Resorts in Lapland, Finland. Lapland, ski resorts. New Year in Finland. Cottage or hotel room

Are you planning to start skiing and conquer new heights? Do you want speed and extreme sports? The round fells of Finnish Lapland offer skiers and snowboarders ski slopes of all levels of difficulty.

There are about 75 ski resorts in Finland, most of which are based on small hills near towns and villages. But the highest ski hills are in Lapland, which has already become a real Mecca for tourists during the winter season. The “four giants” of the Lapland ski hills – Levi, Ylläs, Pyhä-Luosto and Ruka – rise 500-700 m above sea level, and the total length of their slopes reaches 3 km.

The winter resorts of Lapland offer winter recreation lovers all types of ski slopes: from the simplest hills for children to complex “black” slopes for experienced athletes. In addition, those interested can practice on the jumps in the snow parks or go for a backcountry walk off the paved trails. The ski season begins at the end of October, reaches its peak in February and continues until the beginning of May until the snow melts. The atmosphere at the ski resorts of Finland is conducive to a pleasant and relaxing holiday, in contrast to the crowded noisy resorts of Central Europe. You won't have to crowd in line at the lifts or be scared when some kamikaze skier overtakes you on the slope.

The 15 best ski resorts in Finland for great alpine skiing. Which resorts are suitable for holidays with children and families. Rating, variety of ski slopes.

Top 15 ski resorts in Finland

Most tourists associate winter holidays in Finland with the image of Santa Claus on a reindeer sleigh, the aurora borealis and dense snow-covered forests. Surprisingly, the lack of high mountains did not prevent the development of ski tourism. The Finns took a fancy to the hills, paved snow slopes, built modern infrastructure, and now the ski resorts of Finland successfully compete with the European Alps.

Why choose Finland

The map shows that a third of the country lies beyond the Arctic Circle. But the northern climate with frost and heavy snow does not frighten guests who prefer active recreation. On the contrary, the long winter is a huge plus that the Finns use to attract tourists.

Alpine skiing is considered a national sport in Finland. In the small northern country, 75 modern ski centers have been built. Reviews from tourists are full of positive things. The slopes are mostly flat, wide, comfortable for beginners and intermediate skiers. There are also ski slopes for experienced athletes, where international competitions take place.

Peak season falls on the period from March to May, when frosts weaken and comfortable weather sets in.

Tourists leave excellent reviews, and their choice is quite understandable:

1. You don’t need to fly far; from Moscow to Helsinki it’s a 2-hour flight.
2. Compared to popular resorts in Europe, they will cost relatively little.
3. Ski slopes and service are of very high quality.
4. You can combine skiing with a trip to Santa Claus for the New Year. Your children will be happy.

The local exoticism also attracts us - the polar night and the fantastic northern lights!

We present an overview of popular resorts.

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Pyhä

The country's best resorts are located in Lapland, beyond the Arctic Circle. Among them is Pyhä, Finland – a ski resort, rightfully considered the pearl of the northern region. It is located in a national park, 1.5 hours drive from Rovaniemi.

Pyhä is a mountain in the middle of a nature reserve with 8 blue, 4 red and 2 black trails.

Information for vacationers:

• elevation difference 305 m;
• total length of trails 12 km;
• cost of equipment – ​​36.5 euros per day or 126 euros for 7 days;
• Ski pass prices are 35-38 euros.

The resort offers a full range of winter activities. You can rent a snowboard, go sledding, cross-country skiing, reindeer and dog sledding. After skiing, a quiet hotel with a mandatory sauna and delicious Finnish cuisine awaits you.

Rukka

Rukka, Finland is a ski resort in eastern Lapland near the city of Kuusamo. Ruka Tourist Center welcomes guests at any time of the year. The ski season lasts from October to May, snow lies on the hills 200 days a year.

Riding conditions are suitable for beginners and experienced athletes:

• length of tracks – 24 km;
• the map shows 16 blue, 13 red and 6 black trails;
• height difference 291 m;
• ski pass – 30-35 euros;
• equipment rental – 105€ per week or 17€ for 2 hours.

The trails are illuminated. There are 500 km of cross-country ski trails. All types of winter sports are available: sledding, snowshoeing, reindeer sledding and dog sledding.

There is high demand for ski tours from St. Petersburg. Comfortable buses will take you to Kuusamo, and from the center to the ski lifts you can easily get by car or bus.

© timo_w2s / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Levi

Levi, Finland is a ski resort where the winter sky is often colored with flashes of the northern lights.

