Ylläs - ski resort, located above the Arctic Circle, in Finnish Lapland. This is the most big resort of this type in Finland. It is not inferior to any other in terms of the number of slopes and their length - 63 slopes and the longest descent - 3 kilometers.
At the foot of Mount Ylläs there are two villages, each with its own ski area: Ylläs Ski resort in Äkäslompolo in the north, and Isa-Ylläs resort in Ylläsjärvi in the south. They are connected by a road around the mountain and ski lifts, and together they make up the large Ylläs resort.
Ylläs has an international FIS qualification: stages of World and European Cup competitions in various types of alpine skiing are held on its slopes. The resort has the only slope in Finland that meets the international qualification “Super G”, as well as the most extensive network of cross-country ski trails, with a total length of 250 kilometers.
Only in Ylläs you can take a trip to the world's only sauna cabin, located on a ski lift in the very heart of the resort. At the resort you will find wide choose accommodation options - hotels, apartments, cottages. Various shops, bars and restaurants, spas, etc. are also open to you.
For lovers of active winter holiday There is a rental of alpine and cross-country skis, excursions and snowmobile trips, dog or reindeer sledding, swimming in an ice hole and visiting a sauna, and, of course, in Ylläs you can celebrate new year holidays with the real Santa Claus in an unforgettable Lapland atmosphere!
Luosto Ski Resort
Luosto is a ski resort located in the central part of Northern Finland - Lapland, north of the Arctic Circle. It is one of the most popular ski resorts in Lapland. He is most loved by people who appreciate high quality And relaxing holiday. The resort is located at an altitude of 490 m above sea level. Luosto has eight ski slopes, two of which are illuminated, as well as six lifts. The longest descent is 1600 m.
In addition to skiing on very well-groomed ski slopes, there are all conditions for cross-country skiing enthusiasts. The length of the cross-country ski trail is 94 km, and in its grooming and quality it is not inferior to the ski slopes. There is a ski school at the resort for beginners and children. In addition, traditional ski resort services such as snowmobiling, reindeer and dog sledding, snowshoeing and ice fishing are very popular. More exotic and interesting services are also a sure success: an excursion to a mine with a search for precious stones and the opportunity to watch the northern lights. For those who want to get acquainted with the traditional culture of Lapland, there is a special program “Sami Evenings”. Also on the territory of Luosto there is a water park and restaurants where you can taste National dishes Lapland cuisine.
Ski resort Pallas
Pallas is one of the ski resorts that has the ability to provide skiing for fans of free ride and telemark. It is located in Western Lapland in the Pallas-Ounastunturi park and a few kilometers from the border with Sweden.
There are also nine ski slopes, one of which is illuminated in the evening. Ski slopes, children's slopes for sledding, if desired, you can ride a dog sled or a sleigh pulled by reindeer. Ice rallies, snowmobile safaris and just snowshoeing. But here you can also watch the northern lights, and not all ski resorts have this advantage.
The resort has a ski school, ski lifts and the ability to rent equipment for skiing on the slopes.
Sights of Lapland
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, there is only one Santa Claus, unlike many ski resorts, and New Year he always greets you 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. alpine 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 tasty, but also fun thanks to 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 have been created for them, playgrounds, a Formula slide with sharp turns, jumps and tunnels.
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.
Among other entertainments - national park"Oulanka" with an area of 270 square kilometers, as well as the Deer Park, where you can meet deer in their natural habitat, as well as get acquainted with 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 most northern resort 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 a cafe, a couple of souvenir shops and a safari agency. Tourists are mainly attracted here by the fact that Rovaniemi is hometown 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 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 languages. 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 the western part of Lapland, where the most high mountains countries.
Its pride is also that it is the only gondola ride in Finland. cable car(Levi Gondola 2000) 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.
Among other species active rest in Levi you can list 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, wine shop Alko, wine cellar, sports shops, hairdressers and numerous souvenir shops. There is also a post office and an ATM.
For lovers nightlife must like in "Hullu Poro Arena" - it's Entertainment Center, which offers its guests a variety of programs until the morning: performances by famous groups 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 - natural ski season here lasts from November to May, in 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 time, the resort offers 3 restaurants with European and Lapland cuisine, 4 bars and night club with live music in the evenings (open until 4am).
There are also interesting attractions in the area: Nature Center 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 the most fresh air Finland can be tried 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 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
There are several restaurants, cafes and fast food outlets in Vuokatti, nearby is the village of Santa Claus Kuhma and local history museum open-air - “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
| Region | Resort | Maximum height difference | Maximum route length | Season | Trails and lifts |
| Lapland | Ylläs | 463 m | 3 km | Late November - early May |
37 tracks (11 illuminated) 18 lifts (including gondola lift). Trails: black – 4 red – 8 blue – 31 |
| Salla | 230 m | 1.3 km | Late November - early May |
12 trails (6 illuminated), 6 anchor lifts. Trails: 5 blue, 3 red, 2 black |
|
| Saariselkä | 180 m | 1.5 km | From approximately October 20 to May 10 |
12 trails, illuminated - 5 Number of lifts - 6 |
|
| Rovaniemi |
Ukkohalla: 11 slopes (blue - 4, red - 6, black - 1), 6 lifts Pagliacca: 12 slopes (blue - 6, red - 4, black - 2), 7 lifts |
||||
| Vuokatti | 170 m | 1.1 km | November—April |
13 tracks (9 tracks are illuminated) 7 blue, 5 red, 1 black. 9 lifts, including two 4-seater chairlifts, 3 anchor lifts, 2 rope tows and 2 escalators. |
Everyone knows that Finland is a country located in the northern part of Europe, and almost 25% of Finland’s territory is located above the Arctic Circle. Considering geographical location It's no surprise that winter sports are extremely popular in Finland.
