Yllas Saaga Spa Hotel

Lapland-Finland , Santa Breaks in Yllas

  • Family Holidays
  • Spa & Wellness
  • Food & Drink
4.5/5
Inghams rating

We rate all of our accommodation based on their facilities, service level, character and customer feedback. Our ratings may vary from the official rating.

  • Iso-Ylläksentie 42, 95980 Kolari, Finland

Facilities

  • Gym/Fitness Centres
  • Indoor Pool
  • Spa Facilities
  • Hot Tub
  • Sauna/Steam Room
  • Bar
  • Family Rooms
  • Single Rooms
  • Drying Closet
  • Free Wi-Fi

Santa Breaks in Ylläs at a glance

  • Finnish
  • Euro (EUR)
  • London Gatwick (LGW), Bristol (BRS), Manchester Int. (MAN)

Included in your Santa Breaks holiday to Ylläs

  • Indoor pool with children's area, whirlpool, sauna and steam room included for hotel guests 
  • A special half-day visit to Santa's Elves Hideaway, an exclusive excursion, where you'll have a private meeting with Santa
  • Arctic thermal clothing and snow boots for all adults and children from 3 years to keep you cosy and warm in the snow
  • A Festive Feast to celebrate your time in Lapland, full of festivities, including fun and games
  • On holiday support and tailored advice from our Destination Experts
  • Access to Inghams Digital Resort Guide with useful information to enhance your holiday
  • Flights from the UK, transfers and accommodation on half board

About Yllas Saaga Spa Hotel

Set on the magical Ylläsjärvi side of the fell, the Ylläs Saaga Hotel offers the perfect base for a Christmas family holiday filled with festive cheer, snowy adventures, and the unforgettable chance to meet Santa in his true homeland. Just a snowballs throw from the ski lifts, it’s an ideal spot for first-time skiers and families looking to try out gentle slopes in a peaceful, uncrowded setting. With ski school, equipment hire, and beginner-friendly pistes right on your doorstep, it’s easy to mix arctic activities with magical Christmas experiences. 

Spend your days skiing down the snow covered fells, or enjoy husky rides, reindeer safaris, and magical encounters with Santa himself – all within reach of this cosy, slopeside hotel. It’s the ultimate festive escape for snow lovers and Santa seekers alike.

After a day of snowy fun and festive excitement, there's no better place to unwind than the hotel’s cosy wellness centre. Whether you've spent the day skiing, dashing through the snow on a husky sled, or visiting Santa in his woodland hideaway, a little relaxation goes a long way. Warm up with a soothing sauna, enjoy a dip in the indoor pool, or relax tired muscles in the hot tub. Younger guests will love the children's splash pool, giving everyone a chance to recharge after a magical day. For a special treat, parents can indulge in a massage or spa treatment.

Head to the inviting Fireplace Bar to warm up with a mug of hot chocolate or festive mulled wine. The cosy atmosphere is perfect for sharing stories from your day's adventures, whether it was your child’s first ski lesson or that unforgettable visit to Santa’s cabin. Come evening, gather for a delicious three-course buffet at the Biegga Restaurant, offering beautiful views of the snow covered fells. For an extra special Christmas dining experience, treat the family to a meal at the Tsohka à la carte restaurant, where local Lappish ingredients and festive flavours shine. Guests enjoy a discount here – simply let reception know by 6pm the evening before. It’s the perfect way to end a magical day in Lapland.

Spa & wellness facilities

  • Indoor pool with children's area, whirlpool, sauna and steam room included for hotel guests 
  • Spa treatments and massages are available for a local fee
  • Fitness room (reservation required, pay locally)

Additional facilities

  • Two restaurants: Biegga half-board buffet restaurant and à la carte restaurant Tsohka (pay locally)
  • Bistro Bar 
  • Lounge
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Fireplace bar
  • Lifts
  • Located next to the ski lifts, ski school and ski hire shop on the Ylläsjärvi side of the fell
  • Located at the base of the Ylläsjärvi Ski Resort
  • Slope side location
  • 150 metres from the ski lifts and ski school

The Saaga Spa Hotel is on a half board basis.