Where is? Beyond the Arctic Circle, and the nearest airport is only 15 km away. You can get to the resort by bus from Rovaniemi (170 km).

This is the largest ski center in the country. The slope map is dotted with colored lines:

• length of trails 43.2 km;
• height (difference) – 325 m;
• the route diagram represents 13 green, 15 blue, 10 red, 7 black routes;
• 886 km of snowmobile trails and 230 km of cross-country ski trails have been prepared;
• ski pass 32-35€ per day;
• prices for equipment are 22 € for 3 hours and 100 € for a set for 7 days.

Experienced instructors will teach even children and beginners how to ski. Tourists leave grateful reviews for the free children's slopes, snow parks and restaurants on the mountain.

Helpful advice

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Vuokatti

Vuokatti, Finland is a ski resort known as Olympic training center. On the map you will find it at the junction of Lapland and the Lake District. Here are equipped the best tracks in the country, a tunnel was built where skiers and snowboarders train all year round.

Information for tourists:

• height difference 170 m;
• length of tracks 10 km;
• the route layout includes 8 blue, 5 red and 1 black route;
• ski pass – 35€;
• alpine ski rental – 18€ (2 hours) or 95€ (7 days).

The Vuokatti resort is famous for its rich infrastructure, and reviews from tourists especially note the beauty of nature, silence, and wide comfortable slopes.

© / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Tahko

Tahko, Finland is a ski resort in the Lakes region, where There is a suitable slope for skiers of any level:

• the map shows 15 blue, 23 red, 8 black trails;
• total length 20 km;
• height difference 200 m;
• ski pass 33-35€;
• sports kit rental – 25€ per day.

Cottages near the ski resort are within walking distance.

But there is also minuses. Vacationers leave reviews noting frequent fog, rain and sleet. The price-quality ratio also raises questions.

Tahko official site– https://wwwtahko.com/fi/.

Himos

Himos, Finland - a ski resort, began as family business and still retains a homely atmosphere of sincere friendliness.

Himos offers tourists:

• length of trails 12.5 km;
• altitude difference 151 km;
• routes of varying difficulty - 4 green, 3 blue, 5 red and 5 black routes;
• ski pass prices – 30-32 €;
• ski kit rental – €27 per day.

How to get there? By plane from Moscow or St. Petersburg to Jyväskylä airport, then by bus or taxi. Hotels offer a wide range of rooms. After reading the reviews, you can choose either an inexpensive guest house or a luxurious villa.

© uncle-leo / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Ylläs

Ylläs is a ski resort in western Lapland, near the border with Sweden. And although reviews from local residents give the palm to the tourist center in Levi, Finland officially recognized Yllas as the country's best resort:

• total length of trails 53 km;
• elevation difference 463 m;
• the route layout is impressive - 6 green, 27 blue, 24 red and 6 black routes;
• ski pass 38€.

If

Koli, Finland – ski resort in the National Park. Rave reviews describe beautiful views, opening from observation platforms: white cliffs with hiking trails, mysterious caves and well-groomed slopes for alpine and cross-country skiing.

Tourists usually come to Koli Park for one day to walk around the reserve and ski. Excellent riding conditions:

• length of tracks – 10.3 km;
• height difference – 145 m;
• tracks on the map – 2 green, 5 blue, 4 red and black;
• ski pass – 30-35 €;
• equipment rental – 26€ per day.

Messila (Lahti)

Messilä is a ski resort on the shore of a lake, among picturesque mountains, not far from Helsinki. An excellent option for beginners, families with children and older skiers. Simple slopes are kept in perfect condition all season long:

• height difference 111 m;
• the slope map is varied - 2 green, 3 blue, 4 red and 1 black route;
• ski pass for the day – €25 for children and €35 ​​for adults;
• ski kit rental – €28 per day.

Lahti, Finland - a ski resort, 8 km from Messil, is considered the sports capital. International alpine skiing and ski jumping competitions are often held here.

The reviews are great: fabulous nature, cozy hotel rooms, a sauna and a heated pool. Official site: http://wwwmessila.fi/.

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Jyväskylä

Jyväskylä – ski resort combining two tourist centers. One of them, Laaiis - Laajavuori, is located within the city, offering slopes for mountain and cross-country skiing, training grounds for adults and children. Cottages at the ski resort are located close to the ski lifts.

Another center, Riihivuori, has a long history. Finland has built a modern resort here, famous for its slalom slopes, affordable prices and free children's lift.

