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If you thought your winter holidays couldn’t get any cooler, think again, because Lapland Hotels SnowVillage, the legendary snow castle near Finnish ski resorts Levi and Ylläs, is celebrating its 25th anniversary in spectacular style. Every year a team of around 50 snow and ice artisans rebuild this icy wonderland from scratch, and for its quarter-century milestone the vibe is pure party; picture international carnival flair carved entirely into ice and snow.
This spectacular ice and snow exhibition first opened to the public on Christmas Day, and early signs suggest this season will smash previous attendance figures, with last year’s record of over 86,000 visitors looking set to be eclipsed. It’s especially popular with international visitors: a whopping 70% of guests are from abroad. Does that mean Finns have seen too much snow and fled to sunnier latitudes? Quite possibly.
Getting there just got a whole lot easier, too. For the first time ever, a daily shuttle bus now links SnowVillage with the resort hubs of Levi and Ylläs three times a day during the winter season (running daily 10:00–22:00 until 6 April 2026). Tickets can be bought on the bus directly from the driver with card payment. From Ylläsjärvi it’s about 15 km, from Äkäslompolo roughly 30 km, and from Levi around 44 km.
Once inside, it isn’t just about pretty ice sculptures. SnowVillage also hosts an ice bar where drinks are literally served in icy glasses, plus three heated restaurants offering everything from warming lunchtime soups to à la carte and three-course menus.
Open daily 10:00–22:00 until 6 April 2026. Tickets: Adults €26, children (4–14) €14.
READ MORE: Best things to do in Lapland