Each morning you can enjoy a varied buffet breakfast with a range of hot and cold options, served from 7am - 10am. 

When you return from a day on the slopes, enjoy a drink at the Fireplace Bar before heading to dinner. Each evening you can indulge in a three course evening meal with a choice of main taken at the Biegga buffet restaurant, which has fantastic views across the fells and Ylläsjärvi.

For a little extra, you can enjoy a meal at the à la carte restaurant - Tsohka, the restaurant's menu is inspired by Lappish ingredients and local flavours. Guests can receive a 30% discount for the à la carte restaurant. Please inform the reception by 6pm the day before. Please note that the à la carte restaurant is not guaranteed to be open all season.

A Festive Feast, a Christmas celebration meal with games and music, is included on the final night of your holiday. Please note that the Festive Feast will replace your last half-board dinner. 

No of restaurants: 2

This property caters for the following special dietary requirements:

  • Vegetarians
  • Gluten Free
  • Dairy Free

Catering for dietary allergies will need to be checked before booking. Allergies and intolerances not listed above cannot be catered for. All allergies and intolerances, even if listed above, are subject to confirmation by the accommodation. If one member of your party has multiple dietary requirements, these are subject to confirmation by the accommodation.

Board basis available: Half Board

Standard Rooms sleep two to four people. These rooms have twin beds and an additional sofa-bed suitable for one adult or two children under 12 years old. 

Single Room is sole occupancy of the standard twin room,  with no single supplement on all dates. These rooms are available on request, please give our Reservations team a call to book. 

Superior Rooms sleep two to four people, these rooms have twin beds and an additional double sofa bed - best suited for one adult or two children under 12 years old. Superior rooms also include a small fridge and a kettle. These rooms are available on request, please give our Reservations team a call to book. 

Bedroom facilities

  • Located in the main building
  • Views of the horizon or fells
  • Most rooms have a balcony or terrace (not guaranteed)
  • Shower
  • WC
  • Hairdryer
  • Bathrobes
  • TV
  • Drying closet
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Most rooms have a balcony or terrace
  • Most rooms can take a cot

General information:

  • Check-in: 4pm
  • Check-out: 11am

Additional information:

  • No. of rooms: 120
  • No. of buildings: 1
  • No. of floors: 4
  • Lift accessible: Yes
  • Lift serves all floors: Yes
  • No. of steps into property: 4
  • Access ramp: Yes

The Yllas Saaga Spa Hotel has some accessible rooms which may be suitable for wheelchair users or those with reduced mobility. Please give our Reservations team a call to discuss booking this hotel.

Travel to Santa Breaks in Ylläs

Depart on: Wednesdays & Sundays

Fly into: Kittilä

Transfer time: approx. 40 minutes - 1 hour by coach

Check availability

Travel by Air

Direct exclusive charter flights to Kittilä airport departing on Sundays (for 3 or 7 nights) and Wednesdays (for 4 or 7 nights) from:

  • Gatwick 
  • Bristol
  • Manchester 

Flight supplements may apply.

Airport Transfer Time - approx. 55 minutes - 1 hour 15 minutes by coach

Please note that there may be a few minutes' walk to your accommodation due to access/regulations on where coaches can stop.

Inghams Rating: 4.5/5

We rate all of our accommodation based on their facilities, service level, character and customer feedback. Our ratings may vary from the official rating.

