Finland is a country located in the far north of Europe, along the northwestern border of Russia . Almost a third of the country’s territory lies beyond the Arctic Circle, and skiing is an integral national attribute of the Finns. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that, despite the absence of significant mountain ranges, there are more than 70 ski resorts. All of them differ in climatic conditions and technical characteristics, but they have one thing in common – a high level of infrastructure equipment and service that meets the highest international standards.
Depending on the location, the tourist season in Finnish ski resorts begins in November-December and lasts until mid-spring, and in Lapland it covers the month of May. An additional bonus for travelers will be the amazingly beautiful nature of Finland with its virgin forests and a large number of rivers and lakes, which turn into transparent ice mirrors in winter. Below we will look in more detail at the best ski tourist centers in the country of Suomi, the characteristics of the slopes, technical equipment, and the availability of additional recreation infrastructure.
Pyhä
The Pyhä ski center was opened in 1976 in northern Finland, in Lapland. In terms of the level of its technical support and the quality of the trails, it is one of the best in the whole country. This is confirmed by the fact that the Finnish national ski team trains here. The ski slopes here are laid on the slopes of the mountain of the same name, which is located in the middle of a picturesque nature reserve. Most of the trails available here are of medium and high difficulty level. Beginners, children and lovers of gentle slopes will be able to visit the neighboring resort of Luosto with gentler slopes and small elevation changes.
A single ski pass for the ski lifts is valid for both resort areas. You can rent ski equipment here for a price starting from 36 € per day or 126 € for a week. Among the additional entertainment, Pyhä offers snowboarding, reindeer and dog sledding, snowmobile safaris, snow go-karting, and ice fishing. Nearby there are cozy hotels with saunas and restaurants serving traditional Finnish cuisine. A large water park, Amethyst SPA, is located 20 km from Pyhi, and the city of Rovaniemi, the residence of Santa Claus, is an hour and a half drive away. If you come on vacation with a child, then by visiting this town you will give your child a truly unforgettable experience.
Specifications:
- Height difference – 220 meters
- Resort altitude – 280 – 500 meters
- Cross-country ski track – 220 km
- The total length of the ski slopes is 12 km
- Number of tracks – 14
- “Blues” – 8
- “Reds” – 4
- “Black” – 2
- Number of lifts – 9
- The cost of a ski pass is from 35 to 38 € per day.
Ruka
Ruka is a year-round resort in northeastern Finland, near the Lapland town of Kuusamo. In winter, a snow park opens here, which is considered one of the largest in the whole country. Since Rukka is located beyond the Arctic Circle, the ski season here begins in October and lasts until May. 35 ski slopes are built here annually, and according to this indicator, the resort is one of the largest in Finland.
Around the territory of the snow park there are about 500 km of cross-country ski tracks, of which 40 km are equipped with artificial lighting. Every year international cross-country and downhill competitions are held on the slopes of Rukka. You can rent equipment here for 17€ for a couple of hours or 105€ for a week. In addition to skiing, tourists can ride reindeer and dog sleds, go for a walk on stegoshoes through the surrounding forests, and go down the mountain on a toboggan or sled. In the neighboring town of Kuusamo (20 km) there is the Kuusamon Tropics water park, and in Rukki there are 20 restaurants, bars and snack bars.
Specifications:
- Height difference – 201 meters
- Resort height – 291 – 492 meters
- Cross-country ski track – 500 km
- The total length of the ski slopes is 24 km
- Number of tracks – 27
- “Blues” – 15
- ” Reds” – 6
- “Black” – 3
- halfpipe – 3
- Number of lifts – 15 (10 rope tows, 4 chairlifts, 1 gondola)
- The cost of a ski pass is from 30 to 35 € per day.
Vuokatti
Vuokatti is located in central Finland and is the training center for the country’s Olympic ski team. The resort is located on the border of two main regions of Suomi – northern Lapland and the southern Lake District, which determines the diversity of landscapes and the beauty of the surrounding landscapes. Also, such a geographical location ensures a long ski season with relatively little frost. In addition, Vuokatti has an indoor tunnel with artificial snow, where athletes can train all year round.
The resort is famous among winter recreation lovers for its excellent infrastructure facilities and high level of service. The longest slope in Vuokatti is 1.2 km long, and equipment rental costs €18 per day or €95 per week. At the very foot of the slope is Lake Särkinen, on the shore of which there is a sports complex with a fitness room, SPA center, indoor pool and children’s water slide. In the surrounding area there are 150 km of cross-country ski tracks, of which 24 km are equipped with artificial lighting.
