Ylläs Upper Station in Kolari — live online webcam
Mount Ylläs — the jewel of Finnish Lapland
Finnish Lapland is a land of endless icy landscapes, where the horizon dissolves into whiteness and the air rings with silence. And right in the middle of this grandeur rises Mount Ylläs at 718 meters above sea level — one of the highest fell-type peaks in Finland. Locals call such mountains "fells": they are not sharp-pointed peaks but flat-topped elevations offering circular panoramas stretching for dozens of kilometers. Ylläs is exactly such a fell, and its summit has become the heart of one of the country's most popular ski resorts.
Ylläs is located in the municipality of Kolari, approximately 50 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. This means that in winter, polar night reigns here, and in summer — polar day, when the sun does not dip below the horizon for weeks. The Ylläs resort is not just a ski center; it is a year-round destination for those who want to see Lapland in all its rugged splendor.
The Ylläs Gondola: One of a Kind
The heart of the resort is its gondola lift, which carries guests from the base to the very summit of the fell. And this is no ordinary gondola: the Ylläs gondola is Finland's only two-story gondola lift. The red lift cabins are recognizable from afar, and the structure itself can transport thousands of passengers per hour, lifting them to an altitude of about 700 meters above sea level.
The elevation difference on Ylläs slopes is about 463 meters — from the base at approximately 255 meters to the summit at 718 meters. This is one of the largest elevation drops among all Finnish ski resorts, making Ylläs attractive not only for beginners but also for experienced riders seeking long runs with a solid vertical descent.
Pallas-Ylläs National Park
From the summit of Ylläs, the view extends far beyond the resort itself. On clear days, the upper station offers a view of Pallas-Ylläs National Park — one of Finland's most visited national parks. Its territory stretches for dozens of kilometers as a chain of fells separated by marshy plains and crystal-clear lakes.
The park is famous for its hiking trails, the main one being the Hetta-Pallas route of about 50 kilometers — passing through the most picturesque corners of the Lapland tundra. In summer, rare plants bloom here, and in winter, trees creak under the weight of snow caps. From the upper station of the Ylläs gondola, this natural expanse is visible at a glance — endless forests, hills, and the water surface of lakes in the distance.
Aurora Borealis and Polar Day from Above
Ylläs is one of the best places in Finland to observe the northern lights. Its location beyond the Arctic Circle, minimal light pollution, and elevation above sea level create ideal conditions: from September to April, when the nights are dark enough, the sky above the fell lights up with green, purple, and pink flashes. From the upper station, at 718 meters, these auroras seem even more dramatic — they unfold directly overhead, reflecting off the snow-covered slopes.
And in summer, a completely different magic reigns here — the polar day. The sun does not set below the horizon for weeks, painting the Lapland landscapes in warm golden tones even at midnight. The gondola operates year-round, and in summer, hikers, cyclists, and photographers ascend to the summit to capture the blooming tundra and endless forests in the soft light of the midnight sun.
A Year-Round Resort: From Winter Slopes to Summer Hiking
Ylläs is not just a winter resort. The gondola operates year-round, and each season brings its own experiences. In winter, there are 33 runs of varying difficulty, a snow park, and night skiing trails with artificial lighting. In spring, the slopes are bathed in bright sun while the snow still holds — this is the time for so-called "spring skiing" in T-shirts.
In summer, Ylläs transforms into an outdoor recreation center. Mountain bike trails run along the fell slopes, and the gondola carries cyclists to the summit for thrilling descents. Hikers set off on national park trails, while fishing enthusiasts head to the lakes where trout and grayling are found. In autumn, Lapland is painted in crimson and gold — this is the time of "ruska," the Finnish equivalent of golden autumn, when the tundra is especially photogenic.
Upper Station Infrastructure
The upper station of the Ylläs gondola is not just a lift stop but a full-fledged destination. There is an observation deck with a 360-degree panoramic view, where on clear days the horizons are visible for dozens of kilometers. Nearby operates a restaurant at the summit, where you can have a hot coffee or try local Lapland cuisine while gazing at the endless expanses.
The station is equipped with everything needed for a comfortable stay: wind shelters, information boards with trail and route maps, and resting areas. Both ski descents and hiking trails of the national park start here. During the aurora season, this is where photographers and romantics gather to watch the dance of light above the snow-covered fell.
What the Camera Shows
The online camera is installed at the upper station of the Ylläs gondola and broadcasts a direct view from the summit of the fell. In the foreground — rocky open terrain with gravel and stones characteristic of the Lapland tundra, fencing, and gondola support structures. The red gondola cabins and chairlift are clearly visible, continuously running between the upper and lower stations.
In the background unfolds a breathtaking panorama: endless coniferous forests, hilly terrain, and the water surface of a lake in the distance. The horizon is completely open — nothing prevents the gaze from traveling far into the distance, to the very edges of the Lapland hills. In cloudy weather, clouds may settle directly on the summit, enveloping the station in a milky haze, while on clear days visibility reaches tens of kilometers. This webcam in real time allows you to feel the scale of Finnish Lapland — harsh, majestic, and incredibly beautiful.