Discover Santa Breaks in Ylläs

Ylläs is an idyllic unspoiled area of Lapland above the Arctic Circle. It encompasses three villages, Äkäslompolo, Ylläsrinne and Ylläsjärvi, each with marvellous scenery and high-quality cosy log cabins dotted around the woods. This resort really allows you to appreciate the true beauty of nature that Lapland has to offer - the landscape is dominated by vast forests, crystal-clear lakes (which are ideal for spotting the magical Northern Lights) , and rolling fells (their equivalent to mountains) making this resort a haven for nature lovers. The region also has a rich indigenous Samí heritage, and you'll have the chance to learn about Samí culture, traditions, and history during your stay. 

Our Ylläs Santa Break trips allow you to enjoy an unforgettable short break in December to get the whole family well and truly into the festive spirit in the run up to Christmas!

More about Santa Breaks in Ylläs

Things to do in Yllas

Snowmobiles are one of the most exciting ways to explore Finland in winter, and you’ll have the chance to glide through vast, snow-covered forests and glistening fells on this magical snowmobile safari. Before setting off, you’ll receive full instruction on how to drive your snowmobile, ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure through the pristine Arctic landscape.

Children will travel safely in a sleigh pulled behind the guide, while adults can choose to share a snowmobile or drive solo. Along the way, you’ll stop at a traditional Finnish kota — a cosy wooden hut — to warm up with hot berry juice, surrounded by the sparkle of the snowy forest. Then it’s back on your snowmobiles to continue the festive journey through Lapland’s enchanting winter wonderland.

Duration: 2-2.5 hours (from Äkäslompolo)

  • All drivers must be 18 years+ and bring a full, valid photographic driver's licence with them to the excursion.
  • Children must be aged 11 years or above and at least 140cm tall to ride as a passenger on a snowmobile; they must be able to touch the footrest when sitting on the snowmobile. Children under this height or aged 4-10 years will be towed in a sled or pod behind the guide. Infants (aged 0-3 years) can't take part in this excursion.
  • Single riders who have purchased a sharing snowmobile may need to upgrade locally to a single-driving snowmobile if a shared snowmobile is not available.
Snowmobiles

Set off on a truly special festive adventure as you hunt for the magical Northern Lights on a thrilling snowmobile safari beneath the starry Arctic sky. On dark, clear nights, you may be lucky enough to witness this breathtaking natural spectacle dancing across the heavens — a true Christmas gift from nature!

Your guide will lead you through the snowy forests and sparkling fells of Ylläs to the best viewing spots. Along the way, you’ll stop to warm up beside an open fire with a hot drink, while your guide shares ancient tales and legends of the Northern Lights, adding a touch of Christmas magic to this unforgettable Arctic experience.

Duration: 2-2.5 hours (from Äkäslompolo)

  • All drivers must be 18 years+ and bring a full, valid photographic driver's licence with them to the excursion.
  • Children must be aged 11 years or above and at least 140cm tall to ride as a passenger on a snowmobile; they must be able to touch the footrest when sitting on the snowmobile.
  • It is not possible for children under 11 years to take part in this excursion. 
  • Single riders who have purchased a sharing snowmobile may need to upgrade locally to a single driving snowmobile if a sharing snowmobile is not available.
Snowmobiles

Visit a traditional reindeer farm, where you’ll meet these gentle creatures and discover their special place in Lapland’s festive traditions.

Snuggle up under warm blankets as you glide through the snowy forest in a reindeer-pulled sleigh, surrounded by sparkling trees and the peaceful Arctic landscape. Along the way, learn about the Sámi people and how they have lived in harmony with the native reindeer for generations. This truly special and authentic Lapland experience is perfect for creating unforgettable Christmas memories.

Duration: 1.5 hours at farm

Reindeer Rides

Feel the thrill of the Arctic on an unforgettable husky safari through the snowy landscapes of Finnish Lapland. Hold on as a lively team of huskies whisks you across frozen trails, surrounded by silent forests and sparkling white scenery – the perfect blend of adventure and natural beauty.