The slopes are equipped with 4 trails of different levels with a total length of 10 km. Height difference – 120 m. Ski pass prices – 30 €.

Saariselkä

Saariselkä became famous as ski center and spa resort. Tourists traveling in a group are sure to stay here for 1-2 days to visit the snow park, go downhill and cross-country skiing, and take part in a snow safari.

Information for skiers:

• total length of trails 6.7 km;
• height difference 150 m;
• on the slope map – 3 green, 4 blue, 5 red, 3 black slopes;
• ski pass – 37 €;
• ski rental – 22€ per day.

© gmdb / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Kuopio

Kuopio is the largest city in the eastern region. Built in its vicinity 5 ski centers. All services and entertainment activities cannot be experienced even during a long vacation.

Ski resort Kuopio, Finland is located almost in the city center:

• there are only two descents: 400 m and 800 m;
• height difference – 93 m;
• cross-country ski track – 400 km;
• alpine ski rental – 17 euros for the whole day;
• The cost of the ski pass is 19€ per day, children under 7 years old go up for free.

Vacationers do not stay here for long. Having mastered the slopes of Kuopio, skiers go to conquer the slopes of nearby resorts.

Iso-Vanity and Piku-Vuete

Suete is the snowiest region of the country, bordering the National Park. The names of the local resorts were given to two hills.

One of them is Iso-Vuete:

• height difference 192 m;
• total length of trails 20 km;
• there are 11 green, 8 blue, 2 red and 2 black trails on the map;
• there is a slalom area and a mogul track;
• Ski pass 30-32€.

The resort of Pico-Vuete is focused on relaxing family holiday with children. The trails here are comfortable and safe. There are only 4 km between the centers; tourists are transported by buses. There are cross-country ski trails across the hills and plains. There are cafes along the routes where tired and cold travelers can relax.

Official website of the resort: http://www.syote.fi/ru.

Salla

A review of ski centers would be incomplete without mentioning the town of Salla. A small resort in eastern Lapland became famous 70 years ago, when alpine skiing competitions were held here for the first time. And today Local athletes train on the slopes.

Note to tourists:

• total length of trails 10 km;
• elevation difference 196 m;
• the slope map shows 8 blue, 5 red, 3 black slopes;
• Ski pass prices are 33€.

© Hans / pixabay.com / CC BY 2.0

Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi, Finland – ski resort, capital of Lapland and home of Santa Claus. Usually children are brought here for the New Year to introduce them to the Finnish Santa Claus. Adults flock to the ski slopes to experience the local slopes. There are three resorts in Rovaniemi:

• height difference – from 140 to 210 m;
• maximum route length 1400 m;
• Ski pass prices – €26 for adults and €21 for children for one day;
• equipment rental for the day – €22 for adults and €13 for children under 12 years old.

There are trails of different difficulty levels on the mountain slopes, including gentle, safe descents for children. Most routes are illuminated at night.

Finland is a country of vast forests, hills and blue lakes. Local residents have managed to make their homeland attractive to tourists, softening the northern climate with fabulous comfort and advanced technologies.

): large selection for any budget.

Ski season: more than 200 days a year (from October to May).
Ruka has 34 slopes and more than 20 lifts (about 20 km of equipped trails of varying difficulty, including black trails, some trails with lighting).
There is a high-speed lift called Ruka Express with cabins for six seats with a transparent screen that protects from wind and snow.

Ruka Battery Park: This snow park will be primarily of interest to teenagers and snowboard enthusiasts. The park has jumps, rails and boxes.

Hand specializes in children's holidays with ski schools and easy trails for children. On the slope of Vuosseli there is a snowy children's country Rose and Rudolph(Rosa & Rudolf) . Little skiers can practice turns and other skiing skills on the gentle slopes. You can have a snack and relax under a wooden canopy at the bottom of the slope - fry sausages over an open fire.

If the child does not ride, then he can be leftunder the supervision of teachers in the Happy Family game room (for an additional fee), which is locatedat the Kumpare shopping center Address: Kauppakeskus, Kumpare, 93825, Rukatunturi.

Timo Newton-Syms from Flickr under CC

There are cross-country ski trails, as well as snowmobile trails and a variety of winter activities to enjoy the stunning nature in Oulanka National Park, go dog sledding and reindeer sledding, ice fishing, etc.

Timo Newton-Syms from Flickr under CC

Pyhä Ski Resort:

This resort is located next to Lapland (130 km or 1.5 hours from Rovaniemi, where the nearest airport is located). Murmansk is 500 km away.

