Popular ski resorts in Finland in 2024

The fabulous country of Finland, known as the home of Santa Claus, is famous for its forests, lakes and hills. It is thanks to the abundance of the latter that the successful development of the ski business has become possible in the harsh northern climate. The best resorts in Finland for winter sports lovers will be discussed below.

Criteria for choosing a ski resort

How to choose the most suitable option from the available variety of popular ski resorts? To do this, you should determine the priorities:

• will it be a family vacation with children or in a noisy company of friends;
• what is the level of ski training among travelers;
• preferences related to accommodation conditions (in an apartment, cottage, wooden house);
• requirements for leisure options;
• willingness to pay the cost of the tour offered by the tour operator.

Considering the above points, the following options can be offered to the attention of a potential tourist.

The best Finnish ski resorts

Levy

It is one of the most famous and largest in Lapland. It is located 170 km north of the Arctic Circle, which explains the maintenance of abundant snow cover and sub-zero temperatures throughout the winter period. Levi's guests will be able to witness the northern lights with their own eyes.

The resort has a variety of slopes designed to suit any level of skill: from beginner to expert improving their skills and abilities. There are many slopes for families with children. For those who like to ride in the evening and at night there are illuminated tracks. The ski school will help you learn the science of handling downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding. For fans of the latter, there is a park in Levi, where half-pipe, super-pipe, and streets are equipped. In addition, there are fitness centers, spas, discos, restaurants, and water parks. You can go fishing, ride a snowmobile, dog sledding.

Levy is able to simultaneously receive more than 15 thousand guests. Tourists can choose from various accommodation options: a rustic house, an igloo, an apartment or a hotel (from one to five stars). Most of the cottages and hotels are located in the immediate vicinity of the slopes.

The center is famous for the fact that its slopes are ideal for holding international competitions: every November is the time of the World Cup in Alpine Skiing.

• availability of a sufficient number of trails for any level of training;
• highly developed infrastructure.

• no critical ones were found.

Ylläs

Located 65 km from Levi. It includes two villages Akaslompolo and Ylläsjärvi, which are located on both sides of the Ylläs fell.

This resort is the largest in Finland. For lovers of alpine skiing, there is a sufficient number of trails, the total length of which is 53 km, the longest - 3 km (the longest in Finland).

It is an integral part of the Lapland Super Ski: in addition to Ylläs, the resorts of Levi, Olos, Pallas are combined. This means that Ylläs guests can ski at the listed resorts using a shared ski pass.

The development of the ski center began in the 30s of the twentieth century, since then it has been growing and developing, offering tourists all the new services. In addition to being ideal for skiers of all ages and professional levels, from children and teenagers to professional athletes, Ylläs is a place where you can take part in a winter safari, swim in an ice hole, and fish.

Ski instructors (there are two of them in the resort) will help beginners. The choice of placements is wide. There are sports equipment rental points, shops, recreation facilities (bars, restaurants, discos, spa-salons).

A distinctive feature of this place is that you can most likely observe the legendary northern lights here.

• the greatest difference in height;
• a large selection of tracks of varying degrees of difficulty;
• developed infrastructure.

• significant were not identified.

Vuokatti

One of the most popular Finnish ski resorts with a favorable geographic location. Here you can have a great winter vacation. The necessary conditions for skiers and snowboarders have been created. The slopes are characterized by varying degrees of difficulty. The longest track is a little over a kilometer. Most of the trails are adapted for night skiing. There are options for beginners. The lifts have a capacity of up to 11,000 people / hour.

The ski tunnel makes the resort unique. It maintains the required temperature so that skiers and snowboarders can train all year round. This explains the choice of this place for organizing training camps by the national teams in winter sports.

Vuokatti is a great choice for family holidays. The infrastructure is diverse: guests, for whom more than 8 thousand accommodations are provided, have at their disposal amusement parks, fitness centers, spas, markets and souvenir shops, catering places, discos and nightclubs, clothing and sports equipment stores. Many sports and leisure events take place here every year.

• the presence of a ski tunnel, which enables skiers and snowboarders all year round
• operate the resort;
• variety of infrastructure.

• no significant ones.

Arm

The resort is located in the east of Lapland. It has convenient transport links to other parts of Finland.