Duration: 1.5 hours at farm

  • Children younger than 4 are only allowed on 2km husky safari.  
Husky Safaris

Step into a winter wonderland at the mystical Lainio Snow Village, located 200km above the Arctic Circle. Rebuilt each winter from over 400,000 kilos of ice and 45,000 cubic metres of snow, this impressive hotel features beautifully sculpted rooms, courtyards, an ice bar, restaurant, and even an Ice Chapel. Intricate carvings and designs inspired by Nordic mythology make each year's creation unique, offering a new experience every time you visit.

Duration: 1.5 hours at Snow Village (includes guided tour)

  • Available from mid December onwards. Visits that are booked before the public opening date, may not be have a completed Village to see. You will be able to have a more 'behind the scenes' visit and maybe see the artists working. The completion of the Snow Village is weather dependent.
Ice Activities

An opportunity for guests who have never skied before to try the wonderful world of skiing. Conditions are ideal for learning to ski with empty slopes and friendly English-speaking instructors.

Includes

  • Ski tuition for 1½ hours
  • Skis & boots hire all day
  • Free use of beginner lifts all day

More information

  • Ski Taster Package is for guests 6 years or older
  • Please note that adults and children will be split into separate groups for their tuition
  • If you have previously skied or had a lesson, you must book the ski saver package
Ski

Head out on a guided snowshoe adventure under the starry night sky in search of the magical Northern Lights. You’ll be guided through the pristine Arctic wilderness, under the snow-covered trees to the best spots in Yllas to witness this natural phenomenon.  Once you reach the halfway point on the trail you’ll stop for a warming drink in front of the campfire, where you will be told stories of Lapland and beliefs of the Sámi people as well as the scientific explanation of this magical light phenomenon.

Duration: 2 hours

  • Children must be aged 13+ to participate in this activity
Ice Activities

Snowshoeing in Ylläs offers a beautiful way to explore the breathtaking scenery in Finnish Lapland.  Venture out into the pristine arctic landscape on a guided snowshoe safari through the snow-covered forests. Halfway, you’ll stop for a warming berry juice in front of the fire, and as you explore the trails, your guide will tell stories about Lappish culture and the natural landscape that surrounds you. You may even encounter wildlife such as reindeer, arctic hares, and even the occasional fox or owl.  

Duration: 2 hours

  • Children must be aged 7+ to participate in this activity
Ice Activities

Enjoy a 2km husky safari through snowy Lapland trails, guided by an enthusiastic team of huskies. On this unique lapland experience, you'll drive your own team of dogs. After your magical ride, gather in a traditional Finnish kota where your guide will share fascinating stories about the huskies and their Arctic lifestyle. You’ll have plenty of time to ask questions and learn more about these incredible dogs. Warm up with a cup of sweet berry juice and tasty biscuits, making this a perfect festive experience for the whole family.

Husky Rides

Santa Breaks activity packages

Perfect for a 7-night Santa Break in Lapland, this package has everything you need for an unforgettable Arctic skiing or snowboarding experience. It includes a lift pass for effortless access to the slopes, plus skis or snowboard and boots—making it easy to hit the runs and enjoy the snowy wilderness. When you’re not on the hunt for Santa, embrace the thrill of gliding through Lapland’s winter wonderland on your skis or board.

Includes

  • 6 day - Lift Pass
  • 6 day - Skis/Snowboard & Boots
Skiing in Lapland

Make your Santa Break truly magical by adding the big three Christmas safaris! Glide through sparkling snow-covered landscapes on a Husky Safari led by a team of eager huskies. Experience a traditional, peaceful Reindeer Safari sleigh ride, surrounded by twinkling winter forests. And feel the festive thrill of a Snowmobile Safari, racing across the crisp, frozen Arctic terrain. These unforgettable adventures are perfect for creating cherished Christmas memories on your Santa Break.

Includes 3 activities

  • 9km Husky Safari
  • 1.5km Reindeer Safari
  • 25km Snowmobile Safari

Available on 7-night Santa Breaks.

More accommodations in Santa Breaks in Yllas

Popular Guides

All Insider Guides