Particular attention is paid to skiing in Finland. Every Finn knows how to ski from an early age, which is why there are so many ski resorts here that hospitably welcome both local residents, and numerous tourists.
Most of winter resorts located in the northern part of the country – Lapland, in Finnish Lappi(Lappi). The most popular resorts in Lapland are Levi, Ylläs, Pyhä, Salla, Pello.
Levi Resort located beyond the Arctic Circle. The Levi resort has many comfortable cottages and apartments, as well as a small water park and spa complex. The ski lifts are very close to many cottages, which is very convenient for making the most of your skiing time. In the center of the Levi resort, which is surrounded by a huge series of cottage villages and detached cottages, there are many small cafes and restaurants serving European and local Finnish cuisine. Among the local delicacies, you should definitely try venison and white partridge meat.
Pyhä Ski Resort much smaller than the Levi ski resort, but for beginners and ski lovers it will be just right. Pyhä has 7 large slopes of varying difficulty. Special children's trails are organized for children; you can ride in dog sleds and on reindeer. In addition to active recreation, Pyhä offers a large number of excursions - to a gold mining village, a local history museum and an amethyst mine.
One of the largest and highest ski resorts in Lapland is Finnish ski resort Ylläs (Ylläs). It's hard to imagine, but the Ylläs resort has about 60 high-quality slopes of varying difficulty levels. Elephant riding, safaris, and fishing can also be combined with visits to attractions such as the Saint-Lauri Chapel and the Kellocas Nature Center.
Another northern Finnish ski resort is Salla ski resort, which is located very close to the Russian border. The resort has 15 groomed slopes and 6 lifts. You can relax in the SPA after active skiing, and have dinner in the cafe on site. Cottages and apartments at the Salla ski resort are quite comfortable and also deserve the attention of Russian tourists.
The main road to the Arctic Circle passes through Pello ski resort, where 16 tracks are fully equipped, children's tracks and places for night skiing have been created separately. Lovers of winter fishing also come to Pello, for whom the main trophy can be large wild salmon.
By the way, the polar Finnish night is not an obstacle to skiing in Lapland, as at all resorts most of The slopes have artificial lighting, and the ski tracks at many resorts are also illuminated. So you can enjoy your favorite activity for hours on end.
Total in Finnish Lapland on this moment 12 ski slopes. The main advantages of these elephants is the constant presence of snow; the skiing season begins in November and can last until April. Additional benefits of a holiday in Lapland are: reindeer sledding, dog sledding safaris, Santa Claus Village a few hours away and of course the magnificent Northern Lights.
Welcome to Finnish Lapland for an unforgettable great holiday!
Kokozina Svetlana
Expert on Finland
Attention! Use of materials, mention and quotation is permitted only if an active link to the page is indicated
It snows the slopes until mid-June, and will certainly appeal to freeride lovers.
Besides these big 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 Suite ski resort is located at the latitude of Oulu, where there is an airport and 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.
Finland is Russia's northern neighbor. This state is very popular among tourists for many reasons. The country has beautiful nature. Read the article about which resorts are considered the most visited.
Why is holidaying in Finland popular in winter?
There are many reasons why many tourists choose to holiday in this country. So here they are:
- Beautiful landscape. The relief of Finland is characterized by the presence of hills and mountains covered with snow.
- The landscape allows you to take part in various competitions in snowboarding and other sports. winter sports. So, everyone can go skiing or cheesecake. If you are brave enough, you can take part in a snow safari by sled, snowmobile or ATV. Winter fishing is another fun activity.
- Long duration of the snow season. Many tourists choose to holiday in Finland in winter, since the winters here are quite warm.
- Developed infrastructure. This country is home to a huge number of museums and amusement parks. Anyone can visit the spa. Holidays in Finland in winter are very popular for another reason. Local hotels and tourist centers are considered very good. The service here is high quality.
- Opportunity to travel around the country. Anyone can visit Finnish cities such as Helsinki and Tampere, and this is only a small part of the local tourist “capitals”. And, of course, don’t forget about Lapland - a resort where you will get the New Year’s mood.
Vuokatti
The journey from St. Petersburg to this resort takes only one day by car or an hour by plane. This one is popular tourist town created for family vacation in Finland in winter. The lifts are also located here. The “Magic Carpet” was created especially for children - a belt lift, the length of which reaches 50 meters. Throughout the year, there are tunnels in Finland designed for snowboarding and skiing. Various slides, bridges, climbing routes - this is an incomplete list of where you can spend time at this resort.
