Easy navigation /Electronic map service

We have had long country-skiing trips around Äkäslompolo and Ylläs for years. During the skiing holiday week, we have skied many northern routes to Elämän Luukku, Peurakaltio and Pyhäjärvi. Also, we have skied southern routes to Lake Luosujärvi, Ylläsjärvi and Kesängin Keidas. It has been great that there are plenty of routes to choose from, and it has been able to plan their lengths based to our condition and the weather situation at that moment.

Previously, we purchased a paper map, which was used to plan ski routes. On a skiing trip we tried to evaluate by the paper map, could we able to lengthen the route, or would it be better to ski back to Äkäslompolo? Or what would be the status of ski trails?

In the last couple of years, we have downloaded an electronic map service on our mobile, which has been easy use and easy to follow ski trail maintenance online. In the morning, it has been nice to check where the ski track machines have already worked. Also, on the skiing trip, it has been able to check where the ski track machines are just working. It's a great service for the skiers and just made skis trails are fantastic to ski!

Ylläs Online Trail and Track service covers cross-country skiing routes, winter paths, snowmobile routes and summer routes are also included. The functions are based on GPS positioning, so you know exactly where you are. The length of the routes can also be measured, which provides security, because you are able to estimate how far you are able to ski. Possible problems on the routes are also reported in the service, e.g. If the water has risen to the ice or if there are icy spots in downhill.

The map service also shows the resting places and cafes along the routes. In addition, the service shows updates from the social media, other skiers and Ylläs Ski trails comments. The situation updates from Ylläs Ski Trails have been very useful.

The electrical service costs same as paper one, ten euros per year. The download of the service can be made at Ylläs Online shop: https://www.yllas.fi/en/yllas-online-shop/shopping-cart.html. After downloading, the map service will appear to your mobile as name InfoGIS Ylläs. After downloading you'll need update your own Id and password to sign in. The electronical map service is easy to use, and info from the service has been valuable for us. With these experiences, we'll buy this service again.

Now it's beginning of November and in Lapland has already lots of snow. The maintenance of skiing trails has started early in this year. Here in southern Finland we have just rain and darker days. It is tough for us and we can only dream about skiing.

As I have told, we are eager skiers. We are still upset about our mistake in October, when we didn't pack our skis with us. We would have had the first snow skiing experience in Äkäslompolo.