Autumn foliage in Lapland is reaching its peak – Here s how to enjoy the northern colors and nature responsibly

Press release | Tue Sep 17 15:01:00 2024

The autumn season, starting in early September, attracts a large number of travelers to Northern Finland, with an increasing number of independent tourists among them. Lapland Hotels & Safaris, known for its commitment to sustainability, places special emphasis on responsible practices during the foliage season as well. Every traveler can contribute to minimizing their impact.

In Lapland, a high volume of visitors is expected at hotels and destinations during the autumn foliage season. In the northernmost parts of Lapland, the season begins in early September and gradually moves south over the following weeks. In addition to group travelers, independent tourists are discovering the beauty of the fall colors in ever-growing numbers. Lapland offers activities for both active adventurers and those seeking a more leisurely experience during the autumn months.

– "What all autumn foliage visitors share is the desire to experience and witness the beauty of nature, either in groups or independently, through hiking, biking, and exploring nearby fells. Many of our Lapland destinations are located close to national parks," says Tommy Sippo, Regional Director for Lapland Hotels in the Ylläs-Levi area.

– "In Levi, we honor traditional ways of celebrating the autumn foliage season: visitors can enjoy a diverse range of activities, from dance orchestras to the Foliage Marathon, which attracts sports enthusiasts from near and far. In Ylläs, the foliage season is celebrated with dances at Pirtukirkko and evening movie screenings at an outdoor cinema at Lapland Hotels Ylläskaltio, along with the majestic views of Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park and the spa at Lapland Hotels Saaga," he continues.

More Detailed Monitoring of Food Waste Implemented

For Lapland Hotels & Safaris, sustainability is one of the most important values, and it is a priority every day of the year, including during the autumn season. This year, a new, more precise system for monitoring food waste has been introduced in all restaurants, and the proportion of locally sourced food has been increased even further: for instance, breakfast bacon has been switched to a domestic product.

– "Even small actions can make a difference when it comes to food waste. We monitor food waste to see how we can optimize our own practices. At the same time, we remind our hotel guests to fill their plates in moderation – after all, even reindeer don’t overindulge in lichen," says Maria Astrén, Destination Manager at Lapland Hotels

After the autumn foliage season, the company will begin preparations for the busy winter season. The winter season in Lapland kicks off as early as October. For example, Levi will open its slopes and cross-country skiing season during the first weekend of October.

How to travel responsibly in Lapland – 4 Tips

1. Don’t leave litter in nature or at rest stops; take your trash, and maybe even your friend’s, with you.
2. Stick to marked trails and avoid creating your own paths. The northern nature is very fragile, and new trails, especially in the fells, form quickly, causing wear and tear.
3. Avoid building stone structures at the top of fells. It has been observed that the appearance of the fells is changing due to these constructions.
4. Enjoy nature as it is. By doing so, it will remain beautiful for future visitors and generations.

Pictures: tps://lapland.emmi.fi/l/ZrrXz9SrFDL7
Image copyrights: Lapland Hotels & Safaris

Lisätietoja ja haastattelupyynnöt:

Maria Astrén
Destination Manager
Lapland Hotels
+358 40 484 1680
maria.astren@laplandhotels.com

Tommy Sippo
Area Manager, Ylläs & Levi
Lapland Hotels
+358 40 840 3262
Tommy.sippo@laplandhotels.com

Travel enterprise Lapland Hotels & Safaris offers Northern experiences for all senses. It consists of Finland’s largest private hotel chain, Lapland Hotels, the largest event service company in the Nordic countries, Lapland Safaris Group Oy, and Lapland Ski Resorts. The group has approximately 1,950 employees in total.

Lapland Hotels has 19 hotels, more than 2,400 rooms and apartments as well as over 10,000 restaurant seats around Finland: in Ylläs, Levi, Saariselkä, Rovaniemi, Olos, Luosto, Kilpisjärvi, Pallas and Hetta, as well as Helsinki, Tampere, Oulu, Kuopio and Porvoo.

Lapland Safaris offers unique outdoor activities in five destinations in Lapland: Rovaniemi, Ylläs, Saariselkä, Levi and Luosto.

Lapland Ski Resorts comprises five ski centres located in Ylläs, Luosto, Olos, Pallas and Rovaniemi. www.laplandhotels.com/en, www.laplandsafaris.com/en, https://www.haikko.fi/en