In Urho Kekkonen National Park you can enjoy the stunning beauty of Finnish nature.

You can stay in hotels and cottages.
By the way, a 20-minute drive from Saariselka is the famous village of Kakslauttanen with cozy glass igloos.

Visit Finland from Flickr under CC

You can plan the following activities with the kids: meet Santa Claus in the village of Santa’s resort, ride in a reindeer and dog sled, and, if you’re lucky, see the northern lights.

Timo Newton-Syms from Flickr under CC

By the way, I would recommend visiting this region of Saariselkä-Inari in the summer: lakes, fishing, virgin nature, berries, mushrooms - that’s what I want to show my daughter next time!

Levi ski resort:
The nearest airport is 20 km from Kittilä. Rovaniemi is 160 km away.

Rose Robinson from Flickr under CC

Ski season: November to May

43 slopes of varying difficulty levels (including black slopes), including 10 for children and 17 with lighting, as well as 26 lifts of different types: gondola, chairlifts, for children: rope and disc lifts.
There is a Snowpark for snowboarders and off-piste slopes.
Experienced skiers can try their hand at the World Cup course with a final slope of 50°.

Visit Finland from Flickr under CC

In terms of the number of slopes and lifts, Levi is considered the largest ski resort in Finland. This resort continues to develop dynamically.

stanjourdan from Flickr under CC

Young children (beginners) are taught skiing at the Lastenmaa playground / Sonera Kid’s land. Skiing can be combined with an entertainment program for children. In the playroom you can leave your children under the supervision of teachers for a fee.

Pete G. from Flickr under CC

There is a really large selection of hotels, apartments and cottages. This resort is famous for its variety of restaurants, from gourmet to Lapland delicacies. At the Tuikku restaurant you can not only have a delicious lunch, but also enjoy stunning panoramic views.

Winter activities include reindeer and dog sledding and snowmobiling. You can visit the Santa Claus village in Rovaniemi.

Spa Hotel Levitunturi has a water park and a children's play center Inka & Niko.
In winter you can visit the Luvattumaa ice gallery with sculptures. There's even an ice hotel, bar and restaurant.

Practical advice: Lapland can get very cold in winter (-20°C or below), so be sure to bring thermal underwear, warm clothes and shoes suitable for harsh winter weather.

In conclusion, I would like to note that a trip to Lapland is unforgettable! There you can not only go skiing, but also combine it with your childhood dreams - meeting the real Santa Claus, riding a sleigh in a reindeer or dog sled, admiring the picturesque, almost untouched nature and the Northern Lights!

Have a nice trip!

It snows the slopes until mid-June, and will certainly appeal to freeride lovers.

In addition to these large and famous resorts in Lapland, there are also small ski centers that offer to focus not on parties and relaxation, but directly on skiing. Olos, Pallas, Palyakka, Hetta, Luosto, Ounasvaara, Salla, Saariselkä, Ukkohalla - their position is guaranteed by snow, frost, and a winter mood. They are one of the first to open and close in late spring.

The only BUT: during the polar night, which in the north lasts until January, you will have to ride under artificial lighting. But in November and December, discounts are common in hotels in polar resorts. And in the spring, when the length of the day increases uncontrollably, you can spend up to 16 hours a day on the slopes.

Iso Suote

The Iso Syote ski resort is located at the latitude of Oulu, where there is an airport and a train station. You can come here at night with a platform for transporting cars. Having your own or not at all will not be superfluous: from Oulu to the resort it is 140 kilometers.

This resort has 15 slopes, some steep and gentle. The elevation difference is 192 meters, the longest descent is more than a kilometer. In Iso Suite there is a kilometer-long snow park for snowboarders, and there are slopes untouched by snowcats for freeride.

Salla

Quiet, calm compact resort of Salla without entertainment programs. It is located 100 km from Kuusamo, where there is an airport, and 80 km from Kemijärvi, where trains go. There are 15 descents on the hill with a maximum height of 230 meters and a maximum length of 1300 meters. There are comfortable slopes for children and wild slopes for freeride. Snowpark for snowboarders.

Suomu

A ski resort for those who come specifically to ski and not to relax. The elevation difference is 240 meters, the relief of the slopes is considered the best in Finland. Alpine skiing and freestyle skiing teams from many countries come here. The condition of trails protected by forests is less affected by weather and more stable. Most of the descents are steep and difficult, not for beginners. For children, there is a special wide and flat area with a ski lift right next to the hotel.

