I like to look in on the TripAdvisor Äkäslompolo forum occasionally. It's a good place to see the sort of questions that people are asking about our area and to try to help if I can.
TripAdvisor Äkäslompolo Forum
Every so often, someone asks a question that makes you think a bit.
Today was one of those days.
First off it's pretty unlikely that we will still be snow free in three weeks, and I'm pretty sure there has never been a "Black Winter" here, i.e. no snow, ever.
But, it's a good chance to review and highlight some of the things to see and do here that don't need snow.
So, forgetting about downhill and cross-country skiing, snowmobiles, husky sled rides, Santa trips , snow-showing and tobogganing - what is there to see and do in and around Äkäslompolo?
First of all, I think it's fair to say I didn't answer the original question very well!
Given a bit of thinking time, and the chance to do what any man should do when faced with a tricky question, i.e. ask his wife... we came up with the following list... (Suggestions for additions most welcome!)
It's strange starting out in the cold sometimes, but when your body gets used to the cold, it's a great feeling when you get to the point where you are generating enough of your own warmth to keep things balanced.
When it does get covered in deep snow, there are cross country ski tracks cut on the lake and it becomes a handy shortcut between the two sides of the village.
There are quite a few lakes around and most of them are great for skating on.
Of course it's good to check with a local, or see some locals skating on a lake to be sure it is safe.
This was my effort at skating last year.
Lots of the trails have cafes on the way, like Velhon Kota where you can top up on fresh Finnish baking, donuts and hot chocolate, coffee or berry juice to fire you up for the next leg.
The peace and stillness out running here is well worth experiencing.
I'm not much of a fisherman, but it's a popular activity here and, even if you don't get lucky, you have a great view of the skaters.
See my Hullun Polkasu blog for details of how big cycling is getting in summer here too. After 40 of us completed the route last year, there were over 120 this year. It's not too early to book to join us next year :)
Of course Äkäslompolo is a fabulous place to watch all the arctic wildlife and you are bound to see lots of reindeer wandering around, normally much more slowly than the squirrels that keep eating the nuts we put out for birds and Arctic hares, and you might even see an elusive Arctic fox.
Oh, and there is a fantastic array of birds here, including the Kukkeli or Siberian Jay that will quite happily perch on your hand to eat any offered food.
If you can't immediately find a Kukkeli, get yourself to one of the ski huts on the cross-country ski trails and cook some sausages on an open fire and you'll soon have a "Band" of Jays, no, not the O'Jays (Sorry, showing my age!), around you.
Here's one that we spotted earlier.
You probably already know that sauna is a major part of Finnish life, and you will probably have a sauna in your cabin or hotel. The "Real" Finnish sauna experience can be had down at the lake, where the Lakeside Sauna can be hired.
Dipping in a frozen lake between sessions in the sauna is crazy, but it really has health benefits, and you'll never feel better than you do on the walk home after that experience, even without stopping for a refreshment at the Selvä Pyy on the way past!
You can find out more about this here.
http://www.wildlifeyllas.com/en/
The lovely Kellokas building hosts the tourist information centre, has a fantastic little interactive museum and exhibition area, explaining a lot about the history and life in the Arctic. It also has a nice cafe and a cinema (Kino Kellokas) that is the perfect place to watch some of the latest releases.
At the cinema, most films that aren't animations are in English! The tickets are only 10 Euros and you might just find your local blogger working as the projectionist!
There, you might even bump into local superstar Sampo Kaulanen "The Crazy Shopkeeper" and if you "like" his facebook page, you could win some unbelievable prizes, like 10 000 Euros or a car for example.
There are also local galleries and craft shops highlighting and selling some of the best locally designed and produced items, these two for example, both well worth a visit.
Navettagalleria
Lumiperhonen
As well as these locally produced crafts, you can also find the bigger Finnish brands in the Seita and Marimekko stores in the shopping centre and the two sports shops, Sportia Ylläs and the Äkäslompolo Sport Shop both have great ranges of winter equipment and clothes and will also rent you any equipment you need.
