Popular Rovaniemi outdoor site transformed by resort construction, local operator claims exclusion

Construction has begun on a new riverside resort at Vikakönkää, a well-known outdoor recreation area near Rovaniemi, despite objections from a long-standing local adventure operator who accuses state forest agency Metsähallitus of excluding stakeholders from planning.

Sakari Hyytinen, who has run whitewater rafting and outdoor tours in the area for two decades, told Yle the project was developed “in complete secrecy,” with no consultation with local operators. “The locals, open discussion, and collaborative planning have all been forgotten,” he said.

Metsähallitus maintains the construction follows an existing zoning plan, with site plots first offered for sale roughly three years ago. After the initial buyer withdrew, the agency selected the current developer, Halo Igloos, from its client registry. The company already operates a nearby resort.

Hyytinen said the ongoing tree felling and earthworks have already degraded the site’s natural appeal, forcing him to turn away customers. “The landscape has changed completely—now we can’t even bring clients here. The experience is gone,” he said, adding that the changes brought him to tears after 20 years of operating in the area.

Halo Igloos hotel manager Jari Virtanen acknowledged some local resistance but described most feedback as positive. He claimed the company had engaged with residents, landowners, and the village association, emphasizing the project’s goal to “enhance, not restrict” access by expanding services and outdoor opportunities.

Metsähallitus official Tanja Hämäläinen confirmed broader development plans for the Napapiiri recreation area, including updated management strategies to balance tourism, conservation, and outdoor use. Public consultations are scheduled for autumn as planning progresses.

The Vikakönkää site, part of the officially designated Napapiiri trail network, will feature a main lodge and multiple guest cabins under the Halo Igloos Riverside brand. A similar resort already exists at Vaattunkikönkää, another key trailhead in the network.