There are a total of 13 groomed slopes at the resort, the longest of which is 1,700 meters. Excellent opportunities for civilized freeride: riders are taken to the neighboring wild hill on snowmobiles. The Suomu resort website has been translated into Russian. You can get there either by plane to Kuusamo (100 km from the resort) and Rovaniemi (130 km) or by train (possible with a car) to Kemijärvi (40 km) and Rovaniemi.

Pagliacca

Ski holiday center Pagliacca located in the middle of wild, untouched nature, 70 km from Kajaani airport. Of the 17 slopes, ten are red, three are black and four are children's. With a height difference of 190 meters, the longest slope is 1340 meters. Five are illuminated, there are children's slopes and a snow park.

The lifts do not operate every day, see the times on the Pagliakka website.

Ounasvaara

Main plus Saariselkä, which is why it’s actually worth coming here, this is the purest snow, the virgin Lapland tundra and the beautiful Urho Kekkonen Nature Reserve. Another bonus: a 1200-meter toboggan hill with a lift.

IN Saariselkä fifteen slopes with a length of up to 1300 meters of different levels of difficulty, from green to black. The Finnish Slalom Championships are held annually on black. There is a Freestyle Park for snowboarders and 200 kilometers of groomed ski trails. When planning a trip to the polar night, December-January, you need to take into account that only half of the slopes are illuminated. And there is practically no program After Ski.

Olos and Pallas

Resorts Olos(210 m) and Pallas(340 m) are 20 km apart and 80 km from Kittila Airport. In principle, not far from them, some 60 kilometers away, there are three more ski resorts: Hetta, Ylläs and Levi. You can even buy a single weekly (6 days) pass to Olos - Pallas - Levi - Ylläs for 119 euros.

The trails in Olos and Pallas are varied, both easy and difficult. Of the 10 routes of Olos, only two are illuminated, and of the nine routes of Pallas, one is illuminated. There are basically no snow cannons in Pallas, only natural snow. The lifts are rope tows only.

The slopes of Olos descend directly to the hotel Lapland Hotels(this chain owns the resorts Olos, Pallas, Ylläs-Ski, as well as hotels in all ski resorts in northern Finland). The website of the resorts Olos and Pallas Lapland Hotels has been translated into Russian. On the same website you can book a room in any hotel of the chain, although only in English.

It must be said right away that Finnish resorts are good, but not the coolest (literally and figuratively). However, the country of Suomi has a number of advantages even over the Alps. For example, Santa Claus is alone, unlike many ski resorts, and he always celebrates the New Year in his homeland (hundreds of tourists can confirm this with documentary photography with Santa).

You can also see the Northern Lights in winter in Finland! True, in mid-December in Lapland, daylight hours last no more than 2 hours, but there is so much romance in this too!

It would be more accurate to call the ski resorts in Finland “ski resorts”, because in Finland there are not mountains, but hills, which are interesting mainly for intermediate-level skiers and beginners. But the tracks are in excellent condition. The ski tracks in this happy country are laid professionally; they don’t understand “spontaneous” tracks there.

The main flow of tourists goes to Lapland and Northern Finland, to the south it is slushy, although there are also small ski centers, but which are more likely to be an addition to a holiday in Finland than a reason to visit this country.

In Lapland, the most famous resorts are Ylläs, Salla, Saariselkä, Rovaniemi, Pyhä and Luosto, Levi, Kuusamo - Ruka. In Northern Finland, popular resorts are Vuokatti, Pagliakka and Ukkohalla.

Lapland

Ylläs

This is the main ski resort in Finland. In 2002, he was officially recognized as the best in the country. Indeed, here is the steepest elevation change and the longest routes. But in fairness, it should be noted that according to a survey of readers of the popular Finnish newspaper Iltalehti, the best ski resort in Finland is Levi.

Ylläs consists of two ancient Sami villages - Ekaslompolo and Ylläsjärvi, and the main tourist infrastructure is concentrated in Ekaslompolo.

In Ylläs, as well as in the Levi resort, stages of competitions for the World and European Cups in various types of alpine skiing are held.

Resort benefits

• Ylläs is unique: it has the only Super-G (super-G) downhill run in Finland.
• You can ski in Ylläs in any style - there are ample opportunities for alpine and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, telemark and off-piste skiing.
• The network of ski slopes in the Ylläs region is successfully intertwined with the slopes of neighboring resorts (Levi, Muonio and Hetta), which means that you can go on long hikes along numerous routes.

