Levi World Cup with Kids: If you follow Mudpie Fridays on social media then you will know this month we spent a few days in Levi, Finland. It was the most amazing trip and we ticked a number of once in a lifetime things off our list. The reason for our visit was to experience the Levi World Cup. Each year Levi hosts a leg of the World Cup in November, which he has been doing now since 2004. The event which runs over a weekend sees men, women and children compete to win a downhill slalom race. It marks the beginning of the snow season for Levi and a huge draw for enthusiasts at all levels.
Unfortunately Levi like many other Scandinavian resorts was suffering from a lack of snow. Ironically a couple of weeks before our arrival there had been plenty but as the weather had warmed up a lot of the snow around the resort had melted. The weather was so warm that it wasn’t possible to make any extra snow either. I was super impressed with how the resort was coping. Since they have a slope next to Zero Point. But the competition slope was a little out of town. Our tour guide told us about how they had harvested snow from last year and managed to keep it and deploy it this year so that the competition could go ahead.
Although Monkey was too young to attend the parties attached to the celebration we did attend the opening ceremony. During this the running order of the women was decided but picking out a present from Santa’s sack. Each racer is brought up on stage by a reindeer which is an old tradition as the winner of both the women and the men’s racers will win one. This was on the Friday night, on the Saturday morning we headed over the slope.
On the walk up to the stand there is a Lapland Avenue. Lots of local businesses come along to sell their wares. There were lots of reindeer, huskies and Christmas characters that lined the hill. There were plenty of places to get food, buy little gifts and also play an odd game of ice hockey! Unfortunately I hadn’t dressed Monkey in his ski gear as it had started to warm up. Which was a mistake because all he really wanted to do was to slide down on his bum. Which he did do unintentionally a couple of times.
On the Saturday it was the women’s races and on Sunday the mens. We were lucky to be standing right at the end of the run in the press stand. The atmosphere was brilliant with lots of people with flags around their shoulders. Holding posters of the ladies they want to win with with names and faces. There was even a man at the front who was lending flags to people. Which Monkey was most impressed with opting for the American flag, I am sure its because they were winning. He’s nothing if not competitive. It was the perfect place to stand. Although for the more adventurous it was possible to walk up to the top of the slope and view from the tree fringed side lines.
Its possible to eat on site either from the various venders that are on Lapland Avenue or in the Alpine Cafe at the bottom which is reserved for the VIP members. We ate in the clubhouse, there as a buffet which was made with ingredients sourced from local producers and very child friendly much to Monkey’s excitement. As part of our VIP package we could catch the bus back to Zero Point free of charge. It went every twenty minutes on the Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. It was very convenient and meant that we could come and go as we please.
We had a great day at the Levi World Cup and its really ignited an interest in skiing for Monkey. Who had his first ski lesson that afternoon. Like any sport watching it in person os so much better than watching it on the TV. The atmosphere was electric, everyone so warm and welcoming and perfect for kids. I am without doubt that we will be back.
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We were invited on a press trip by the Levi Tourist board to experience everything the resort has to offer. VIP passes for the Levi World Cup was included in this.
41 Responses
Lovely photos, shame there wasnt more snow
What an experience for you all – one-day I’ll see for myself too
It looks so beautiful there! It definitely looks like you all had a fantastic time 🙂
Looks lovely unfortunately I don’t enjoy the cold weather
Oh goodness me! What a wonderful experience for you all.
Lapland Avenue sounds like a lovely experience
Looks fantastic! I bet you didnt want to return home!
Oh my goodness, this looks like such an adventure, I know my kids would love this kind of event!
It sounds like you had a lot of fun at the Levi World Cup! It’s amazing how the resort cope with the lack of snow, still managing to go on with the competition
Looks a little crowded but a fun time nonetheless! It’s too bad there wasn’t any fresh snowfall when you were there.
You had a great time! didn’t you? Hoping that I’ll experience snow weather someday.
HI.
What a great destination to go out whit kids. We just love snow vacations and, you all look like having the best time.
Awesome event to attend with especially with the whole family. Kids will be very happy on this looking at the smile they’re having a blast.
Looks like a very cool event and I love your photos!. Hope you and the family enjoyed it. Looks like there is enough snow to me! (says the guy who hates snow. 😛 )
This looks so exciting and full of fun! Would love to do something like this with the kids!
Levi World cup, looks so entertaining. I think i would definitely enjoy that. Nice photos love it. Thanks for sharing.
What a fun time! I’m sure everyone would
have preferred more snow, but it looks like everything continued smoothly. I love Finland. It’s such a beautiful country.
Omg this looks like so much fun. I live in Florida but absolutely love the snow. Great pictures!
Thank goodness they had harvested snow. It looks like a fun trip and gorgeous photos. #bloggerclubuk
IU love skiing and watching the competitions, this would be a dream come true for me, so glad you had an amazing time #bloggerclubuk
I would love to go. My kids never get to see the snow.
Wow…I really love that place! I had never gone to a snowy place like this. This looks like you had a great time enjoying there.
First I love snow. And so your post just made my day with those wonderful words and awesomely good pictures.
This looks like great fun!
looks like Monkey had a great time
I would love to go, looks fun
What a fab place to visit shame about the lack of snow #bloggerclubuk
What an incredible place and a wonderful experience for your little one. It must be thrilling watching snow sports in person. I won’t lie, I’m a little envious! Lovely photos 🙂
A fabulous experience. Sport, ski lesson, reindeer, national costumes and local food. What more could anyone want.
Looks like a great place …. to cold for me though lol
Absolutely beautiful, what a dream trip even without alot of snow.
Aaahhbs ow. How lovwly. Sounds like you had a dream come true with this getaway. Photos are beaitiful.
Wow looks great
Looks such a wonderful experience for your family.
Looks like a great day and what a beautiful reindeer
Clmate change means we won’t have long to enjoy features like this.
it looks like a wonderful place
Amazing what an experience
Must have been a great experience you have some lovely photo’s
what a wonderful adventure, kids mustve loved
Absolutely lovely, would love to go if I could deal with the cold!