Levi Ski Resort, Oy Levi Ski Resort Ltd, is Finland’s leading ski resort and a year-round activity park, growing and evolving amidst Lapland’s Arctic nature. The cornerstones of our business include ski pass sales, ski school, rental services, and retail operations. Our subsidiary, Levi Restaurants, operates seven slope-side restaurants, serving visitors on the fell throughout the year.
We have been responsible for Levi Ski Resort's slope operations since 1964, evolving into one of Finland's most significant ski resorts. Our strategy and values guide us toward responsible growth in line with our vision. We continuously invest in the development of year-round services, the modernization of existing slope areas, and the utilization of digitalization to deliver even better experiences.
Our customers are at the heart of everything we do – we identify their needs, provide diverse and accessible services, and ensure safe and seamless visits. We also prioritize the well-being and professional growth of our staff, as a motivated team is one of our greatest assets.
Levi Ski Resort was the first ski resort in the Nordic countries to achieve the ISO 14001 environmental certification. Sustainability is embedded in everything we do – we honor Lapland’s Arctic nature and promote sustainable tourism through genuine actions. We continuously develop innovative snowmaking and lift technologies, as well as energy solutions, to ensure the quality and longevity of our operations.
The History of Levi Ski Resort
Levi’s story begins in the 1930s when the village of Sirkka attracted its first winter tourists. At that time, there were no ski lifts, and visitors climbed the fell under their own power. In the 1950s, Sirkan Matkailumaja welcomed guests from as far as Canada and Japan, although tourism remained modest.
Levi has established itself as Finland's leading ski resort, earning numerous accolades, including the Ski Resort of the Year title and the prestigious World Ski Awards multiple times.
The 1960s
Skiing activities in Levi began in 1964 when the municipality of Kittilä acquired land on Levi Fell and built a small T-bar lift on the north slope (now the Front Slopes). However, the lift soon proved to be too small and underpowered to meet the growing number of visitors, especially during Easter.
The 1970s
In 1975, Levin Loma Ltd built its first log cabins as part of its holiday village. The following year, in 1976, Levi Hissit Ltd was established as a collaboration between the municipality of Kittilä, Levin Loma, and Sirkka Tourist Lodge. Two new lifts were built on the Front Slopes, and the ski season typically lasted from February to May Day. Cross-country ski tracks were still created by skiing them manually, and the nearest licensed restaurants were located in Kittilä. Although services and accommodation capacity were still limited, Levi began attracting an increasing number of visitors.
The 1980s
As skiing grew in popularity, Levi Hissit Ltd expanded its operations. By the spring of 1980, the company employed six people. In 1981, Levi’s first hotel, Hotelli Levitunturi, opened, becoming the first restaurant in Levi with a full liquor license. In 1982, civilian air traffic began at Kittilä Airport, and the following year Finnair launched weekly flights from Helsinki, making Levi more accessible to travelers.
The importance of year-round tourism was recognized early. In 1983, an 800-meter summer sled track was opened, and the resort remained open during summer months. In 1984, the first Ruska Marathon was held, becoming an iconic autumn event. In 1989, the municipality of Kittilä and local businesses established Levi Matkailu Ltd to unite the region’s enterprises.
The 1990s
In the early 1990s, Levi Hissit Ltd employed an average of 20 people. The development of slopes and lifts continued steadily to meet the needs of visitors: in 1992, the South and Summit lifts were opened, and the Ski Bus service was launched. This service remains operational today, with local transport now handled by three 110-seat buses.
The company also took over the management of Levi’s extensive network of cross-country ski and snowmobile trails, spanning approximately 1,000 kilometers. Levi was first awarded the title of Ski Resort of the Year in 1993, and the recognition was given again in 1994 and 1998.
The 2000s
The new millennium began with the inauguration of Finland's first gondola lift in 2000. That same year, Levi Hissit Ltd was awarded the Good Employer Award by the Ministry of Labour.
The early 2000s marked a period of significant development and international growth. Over €8 million was invested in the gondola area, enabling the construction of the gondola lift, a World Cup slope, competition lighting for television broadcasting, snowmaking systems, and an international-standard race center. As a result, Levi became Finland’s largest ski resort during the 2000–2001 season, a position it has maintained ever since.
Levi’s international competition hosting capabilities reached new heights in 2001 when it hosted the Women’s Alpine Skiing Europa Cup opener. The Men’s Europa Cup opener followed in autumn 2002. In February 2004, Levi achieved one of its most prestigious goals by being awarded a Women’s FIS World Cup event. By November 2006, Levi was honored to open both the Women’s and Men’s Slalom World Cup seasons, a tradition that remains part of the competition calendar to this day. As part of its international growth, the company rebranded as Oy Levi Ski Resort Ltd in 2003.
Levi was also chosen as Ski Resort of the Year for the fourth time in 2004 by the FSAA.
In 2006, Levi’s golf course was opened with nine holes, expanding to 18 holes two years later. That same year, the first trails of Levi Bike Park were opened on the western slopes. In subsequent years, continuous investments were made to expand skiing and accommodation capacity.
In 2007, the Zero Point service building, the Express Gondola lift, the North chairlift, and additional facilities for summer activities such as biking were built. The Gondola Activity Park was also expanded, with a total investment of over €12 million.
In 2008, Levi Tori was completed, becoming Lapland’s largest single tourism investment. It includes accommodation buildings, restaurants, shops, and parking facilities. New accommodation complexes, Hotel Panorama and Holiday Club Levi, opened their doors in autumn 2009.
The 2010s
During the 2013–2014 season, Levi Ski Resort introduced Finland’s first covered carpet lift on the Front Slopes. The following season, 2014–2015, brought a major investment in a new ski center on the South Slopes. This included a six-seater chairlift with covers, a second covered carpet lift, and the South Point service building, providing improved facilities for families and beginners. The total investment was approximately €11 million.
The long-term development of snow preservation began in Levi in 2016 during the World Cup event, with the first snow storage piles created on the Levi Black slope. This ensured snow reliability following the cancellation of the previous year’s competition.
Levi was once again chosen as Ski Resort of the Year in 2016 by the FSAA.
In 2018, a new adventure park was opened in the Gondola area, and Activity Park introduced a range of summer activities for families. That same year, Levi Ski Resort became the only ski resort in the Nordic region to receive the ISO 14001 environmental certification.
Levi Ski Resort also developed new waste sorting symbols, which were implemented during the 2018–2019 season across 15 sorting points around the slopes. By the 2019–2020 season, the number of sorting points was doubled to 30, and the symbols were adopted across the entire Levi tourism area.
In 2019, the Levi West lift brought a state-of-the-art chairlift to the western slopes, along with expanded slope areas, lighting, and snowmaking capacity. The Levi West lift base station also included plans for a small village, Levi West Point.
One factor defines the entire history of Levi: growth. Over time, this has required collaboration across the industry, a strong focus on customer care, careful planning, and responsibility. Continuous development has shaped Levi into a unique destination in Finnish Lapland.
Year-Round Fell Experiences – Sustainably and Innovatively
Values
Our values include personnel, customer focus, safety, innovation, and sustainability.
BUSINESS IDEA
Levi Ski Resort provides high-quality and sustainably produced year-round mountain experiences along with a wide range of complementary services for domestic and international guests.
VISION 2030
Levi Ski Resort will be Europe’s most advanced year-round ski resort.
MISSION
Creating unique experiences in the fells across all seasons.
STRATEGY
We are a provider of premium mountain experiences throughout the year. High-quality service, care for the Arctic environment and our community, and innovation are the strategic choices that underpin the long-term development of our operations.
