Ski In and Ski Out of This Dog-Friendly Hotel in Levi Finland: Hotel Levi Panorama
/Combining my love of skiing with solo travel has been a fun and rewarding way for me to discover new destinations, but I must admit I wasn’t exactly solo on my recent trip to the Arctic Circle– my sweet dog Gigi joined me, and we were able to experience the magic of Levi Finland together.
Late March 2024 Conditions in Levi Finland, just beside a ski piste behind Hotel Levi Panorama
The logistics of my trip were planned somewhat last minute, and though I only had a few weeks to build anticipation, all expectations were already exceeded within a few hours of being there. I believe due to the location and convenience of my hotel, I was able to hop on the mountain and ski a few runs within hours of my arrival, and was extremely lucky to witness the Northern Lights as soon as darkness fell on my first night.
Continue reading to learn more about my experience staying at Hotel Levi Panorama with my dog, and discover my favorite amenities, features, and top choices for cafes and restaurants nearby.
What I loved about Hotel Levi Panorama’s location overall
As a solo traveler visiting Levi Finland without a car, I wanted to choose an accommodation that was centrally located so I could feel safer and have access more conveniences nearby. I didn’t want to stay somewhere too remote as I knew walking anywhere would be unrealistic in Finland’s frigid temperatures, however I knew that in order to see the Northern Lights it’s best to be somewhat away from city lights.
Hotel Levi Panorama happened to be the absolute best location to be able to accomplish two things that were high on my bucket list for years: ski in the Arctic Circle, and witness the Northern Lights with my own eyes. The location of the hotel was especially perfect for these two activities, because it sits just beside the main piste and slightly above the main town at the base of the ski area— I found that it was convenient for skiing, and was surrounded on all other sides by dark forests and remote clearings that were ideal for viewing the night sky.
Ski In & Ski Out of Hotel Levi Panorama
When searching for accommodations that had ski in and ski out access in Levi Finland, I noticed that Hotel Levi Panorama seemed to be the only option with a slope-side location that was also close to the main town (Sirkka). There are some cabins and chalets that have access to the slopes on the South and West sides of the ski area, but they seemed more remote and not easily accessible to the main town, and would likely require use of a car. While there are certainly hotel options within the main town directly at the base of the ski resort, you would still have to walk some distance to cross the street to arrive at the lifts. Hotel Levi Panorama is located just beside the slope above the base of the ski resort, and a button lift is located directly outside the door of the ski locker room to whisk you up the mountain to start your ski day.
Hotel Levi Panorama’s ski locker room is spacious, well-lit, temperature-controlled, and located on the bottom floor of the hotel below the rooms. You can store any of your gear in the lockers and place your skis on any of the racks throughout your stay— simply ask the front desk for a lock for your skis. The lockers room is accessible by key card, and felt very secure.
I was also relieved knowing the highly-rated Zero Point Ski Shop was located at the base of the ski resort below Hotel Levi Panorama, so I was able to conveniently have my skis serviced during my stay as needed, and could shop for any additional layers or accessories if I happened to forget anything.
A designated block of rooms at Hotel Levi Panorama are dog friendly and very comfortable. Upon arrival we were welcomed by food and water bowls, Dog Treats, and a special towel.
Dog-Friendly Hotel in Levi, Finland
My dog Gigi and I are very attached, and she loves the cold and the snow even more than I do, so it only made sense for us to travel to the Arctic together. When searching for accommodations, I filtered for dog-friendly hotels within a reasonable price point, and this highly reviewed property caught my eye: Hotel Levi Panorama.
A designated block of rooms within Hotel Levi Panorama can accommodate dogs, so be sure to mention you will be traveling with your dog at the time of booking to confirm availability. At the time of writing, Hotel Levi Panorama’s pet fee is 25€ per pet, per stay. The dog-friendly rooms are located on the ground floor with easy access to the hotel’s back entrance to allow for convenient potty breaks.
We immediately felt welcomed when we arrived to the hotel, and were delighted to enter our room and be greeted by food and water bowls, dog treats, and a special towel (in a color different from the room’s bath towels, as to not get confused in case you need to bathe or clean your dog). The room was perfectly spotless and was set to a comfortable temperature, and Gigi immediately made herself right at home and settled in on the sofa.
I felt comfortable leaving Gigi in our hotel room for a few hours a day while I was out skiing, but we spent the rest of our time together while I was working from the hotel room, or when we would go out for forest walks or to explore the town. I called ahead to some restaurants in town to confirm that they were dog-friendly, and the general rule seemed to be that dogs are welcomed as long as they are well-behaved. The only place where Gigi was not allowed to enter was the hotel’s restaurant, but we were able to sit just beside it in the hotel’s lounge, order from the same menu, and be treated to the same service.