The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis have already been in good form this year and, with only a few hours of full daylight in late November, you have a great chance to see this phenomenal spectacle of nature without falling into a deep snowdrift while you are walking and gazing upwards at the same time.
If you want to see some great examples of the shows we have had here, take a look at Markus Kiili's site or find him on Twitter (@kiili). He is a local photographer that also runs Aurora photography courses.
Finally, if you still have energy left after all that, you could go ten-pin bowling in Ylläsjarvi, or join in the karaoke at the Joikupub before walking back to your cabin or hotel through the cold night air and the sparkling ice crystals forming in the clean, pure night air.
It's a wonder that anyone finds time to ski at all!
TripAdvisor Äkäslompolo Forum
Every so often, someone asks a question that makes you think a bit.
Today was one of those days.
"We were hoping for lots of snow so the children could do ski-ing, sledging, husky rides etc but looking at the webcams there seems to be only a slight smattering of snow at the moment. I am hoping this improves (will it?)
But what suggestions are there for things to do if the snow doesn't improve?"
First off it's pretty unlikely that we will still be snow free in three weeks, and I'm pretty sure there has never been a "Black Winter" here, i.e. no snow, ever.
But, it's a good chance to review and highlight some of the things to see and do here that don't need snow.
So, forgetting about downhill and cross-country skiing, snowmobiles, husky sled rides, Santa trips , snow-showing and tobogganing - what is there to see and do in and around Äkäslompolo?
First of all, I think it's fair to say I didn't answer the original question very well!
Given a bit of thinking time, and the chance to do what any man should do when faced with a tricky question, i.e. ask his wife... we came up with the following list... (Suggestions for additions most welcome!)
Outdoor Activities
Not having snow around is no excuse for not getting out and getting active!It's strange starting out in the cold sometimes, but when your body gets used to the cold, it's a great feeling when you get to the point where you are generating enough of your own warmth to keep things balanced.
Ice Skating
If there is no snow, by the time it gets really cold, the lake in Äkäslompolo is one fantastic, huge ice rink for skating!When it does get covered in deep snow, there are cross country ski tracks cut on the lake and it becomes a handy shortcut between the two sides of the village.
There are quite a few lakes around and most of them are great for skating on.
Of course it's good to check with a local, or see some locals skating on a lake to be sure it is safe.
This was my effort at skating last year.
Walking
Äkäslompolo has one of the best networks of cross-country ski tracks around, something approaching 400 km of tracks. If there is no snow, these are fantastic walking routes taking you in and around the hills or deep in the forest of the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park without fear of getting lost but seeing some of the most fantastic scenery.Lots of the trails have cafes on the way, like Velhon Kota where you can top up on fresh Finnish baking, donuts and hot chocolate, coffee or berry juice to fire you up for the next leg.
Running
It's quite a dry cold here so it can really be quite cold before it starts getting advisable not to stay out too long. Even at -20C it's quite nice going out for a run. (Ok, I once went out at -20C and that was pretty parky, but down to -15C really is ok).The peace and stillness out running here is well worth experiencing.
Ice Fishing
The frozen lake also provides a perfect opportunity for ice fishing. It's easy to hire the equipment at the sports shops and get out on the lake, drill, and wait.I'm not much of a fisherman, but it's a popular activity here and, even if you don't get lucky, you have a great view of the skaters.
Cycling
Cycling is also a growing activity here with a new cycle route from Äkäslompolo to Levi having opened this summer and all sorts of bikes, including "Fat bikes" for serious off-roading, available to hire. There is even a mountain bike track that starts at the top of the mountain, for the brave, which you can tackle over and over taking bikes up on the cable car after each descent.See my Hullun Polkasu blog for details of how big cycling is getting in summer here too. After 40 of us completed the route last year, there were over 120 this year. It's not too early to book to join us next year :)
Wildlife Galore
You can go horse riding here for a different way of seeing the national park and nature, and, if your interests are in more varied wildlife the Äkäslompolo petting zoo is worth a visit too.
