Naked ambition is a real icebreaker in Levi

Finland by Jane Archer

Naked ambition is a real icebreaker in Levi

An icy plunge proves most refreshing

“I HAVE just been down to break the ice for you,” one of the staff told us as we made our way out of the Hotel Taivaanvalkeat, just outside Levi in Finnish Lapland and over to the sauna that had been kept free for our visit.

Plunge into icy water

We followed his finger, pointing down a snow-covered track into the dark below. The idea, we were told, is that we emerge from the sauna, slide down the path, plunge into the icy water at the bottom and then return, refreshed, to the sauna.

It sounded more than a little unlikely, especially as our group of five females was still coming to terms with the idea of stripping off in the sauna. That is the Finnish way. Swimming costumes are a definite no no.

The speed with which humans can strip off and run into a sauna, to sit huddled in the warmth, is quite amazing.

Equally amazing is the speed with which inhibition disappears. Having laughed at the idea of rolling naked in the snow, we soon were out there doing just that.

And soon, one after another, we were making our way down to the ice hole for that freezing plunge. It really was very refreshing.

The sauna is a super way to end a day on the ski slopes, which was our prime reason for being in Levi.

The resort is one of two in Finland offered exclusively in the UK by Inghams. The other is Yllas, about 45 minutes’ drive away.

Neither has mountains to challenge top skiers, although there is a lot of safe off-piste skiing but both are ideal for families, anyone just starting on skis or wanting to brush up on technique.

We stayed in Levi, at the Crazy Reindeer, a three-star hotel with a mix of rooms and apartments and a popular bar.

From here, it was less than a 10-minute walk to the slopes, which is a major bonus for skiers.

Yllas is more spread out and less handy for the slopes, but there is a free bus transfer from the Hotel Akas, Inghams’ only property in the town.

The operator also features log cabins which are part of the hotel but up to half a mile away.

Uncrowded slopes

Other selling points are the fact the slopes are not crowded – if you have to wait a couple of minutes for a lift you start to feel aggrieved – and the amount of snow, which was at least six- foot deep in parts. And that is normal from before Christmas right into April.

You can spend all day on the slopes – Finnish families take sausages to grill on the fires in the kota, or wooden huts, that have been built around the mountains – but you would have to be dedicated not to be attracted to some of the other activities available near the resort.

Try a reindeer safari or a husky safari. Gloves and boots are provided.

We also went on a snowmobile safari, which is great fun. The safari covers 17 miles on forest trails, with a stop to warm up and get a bite to eat in a kota before driving back.

Let it snow: wrap up warm to try out a reindeer or husky safari

factfile

levi resort

MArked piste: nearly 20 miles

Number of runs: 45 (12 illuminated)

Lifts: 19

Cross-country trails: 143 miles

levi product

Brochure: Inghams World Class Ski 2000/2001.

Accommodation: four-star Hotel Levitunturi, three-star Crazy Reindeer, three-star Hotel Sirkantahti. Also Reindeer Cottages and choice of log cabins All of the accommodaion have their own saunas.

Sample price: seven nights at the Crazy Reindeer costs from £442 per person half-board, based on three to six people sharing including charter flights from Gatwick.

Learn to ski packages: £159 in Levi; £125 in Yllas includes ski and boot hire, five one-hou-and-45-minutelesson, seven-day lift pass. Learn to snowboard packages cost the same.

Learn to cross-country ski: £19 in Levi, £104 in Yllas includes ski and boot hire, five 1.75 hour lessons.

Excursions: two-hour reindeer safari, £20 adults, £17 children; two-hour husky safari, £29 adults, £22 children; snowmobile safari, £51 adult, or £31 when sharing.