Specifications:
- Height difference – 160 meters
- Resort height – 152 – 312 meters
- The total length of the ski slopes is 12 km
- Number of tracks – 14
- “Blues” – 8
- “Reds” – 5
- “Black” – 1
- Number of lifts – 7 (4 rope tows, 3 chairlifts)
- The cost of the ski pass is 35 €.
Tahko
Tahko is located in the Lake District, in the heart of Finland. Downhill skiing here is located on the slopes of Mount Tahkovuori, and more than 60 km of cross-country ski trails are laid around it. You can rent alpine skis for a day here for 25 €, and also use a ski pass for mechanical lifts. Over the course of its existence, Tahko has gained great popularity among winter sports enthusiasts, primarily for its high level of service and the wide variety of entertainment offered.
In addition to the alpine ski slopes and flat ski tracks, an ice skating rink is built annually on the ice of nearby Lake Suvari, where those who wish can practice speed skating. In addition, the ice slope is also poured on the slopes of Tahkovuori, and extreme athletes organize speed skating competitions here. Tahko has its own water park “Fontanella” with a SPA center, and 13 restaurants and cafes are open.
Specifications:
- Height difference – 200 meters
- Resort height – 84 – 284 meters
- The total length of the ski slopes is 20 km
- Number of tracks – 23
- “Blues” – 9
- “Reds” – 8
- “Greens” – 3
- “Black” – 3
- Number of lifts – 14 (12 rope tows and 2 chairlifts)
- The cost of a ski pass is 33-35 €.
Levi
Levi is one of the northernmost ski resorts in Finland, located 170 km from the Lapland capital Rovaniemi. Skiers especially appreciate Levi for its rather large, by local standards, elevation difference of 325 meters and a large number of varied slopes. There are both training trails for beginners and children, as well as extreme descents for experienced freeriders, the largest of which is 2.5 km long.
A ski school has been opened for children in Levi, where they can learn the basics of this skill under the guidance of experienced mentors. Renting sports equipment in Levi will cost 22 € for three hours or 100 € for a week. In addition to downhill skiing, tourists can ride snowmobiles here – for this purpose, over 880 km of special trails are prepared annually in the vicinity of Levi. You can also go dog riding, reindeer riding, horseback riding or snowshoeing in the area, go ice fishing, and visit one of the 40 local restaurants or cafes.
Specifications:
- Elevation difference – 325
- Resort height – 206 – 531 m
- Cross-country ski track – 230 km
- The total length of the ski slopes is 44 km
- Number of tracks – 45
- “Greens” – 13
- “Blues” – 15
- “Reds” – 10
- “Black” – 7
- Number of lifts – 25 (22 rope tows, 2 chairlifts, 1 gondola)
- The cost of a ski pass is 32-35 € per day.
Ylläs
Ylläs is located above the Arctic Circle in western Lapland, near the border with the Kingdom of Sweden . This geographical location also determined the climatic features of the resort: there is snow on the mountain slopes here most of the year. Therefore, the ski season begins in November and ends in May. The tracks are laid on the slopes of the Yllästunturi hill, more than 700 meters high, and in addition to adult downhills, there are areas for children’s skiing. There is also a snowboard park here, and 320 km of flat cross-country skiing trails are laid around the mountain.
Vacationers in Ylläs, in addition to skiing, can go ice fishing on nearby lakes, walk through a pine forest on snowshoes, ride reindeer, ride dogs or ride snowmobiles. The resort has hotels, guest houses, restaurants and eateries serving national Finnish cuisine.
Specifications:
- Height difference – 463 meters
- Resort height – 225 – 718 meters
- The total length of the ski slopes is 53 km
- Number of tracks – 63
- “Greens” – 6
- “Blues” – 27
- “Reds” – 24
- “Black” – 6
- Number of lifts – 26 (24 rope tows, 1 chairlift and 1 gondola)
- The cost of the ski pass is 38 €.
Koli
Koli is a ski resort located in the middle of the national park of the same name in northern Karelia. Therefore, first of all, tourists remember the unusually beautiful surrounding landscapes. Mountain ranges with snow-white cliffs and mysterious grottoes, coniferous forests and the clear frozen Lake Pielainen.
But no less remarkable is the resort itself, consisting of two separate parts, spaced 5 km from each other. This is the main ski area of Ukko-Koli and the smaller Loma-Koli. The first of them has a greater slope and is intended for skiing by professionals and experienced amateurs. Loma Koli is flatter and perfect for beginners and families with children. There is a children’s ski school with a separate training slope. Renting equipment for a day in Koli will cost 26 €.
