New Year holidays in Levi with children.
This year we decided to celebrate the new year in Levi. My grandson is almost 5 years old, it's time to meet Santa in his homeland. We flew from Kharkov to Kittili. The plane was only an hour late. True, then they waited another hour on the bus until there were several suitcases. The fact is quite surprising, since there was not a single plane at the airport besides our flight. Arrived at -28 degrees. The mood is so-so, we are southerners. But, thank God, the next day the weather improved. New Year's Eve was ok. 0.
The hotel settled quickly (we lived in Levitunturi). The hotel, in our opinion, is good for families with children aged 3-13 years.
A little about the hotel. We had a two-room suite, which fully corresponded to the description in the brochures. In the "nursery" there is a bunk bed (of course, the top floor was occupied). The large room has two beds, a mini-kitchen with a refrigerator and a microwave. The floor in the bathroom is heated. The room is very warm, although the temperature can be adjusted according to your wishes. There is a drying cabinet in the bathroom, which is also a useful thing in the household. Dries quickly and has enough volume to dry clothes for 3 people.
What Levitunturi is good for families with children is, of course, its spa center. We had a daily routine - in the morning - breakfast, then sledding during daylight hours (and it is only three or four hours in December), then a water park. You can’t stand it on the street all day, and for the guests of Levitunturi, the water park is free, although once a day. For everyone else, the entrance is paid, more than 20 euros for an adult and a little less for a child. We spent three or four hours a day there. This is not annoying, as there are pools with very warm and cool water, there is a slide, there is a 25-meter pool for swimming, there are hydromassages and jacuzzis, saunas and steam rooms. In general, for all ages, abilities and needs there is something to do.
About sledding. A very smart person invented sleds (ices) in Levi for general use. I took it near the building, took the child to the right place, left it there. He did his business, took the same sled, or others that caught his eye and walk on. You can go sledding almost everywhere. Near the body there are small slides. Near Zero point, the center of the ski resort, there is a bigger slide. A little further there is a special playground where you can ride and warm up, drink hot tea (for free), fry sausages on the fire (you will have to bring sausages with you). In general, for a child - beauty. We were lucky. Even before the plane, we formed a company of three children of approximately the same age. They already know how to entertain themselves. So there were moments of relaxation for adults as well.
Naturally, the main purpose of coming to Levi is to combine business with pleasure - go skiing and visit Santa Claus in Rovaniemi. 170 km to Santa's village on Finnish roads is just an additional pleasure. The village itself did not disappoint either, especially Santa Park. We can recommend taking a tour in the maximum configuration: village + Santapark with lunch. We were at Santa's after the new year (the village is open until January 10). Therefore, there were no crazy queues. We stood for 10-15 minutes. We took pictures, in the corridor we chose the photo that we liked (there were probably three or four frames). 30 euros - and an official photo with Santa in a beautiful package in your pocket. For 50 euros you will receive an additional 40 second video, for 40 - a link on the Internet with a password, where you can download both. Video, honestly, is not impressive. But this is all for an amateur. We stopped for a photo. Before visiting Santa, who wants to - makes a promenade through souvenir shops. we preferred reindeer riding. There is practically no time after Santa - we immediately leave for Santapark. Santa Park is located next to Santa Claus Village. Ride on the strength of 10 minutes. Entrance through the tunnel. Inside is warm and cozy. Immediately they are fed dinner and almost immediately the appearance of the elves is here. It's quite a sight for children. Then we chose a free program - I went where we want. Ride the Magic Railroad twice. Grandma and grandson drew wishes at the calligraphy lesson and threw them into the drum. You need to knock on it three times and you will be happy. Of course, we visited a corner dedicated to Angry Birds - this game was invented by the Finns, so it deserves special attention. Then we went to the ice room. Naturally, a bunch of photos and videos on payamt. In general, 3-3.5 hours you will not be bored. There is a Santa light tour. In it, you visit Santa Park on your own. It also costs ok. 20 euros for an adult and slightly less for a child. Lunch for separate money.
Other excursions are not impressive at all and are more like a banal pumping of money. Walking on a husky is anything, but not huskies, but some outlandish mongrels. Reindeer rides are the same as in Santa's village, only longer and many times more expensive. But that's my personal opinion.
Meeting of the new year. We did not take New Year's Eve dinner and did not lose. Those comrades who took such a dinner were terribly unhappy. For 135 euros per capita, they don’t even give you a proper meal, not to mention a drink. so-called. entertainment is poor. In general, no one organizes the New Year better than us. The children and I went out onto the terrace, looked at the fireworks, drank champagne, wandered around the village for half an hour and, with a sense of accomplishment, went to bed.
If you are a ski fan, there is where to accelerate, but everything is quite expensive. One-day subscription for equipment rental - approx. 30 euros, ski pass - approx. 40 euros. In Bukovel, everything is several times cheaper, and the slides are no worse. The tracks are well-groomed, of varying degrees of difficulty, but without extreme sports. In general, if only to ride, we would not go there.
The contingent of vacationers - mostly the Finns themselves - for them all prices are acceptable, and the Russian-speaking audience.
Here are some impressions in hot pursuit. In general, I liked the trip. Incredibly beautiful nature, snow in which you want to wallow, air that you want to fill in your pockets and take away as smugglers. We were lucky with the weather, with the company. We are waiting for the next grandchildren to grow up, and hopefully we will be back!