Visiting Levi, Lapland isn’t cheap – flights, accommodation, clothing and food can all add up quickly. Many organised activities can be expensive too, but the good news is there are still plenty of free and cheap things to do, so you don’t need to book an expensive tour every day.
If you’re travelling with children, it’s not uncommon for them to enjoy the simpler things just as much – sledging or a snowball fight can be a highlight of the trip. If you’re planning ahead, make sure you build in some downtime to enjoy the area and take part in free activities, free from the pressure of spending hundreds each day.
And it’s not just for families – solo travellers and couples can enjoy the simple things too. There’s nothing wrong with tubing or sliding down a hill, no matter your age.
Our top pick of free and cheap activities to do in Levi
Go sledging
Sledging is one of the most popular activities among kids – and adults who are young at heart. It can be enjoyed at any time of day, often more than once during your stay.
There are generally two safe areas for sledging in Levi:
- Front Slopes – There’s often a dedicated, roped-off sledging area at the bottom of the main front slope, close to Zero Point, free to use. You’ll need to bring your own sledge – these can often be found at your accommodation, or purchased for around €15 from either of Levi’s two large supermarkets (usually near the shop exits) or smaller stores like Intersport in the centre of Levi. (This area should only be used when the pond is completely frozen, check with staff at Zero point if in doubt.)
- Leevilandia – Located at the base of the south slopes, next to South Point, Leevilandia has a dedicated sledging hill. A day ticket costs around €15 per person, with sledges provided – no need to bring your own. It’s a safe, family-friendly space with other activities too, such as beginner ski slopes and snow tubing.
Sledging on the ski slopes themselves is dangerous and not allowed, so stick to the dedicated areas. And if you spot a sledge left unattended, don’t assume it’s free to take – regardless of what a tour guide might say, it likely belongs to another family who won’t be happy to find it gone.
Feed the reindeer
There are many organised tours for people who want a full reindeer experience. But you can also meet these local animals free and, for a small fee, feed them without leaving Levi.
K5 Hotel, around a 10-minute walk from Zero Point, has reindeer that both hotel guests and non-guests can visit. A bag of food costs around €8-10 and can be purchased from the bar inside the hotel. This is a great way to meet the animals on a much smaller budget than an organised tour.
Mini snowmobile for kids
There’s only a few places around Levi where kids can drive a snowmobile themselves, one being Arctic Circle Snowmobile Park, next to Hotel K5 and around a 10-15 minute walk from Zero Point.
With a small dedicated kids track looping around a few trees, plus a campfire where you can grill marshmallows that can be purchased from reception, this is an activity kids tend to remember.
Reasonably priced at €25 for around 10 minutes, which includes helmet hire and driving instructions, tickets can be purchased online. Be aware this can be a popular activity – there are no time reservations, so you may need to wait your turn, or come back later if no guide is available at the time. It’s worth calling ahead to find a good time to arrive.
Search for the northern lights
Viewing the Northern Lights in Levi itself is perfectly possible if conditions are right — you’ll just want to get a little away from the main village lights for the best chance.
Many people head to the frozen lake (just past Hotel K5) for a clearer view, but only walk onto it if you know exactly where it’s safe to enter and are certain it’s fully frozen. Some areas are unsafe all year round, so always follow local guidance.
The Northern Lights can sometimes be seen over the front slopes once the floodlights have been turned off for the night.
Whether you see them or not comes down to weather and solar activity, but remember – it’ll be cold out, so make sure you dress appropriately.
Grill marshmallows and sausages
Grilling marshmallows and sausages is something the kids will enjoy. Leevilandia is a great place to do this – you’ll find a small hut with an open fire at the top of the first mini slope, free to use if you have a day ticket to Leevilandia, so bring your own food along to grill here.
Alternatively, you’ll find a variety of open fires around Levi, but be aware that some are attached to a business, so may not be free to use unless you’re purchasing from them.
Go snow tubing
Very similar to sledging, but performed in larger rubber rings and often on larger, purpose-built tracks, snow tubing is great fun, whatever your age.
There are two areas where this can be done reasonably cheaply:
- Leevilandia – Located at the base of the south slopes, snow tubing is included free with a day ticket, next to the second small slope, with the carpet lift used to get to the top. A small number of snow tubes are provided, usually left at the bottom of the hill, so be aware there may be a short wait at peak times. Helmets can be hired from inside the South Point service building if you don’t have one.
