Villa Usva: Experience Finland’s beauty at its finest

Villa Usva is an atmospheric rental cottage in the centre of the village of Ylläsjärvi, in Lapland, Finland. With some of the country’s best skiing, biking and hiking trails right on the cottage’s doorstep, this is the ultimate holiday base for visitors all year round.

Heidi Pukander has been spending family holidays in Ylläs since her early childhood, and the family held such fond memories from the place that, a few years ago, they decided they wanted others to get the chance to experience the magic of Finnish Lapland too. Hence, they bought a cottage in Ylläsjärvi which they now rent out to visitors.

Accommodating four people, Villa Usva is the end apartment of a terraced house in the peaceful area of Tunturipalo. “The cottage is an ideal place to relax and spend time among friends and family,” Pukander says.

The cottage’s walls have been lovingly crafted from kelohonka; a polar pine tree, which has been used as traditional building material for centuries in Finland.

A winter wonderland packed with activities

Ylläs is a true winter wonderland, and the chance of spotting the Northern Lights adds to the magic feel of the place. The rental cottage is located just two kilometres from the ski slopes, and it is close to local restaurants, supermarket and shops, making it easy for guests to make the most out of their holiday and explore everything that is on offer.

With Finland’s largest network of cross-country skiing trails just 200 metres from the cottage and numerous opportunities for snowshoeing, winter biking and hiking, guests do not need to stray far to enjoy them. There is no shortage of choice of activities either: Ylläs has 62 skiing slopes, making it Finland’s largest ski centre, and it is located right next to the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park.

Luckily, outdoor activities are not just limited to the winter months: there are numerous biking and hiking trails in the vicinity of the cottage, making this an ideal holiday base for people wanting an active holiday, all year round.

There are numerous biking and hiking trails in the vicinity of the cottage, making this an ideal holiday base for people wanting an active holiday, all year-round.

The cottage’s walls have been lovingly crafted from kelohonka; a polar pine tree that has been used as traditional building material for centuries in Finland but is quite a rarity these days. “The cottage is beautiful inside and outside, and the polar pine adds to the cosy and warm atmosphere and the magic of Finland’s Lapland,” says Pukander.

“We are a family business, and it’s been very important for us to be able to show others the mind-blowing beauty of the region. There are seven fells, eight seasons and of course some of the cleanest air in the world,” she concludes.

Web: www.villausva.com
Instagram: @yllasusva