Kiruna, view from the top cabin in Luossavaara hill - Sweden
Luossavaarabacken – Kiruna's local ski and outdoor recreation facility
Kiruna is a town and the central town of Kiruna Municipality in Norrbotten County. Kiruna is located in northern Lapland and was founded in 1900 in connection with the industrialization of ore mining in the area. Kiruna has grown up around the iron ore mine operated by the state-owned company LKAB, which is still the dominant industry. Since the 2010s, Kiruna has been undergoing extensive urban transformation. The reason is ground deformations that occur when the mine expands, which means that parts of the older city center are gradually moved to a new location to the east. Several buildings have been moved or replaced and a new center has been established with municipal buildings, commerce and housing. Kiruna is located north of the Arctic Circle and thus has midnight sun during the summer period and polar night during parts of the winter. The climate is subarctic with long, cold winters and short summers. In addition to mining, there are activities in the space and research sectors. Esrange Space Center, about 30 km east of Kiruna, is used for rocket launches, satellite communications and atmospheric research. Tourism is a growing sector with activities such as winter guiding, snowmobiling, ski tours and visits to the ice hotel in Jukkasjärvi. Kiruna has road and rail connections and an airport with regular flights.
Kebnekaise, Sweden's highest mountain with a southern peak of approximately 2,096 meters, is located approximately 66 kilometers west of Kiruna and can be seen in the webcam in clear weather. Kebnekaise has two peaks, the southern peak and the northern peak, with the southern peak being the highest. The village of Nikkaluokta usually serves as a starting point for hikes to Kebnekaise. The distance from Kiruna means that Kebnekaise and the mountain area can be reached in a day by car and transport from Kiruna, while Kiruna can offer accommodation, services and access to transport. The area around Kebnekaise is relatively sparsely populated and consists mostly of mountain terrain, which makes it a natural destination with mountain environments and opportunities for both summer and winter activities.
Luossavaara hill/Luossavaarabacken is a ski and leisure resort located on Luossavaara Mountain, a former mining mountain in Kiruna. The name Luossavaárri means salmon mountain in Northern Sami, and the mountain was used for open-pit mining of iron ore from 1921 to 1967 before the mining was moved underground. Luossavaarabacken is open during the winter months as long as there is sufficient snow and closes at very low temperatures (below approximately –20 °C) or strong winds. Lift passes are sold on site via vending machines and operational information, opening hours and weather conditions are often communicated via the resort's social channels. During the summer, the mountain and resort are used for other activities, including cycling on downhill courses and hiking on trails leading up to the top of Luossavaara. A chairlift is also used to transport cyclists and visitors up during the summer season.
Facts about Luossavaara hill
• 4 slopes
• 3 lifts, including a chairlift
• 156 meters of drop
• Longest slope 620 m
• Snow park with jumps and rails
• Children's area with children's lift
• Café
• Ski equipment rental
• Cross-country ski trails with floodlit trails are located around the mountain
The webcam is presented by WebcamCollections in collaboration with Kiruna Municipality.