Everyone who goes on a Headwater holiday will be emailed a link to our post-holiday questionnaire where they can give us an honest assessment of all aspects of their holiday - everything from how quickly we answer the phone to how clean the hotels were - plus an overall rating and comments about their holiday.
Any feedback collected is posted to our website, so that people can make an informed decision based on past experiences before heading off on holiday. We don’t edit the reviews, the only thing we do is proofread them and alter any typos, where necessary, to ensure they are easy to read for everyone. All reviews will be published (except in certain extreme circumstances), and a member of the Headwater team will respond to any constructive criticisms/comments under the reviews, at their discretion. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of our holidays, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.
Helpful and knowledgeable. I get a sense they care about making holidays as good as as can be
We enjoyed every aspect of the holiday. It was the first time we have been self guided rather than part of a group and it really suited us because we could ski at our own pace. The hotel was very comfortable and quite unusual in that we were the only people from the UK for most of the week. There was a lovely mixture of nationalities. We hope to go back in the future.
Headwater is a professional organisation with friendly and helpful staff and it is an organisation we would travel with again. The essential information was very useful but an overview map provided with the joining instructions would be helpful. The trip to Akaslompolo exceeded our expectations. The scenery was beautiful, the cabins were comfortable and warm and the food was excellent. Other activities were available and there were plenty of walking routes if you didn't want to ski. We would come here again. The only criticism is that the signs on the routes were sometimes confusing and did not seem to tie in with the map.
Lauren Matkin provided fantastic service and helped us with all our queries
A great choice for independent travellers looking for an active holiday with safety and quality assurance built in.
We enjoyed the opportunity to visit a new country and experience a new activity. The Yllas region of Finland is very beautiful and quiet and the snow and cold added to that. The hotel was excellent and staff very professional. We found the cross country skiing challenging. We were complete beginners so in that respect we felt our expectations of what we could achieve in terms of ability were not met. We had hoped to be able to ski around the area more easily than we could and instead we switched to doing a bit of skiing on the lake (nice and flat) and then walking around the park on the cycle trails. I would suggest that beginners should book more lessons and to know that they may not be able to ski for many kilometres after 2-3 days of practice so to be prepared to ski for some of the holiday but also enjoy other outdoor activities on offer. The northern lights were lovely and the people of Finland very welcoming and friendly.
We enjoyed the holiday a lot. Cross country skiing is very energetic (in a different league from hill walking or downhill skiing) and you need to be very fit to enjoy it.
Hotel was excellent in all respects. Äkäslompolo was truly beautiful. There were many skiing and walking trails on the doorstep. Travel was fine.
Booking process however was very poor. After realising the direct flights as advertised on the website weren't available, I booked and paid a deposit. I was later informed hotel was full, no others available. Days later, I was informed there was a deluxe room at the hotel for an extra payment.
Furthermore, having booked a 6 day cross country skiing holiday as beginners, we'd also booked a 90 minute lesson which we'd assumed would be on day 1. It was on day 2 and the hotel were unable to change this, which meant we spent day 1 falling over. If these booking issues can be improved, I can thoroughly recommend this trip for the fit!
Our cross country ski trip to Yllas,, Finland exceeded our expectations. The accommodations were fantastic, and the wide variety of trails accessible from our resort were extraordinary. Seeing the Northern Lights was truly a highlight of the trip.
I would highly recommend a stay at Yllashumina. The food was delicious and there’s excellent access to all the ski trails. If you’re lucky you’ll see the northern lights.
All aspects of the holiday were excellent. Skiing on loipes directly from the hotel; exceptionally comfortable hire boots; very good skis; well maintained loipes; lovely cafes en route; excellent food at the hotel with good choices; very helpful staff; wonderful saunas & great outdoor hot tub. Our hotel location was quiet & peaceful with Akaslompolo a half an hour's walk away for shops etc. Lots of snow. We were even lucky enough to see some Northern Lights one evening. A very enjoyable holiday.
I found Akaslompolo a top class destination for cross-country skiing. Snow conditions were excellent, which I consider essential. I will never again book a trip outside Scandinavia, because of unreliable snow conditions nowadays in central Europe. The network of ski trails is immense and it is easy to find trails with few other skiers. An unexpected pleasure was to find several cafes for skiers at strategic points. In late January, day length was not a problem, at 7 hours. Daytime temperature varied hugely, from -3C to -24C, so you need clothing for very cold conditions. Use local forecasts, not the BBC. The hotel was very comfortable with excellent food. There were many other activities that could be booked - I went to a reindeer farm only 1 km from the hotel. The only aspect people might find difficult is that that there was absolutely no "group dynamic" of Headwater customers. You need to be prepared to dine and ski just by yourself or in your own party.
A magical place for Christmas with an excellent family run hotel and plenty of good food. The snow was good, you could ski virtually out of the chalet and tracks well maintained. Ski instructors were excellent. There were other options if you did not want to ski all week such as snow shoeing, fat biking, downhill skiing, dog sledding and reindeer rides. Most of these were in another area not far from the hotel so the immediate vicinity of the hotel was not touristy and felt authentic and remote. This is not a group holiday and probably not for single travellers. Probably better if you've done cross country skiing before to get the most out of the week as you are not with a group unless you pay for lessons.
Excellent base for skiing and other winter activities. The ski tracks offer a variety of terrain and challenges, there is no charge for using the tracks which were well maintained throughout the week I was there. I would recommend the half board option because the food in the hotel is excellent and there are no better options that do not require travel by car or taxi. Ski equipment was good and the staff in the hire shop friendly and helpful, I did resent having to pay for my hire skis to be waxed.
A great holiday. Great trails and wonderful food. Yllas is a great location. We strongly recommend half board at the hotel. Room a little disappointing - very cramped. Initial transfer was late and it was a little confusing arriving at the airport but otherwise things went smoothly. Delighted not to have a rep. around. Ski Rental OK but ran out of boots in my size and landed up with some old (but very functional) boots. Would certainly visit again.