Disadvantages of the resort: not the most saturated infrastructure.

Resort infrastructure

2 ski schools and 2 equipment rentals. Accommodation is possible in hotels and cottages of different levels. There are about 10 restaurants, pubs, cafes, which are not only delicious, but also fun thanks to the frequent music festivals for which Ylläs is famous. There is also a water park and one of the best safari programs in all of Finland.

For children

Children will also not be bored; special slopes and ski tracks, playgrounds, and a “Formula” slide with sharp turns, jumps and tunnels have been created for them.

This is interesting…

In the summer of 2008, another purely Finnish entertainment appeared in Ylläs. The most Finnish thing. One of the lift cabins has been turned into a sauna. Everything is real there - the cabin is made of wood, and so that you can watch how the view becomes more and more wonderful as you gain height, there are several windows. In 40 minutes (that’s how long a session in this Finnish sauna lasts) it rises twice to a height of 500 meters. Session duration - 40 minutes, height - 500 m, capacity - four people, cost - 500 euros.

Salla

What could be more desirable and unattainable for a resident of an industrial metropolis than peace and quiet? And vacationers at the Salla resort can enjoy them to the fullest. Here they can relax from the noise and at the same time not get bored while playing sports at a modern ski resort. Forests, hills and well-prepared trails among them - that’s what Salla is all about.

Infrastructure

Salla offers accommodation in cottages of various layouts and capacities with their own sauna and fireplace and a fully equipped kitchen. The resort has two restaurants, a mini-market, an indoor gym, sports equipment rentals and a ski school. Alcohol only in restaurants.

Other attractions include the Oulanka National Park, which covers an area of ​​270 square kilometers, as well as the Deer Park, where you can meet deer in their natural habitat, as well as learn about the breeding of these animals and learn how deer help people.

For children

For children, the resort has a small slide with a children's lift.

This is interesting…

In 2003, the European Freestyle Cup and the Downhill World Championships were held on the slopes of Salla. And since there are competitions, it means that the tracks are very well looked after.

Saariselkä

This is the northernmost resort in Lapland; snowfalls here begin in mid-October, and by the end of the month you can usually ski.

The resort is located on the territory of the national park named after Finnish President Urho Kekkonen (who did so much to strengthen friendly and good neighborly relations between the USSR and Finland).

The ski slopes themselves are located 900 m from the resort, but a free bus runs between the hotels and the resort, so getting to them is not at all difficult.

Resort benefits

The resort's walking ski slopes are good; their total length is 250 km, of which 40 km are illuminated at night. In addition, there are 65 km of snowmobile trails.

Disadvantages of the resort

Saariselkä's pistes are good for beginner skiers and children, but professionals will find them boring.

Resort infrastructure

There are more than 8,000 accommodation options in hotels, restaurants and museums (among the latter, the most interesting are the Gold Museum and the Sami Ethnographic Museum) there is also no shortage.

In addition, the annual celebrations of Lapland culture, reindeer races on the lakes, safaris on motor sleighs and spending time in the northernmost water park in Finland and throughout Europe, the Holiday Club Saariselka water park, will not let tourists get bored.

This is interesting…

Saariselkä has the longest freestyle park and half-pipe in Finland, as well as the longest toboggan hill in Finland.

For children

A special ski slope and a children's snow park have been created for children.

Rovaniemi

It is impossible to get lost in the capital of Finnish Lapland, the town of Rovaniemi: it consists of one main street, one McDonald's, several shopping centers and cafes, a couple of souvenir shops and a safari agency. Tourists are mainly attracted here by the fact that Rovaniemi is the hometown of Joulupukki, that is, Santa Claus. He lives in his own village and takes pictures with tourists for 18 euros. As for Ounasvaara, the Rovaniemi ski center, it is of interest only to beginners (the elevation changes and length are small) and cross-country skiing enthusiasts (100 km of slopes). There are 10 children's slopes.

Resort infrastructure

The city has a good skating rink with very slippery ice. Skate rental costs about 10 euros.

You should definitely visit the deer farm and the husky farm. Getting there by snowmobile through the incredibly beautiful forests of Lapland is already a fabulous adventure. And, upon arrival, you can ride a dog sled and feed husky and deer puppies.

The Rauna Zoo, which is located about 80 km from the city, is also worth a visit. This is the northernmost zoo in the world, located an hour's drive from Rovaniemi. Here you can see representatives of more than 50 species of northern frost-resistant animals.