Accommodation
Vuokatti is one of those resorts that are suitable for lovers of a comfortable holiday. Thus, the Holiday Club Katinkulta spa hotel is located on its territory. The hotel equipped with a water park, bathhouse, saunas. Golf lovers can visit it in summer. Tennis courts, a gym and badminton courts are open year-round. Many tourists choose this hotel for a winter holiday in Finland. Reviews about this hotel are positive.
Himos
This resort area is very popular among Russians for several reasons. Firstly, Russian-speaking instructors work here, and secondly, beginners can use four lifts at once. The local mountains are considered the longest and highest in southern Finland.
Tourists can stay in hotels, apartments or cottages located one kilometer from the best ski slopes. All accommodations are equipped with electrical appliances, running water, fireplaces and a sauna. For a fee, you can ride a motor sleigh or dog sled, swim in wetsuits, or go fishing.
Iso-Suote
The hotel, surrounded by a considerable number of cottages, is located at the top of the hill. The resort is framed by a fabulously beautiful forest. The rooms offer picturesque views of the local nature. In their reviews, tourists who lived in this hotel, note that the landscapes of this resort are very beautiful. Plus, if you're lucky, you'll be able to watch the Northern Lights.
Things to do?
The ski slope is located very close to the hotel. If you decide to bring personal equipment with you, you will not have to use transport. Inexperienced skiers and children should take a bus to the gentle slopes to avoid injury while skiing. The youngest skiers can play sports at the Lumimaa complex, equipped especially for children.
"Levi"
In the category " Best places for holidays in Finland in winter" includes a ski center called "Levi". It is equipped with 45 slopes and 27 lifts. Children can play in the sports town or visit the entertainment center.
What are the most popular accommodation options at Levi? These are hotels, cottages and even apartments. Free bus runs daily from hotels to the slopes. On the territory of the ski center there are restaurants, a mini-water park, as well as a sports and fitness complex.
Hand
One of the most visited ski centers in Lapland is a 30-minute drive from the town of Kuusamo. The tourist season begins in October and ends in June. The resort is especially popular among snowboarders and freestyle skiers. The main ski lift is located very close to a village called Ruka. Other ski lifts are located nearby. There are 21 of them in total. Children under 6 years of age ride here for free.
The resort has a ski school with at least 200 instructors. This is one of the reasons why people choose a city called Ruka for a winter holiday in Finland. Reviews from tourists about this resort contain information that everyone has the opportunity not only to try themselves winter species sports, but also to watch international competitions.
Ylläs Resort
The largest Finnish ski resort is located above the Arctic Circle. There are at least 1000 here comfortable cottages and hotels. Tourists who chose local hotels for accommodation, their reviews note the high professionalism of the staff, as well as the friendliness and responsibility of the workers.
Ski lovers will be able to ski on special trails, equipped in the best possible way. You can try your hand at 63 slopes of varying difficulty. The largest of them has a huge height, reaching 718 meters. The length of the longest descent is 3 kilometers. The resort constantly employs Russian-speaking specialists who can help you in solving various issues.
If you want to try something exotic, you can visit the open-air jacuzzi located at the top of the hill. The sauna here is also unusual. It is located in the cable car cabin.
Snow village
What to prefer?
There are a huge number of resorts in Finland, in each of which tourists can choose the most convenient method of accommodation. Some travelers prefer comfortable hotels, whose rooms offer picturesque views of the snow-covered forest.
However, there is another option for where you can live while on holiday in Finland in winter with or without children. These are cottages located right in the middle of the forest. The spacious houses, consisting of one or two floors, are furnished in a very modern way. Vacationers have at their disposal spacious rooms with a sauna, a fully equipped kitchen, and several bedrooms. The living rooms have fireplaces, where you can spend time with your family or friends. Of course, not all cottages are located in the forest. If you wish, you can find an excellent house located on the territory of the resort village.
Weather
Finland is located in northern Europe, a third of the state is located beyond the Arctic Circle. The length of the day is several hours, from 10.00 am to 15.00 pm. The influence of the Gulf Stream affects the temperature, but Finnish winters cannot be said to be cold. They are moderate. On average, the temperature of the coldest month ranges from -14 to -12 degrees Celsius in the most northern points countries.
The air in Finland is dry, so cold weather is easily tolerated. The formation of snow cover begins in December and lasts until April. southern regions states. In the northern part, snow remains until May. Since holidays in Finland in winter are often accompanied by westerly winds, when choosing outerwear you should give preference to windproof models.
How to get there
There are several ways to get to Finland.
- By plane. To get to this state, you should take a flight on the route “St. Petersburg - Helsinki” or “Moscow - Helsinki”. On average, a ticket costs 3,600 rubles. If you book in advance, about a month before departure, their cost will be 2,700 rubles.
- By train or ferry. For example, the Lev Tolstoy express train runs from Moscow.
- By bus. For just 500 rubles you can get from St. Petersburg to Helsinki.
Within the country there is a very developed transport system, so there are usually no problems with moving around the state. Most often, preference is given to bus routes, although the main cities are connected by rail.