Right at the resort there is a SPA center “Koli Relax Spa” with a sauna, hammam and two swimming pools – indoor and outdoor. There are 7 restaurants and snack bars of various price categories. Those interested can visit the large Bomba water park, located 60 km away in the town of Nurmes.
Specifications:
- Height difference – 230 (Ukko-Koli) and 145 (Loma-Koli) meters
- Resort height – 117 – 347 meters
- The total length of the ski slopes is 10 km
- Number of tracks – 15
- “Greens” – 2
- “Blues” – 5
- “Reds” – 4
- “Black” – 4
- Number of lifts :
- Ski pass cost – 30-35 €
Himos
The length of the longest downhill run here is 1.2 km, and you can rent sports equipment for the day for 27 €. This resort town once developed as a small family business, which later grew into a large year-round recreation center. Nevertheless, Himos was still able to maintain a peculiar cozy, even homely atmosphere, which attracts numerous tourists here. Vacationers are left with an unforgettable impression of the local landscapes of stunning beauty – clean rivers and lakes, hilly ridges covered with green coniferous forests. Tourists are also invited to take a safari around the surrounding area on deer, dogs, snowmobiles, or go ice fishing.
Specifications:
- Height difference – 151 meters
- Resort height – 84 – 235 meters
- The total length of the ski slopes is 12.5 km
- Number of tracks – 17
- “Greens” – 4
- “Blues” – 3
- “Reds” – 5
- “Black” – 5
- Number of lifts – 15 (13 rope tows, 2 chair lifts)
- The cost of a ski pass is 30-32 €.
Jyvaskyla
Jyväskylä is a large ski center, which includes two resorts, located in the vicinity of the city. The first of them, Lajas-Laajavuori, is located right within the city limits and is more suitable for beginners and families with children. There are both low-difficulty downhill slopes and flat ski tracks, and there is a ski school for children.
Another local resort is Riihivuori. It is more suitable for experienced skiers and fans of extreme freeriding, as well as slalom. For the convenience of parents and children, there is a playground and a ski school. There is a restaurant serving national cuisine right on the slope, and there are hotels and guest cottages nearby.
Specifications:
- Height difference – 89 meters
- Resort height – 135 – 224 meters
- Cross-country ski track – 64 km
- The total length of the ski slopes is 10 km
- Number of tracks – 11
- Children’s track – 1
- “Greens” – 3
- “Blues” – 2
- “Reds” – 3
- “Black” – 2
- Number of lifts – 10 (all rope tows)
- The cost of a ski pass is 30€ per day and 120€ per week.
Saariselkä
Saariselkä is a large ski and spa resort located in the very north of Lapland in the national park. Kekkonen. Ski slopes and a snowboarding track are laid on two neighboring hills, and almost two and a half hundred kilometers of flat ski tracks are laid around them.
For most of the winter season, which lasts here from November to May, polar night reigns in these places. Therefore, half of all high-speed and 34 km cross-country trails are equipped with artificial lighting. You can rent ski equipment here for a day for 22€.
In addition to skiing, tourists will be able to visit Lapland villages and get acquainted with the life of the indigenous population, ride reindeer or dog sleds. The resort has a large sports complex “Saariselka Arena” with a fitness room, volleyball room and indoor tennis courts.
Specifications:
- Height difference – 180 meters
- Resort height – 257 – 437 meters
- Flat ski track – 270 km
- The total length of the ski slopes is 6.7 km
- Number of tracks – 15
- “Greens” – 3
- “Blues” – 4
- “Reds” – 5
- “Black” – 3
- Number of lifts – 5 (4 rope tows, 1 chairlift)
- The cost of the ski pass is 37 €.
Messila
Messilä is a resort in southern Finland , ten kilometers from the city of Lahti. It is located on the Salpausselkä mountain slope, overlooking the beautiful Lake Vesijärvi, framed by the greenery of coniferous forests. The slopes here are not too steep, which makes Messil an excellent choice for a family holiday with a child, or for beginners who want to master the difficult art of downhill skiing.
It was opened in 1969, and a modern ski center has been operating here since 1999. Alpine skiing and ski jumping competitions are often held in Messila, and a 70-kilometer cross-country track is laid around the mountain. The longest ski slope is 950 meters long.
Near the resort there are numerous hotels and guest houses, restaurants and cafes. There is a separate safe slope for children, and there is also a park for snowboarders. Renting a ski kit in Messila will cost 28 € for one day. The resort has a riding school, an indoor swimming pool 5 km away, snowmobile safaris and ice fishing on a nearby lake.
