YLLÄS SKI RESORT CELEBRATES 70 YEARS OF SKI LIFT HISTORY!
This year, Ylläs celebrates an impressive 70 years of lift-assisted skiing. The celebrations begin with the opening weekend of the Ylläs winter season on 4–6 December 2027 and continue throughout the season until May Day.
Throughout the anniversary season, there will be celebrations and special events, birthday cakes, and opportunities to discover old photographs and stories from Ylläs’ skiing history. As part of the celebrations, everyone aged 70 and over can purchase a special anniversary season pass for just €70.
We will keep this page updated with stories from Ylläs’ 70-year journey, as well as information about upcoming anniversary events.
You will also find information and photographs from the early days of skiing at Ylläs.
Special thanks to Äkäslompolo.fi for kindly allowing us to use their photographs and texts, and warm thanks to everyone else who has contributed additional material.
Photo above: The Schauman brothers / Kariniva Lodge
The First Ski Lift in Varkaankuru
Ylläs’ first ski lift was built in Varkaankuru, Äkäslompolo, in 1957. The lift was located high up on the fell because it was intended to serve ski tourists from both the villages of Äkäslompolo and Ylläsjärvi.
The lift was powered by a Volkswagen engine, and fuel had to be transported up the fell either by hand or with the help of a reindeer. The lift had a vertical rise of 80 metres. Skiers attached themselves to the moving lift cable using individually rented ski tow belts. There were 120 tow belts available, and they could be rented one day at a time.
The first lift remained in operation until 1963, when the lift cable broke and the Municipality of Kolari discontinued the lift operation as unprofitable. However, the spark for lift-assisted skiing had been permanently ignited. By 1968, Ylläs had already gained a new ski lift – this time electrically powered.
The photograph above was taken at the opening ceremony of the lift. Photographer unknown.
The History of Ylläs and the Ski Resort
Early 1930s
In the early 1930s, the first ski tourists began arriving in the Ylläs area. Unlike the local people, who skied out of necessity for hunting, reindeer herding and other everyday tasks, the visitors came to ski simply for pleasure.
1954
A road is built to Äkäslompolo.
1957
The first ski lift is built in Varkaankuru. The lift is powered by a Volkswagen engine.
1963
The lift cable breaks, and the Municipality of Kolari discontinues the lift operation as unprofitable.
1967–1971
- Yleisradio’s TV mast is built high up on the fell, close to the summit, along with a service road to the mast.
- Electricity arrives in the village of Äkäslompolo.
- After a few years without a lift, skiing returns to the fell when Yllästunturi Oy builds a new ski lift at a slightly different location. This time, the lift is electrically powered.
Early 1980s
Regional marketing cooperation begins in the Ylläs area.
1982
Ylläsjärven Tunturikylä Oy opens the first ski lifts on the Ylläsjärvi side: the Alahissi Lift and the Huippuhissi Lift.