Hand

Ruka - “Golden Gate of Lapland” - is the most popular resort among Russians, celebrating its 55th anniversary in 2009. Its main advantage is that it is located on real mountains (up to 493 m above sea level), while the resorts of Central and Southern Finland are built on hills and small hills.

28 ski slopes of the Ruka resort are laid in different parts of four mountains and are suitable for skiers of any level of training. The most difficult terrain of the slopes and steep slopes are in the Ruka-West area; in the Ruka-East area the slopes, although longer, are also calmer, and therefore are more suitable for beginners, who, by the way, can undergo training in a special ski school, known throughout Finland and over 40 years of teaching slalom.

The resort is especially proud of the “Superpipe Vuosseli” and “Border Cross” tracks for snowboarders, which meet all world standards. Cross-country skiing enthusiasts also have plenty to enjoy: the length of the trails is 360 km (of which 41 km are illuminated at night).

Resort infrastructure

Accommodation is possible mainly in cottages, there are more than 400 of them, and many of them are built from calibrated logs and with their harsh appearance resemble real northern huts, but inside they are full-fledged 4 and 5 “stars”. The region has shops, a supermarket, restaurants and bars with discos.

Other winter activities that may be of interest include: snowmobile safaris, dog and reindeer sledding, ice fishing, winter go-karting, snowshoeing, and winter diving.

For children

At Sadetahti Kindergarten, parents can leave their child with a teacher who speaks Finnish, English and German. You can take your own toys and food there with you (your own meals are not provided in the garden). On the gentlest slope of the resort, Vuosselli, educational classes for children are held.

Levi

Levi is one of the best ski resorts in Finland, a direct competitor to Ylläs, and its fame is not limited to the territory of Finland, as it is the venue for World and European Cup competitions in various types of alpine skiing.

Levi is located in western Lapland, where the country's highest mountains are located.

It is also proud that the only gondola cable car in Finland (Levi Gondola 2000) was built here.

Experienced tourists say that of all the Finnish resorts, Levi is comparable to the reference Alps in terms of infrastructure development: hotels are located in close proximity to the slopes, all necessary services can be obtained in the village.

The resort has an extensive network of trails for snowmobiles (more than 600 km), cross-country skiing (more than 230 km, of which 23 km are illuminated). Those who like to cover long distances can ride from Levi to Ylläs.

Other activities in Levi include cross-country skiing, snowmobile safaris, cycling, reindeer and husky safaris, fishing, hiking, rowing, etc. You can also go snowshoeing or snowmobiling to the nearby Katka Mountain

Infrastructure

Accommodation options in Levi are varied, there are hotels: Levitunturi, Katka 5, Khullu Poro and Sirkantahti, and there are many cozy cottages.

In the center of the resort there is a large sports and fitness complex and a mini-water park .

As for restaurants, there are more than ten of them in Levi. The panoramic Tuiku, located on the top of the mountain, is very popular; traditionally Laplander cuisine is served at Kammi, European cuisine can be tasted at the Steak House, and pizza can be enjoyed at Myllyn Aya. In addition to restaurants, Levi has plenty of bistros and apres-ski cafes, two supermarkets, a pharmacy, an Alko wine store, a wine cellar, sports shops, hairdressers and numerous souvenir shops. There is also a post office and an ATM.
Nightlife lovers should enjoy the Khullu Poro Arena - this is an entertainment center that offers its guests a variety of programs until the morning: performances by famous bands and musicians, as well as discos.

For children

An outdoor children's playground with interesting games and sports competitions, a ski school with a children's instructor where adults can also receive training, a gaming entertainment center at the Levitunturi hotel with a Russian-speaking nanny.

Pyhä and Luosto

Pyha and Luosto are two resorts that have joined forces to make tourists visiting Finland twice as fun. They are located at a distance of 20 km. from each other, a bus constantly runs between them (the fare is about 10 EUR), and a single “ski pass” is sold for the lifts of both complexes.

But when going to this resort, you should know that the slopes of Pyhä are better known to fans of extreme slopes; it is not for nothing that one of the 9 most difficult slopes in Finland, called “The Scream of a Man,” is located in Pyhä, and the Luosto complex is more suitable for beginners and cross-country skiing enthusiasts.

The main advantage of the resort is its year-round availability - the natural ski season here lasts from November to May, and in the summer the required thickness of the cover is maintained by snow cannons.

On the territory of the Pyhä resort there is a ski school - one of the most reputable in Finland.

