Kaunispään Huippu

Kaunispään Huippu is located 437 meters above sea level, as its name suggests, at the summit of the majestic Kaunispää fell. Nearly a hundred breathtaking mountain views await visitors to Lapland. On clear days, you can see as far as the Russian mountains, located up to 40 km away.

Depending on the season, Huippu is adorned with the colors of autumn foliage, the Northern Lights of winter, and the sparkling snowdrifts, not to mention the endless daylight of the summer season.

The current Huippu includes a cozy two-part, 200-seat panoramic restaurant, the exquisite 50-seat Kravattikota (Lapland hut), a bar, and Tuliaistupa specializing in high-quality souvenirs, knits, and Lapland's gold and silver jewelry.

From the summit, it's two kilometers to the Saariselkä ski resort.

Kaunispään Huippu in winter

Kaunispään Huippu in summer

Kaunispään Huippu's history

At the Kaunispään Huippu, tourists have been served since 1954. A reminder of Lapland's tourism history, the old log Upper Lodge, stands as one of Saariselkä's first food and lodging services.
In 1865, five years before the great gold rush in Lapland's Ivalojoki River, gold was discovered in the nearby Lutto River, which skirts the mountains. Bailiff K.W. Planting verified "gold signs" along the Ruija Trail. 

In 1913, a road was completed between Sodankylä and Kyrö Village (modern-day Ivalo), including a road built to the summit of the mountain. Around the same time, a fire lookout was stationed on the summit to observe the vast mountain landscapes and watch for signs of wildfires several kilometers away.

In 1931, a road to Petsamo's Liinahamari was completed. Tourism also increased, and the Lotta Svärd organization planned to build a café on the summit of Kaunispää. During the 1930s, Kaunispää was particularly popular among the residents of Ivalo as a destination for various gatherings and celebrations.

In November 1944, during the aftermath of World War II in Lapland, fierce battles were fought on the slopes of Kaunispää in the Lapland War. All the buildings on the summit, including the fire lookout's cabin, a large storehouse, and several auxiliary buildings, were destroyed.

In 1952, a new fire lookout, known as the Upper Lodge, was built with towers and café spaces. 
In 1954, tourism activities began at the summit of the mountain. Since then, the restaurant and souvenir shop have been expanded twice. 

In 1955, a drilled well was constructed. 

In 1957, the first triangulation tower was built on Kaunispää. 

In 1971, the Kaunispää ski slopes were opened. In 1986, the current Kaunispään Huippu restaurant was built. 

In 1999, the extension of Kaunispään Huippu and the new Tuliaistupa were completed. 

In 2011, the Kaunispää Tower was inaugurated. 

In 2015, municipal infrastructure was finally brought to Kaunispää. 

In 2016, the Kaunispään Huippu restaurant was expanded and renovated.

Today, the Saariselkä tourist center, located next to the mountain, has expanded to the southern slopes of Kaunispää, reaching almost to the tree line. Ski lifts ascend all the way to the summit, and a maintained ski trail and snowmobile route pass through the summit.

The 1.6-kilometer road from Highway 4 to the summit is kept open year-round. The number of visitors to the summit exceeds 100,000 annually.






Kaunispää viewing tower

The 7.5-meter-high Kaunispää Tower, inaugurated in September 2011, was built as a memorial, information point, and scenic tower to preserve the long tradition of triangulation measurements at Kaunispää.

Information panels placed at the tower explain the phases of Finland's triangulation and mapping history. As a viewpoint, the tower aims to enhance the tourism experiences offered at Kaunispää.

The tower was constructed in collaboration with the Finnish Geodetic Institute, the National Land Survey of Finland, the Municipality of Inari, and the ELY Centre.

Information about the Kaunispää triangulation tower:
https://www.maankaytto.fi/arkisto/mk411/mk411_1529_poutanen_et_al.pdf

Seasons


June

  • Average daily temperature +10.8 degrees Celsius 
  • Cloudberries begin to bloom 
  • Lake Inari gradually starts to thaw and open up from the ice
  • Swallows take over the eaves of the old part of Kaunispään Huippu 
  • A late cold snap may bring snow to the ground

July

  • Average daily temperature +13.7 degrees Celsius 
  • Cloudberries ripen in the marshes for picking
  • The last snow melts from the fells of Saariselkä 
  • The trolling season on Lake Inari is at its peak
  • In Ivalo, snowmobile races are held on water 
  • The midnight sun ends on July 20th (Ivalo Airport)

August

  • Average daily temperature +11 degrees Celsius 
  • Crowberries begin to be picked for winter juice and cake needs 
  • Evenings start to darken, and trout begin to surface in Lake Inari 
  • Bear and possibly goose hunting starts in Upper Lapland

September

  • Average daily temperature +5.9 degrees Celsius 
  • Autumn colors at their most beautiful 
  • Lingonberries are picked and frozen for stews, and mushrooms are preserved

October

  • Average daily temperature -0.3 degrees Celsius 
  • Reindeer herders start the separation and slaughter 
  • Vendace fishers are busy on Lake Inari 
  • Whitefish and vendace roe are collected for winter delicacies 
  • Northern lights and starry skies begin to shine on clear nights 
  • The first snow appears, and it may even snow permanently

November

  • Average daily temperature -7.4 degrees Celsius
  • Ice fishers start measuring the thickness of the ice 
  • Reindeer meat markets are at their peak 
  • Northern lights hunters begin to enjoy their stay in Saariselkä

December

  • Average daily temperature -12.3 degrees Celsius
  • Polar night begins on December 4th (Ivalo Airport) 
  • Santa Claus's workshop at Korvatunturi is at its busiest time of the year
  • Polar night colors are at their most beautiful

January

  • Average daily temperature -14.3 degrees Celsius 
  • Polar night ends on January 5th (at Kaunispää Huippu, the sun rises 3 times)

February

  • Average daily temperature -13 degrees Celsius 
  • Ski holidays begin

March

  • Average daily temperature -8.2 degrees Celsius 
  • Dried meat hangs on roofs and under eaves in early spring
  • Willow grouse trapping ends in Inari, Enontekiö, and Utsjoki municipalities on the last day of March

April

  • Average daily temperature -2.2 degrees Celsius 
  • Ice fishing season at its best
  • Spring conditions invite skiers

May

  • Average daily temperature +4.4 degrees Celsius 
  • Midnight sun begins on May 22nd (Ivalo Airport) 
  • Morel mushrooms begin to grow if there is enough warmth and moisture
  • Eurasian dotterel arrives to nest on Kaunispää
Source: http://www.lappi.fi/lappi/luonto/vuodenajat
Kaunispään Huippu Oy is not responsible for the accuracy of the information.
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