An abundance of trails is provided for skiers, snowboarders, and fans of cross-country skiing. About 90 cannons are snowing them. There are options for illuminated trails adapted for night skiing.

It is possible to implement entertainment such as snowshoeing, snowmobiling, visiting Santa Claus's house, ice fishing, visiting a Finnish sauna, reindeer or dog sledding.

In addition to the sports infrastructure, tourists will be delighted by the views of the picturesque northern nature: hills, forests, rivers. In the summer, when the snow melts, water activities such as rafting, water skiing, canoeing, and lake walks become available.

It should be mentioned that in November the World Cup in skiing, ski jumping, skiing is held here. Conditions are favorable for training and organizing competitions in alpine skiing, freestyle, snowboarding.

• picturesque nature;
• a wide range of leisure options both in winter and summer.

• significant were not identified.

Tahko

The resort is located in the lake region of the country. A variety of location options: from small home cottages to luxury apartments, picturesque nature, a wide range of opportunities for organizing recreation - attract many tourists.

The slopes are varied, with options for beginners and advanced skiers alike.The school conducts group and individual lessons. On the entry-level trails, beginners will acquire their first ski and snowboard skills. Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ATV safaris are also possible.

In the evening, you can relax in a cafe, bar or restaurant, in the afternoon, a visit to the spa will be a pleasant bonus.

A special feature of Tahko is its location: it is located 70 km from one of the largest cities in the country - Kupio, which settled on the picturesque shores of Lake Kallavesi.

• decent level of sports infrastructure;
• ample opportunities in the choice of leisure options.

• there are no critical ones.

Iso-Syuete

This ski center is located on the southernmost Finnish fell near the Syöte National Park. Its slopes are more suitable for beginners. There is a children's complex SnowWorld, where slopes and lifts are specially equipped for young athletes. More experienced skiers will appreciate the freeride conditions. There is a snow park on the territory, which will also appeal to adrenaline lovers. Cross-country skiing trails are available.

The resort often plays host to the country's national championships.

• favorable conditions for gaining experience for beginners and children.

• small height difference, limited opportunities for extreme sports.

Himos

A popular resort for snowboarding and skiing lovers. Slopes of varying difficulty are served by snow cannons. There is a snow park equipped with jumps. Free training lifts are available. For fans of cross-country skiing, ski tracks are prepared. Most of the trails are illuminated in the evening, which allows them to be exploited in the dark.

It features an excellent infrastructure: comfortable accommodation is possible both in all-inclusive hotels and in self-service cottages. The option of relaxation depends on the preferences of the guest: you can relax in the famous Finnish sauna, dine in the restaurant with delicacies of Lapland cuisine, dance at the disco. Near Himos, there is a huge public swimming pool, which offers a wide range of relaxing treatments.

• a decent choice of services related to recreation;
• the presence of slopes of varying degrees of difficulty.

• significant were not found.

Pyukha

The ski center is located slightly above the Arctic Circle. It takes an hour and a half to get to Pyha Hill from Rovaniemi Airport. This place is unique because of the magnificent scenery: the mountain is adjacent to the National Park.

Pyuha is a small and cozy resort, which is suitable for families with children, as well as for those who first started alpine skiing. However, freeriders also have a lot to turn around: a fairly large area is set aside for off-piste skiing. There are excellent trails for cross-country skiers. The country's skiing team trains here.

As entertainment, you can ride a sleigh, reindeer or dog sleds, rent a snowmobile.

The ski school provides training on the acquisition of snowboarding and skiing skills. The rental point will help you choose the necessary equipment.

The restaurants of the resort will offer you to taste fish and game prepared according to the recipes of local cuisine. There are discos and clubs.

• a comfortable place for a family vacation;
• picturesque nature.

• there are no critical ones.

Saariselka

Located a good distance from the Arctic Circle, Saariselkä is one of the largest tourist centers in the country. It has been known since the middle of the 19th century as a place of gold mining, thanks to which the development of these lands became possible.
Today, the lion's share of the income that goes to the city's treasury is provided by tourism: in the summer - from cycling and hiking tours, rafting, in winter - skiing.

The ski center offers tourists ski slopes of varying difficulty, a snow park, cross-country skiing tracks.For young children, a kindergarten is provided, a special Ski Country playground is equipped, animators entertain the children with programs. Accommodation options are different. The infrastructure allows you to have fun outside the ski slopes: there are restaurants, bars, spa-salons.

