First Snow of the Season At Levi Ski Resort, Finland

Michael Fulton20 Sept 2023

TL;DR

Levi Ski Resort in Finland, renowned for its proximity to the Arctic Circle and snow-resistant practices like 'snow farming,' has witnessed the first snowfall of the 23/24 season, with plans to open on October 6, 2023, making it one of Europe's earliest ski season starters. The resort offers attractions including the Levi Glacier slope, early season park, and cross-country ski tracks, and it annually hosts the women's FIS Alpine World Cup. The Levi slalom is a highlight, featuring top female athletes who vie for the unique prize of a reindeer from Santa Claus himself. Nearby, the Santa Claus village in Rovaniemi adds to the allure, as last year, U.S. ski racer Mikaela Shiffrin won her fifth and sixth Levi World Cups and expanded her reindeer herd to six, surpassing the previous record of Slovakia's Petra Vlhová with five reindeer.

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Finland's Levi Ski Resort, nestled near the Arctic Circle, recently welcomed the first snowfall of the 23/24 season. Known for its snow-resistant location, the resort employs a unique practice called 'snow farming,' storing spring snow through the summer to ensure an early October opening.On October 6, 2023, in just 16 days, this renowned Finnish resort will kick off the European ski season, boasting attractions like the Levi Glacier slope, early season park on the Front Slopes, and cross-country ski tracks with preserved snow near the Levi golf course. Levi is also famous for hosting the women's FIS Alpine World Cup annually for 18 years, scheduled this year from November 10 to 12, 2023.The Levi slalom consistently draws the world's top female athletes, with the winner receiving a unique prize from Santa Claus himself – a reindeer. The iconic Santa Claus village in Rovaniemi, only a two-hour drive from Levi, adds to the resort's charm. Last year, U.S. ski racer Mikaela Shiffrin clinched her fifth and sixth Levi World Cup victories, expanding her reindeer herd to six, breaking the previous record held by Slovakia's Petra Vlhová, who owns a herd of five reindeer.

About the author

Michael Fulton

Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.

50+ resorts visited15 years skiing

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