Ylläshumina: Experience the magical beauty of the Arctic
By Ndéla Faye | Photos: Ylläshumina, Luxury Lodge L7 and Q5 Safaris
At Ylläshumina, guests can expect cosy, pleasant and practical accommodation just a few feet away from ski trails and walking paths, as well as opportunities for other activities and fell exploration.
In Äkäslompolo, a village perched on the northern shores of Lake Äkäslompolo and surrounded by seven fells, the landscape’s appeal is difficult to capture in words. Here, family-run Ylläshumina and Luxury Lodge L7 offer visitors tranquillity, exceptional comfort and unparalleled winter experiences rooted in the region’s natural rhythm.
Ylläs and Äkäslompolo have become some of the most popular tourist destinations in Finnish Lapland – and for good reason. The area’s peacefulness, pure Arctic air, and warm hospitality enchant visitors and keep them returning year after year.
Founded in the 1980s by Meeri and Toivo Qvist, Ylläshumina has grown gradually, shaped by both necessity and intuition.
New buildings appeared as the family expanded, and services developed as guests’ interests evolved. International skiers discovered the property early on and today, the business encompasses rustic log cabins, a restaurant and bistro, the luxury villa L7, and a private excursion company. The businesses now employ the family’s children and extended family members, as well as many locals, continuing the legacy of a genuinely local enterprise.
A hotel experience unlike others
Although Ylläshumina is referred to as a hotel, it is far from a conventional hotel complex. Accommodation consists of individual, rustic log houses equipped with the usual hotel amenities and fire places, offering guests both cosy comfort and privacy. The timber interiors are designed in a style that reflects the region’s rich traditions.
“We’re a small family business, and providing an authentic holiday experience alongside warm service is a matter of pride for us. We want to show guests what real Lappish culture is like, and we employ a lot of locals,” Toivo Qvist says. Guests can enjoy a family dinner or an intimate meal at Humina Restaurant, or at the Bistro & Bar. Restaurant Ylläshumina serves a generous breakfast and an evening buffet, complemented by themed dinner nights. The kitchen’s philosophy is simple: pure northern flavours and authentic ingredients. Reindeer, game, fish and Lapland’s berries form the basis for many of the dishes.
The Bistro & Bar – an ideal place to en joy the cosy atmosphere before and after dinner – serves rustic flavours in a re laxed atmosphere. Its à la carte menu is accompanied by special menus that can be tailored into complete dining experi ences on request.
Guests also have access to a sauna and an outdoor hot tub, which are both must-try experiences for visiting the Arctic under starry skies, with snow-covered scenery and Northern Lights on clear nights.
Q5 Safaris’ Skishop offers professional guidance to help guests choose the right rental skis, boots and equipment for activities. In addition, the Skishop sells gloves, hats, socks and other essentials for Arctic winter adventures.
Providing unforgettable winter experiences
Through the hotel’s own Q5 Safaris, guests can join husky or snowmobile safaris, guided snowshoe tours, ice fishing excursions or cross-country ski ing trips that cut through the pristine Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park.
At Q5’s Skishop, guests receive profes sional guidance in choosing the right equipment for any activity. The shop also provides a wide selection of winter gear, from snowshoes and skis to hats, gloves, coats and thermal layers, so that visitors can travel light and still be fully prepared for Arctic conditions.
A luxury retreat in the middle of nature
For those seeking a luxurious winter retreat in a peaceful, private location, the L7 Luxury Lodge, situated right on the edge of Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, offers a different kind of stillness.
The building itself is impressive, with all furnishings custom-made for the lodge. “It’s hard to describe the lodge without seeing it in person. Its scale, and the vastness of the untouched nature around it, are truly breathtaking,” the owner says.
The private lodge is located on the shores of both a river and a lake, and it is surrounded by more than 28 hectares of private forest, yet it is only six kilometres from the village of Äkäslompolo and the popular Ylläs ski resort.
It is ideal for ski enthusiasts in the winter, as a large network of ski trails is accessible immediately from the lodge’s doorstep. In addition, the lodge’s own guides provide tailor-made activities – from snowshoeing to Northern Lights outings, as well as biking and hiking and husky and snowmobile safaris – allowing guests to explore the Arctic environment and everything it has to offer all year round.
L7 has seven bedrooms, each with its own bathroom and living area. The heart of the lodge is the large living room, which features a stone fireplace as well as a separate dining area. For ultimate luxury and relaxation, guests have access to a sauna and a large outdoor hot tub.
L7 is a full-service luxury hotel experience: breakfast, lunch and dinner are pre pared daily by a private chef, and a dedi cated host is on hand around the clock.
Here, guests can truly disconnect from their busy lives and reconnect with the quiet pace of nature, while also catching a glimpse into the region’s history, stunning landscape and the captivating mystique of Lappish folklore.
“This place is a true gem. The lodge’s scale and ambiance, first-class service and the surrounding pure, untouched na ture make it a truly special holiday desti nation,” Qvist says. Both Ylläshumina and L7 offer visitors a sense of warmth and a relaxing retreat with the perfect chance to explore the stunning natural beauty of the Arctic.
Luxury Lodge L7 offers guests a truly special Arctic experience; the atmospheric accommodation of a private Lappish lodge, a world-class Lappish food experience and many varied activities guided by the Lodge’s own guides.
Ylläshumina: www.yllashumina.com
Facebook: Ylläshumina
Instagram: @yllashumina
Luxury Lodge L7:
www.luxurylodge.fi
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