Visit to the Velhon kota (the Wizard’s hut) 

A very nice visit to the Velhon kota (the Wizard's hut or Wilderness cafe) guided by strong wind and coincidence and which changed to a very nice chatting with the owner. 

The first Saturday in February was very windy, and we were already skied both upwind and downwind for days. So, we decided to have day off skiing. We chose the walking path from other side of wind and we were going along the winter path towards the Velhon kota. The place was already familiar to us and we had many nice memories about this place, because we had visited there many times with children and admired the mystical atmosphere. Now we had a plan to enjoy the afternoon coffee and take some pictures and send them later for our already adult children.

We walked and I took pictures of the snow-covered forest, and in that beautiful landscape I got an idea that it would be nice to ask for more details and news about the Velhon kota. I had a small cardboard in my backpack to write some notes down. After we arrived to Velhon kota, we ordered coffees and reindeer pancakes and I got permission to take pictures and ask for more information. The coffee and especially the reindeer pancakes were delicious. I publish rarely pictures about my delicacies, but this time I had a must-do exception. 

I tried to remember what would be good to know about the place. Luckily the new owner had some free time for us even though new customers were coming in all the time. Here are the notes: new owners of Velhon kota are Satu Kostet and Anne Pantsu, who want to continue Uuttu-Kalle's tradition and by respecting the Velhon kota's history. The "Uuttu-Kalle" (Kalervo Uuttu) and his wife Kirsti found the place in skiing trip in year 1985 and there they got an idea of cafe. In the same year a fireplace was built and the next spring 1986 there was also a new but smaller hut space ready. At that time Kirsti was baking doughnuts at home and those were brought to the Velhon kota with a snowmobile. The coffees were cooked on the stove near the fireplace and the actual peak season lasted about two months. Later Kalle's and Kirsti's daughter Satu and her husband Jari managed the place and expanded the place and offerings until 2018. 

Uuttu-Kalle is a famous Äkäslompolo storyteller, artist, and the baptizer of Lapland. There are more information about him in net, but most of them are in Finnish. Sorry about that. 

Since year 2018 began new story of Velhon kota managing by Satu and Anne. Also, they have the third worker and her name is Kirsi Laitinen. The working day begins with the opening of walking paths with a snowmobile and then setting a fire to the stove. In the morning they bake doughnuts and then other pastries, including pancakes, and sandwiches and rolls are also served. I was particularly very pleased that there were gluten free pancakes, smoked reindeer pies, blueberry pieces and cloudberry cakes. 

More pleasure topics were found from environmentally friendly tableware, recycling and natural products. Satu told us that they have introduced ecological Kupilka tableware that withstand cold and hot and those can also be washed in the dishwasher. Kupilka tableware are made from natural fiber composite and can either be returned to recycling or burned. If you are interested about Kupilka, please see link for more information: https://kupilka.fi/en/

Recycling has come with Satu and Anne to the Velhon kota and everything possible is recycled and a recycling point has been made for all wastes. The composter is also used. We talked more about composting and compost waste collection. The composters also work well in the Lapland and some hotels have already started their own composting. We said with one voice that hopefully a wider collection of composting waste will be available as soon as possible, because tourism generates a lot of compost waste. 

Satu's partner Anne has completed a professional qualification in the natural product sector and through her natural berries and herbs have found their way to the Velhon kota. Natural products and yarns made by Anne are also for sale at the Velhon kota. 

One of big change which facilitate their work was to have electricity to the Velhon kota last autumn. This allowed for the transition from disposable containers to Kupilka tableware. Satu ja Anne have brought great innovations which both saving nature and taking advantage of nature!

At this time of year about 80% of the customers of the Velhon kota are from foreign countries coming from e.g. from Belgium, Switzerland and France. The British have been visited more before Christmas. To the Velhon kota can be reached along walking path, by snowshoes through the Kuertunturi or by skiing. Some of the guests want to return to Äkäslompolo by taxi and it possible during the winter when the Äkäsjoki is sufficiently frozen. There is no bridge over the river Äkäsjoki and the bridge still is waiting building decision. 

Velhon Kota has traditionally been the target of many active person. Last year, Velhon Kota was also open during the summer season in July and August. Satu's and Anne's plans and targets are the development of biking trails in the area. Velhon kota will open again in next summer.

Satu told her that she has had a great time in Äkäslompolo for 15 years. The work in Velhon kota is interesting and well-rounded and there are always two working together, so tasks can vary throughout the day. Anne was on a day off, so we did not meet her in this trip unfortunately. 

I'll go back to the beginning of this story and the atmosphere of Velhon kota. From the outside, the hut is almost covered with snow and inside the Velhon kota is a nice dim, the ceiling is decorated with birds and decoration made of straws. The little windows have a candle lantern and the snow has almost covered the windows. The furniture are wooden tables and stools and there are laughing wooden wizards here and there. A back wall has a huge stone fireplace built by Uuttu-Kalle. 

The place is mystical beautiful and especially magical. That dim magical was my destiny without photos, because after warming my camera refused to take clear pictures without tripod. So, I had to some take pictures by mobile phone, but those are not good ones. Luckily I found afterwards Velhon kota's own website with great photos from inside, these can be found behind the link https://velhonkota.fi/en/ More detailed information about the Velhon kota, Satu and Anne and the history can be found from their website. 

We had a very nice mid-day coffee break in Velhon kota. Huge thanks to Satu that she had some time for us while she had a very busy working day. There were lots of visitors at the same time and I am sure they enjoyed the atmosphere of Velhon kota and its delicious offerings.