Luosto
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Luosto is a ski resort in Sodankylä, Finnish Lapland, by Pyhä-Luosto National Park. It specialises in husky, reindeer, snowmobile and Santa excursions. It also has an amethyst mine open to tourists.
Get in
By plane
Flight from Helsinki to Rovaniemi takes little over an hour. The SkiBus is running directly from Rovaniemi Airport to Luosto and it serves certain flights by Finnair and Norwegian. The SkiBus waits delayed flight for one hour. If your flight is delayed more than that contact Kutilan Liikenne Oy and inform about the situation. A SkiBus ticket costs €31/adult, €21/young person, €15/child or student.There are no regular connections to Luosto from Kittilä Airport.
Alternatively, if travelling from the UK, some direct charters operate to assist in the "Search for Santa" during the peak Christmas season. For more information on these flights you can contact Canterbury Travel
By train
Travelling to Rovaniemi from southern Finland (10–12 hours) is easy, also with a car-carrier train. From the railway station to Luosto here are bus connections (SkiBus) which leave immediately following the arrival of the train. VR does not offer train+bus combo to Luosto to a same ticket.By bus
Luosto has its own SkiBus, which transports holidaymakers to the area from Rovaniemi year round. During high season the bus drives four times a day and during lower season once a day. Pyhä-Luosto SkiBus has connection to certain Finnair and Norwegian flights and the timetable may chance accordingly if the flight is delayed. A SkiBus ticket from Rovaniemi costs €31/adult, €21/young person, €15/child or student. Use "Luosto" as your destination and check Matkahuolto for details.Regular long-haul coaches between Rovaniemi and Sodankylä do not visit Luosto. The nearest bus stop by the road E75 is 14 kilometers away from resort but this is possible option if you are travelling with a bike. Nearest stop by the road E75 is called "Torvinen (Sodankylä)". Check Matkahuolto for details
By car
Luosto is 14 km away from the road E75. Turn to the road 962 in the village Torvinen. If you are approaching from south the Luosto fell is well visible on the right before you arrive the crossroads. There are good signs by the road.See
Ukko-Luosto fellUkko-Luosto is a very prominent peak, and stairs having 670 steps take you to the top of the fell. Views to the surrounding landscape. The forests south-west from the fell have never been subject to forestry and some of the huge pines are over 400 years old. The trail to the south takes you through these forest. Mountain biking is allowed on the trails.
Rykimäkuru gorgeUnlike the other ravines around the Rykimäkuru gorge has formed by ancient earthquake which splitted the surrounding fell. A nature trail from the road visits the gorge. Lean-to shelter with campfire site. Mountain biking is allowed on the trails.
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phone: +358 16 624 334The only operating amethyst mine in Europe, which is also open to tourists. Entrance fee includes a guided tour and an opportunity to dig your own amethyst.
Do
Luosto offers activities from ice climbing and snow sculpting to reindeer, husky and snowmobile safaris. The main attractions are downhill skiing and reindeer, husky, Santa and snowmobile activities.
The national park is a stone's throw away. It is worth seeing both summer and winter.
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phone: +358 20-639-7302The fifth most visited national park in Finland with some 174,000 visitors in 2018. Rugged hills, gorges, old-growth forests and treeless fell tops. Historic sites of the Forest Sámi. Several day routes and a fairly easy 2–3 days hiking trail between Luosto and Pyhä. MTB routes 18–35 km. Skiing routes in winter.
Events
- Luosto Fell Rhytms (Luoston tunturirytmit) in August/September.
- Luosto Classic unfortunately bankrupted in 2018.
Buy
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Luosto Shop
phone: +358 40 678 7455address: Hartsutie 1Groceries, clothes and souvenirs. Mail service. Prescription-free drugs. -
phone: +358 16 624 334address: Luostontie 4Amethyst jewelry. Tickets and transportation to the Lampivaara amethyst mine.
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phone: +358 207 3030 20address: Laukotie 1Decorative items and jewelry.
Eat and drink
Gastro Pub LuostonHoviLog cabin restaurant. Live bands and regular events.
Sleep
There is a wide choice of cabin accommodation in Luosto.
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phone: +358 16 620 400address: Luostontie 1Rooms and cabins. Spa and gym. Restaurant. Nightclub.
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phone: +358 400 102 200address: Luppokeino 1Northern lights themed hotel. Saunas in the rooms. Restaurant. Also cabin village and glass igloos.
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phone: +358 16 620 400Caravan park is located under the trees, not an open parking lot. Shower and sauna.