“If there were no work or school, we’d live on the slopes” – Levi invests in getting families moving like never before

Levi actively promotes family wellbeing by helping children discover the joy of movement and outdoor life. Investing in family comfort and accessibility is a top priority. For the family of Santtu Laine and Mari Kangas, Levi represents above all togetherness.

“If we didn’t have work or school, we’d live on the slopes. Especially in spring, when the frost eased, we spent every weekend skiing,” laugh Santtu and Mari, who found a home near Levi after 15 years in the Helsinki region. In fact, they have two homes: one for sleeping, and one on the slopes, where the snowboarding family spends their best time together.

Levi moves the whole family

Whether it’s skiing, snowboarding, or biking, sports for this family are all about doing things together.
“Skiing is creative for us — everyone can draw their own line down the slope, but we still enjoy the day together,” says Mari with a smile.

Levi’s slopes have offered a playground for the family long before they moved to Kittilä. The children, Kaarlo and Salme, learned to snowboard on Levi’s South Slopes during family holidays.

“Our kids started at Leevilandia’s family slopes, then moved on to steeper runs. The South Slopes are long and gentle — a perfect place to practice safely,” Mari adds.

For Kaarlo, Levi’s slopes have meant not only learning to snowboard but developing a true passion for it.

“Last winter, Kaarlo logged around 2,500 lift rides — imagine the hours spent on snow! Not long ago, we were doing the same tricks together, but now I’m just cheering from behind,” laughs Santtu, amazed by his 10-year-old’s progress.

Time on the slopes is precious – but so are the treats afterwards.

Kaarlo already knows the South Slopes’ parks and jumps by heart, and the airbag jump has become a favorite for practicing tricks. His six-year-old sister, Salme, is equally enthusiastic but more deliberate in her moves.

The parents love how the South Slopes cater to both children: “There are runs and parks for every level, from easy to challenging, so we always find something we all enjoy. That’s what matters most,” Santtu emphasizes.

Family-friendly Levi gets top marks

The family points out that a great outdoor day is about more than just skiing — it’s about the small details that make everything easier.

Like always finding a ready-to-use fire pit for snacks, or a warm retreat in Leevi's playground, a rest area full of fun for kids when the weather turns.

And when it’s time to eat…

“The chicken soup at Sivakka is the best!” shouts Kaarlo, eager to mention his favorite slope restaurant.

The family believes Levi has thought carefully about families in its range of services and activities, which is why they often invite friends from southern Finland to join them.

“Many of our friends have been amazed at how much there is for children and families here. And it’s true — Levi’s family-friendly setup is fantastic, which is why we love it so much,” Mari smiles.

Many children will learn to ski this winter on Levi’s South Slopes.

Major investment in family slopes

The South Slopes beloved by the Laine–Kangas family attract many others as well. According to Marko Mustonen, Levi Ski Resort’s commercial director, the South Slopes are the most popular area in Levi when measured by lift rides.

“The majority of our guests especially enjoy the South Slopes and the services they offer. In the future, we will continue to invest even more in developing and expanding these services,” explains Mustonen.

The popularity stems from the same qualities highlighted by the family — safety and comfort. The slopes are moderately challenging, wide, and offer great visibility, which families appreciate. For the coming season, several slopes have been widened and connected to create more open, continuous runs.

Mustonen notes that the modernized, well-lit slopes with family-friendly lifts provide a safe environment for expressing yourself through skiing. The improvements extend to all services that make a ski day smooth.

In Leevin kotipesä, no one misses their phone.

“At the base of the South Slopes, we’ve added 600 new parking spaces for easy access to the lifts. Plus, the Ski Bus now runs between the South and Front Slopes every 15 minutes,” Mustonen says.

Levi aims to get people of all ages moving and to encourage children toward an active lifestyle — that’s why family-friendly investments are so important. The Leevi's playground rest area is a great example of how Levi promotes fun physical activity even off the slopes.

“Little ones can have trouble sitting still, but instead of reaching for a phone, they can use their energy for balance and coordination games at Leevin kotipesä,” Mustonen explains.

“Kids don’t need encouragement to enter the virtual world — we want to inspire them in the physical one. After all, we are a ski resort that moves people.”

Plan your active family holiday and explore all Levi has to offer: levi.fi