Specifications:
- Height difference – 107 meters
- Resort height – 84 – 191 meters
- The length of the cross-country ski track is 70 km
- The total length of the ski slopes is 7 km
- Number of tracks – 10
- “Greens” – 2
- “Blues” – 3
- “Reds” – 4
- “Black” – 1
- Luge run – 1
- Number of lifts – 9 (7 anchor, 1 rope tow, 1 belt)
- The cost of a ski pass is 25 € for children and 35 € for adults for one day.
Iso-Suete and Piku-Suete
These two ski centers are located at the junction of the Lake District and southern Lapland. Both resort areas are located on two neighboring hills, from which they got their name. This area is one of the snowiest places in the entire country, so even in spring there is a fairly deep snow cover. The two parts of the resort have different characteristics and target different visitors. Thus, on Pico Suete the slopes are gentler and smoother, which makes it an ideal choice for beginners and parents with children. The Iso-Syete trails are more difficult and are aimed at professionals or high-class amateurs. On the slopes of the mountains, along the routes, there are coffee houses where you can warm up and take a break with a cup of hot drink.
Specifications:
- Height difference – 195 m
- Resort altitude – 230 – 425 m
- The total length of the ski slopes is 20 km
- Number of tracks – 23
- “Greens” – 11
- “Blues” – 8
- “Reds” – 2
- “Black” – 2
- Number of lifts – 11 (10 rope tows and 1 chairlift)
- Ski pass cost – 30-32 €
Salla
Salla is a relatively small ski center in eastern Lapland, near the Russian border. This place has been used as a winter resort since 1937, when Finnish skiers began training here and the first downhill competitions were held. Salla is also interesting because in its vicinity the oldest ski on the planet was found, which is kept today in the Helsinki Museum. Its age is estimated at several thousand years and it probably belonged to one of the representatives of the local Sami people.
Today Salla is a high-class resort, ready to provide vacationers with a full range of winter sports entertainment. The longest local route is 1.3 km long. Tourists will be able to do not only skiing here, but also ride deer and dogs, and, if desired, go on a safari in the surrounding area on snowmobiles.
Specifications:
- Height difference – 230 meters
- Resort height – 213 – 443 meters
- Cross-country ski track – 160 km
- The total length of the ski slopes is 10 km
- Number of tracks – 16
- “Blues” – 8
- “Reds” – 5
- “Black” – 3
- Number of lifts – 6 (all rope tows)
- The cost of the ski pass is 33 €.
Kuopio
Kuopio is a large city in eastern Finland, located near the Russian border. Next to it is the large lake Kallavesi with hilly shores, on which five ski centers were built. The Kuopio resort itself is located within the city and is a favorite vacation spot for city residents. Renting sports equipment for the whole day here will cost 17 €. The convenience of relaxation here is due to good transport accessibility – it is easy to get to Kuopio from both Helsinki and St. Petersburg. A railway line and an international highway pass by. The city is a major cultural center; there is entertainment for all categories of tourists – from sightseeing and museums to relaxing in bars and night discos. Kuopio Ski Center is equipped with all infrastructure facilities and is distinguished by a high level of service.
Specifications:
- Height difference – 85 m
- Resort height – 140 – 225 m
- Cross-country ski track – 400 km
- The total length of the ski slopes is 1.2 km
- Number of tracks – 2
- “Greens” – 1
- “Blues” – 1
- Number of lifts – 2 (both rope tows)
- The cost of the ski pass is 19 € per day and 160 €, the lift is free for children.
Rovaniemi
Most people associate Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, with the “residence” of Santa Claus. But there is also a high-quality ski center called Ounasvaara, perfect for beginners and children. Therefore, it is best for parents with children to go here in order to combine the pleasure of a sports holiday with an unforgettable fairy-tale experience of visiting Santa’s magical village.
Rovaniemi has all the necessary tourist infrastructure: hotels and guest houses, cafes, snack bars and fashionable restaurants, spa salons and fitness rooms. Tourists can ride reindeer and sled dogs, ride snowmobiles and go ice skating. Since the capital of Lapland experiences polar night in winter, the ski slopes and lifts are well lit.
Specifications:
- Height difference – 128 m
- Resort height – 85 – 213 m
- The total length of the ski slopes is 5 km
- Number of tracks – 10
- “Reds” – 3
- “Blues” – 3
- “Black” – 3
- children’s track – 1
- Number of lifts – 4 (3 rope tows and 1 chairlift)
- The cost of the ski pass is 26 € per day for adults and 21 € for children.