The guests of the resort also have access to the protected areas of the U. Kekkonen National Park. In summer, trekking enthusiasts will find trails well marked on the landscape of the hills.

• proximity to the protected area;
• a wide range of leisure options both in winter and summer.

• significant were not identified.

Jyväskylä

Among the popular cities in Finland, it occupies one of the most significant places. Staying in it, the traveler has a choice between two ski centers: Riihivuori and Laayavuori.

The first one is located at a distance of 20 km from the city. It is famous for its slalom tracks. The center is equipped with a free lift for children. Has a snow park, an illuminated cross-country ski trail.

The second is in demand among both urban residents and foreign tourists. It is located very close to the city: at a distance of 4 km, which can be easily covered by a constantly running bus. Here visitors can go downhill and cross-country skiing. Conditions have been created for training and children's skating.

• availability, low cost of services.

• no critical ones have been identified.

Pallas

The resort is located in the north of the country, almost bordering on Sweden. The beauty of the Pallas-Ounastunturi Park makes this place attractive: the ski resort is located on its territory. The tracks are mainly intended for beginner skiers and families with children. But for lovers of freeriding, there is also a place: the realization of the possibilities and desires of extreme lovers is possible thanks to the excellent snow cover, which lasts for six months. The resort is popular with cross-country skiing enthusiasts with excellent ski tracks.

Thanks to a single ski pass, guests can use the slopes of the neighboring resort of Olos and the famous Levi.

For those wishing to rent a snowmobile, sleigh rides, reindeer are available.
Comfortable accommodation in hotels is possible right next to the slopes. Finnish delicacies will be offered by restaurants, bars and discos to help organize your evening entertainment.

• ideal for beginners and families with children.

• lack of black runs, small opportunities for extreme sports.

Olos

A small, comfortable resort occupies a key position in the central part of Lapland. Well-established transport communication allows you to move from Olos to the tracks of neighboring resorts using a single ski pass.

In Olos itself, preference is given to uncomplicated trails with a slight elevation difference and for cross-country skiing. There is a snow park, tubing and snowshoeing is possible. Accommodation is located on the slopes near the ski lifts. In the cozy restaurants, tourists can enjoy the masterpieces of Lappish cuisine.

• convenient location, access to other resorts through a shared ski pass;
• calm family vacation.

• small height difference, small opportunities for extreme sports.

Outcome

Finns have created a sufficient number of ski resorts, the best of which were presented. Information on the length of the resort's tracks and the height difference on it will help to choose from the abundance of the appropriate option, taking into account the priorities set.

Name	Length of tracks, km	Vertical drop, m	Price for the ski pass, EUR	Season
Levy	43.2	325	from 32	from November to April
Ylläs	53	463	from 38	from November to May
Vuokatti	10	170	from 35	from October to April
Arm	24	291	from 30	from November to April
Tahko	20	200	from 33	from November to April
Iso-Syuete	20	197	from 30	from November to April
Himos	12.5	151	from 30	from November to April
Pyukha	12	305	from 35	from November to May
Saariselka	6.7	150	from 37	from November to March
Jyväskylä	10	120	from 30	from November to April
Pallas	10	340	from 30	from November to June
Olos	7.2	140	from 30	from November to April

Important indicators for beginners, more experienced skiers and experts will be information about the number of slopes, starting with the simplest level (green) and ending with the most difficult, extreme (black).

Name		Lifts				Trails
resort	booth	funicular	drag	chairlifts	green	blue	red	black
Levy	1	1	22	2	13	15	10	7
Ylläs	-	1	27	1	6	27	24	6
Vuokatti	-	-	4	3	-	8	5	1
Arm	-	-	10	5	-	16	13	6
Tahko	-	-	10	2	-	15	23	8
Iso-Syuete	-	-	11	-	11	8	2	2
Himos	-	-	13	2	4	3	5	5
Pyukha	-	-	7	2	-	8	4	2
Saariselka	-	-	4	1	3	4	5	3
Jyväskylä	-	-	10	-	4	4	4	4
Palace	-	-	2	-	2	4	3	-
Olos	-	-	3	-	1	3	5	1