Suomen Latu Kiilopää/Fell Centre Kiilopää

Location, infrastructure and facilities are in very good condition. Overall human service however is not up to the locality and the advertisement - at least to international visitors for sure (which I later discovered is quite typical for lots of Finnish localities). Upon late arrival due to flight, nobody let me know in advance about key, check in etc...complete disaster nearly avoided thanks to a helpful bus driver. English of some of the local service people can be really bad, no basic manners, no basic and necessary politeness for such type of service. Don't take such bad manners with the usual, unabashed excuse =>Nordic "politeness and respect for privacy". Had a local guide on my first day - he seemed quite agitated and eager to tell of the war history of the nation (which can be highly controversial at times), very eager to show Finnish political, historical and modern day greatness to the detriment of basic politeness to unsuspecting foreigners when providing a touring service. Also at some point murmuring something about "stupid people asking questions" in a conversation with a paying guest. On the first day, the skis rented were not waxed properly in advance. During several next days, skis were in a better condition. Same issues with rudimentary English and manners, as above. If you can try to work mainly with younger local people, perhaps would be a better horizon for your holiday or if you are an international visitor better stick to more mixed resorts.

This is the most authentic fell center accommondation right next to the Kiilopää fell. Expect no luxury nor hustle, but pure authenticity, quiet nature, good food and great sauna facilities daily after a sporty day outside. There is also one of the best smoke saunas in Finland, so pre-book it and enjoy your magical smoke sauna time with a superb natural ice spa where you can dip yourself into a icy river water running next to the sauna area. I visit here regularly and this is very important place for me as a Finn from busy Helsinki area. You will like it here, If you appreciate the nature, authenticity and real wildlife around you. You can also participate daily different level activities in the nature that suit for all levels/experience.

One night stay in a cosy warm, comfy and well equipped cabin. Breakfast, lunch and supper all enjoyed in the Fell Centre’s dining room - caters for all dietary requirements and tastes. Tasty, wholesome and plentiful. Walking and cross country skiing right from the cabin door. I want to come back - for longer!

Good wilderness resort/cafe near the entrance of national park.

A pleasant and relaxing experience, highly recommended! It is advisable to book tickets in advance, as the sessions were popular (max 25 persons at time). The tickets were 18 euros for person.||The smoke sauna has a relaxed atmosphere, there is also good wooden peflettis to use (placemats). And I believe you can bring your own drinks too. 🤭 The women's changing room had only about ten lockable boxes, which no one seemed to use. There is also two showers and wc.||Kiilopuro river has a comfortable sandy bottom and it was safe for first-timers like us. We will definitely come back.

Very nice hotel in the middle of the Northern lights. You can walk in the national park during the night. No cars and almost no people. Here are some tips during the winter: - Bring a camera so you can take the photos during the night of the northern lights because a normal camera doesn’t capture them at all. - it will be cold, so buy a bag of wood to use it in the tents, you can buy it at the gas station in front of the Santa’s Claus city. - You will need to be in total darkness to see the lights, so don’t let your car lights on. - the floor will be freezing. Buy some foot warmer plaques. You will thank me later. - Download the app to see if there is any northern lights close by so you won’t be there for nothing.

We visited the smoke sauna, 18:00 shift. Lovely atmosphere and the ice hole was very well done. A large group of young men kinda ruined it for everyone (drinking, yelling), but that’s not the organizer’s fault. Everyone could not fit in the sauna at the same time. Otherwise really nice experience.

Good place for serious skiers! No party place - which is good. Close to nature. Olace for self-organized aktivities but also programs and guides available. Port to national park, good plave to start/finish skiing tours. Good value for money.