, 200+ huskies, eighteen winters in.