Hotel Levi Panorama is a great destination for skiers that love to travel with their dog. We felt very welcome and enjoyed our stay to the fullest.
Gigi does not ski with me on the mountain, but the Express Gondola connects Hotel Levi Panorama with the Town just below, so we would often ride the Gondola together any time we went into town.
Other Amenities at Hotel Levi Panorama
In addition to being ski in/ski out and dog-friendly, Hotel Levi Panorama has a number of other amenities, including restaurants onsite, a fabulous breakfast buffet, and a rooftop bar with spacious glass ceiling viewing rooms to keep an eye on the night sky from the comfort of the indoors. And though I didn't use them personally, the property also has a well-equipped gym and saunas with large windows offering scenic views of the surrounding forests.
The property also has free on-site parking if you choose to arrive by car, but I conveniently arranged my airport transfer shuttle through the hotel as soon as I confirmed my reservation, and was delighted by the ease of the process when I landed at Kittilä airport. The town of Sirkka in Levi (located just at the base of the ski resort) is easily accessed by a short gondola ride during its listed hours of operation. Should you need any snacks, toiletries, or souvenirs outside of these hours, you can shop a number of conveniences in the hotel’s lobby, available for purchase from the 24-hour reception.
Viewing the Aurora Borealis in Late March 2024 in Levi Finland, just a short walk from Hotel Levi Panorama. You can read my tips for increasing your chances of viewing the northern Lights here.
When is the best time to visit Hotel Levi Panorama?
I visited Hotel Levi Panorama in late March 2024, and was lucky to have beautiful weather. Skies were mostly clear, and I was fortunate to see stunning displays of the Northern Lights on 5 out of the 7 nights of my stay.
While temperatures were still very cold in March, each day was sunny and pleasant. Because this time of year is nearing summer, there are fewer snow storms, and the sun begins to set later each day. Though the ski pistes might not collect very much fresh snowfall, the groomed runs are well maintained and fun to ski.
Levi Finland is also known for the unique experience of twilight skiing through snow covered “popcorn trees” or “snow ghosts”, which are more common during peak season in January or February when snow storms are more frequent and the conditions are just right. Though it’s important to consider that while the nights are longer and may offer more opportunities for Northern Lights viewing, the skies at this time of year may not be consistently clear.
Regardless of what time of year you visit, Levi Finland is a wonderful destination with lots to enjoy. If you are interested in my other tips for increasing your chances of seeing the Northern Lights on your visit to Levi Finland, you can read this article I published: Forget Everything You've Heard About How to Increase Your Chances of Seeing the Northern Lights: Here are My Tips.
My top recommendations for Cafes & Restaurants in Levi Finland
Campfire Barista— Stopping by this cafe stand is a must! Fantastic coffee and lattes, delicious homemade cookies and s’mores, and an overall unforgettable and unique experience!
Káfet— Cozy, heartwarming, and filling meals made with love. The service is friendly and dogs are welcome!
Pizza de Levi— delicious pizzas and fresh salads, it was so good I came back twice during my stay! The service was also lovely.
Cafe Panorama Laavu— A magical setting that must be reached by foot on a lovely walk through the forest. It is part of the Hotel Levi Panorama property but is also accessible by foot (uphill hike) from Sirkka town, weather permitting. As the location is remote, the menu consists of a few types of coffees, berry juices, and fresh homemade snacks.
Restaurant Panorama— The onsite restaurant at Hotel Levi Panorama is a convenient and comfortable place to try local dishes and cuisine.
My Pomeranian thrives in cold weather. We took daily walks through the forest just outside Hotel Levi Panorama.
On the way out to our nightly forest walks to observe the northern lights from the dark clearings just outside Hotel Levi Panorama.
Skiing in the Arctic Circle and seeing the Northern Lights were items that topped my bucket list for years, and it was truly special to be able to experience both in one unforgettable trip, and with my beloved dog at my side. I certainly recommend visiting Hotel Levi Panorama for a comfortable, convenient, and memorable stay in the arctic— my experience was surely one I will never forget.
Are you planning a trip with your pet to Levi Finland and wondering if Hotel Levi Panorama is a great choice for you? If you have any questions about my personal experience visiting and skiing in Levi Finland, let me know in the comments below!
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About the author
Meet Carina Otero, avid skier and the creator of She is Not Lost, an online community for celebrating female travelers and a blog providing helpful tips, useful information, and inspiration for your future travels. Carina’s passion for skiing and love of writing and photography have inspired a new blog to share her experiences and personal favorites relating to the sport:
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