Levi Ski Resort is Finland’s largest and most prestigious ski resort, located in Arctic Lapland, approximately 170 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle. With over 40 km of alpine slopes served by 26 lifts, and an extensive network of over 230 km of cross-country trails, Levi combines versatility for all levels with a prominent competitive profile on the international FIS calendar.
Since 2004, the resort has traditionally hosted the Alpine Ski World Cup (FIS World Cup) on its iconic Levi Black (G.2) slope, one of the northernmost technical events on the world circuit. In the 2025-2026 season, American Mikaela Shiffrin achieved a resounding victory in the November slalom, adding her ninth victory in Levi, a feat that reflects both the competitive level of the event and the historical importance of the resort in the world skiing elite.
In this scenario of international maturity, Levi is not only investing in ski lifts; it is demonstrating its understanding of what a ski resort is in the 21st century: an ecosystem where infrastructure, experience and active listening to users are inseparable. For this reason, it is now committed to a further increase in ski lift infrastructure for the 2026-2027 season with the Sunny Express chairlift, which will enhance the skier experience in the most popular areas of the domain.
Levi makes strategic investment in cable transport
The central project is the installation of the new Sunny Express detachable six-seater chairlift, based on Doppelmayr’s advanced D-Line technology, renowned for its comfort, reliability and operational efficiency. At the heart of Levi Ski Resort’s new investment drive is the installation of the Sunny Express detachable six-seater chairlift, an infrastructure that responds to a clear logic: to optimise cable transport without the need to expand the ski area.
“At Levi, infrastructure is not a reaction to the market, but the result of a sustained management vision.”
The ski lift is part of a philosophy of continuous improvement where comfort, mechanical reliability and operational efficiency are not incidental elements, but structural pillars of the station model.
With a capacity of up to 3,000 people per hour, the Sunny Express will not only increase transport volume, but also significantly reduce congestion during peak hours, especially during international holiday periods. Its implementation on the South Slopes, one of the most dynamic sectors of the domain, will allow for a more balanced redistribution of skier traffic, decongesting sensitive areas and improving the overall visitor experience.
The new chairlift will be located parallel to an existing installation, creating a double corridor that will improve flow during peak times. This approach does not simply seek to “add capacity”, but rather to intelligently reorganise movements within the ski area, something that sets apart resorts that plan for the long term from those that react solely to market pressure.
A modernisation plan worth over €60 million
The Sunny Express is the latest addition to an investment programme launched in 2019 that has already mobilised more than €64 million. Levi has committed to progressive modernisation, including the installation of lifts such as Levi West and Levi Six, the development of the Levi Glacier complex, the improvement of slopes and services, the upgrading of lighting systems, and the optimisation of snow production and efficient snow management.
Far from indiscriminate expansion, the Finnish ski resort has chosen to consolidate and refine its existing infrastructure. This strategy reflects a deep understanding of the current European context: competitiveness does not depend solely on the number of skiable kilometres, but on the quality of transport, the fluidity of the domain and the perception of comfort by international customers.
The leadership behind Levi’s transformation: Jouni Palosaari
Investments in vertical transport and modernisation cannot be understood without the leadership that has driven them forward over the last few decades. The current CEO of Levi Ski Resort, Jouni Palosaari, has recently been awarded the SME Merit Badge by the Finnish Hospitality Association, a recognition reserved for figures who have strengthened the business fabric of tourism and hospitality in Finland.
Under his leadership, Levi has grown from a small local station to become:
“the country’s most important ski resort and one of the most renowned winter destinations in Northern Europe.”
The expansion of infrastructure, the increase in hotel capacity and the professionalisation of services have not been isolated decisions, but part of a strategic vision sustained over time.
Palosaari was also instrumental in Levi’s inclusion in the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup calendar, a milestone that definitively put the resort on the international map. The development of the competition track, improvements to technical infrastructure and the consolidation of partnerships with international operators and airlines reinforced the global dimension of the destination.
This institutional recognition is not just a personal distinction. It is also a validation of the Levi model: constant investment, progressive internationalisation, ISO 14001 environmental certification and a stated ambition to become Europe’s most advanced ski resort throughout the year by 2030.
Optimisation of flow and skier experience even after the sun goes down
The South Slopes and West Slopes are particularly versatile areas within the Levi domain. These areas welcome families and intermediate skiers as well as more technical skiers, especially around the iconic Levi Black (G.2), a regular FIS World Cup slalom course. This combination of users requires very precise management of traffic on the slopes and lifts.
With the Sunny Express, waiting times will be significantly reduced, access to a greater variety of slopes will be faster, and skier distribution will be more balanced on busy days. In practical terms, this means more effective descents per day and more rational use of the ski pass.
Added to this is the possibility of night skiing on numerous floodlit slopes, a particularly valuable feature in Lapland, where winter days with sunshine are short. Extending the hours of enjoyment not only enhances the visitor’s experience, but also maximises the performance of the ski area in a unique Arctic environment.
Levi, a scenic resort accessible all year round
Levi’s commitment to infrastructure is not limited to traditional alpine skiing. The resort has developed a network of panoramic cable cars that reinforce its position as an accessible, active destination throughout all four seasons. The Gondola2000 and Express cabins provide a comfortable ride to the top of the fell, offering open views of Lapland’s Arctic landscape on a journey of approximately twenty minutes.
Beyond functional transport, these facilities are part of a comprehensive tourist experience. They are suitable for families with pushchairs, people with reduced mobility and even allow access with pets, a detail that reflects an inclusive vision of the destination. In winter, they expand access to key areas of the domain, and in summer they become:
“The backbone of activities such as hiking, bike park, or the popular summer sled track.”
From the upper station of the Gondola2000, you can access one of the most photographed spots in the resort, Santa’s Cabin, as well as the Peak Trail, a 600-metre circular route around the summit that reinforces Levi’s concept as a panoramic mountain beyond skiing. Meanwhile, the Express gondola connects the centre of the village of Sirkka with the Levi Summit area and the Panorama Hotel, integrating tourist mobility, conferences and accommodation in a single ecosystem.
This scenic transport model not only enhances the visitor experience, but also consolidates Levi’s strategy of becoming one of the most advanced mountain resorts in Europe in terms of year-round operation, combining sport, leisure, accessibility and digitalisation.