Of course Äkäslompolo is a fabulous place to watch all the arctic wildlife and you are bound to see lots of reindeer wandering around, normally much more slowly than the squirrels that keep eating the nuts we put out for birds and Arctic hares, and you might even see an elusive Arctic fox.
Oh, and there is a fantastic array of birds here, including the Kukkeli or Siberian Jay that will quite happily perch on your hand to eat any offered food.
If you can't immediately find a Kukkeli, get yourself to one of the ski huts on the cross-country ski trails and cook some sausages on an open fire and you'll soon have a "Band" of Jays, no, not the O'Jays (Sorry, showing my age!), around you.
Here's one that we spotted earlier.
Sauna
You probably already know that sauna is a major part of Finnish life, and you will probably have a sauna in your cabin or hotel. The "Real" Finnish sauna experience can be had down at the lake, where the Lakeside Sauna can be hired. Dipping in a frozen lake between sessions in the sauna is crazy, but it really has health benefits, and you'll never feel better than you do on the walk home after that experience, even without stopping for a refreshment at the Selvä Pyy on the way past!
Eagle Safari
For the last couple of years, two local entrepreneurs have been running an eagle hide out on the forest here. See my earlier blog on this too. If you have any interest in birds or bird photography, this is a fantastic experience to see the most majestic wildlife at close quarters.You can find out more about this here.
http://www.wildlifeyllas.com/en/
Warmer Activities
Once you've tackled outdoor activities to burn off your excess energy, you might be ready for some more relaxing pursuits before you think about dinner or a few drinks in one of the local establishments.The lovely Kellokas building hosts the tourist information centre, has a fantastic little interactive museum and exhibition area, explaining a lot about the history and life in the Arctic. It also has a nice cafe and a cinema (Kino Kellokas) that is the perfect place to watch some of the latest releases.
At the cinema, most films that aren't animations are in English! The tickets are only 10 Euros and you might just find your local blogger working as the projectionist!
Retail Therapy
For the extra cash that you can't spend on skiing lessons, it's well worth a visit to the Jounin Kauppa shopping centre.There, you might even bump into local superstar Sampo Kaulanen "The Crazy Shopkeeper" and if you "like" his facebook page, you could win some unbelievable prizes, like 10 000 Euros or a car for example.
There are also local galleries and craft shops highlighting and selling some of the best locally designed and produced items, these two for example, both well worth a visit.
Navettagalleria
Lumiperhonen
As well as these locally produced crafts, you can also find the bigger Finnish brands in the Seita and Marimekko stores in the shopping centre and the two sports shops, Sportia Ylläs and the Äkäslompolo Sport Shop both have great ranges of winter equipment and clothes and will also rent you any equipment you need.
Northern Lights
Of course, up here in Lapland, one of the most incredible spectacles on the planet is available freely, if not predictably.The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis have already been in good form this year and, with only a few hours of full daylight in late November, you have a great chance to see this phenomenal spectacle of nature without falling into a deep snowdrift while you are walking and gazing upwards at the same time.
If you want to see some great examples of the shows we have had here, take a look at Markus Kiili's site or find him on Twitter (@kiili). He is a local photographer that also runs Aurora photography courses.
Evening Entertainment
Of course there are lots of excellent restaurants and bars to visit, often with live music, but I think that needs a separate entry, and some more time for testing!Finally, if you still have energy left after all that, you could go ten-pin bowling in Ylläsjarvi, or join in the karaoke at the Joikupub before walking back to your cabin or hotel through the cold night air and the sparkling ice crystals forming in the clean, pure night air.
It's a wonder that anyone finds time to ski at all!
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