- Ice Karting Levi – Next to the ice karting track are two purpose-built snow tubing tracks. A frequent, free shuttle bus runs from Levi village, catchable across the road from Zero Point, outside Kotipizza Levi. It’s a great spot for snow tubing, with the option to grab a snack or drink in their cafe while watching the ice karting (also fun, but not so cheap). Snow tubing costs around €15 per person, which includes a helmet and use of the tubes for up to 2 hours.
Snow tubing is often faster than sledging, so as with all these activities, it’s worth wearing a helmet wherever you go.
Explore the Levi village / go shopping
Levi village has a good few sports, winter clothing and souvenir shops, along with a handful of cafes where you can spend an hour or two wandering around, grabbing a coffee, and taking in the resort village.
Shops generally open from around 10am and often close around 7-8pm, so there’s plenty of time for a walk around after you’ve finished an activity for the day.
A good place to start is Zero Point – take a quick look around the brand shop inside, then cross the road to a mostly pedestrian street lined with shops. On your right, you’ll find Wood Jewel Levi, a lovely souvenir shop selling wooden gifts that can be personalised.
Take your time and enjoy a few hours of downtime.
Take the steps up to the Secret Cafe
Looking up the front slopes, you’ll see Hotel Levi Panorama at the top, and close to here is the Secret Café. Instead of taking the Levi Express Gondola (which can be expensive at €15 for a return ticket if you don’t have a ski pass), there are 766 steps up the side of the mountain (starting at Hissitie 6, 99130 Kittilä) which will lead you to the top.
From here there’s a short walk along a forest path towards a kota which serves hot drinks and snacks around an open fire.
Two words of caution:
- Just be aware these steps can be extremely slippery at times, especially when there’s been no fresh snow or unusual warmer weather, so make sure you have adequate footwear and consider the conditions. Returning down can be even harder, and if you have difficulty, ordering and catching a taxi from Hotel Levi Panorama is possible. (Gondolas need a ticket during the day.)
- The café does have limited opening days and times, so check in advance before you set off.
Enjoy the trip, and consider getting there being part of the experience.
Trip up Levi Express Gondola
Next to Zero Point, you’ll find the Levi Express Gondola, which leads up to Hotel Levi Panorama. During the daytime this is chargeable, but historically, after 7pm, it’s been free to use in both directions — worth checking current times at Zero Point, as this can vary.
At the top, you’ll have great views over Levi, and Hotel Levi Panorama has a restaurant and bar. Just be aware the gondolas aren’t heated and it can be windy at times, so wrap up.
Have fun in the snow
In places around Levi, the snow can be very deep, and kids love to just roll around, build a snowman, or have a snowball fight.
Aim for quieter spots for deeper, less disturbed snow. The northeast side of the mountain, home to the golf course, is often very quiet in winter.
If you’re able to catch a bus, a 15-minute ride out to this area is a great way to find some deep snow. Just keep off any ski slopes and cross-country trails, and you’ll also find a bar/restaurant nearby if you need to warm up.
Alternatively, behind Hotel K5 is another spot where kids can run around, though the snow there is often a little more compacted. – worth combining with a visit to see the reindeer at the back of the hotel.
Indoor activities for bad weather days
There’s plenty to do in Levi, and here are a few more ideas worth considering:
- Bowling – Across the road from Zero Point is a bowling alley, bookable online. A great place to go when the weather is a little too extreme to be outside.
- Crazy Golf – At around €10 per person, it’s not the cheapest, and you may not be there for too long, but it’s another good indoor option if you want to warm up for a bit. You’ll find a small glow-in-the-dark mini golf course underneath Restaurant Hook (pay at the bar upstairs).
- Swimming – Levi has a swimming pool, Water World, next to Burger King. You’ll need to pay around €15 for an adult, so it’s not the cheapest option, especially for a family, but it’s worth it for those who enjoy a swim.
Enjoy Levi, whatever your budget
As shown, you don’t need to pay for expensive tours or activities when in Levi. Whether you’re sledging or feeding the reindeer, there’s plenty to do, day and night, in the local village area. Save the cost of the more expensive activities for those that mean the most to you, and enjoy relaxing in the local area.
Frequently asked questions
You’ll be surprised how fast these can go – if you’re able to get hold of a helmet, it’s always recommended to wear one.
Yes – there are several places around Levi village where you have a chance of seeing them. Head somewhere dark, away from the village lights, for the best chance.
