GENUINE JOY IN THE FELL
Pallas, in its most authentic form, can be seen on a sunny day in the fell; in the forest when the snow is falling; during midsummer heat by the creek; or in heavy rain under a raincoat. We believe there is no bad weather in Pallas for going out and experiencing things. The Owls of Pallas guide the visitors, telling them how to get around in the wild by taking them to places where few have ever been. Both during the winter and the autumn. There are a lot of things to experience in the region. We’ve listed below some that we consider to be the best!
Pallasthe Ski Center |
the Ski Center
The Pallas Ski Center is one of the most unique locations in Finland. Its slopes of natural snow and panoramic fell scenery can make any skier speechless.
To the ski trail or to the fellSkiing |
Go to the fell
Pallas is the home of the fell skiers During the winter, on the pure white fell tops, you can head in virtually any direction. There are up to 10 fells in the local vicinity that can be easily scaled. In April, early winter’s firm layers of frosty snow change to a steel-hard snow cover when the sun warms its surface and the night freezes it during the early hours of the morning. The Owls of Pallas make daily ski trips to the fell, outside the ski trails, to places you’d perhaps never go by yourself. The trips are free for hotel guests. Basic ski trail skis are sufficient enough for the trips.
Check out the trips!
The fell has a 200km machine-maintained ski trail network. Some of the trails are in the National Park area. Popular ski locations are Nammalkuru, Vuontispirtti, Raattama, Jeris, Olos and Torassieppi, among others. The high point of the spring is to skiing the Hetta-Pallas leg. Near the hotel you can find 3.5km and 10km trails, which are maintained by the hotel’s own personnel. Ski trail networks of the municipals of the region are connected, so an eager skier has the opportunity to easily see almost one thousand kilometers of trails.
The best the fell can offerOff-piste skiing |
Off-piste skiing
The Owls of Pallas take the skiers to the best snow and tell the guests where to find the best routes for going downhill, not forgetting snow safety, of course.
The Owls of Pallas take the skiers to the best snow and tell the guests where to find the best routes for going downhill, not forgetting snow safety, of course. During the late winter, the Owls of Pallas give three to six hour, free downhill trips of the local vicinity of the fells.
At the Pallas ski center the owls also serve as more traditional ski instructors, teaching skills such as downhill skiing and telemark, even how to snowboard on the fell.
Off-piste skiing
After the outdoorsSauna |
Sauna
Pallas has a strong sauna culture, with the Vatikuru booking sauna serving as one of the cornerstones responsible for building it.
There are public saunas and the Vatikuru booking sauna in Pallas.
Public saunas
When the hotel is open, the public saunas are heated daily. The saunas are located on the ground floor of the hotel. There are separate saunas and dressing rooms for men and women. You can buy refreshments for the sauna from the restaurant. For those living outside the hotel the sauna is € 8 / bath.
Vatikuru lakeside sauna - NOT IN USE UNTIL FUTHER NOTICE
The almost legendary Vatikuru sauna is located approximately 100 meters from the hotel, towards Laukukero, beside a small fell spring. During the winter, on the pond in front of the sauna there’s a hole in the ice for ice swimming. During the summer, the chilly spring water from the fell stimulates you between sauna visits. The sauna also has a fireplace, with an option to grill sausages. You can book the sauna from the reception by calling +358 16 323 355 for € 35 per hour (or € 45 / hour for those not staying at the hotel). Vatikuru sauna is not in use until further notice.
Towards the naturehiking |
hiking
Pallas hiking routes provide something to see and experience in the middle of the summer and also during the autumn.
Pallas hiking routes provide something to see and experience in the middle of the summer and also during the autumn. One of the most popular paths in Finland, the Hetta-Pallas connection, wanders over the fells. The other endpoint of the route is in the yard of the hotel. Also, the paths and routes in the near area take you to places like the summit of Taivaskero, to Mäntyrova, Jeris, Torassieppi and all the way to Ylläs.
Vatikuru nature path (3 km) circles a tour on the side of the Pallastunturi fells and introduces the life and culture of the fell region. The path starts from the Pallastunturi Nature Center. It’s marked with pinecone signs.
Pyhäjoki nature path (3,5 km) introduces the especially lush, grove-like spruce forests and their inhabitants. The rugged rocky sides of Pyhäjoki and the old trees of the forest create a particularly festive atmosphere. The beginning of the path is on the side of Pallaksentie road, near the coastline of Pallasjärvi lake, on the Pyhäjoki parking lot. The path is marked with pinecone signs.
Taivaskero round trip (9 km) you should reserve three hours. It’s 4 kilometers to Taivaskero from the Pallastunturi Nature Center, and the round-trip route to reach the summit is 9 kilometers. The elevation difference between the Nature Center and the summit of Taivaskero is approximately 340 meters. View to the south from the Pallastunturi Photo: Maarit Kyöstilä
Palkaskero round trip (7 km) rises above the stony top of the hill. In foggy weather it may look more like a graveyard than a fell top, in its natural state. Some hikers have built stone piles on the top to mark their visits, but we beg you not to do so, but please leave the stones as they are. You are not allowed to touch the natural state of a Nature Park. You’re not even allowed to move any stones. The Palkaskero round-trip separates from the Hetta-Pallas route at Porokämppä hut, one kilometer north from the Pallastunturi Nature Center. On the road you’ll see the ruins of the old Pallastunturi hotel with their memorial. The Palkaskero path goes towards the east and continues through an old reindeer fence. The stony side of Palkaskero has a beautiful view to the side of the row of fells and to the Pallasjärvi lake. The elevation difference between the Nature Center and the Palkaskero summit is approximately 240 meters.
Sausages or pancakeson the campfire |
on the campfire
But if you’re hungry for grilled sausages, there are campfire sites in the surroundings of the hotel.
In Pallas, you can sit by the campfire enjoying a pancake picnic lead by the Owls of Pallas, during both the winter and the autumn color season. The events are free for hotel guests. But if you’re hungry for grilled sausages, there are campfire sites in the surroundings of the hotel.
Ministry of Forestry’s lean-tos
Approximately one kilometer from the hotel, in a valley between Pallaskero and Palkaskero, there are two Ministry of Forestry lean-to’s. One of the lean-to’s is a bookable facility, which you can book from the Pallastunturi Nature Center. The other one is a so-called ‘open’ lean-to, where you can go and start a campfire whenever you like. Firewood is available in the wood shed. In the yard area there is also a WC.
The hotel’s own lean-to
The hotel’s own lean-to, at the lower station of the ski lift, is open during the ski season, when the ski lifts are running.
on the campfire