Resort infrastructure

The center of the resort is the Pyhatunturi hotel and the Holysuites aparthotel located next to it. Here is the Pyhä Shop, where you can buy high-quality sportswear, shoes, and various souvenirs.

For a pleasant stay, the resort offers 3 restaurants with European and Lappish cuisine, 4 bars and a nightclub with live music in the evenings (open until 4 am).

There are also interesting attractions in the area: the Nature Center of the National Park, where guests are introduced to the flora and fauna of the Pyhä region; Luosto amethyst mines (the only ones operating in Europe), where you can find your own lucky stone, and then relax in the Amethyst SPA and enjoy the beauty of the northern lights from the window of the Aurora Chalet hotel, the world's first hotel dedicated to the northern lights.

And, of course, traditional Finnish winter activities are always available - in short, the list of pleasures is endless!

For children

Children's trails start almost from the hotel. A safe “Sparrow Hill” has been built for children. The resort has a ski school where you can order the services of a Russian-speaking instructor, as well as professional training for children in the basics of skiing.

Northern Finland

Pagliakka and Ukkohalla

Pagliakka and Ukkohalla are located at a distance of 26 km from each other.

Just like in Pyhä and Luosto, in Ukkohalla and Pagliakka there is a single ticket system on the ski slopes, which allows you to ski on 23 slopes.

The Ukkohalla resort is very conveniently and picturesquely located: in the middle of the valley there is Lake Syvääri, surrounded by mountains. On one side of the lake there are slopes with trails, on the other there are cottages with amazing views of the surrounding area.

Palyakka is not inferior to its brother Ukkohalle in the beauty of its landscapes: from the heights of the mountains there is a beautiful view of the Pirunkirkkona river canyon and the Palyakka nature reserve.

Environmentalists also say that the snow here is the purest, which is also an undeniable advantage of the resort. And the purity of snow, in turn, is a kind of indicator of air purity, since the snow cover accumulates almost all substances entering the atmosphere. This means that you can taste the cleanest air in Finland in Palyakka.

Palyakka is home to Finland's only alpine toboggan run, which is 1,200 m long.

Resort infrastructure

Of the two resorts, Ukkohalla has a more developed infrastructure. Here, for example, there is a new SPA center "Hallan Saga", the variety of saunas in which is impressive - Finnish, Ural cave, steam, aroma sauna, sauna with herbs, Karelian with access to the lake, peat bath, plunge pools, hydromassage pool and jacuzzi, children's pool.

All cottages in Ukkohalla are usually located within a kilometer of the slope. Another advantage of the resort is that accommodation here is relatively inexpensive, cheaper than in Ruka or Vuokatti.

In Palyakka, the houses are a little simpler, but still comfortable, well-appointed and cozy in the Finnish way.

Both centers have equipment rentals and slalom schools. In Pagliakka, by the way, the ski lift for beginners starts directly from the ski school. And in both Ukkohalla and Pagliakka you can rent equipment for slalom, snowboarding, telemark and cross-country skiing.

For children

For children there are regular and Lapp sleds. In the meantime, parents are setting personal records on the slopes, the child can be entrusted to the teachers.

Vuokatti

The Vuokatti resort is very popular among Russian tourists: firstly, because it is easy to get there (it is located 40 km from Kajaani airport, there is regular air service between Kajaani and Helsinki, the flight takes 50 minutes); secondly, Vuokatti offers a varied, and in some ways even unique, holiday.

For example, here, even in summer, you can engage in winter outdoor activities; for this, there is a year-round snowboard tunnel and an underground ski track, 1250 meters long, where the temperature does not rise above - 5 ° C.

And in winter, on the contrary, you can warm up in the tropical water park "Katinkulta", where there are more than 20 pools and countless SPA treatments, and most importantly, you can swim outside the building and get an incredible new sensation: winter cold reigns above the water, and a pleasant feeling in the water warm.

Resort infrastructure

Several large hotels are offered for accommodation, as well as various cottages with a predominant block type of accommodation

Several restaurants, cafes and fast food outlets are open in Vuokatti; nearby is the village of Santa Claus Kuhma and the open-air local history museum “Kalevala Park”.

For children

On the ski slopes there are tracks for beginners and very young slalom skiers. Instructors have special qualifications in working with children. Restaurants offer special children's menus.

You can read about ski resorts around the world on our website - in the special material “From Finland to New Zealand: description of ski resorts in the world”

Technical characteristics of ski resorts in Finland