Ski resorts in Finland, endless expanses and 200 days of...
Finland winter
Although Finland does not boast high mountains, skiing is one of the most popular leisure activities. Why? Because Finland has over 100 winter sports centers and can offer 200 days of guaranteed snow, and is also known for its excellent service.
Already in southern and central Finland, you can indulge in your favorite sport without hindrance. Ski centers such as Sapee, Lahti, Kokonniemi, Himos or Tahko are very popular, especially among the Finns themselves, because they are quickly accessible from the capital Helsinki.
In Lahti, southern Finland, approx. Located 100 kilometers from Helsinki, the famous ski games have been held since 1923 (Lahti Ski Games), an annual world championship in ski jumping and "cross country skiing". Here you can indulge in your own hobby, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing or snowboarding and at the same time witness a world-renowned competition. Lake Vesijärvi turns into a beautiful sports arena every year, where you can go skiing, skating, or in late winter, hang gliding or scootering.
Lahti is considered the "sports capital" of Finland, because it's not just about skiing. Lahti also has a well-known ice hockey team, the Pelicans, who enjoy great success. In addition, there is a ski museum in Lahti and, if you want to enjoy culture after skiing, you can do so in the three first-class concert halls, such as the Sibelius Hall.
Himos is the largest ski center in Central Finland and has been voted ski resort of the year twice. It is located only about an hour from Jyväskylä and two and a half hours from Helsinki, so you can combine a vacation in the capital very well with a few days of skiing. Himos has a total of 21 runs and 15 lifts and is suitable for beginners and professionals alike. For snowboarders there is a snow park with challenging jumps, the slopes are illuminated and so you can ski even at night. And something very special: children under the age of seven who wear a helmet pay no lift fee.
If you like to combine your skiing vacation with culture, you can visit the Alvar Aalto Museum in Jyväskylä. Alvar Aalto is the most famous Finnish architect and designer after whom the University of Helsinki is named.
In the north of Finland, in Lapland, lie the largest winter sports areas: Levi, Ylläs, Äkäslompolo, Saariselkä, these are the names you should remember. Whoever finds the right Finnish winter If you want to enjoy the beauty of Lapland, you can take the comfortable car train from Helsinki to Lapland or fly to one of the airports, such as Ivalo, Kittilä, Enontekiö or Kuusamo. Those traveling by plane can then easily reach their destination by one of the airport shuttle buses.
Levi is the largest ski center in Finland . The nearest airport is Kittilä, only 15 minutes by car from Levi. Levi has 43 downhill slopes, 17 lighted slopes, 10 slopes for children and the greatest difference in altitude is 325 meters. You can comfortably stay in a hotel, but there are also many vacation apartments or exclusive to simple cottages. The booking works through a central reservation. Here you can immediately find out which accommodations are available in your desired period.
Levi is still small compared to Swiss or Austrian ski resorts. It has a few restaurants downtown, some nice little stores, a large swimming complex, and a very varied entertainment program with many different events. If you arrive in December, you can visit a small Christmas market with traditional crafts or how about a day trip to see Santa Claus in Rovaniemi? The drive from Levi to Rovaniemi is only two hours, and if you've paid Santa a visit, you can also check out the Arktikum Museum in Rovaniemi, which is well worth seeing.
Levi offers a lot of leisure activities besides skiing. How about a reindeer sled safari with ice fishing or a snowmobile safari on the trail of the Northern Lights? Horse enthusiasts can ride through the snow on Icelandic horses, and those who wish can go snowshoeing or take a dog sled ride across frozen lakes and snow-covered forests. For several years, Levi has also been the venue for the Alpine World Ski Championships in November.
The Levi ski area also includes Ylläs, located in the Pallas-Ylläs Tunturi National Park. From October to May is ski season. Here you can whiz down the mountain on a three-kilometer slope or cross-country ski on 330 kilometers of groomed trails. We also recommend a visit to the ice village of Laino (open from December to April), where you can spend the night on cozy ice beds. Or haven't you always wanted to get married under special circumstances? In Laino's ice church you can say yes to each other ice cold. And there is something else one-of-a-kind in Ylläs: the world's first sauna gondola lift. You sit in an electrically heated sauna that gets between 80 and 100 degrees and glide up the Ylläs fell in the gondola. And at the same time you have a gigantic view of the mountain landscape of Lapland.
Saariselkä is another major ski resort in Finnish Lapland. This is the place to be if you want to enjoy Sámi culture as well as skiing. Saarisälkä is located not far from Inari, the center of the Finnish Sámi people with the famous Siida Museum. At Siida you can learn in detail about Sami culture.
Finland's largest ski resort: www.levi.fi
Frequently asked questions about skiing in Finland
When does the ski season start in Finland?
Most Lapland resorts open in late October or early November and stay open until May. Southern Finnish resorts typically run from December to April. Levi and Yllas often have snow for over 200 days per year.
What is the biggest ski resort in Finland?
Levi is Finland's largest ski resort with 43 slopes, 17 lighted runs and a maximum vertical drop of 325 meters. It is located 15 minutes from Kittila airport in Finnish Lapland.
Are Finnish ski resorts good for beginners?
Yes. Finnish resorts are well-suited for beginners and families. Slopes are gentler than in the Alps, ski schools operate in multiple languages, and many resorts offer free lift passes for children under 7 who wear a helmet.
How much does a lift pass cost in Finland?
Day passes at major resorts like Levi and Yllas cost between 39 and 49 euros for adults. Multi-day passes and family packages bring the price down. Many resorts also offer evening-only passes at reduced rates for the lighted slopes.
Sergej Gerber
I am an absolute Scandinavia fan and have been traveling to the beautiful Scandinavian countries for over 12 years. Here I share my experiences and tips about the Scandinavian countries and the Baltic Sea region.