Top 12 Ski Resorts in Finland
Despite being largely flat, Finland has nearly 100 ski resorts throughout the country, with most located in Lapland beyond the Arctic Circle. These are some of the best resorts throughout Finland not only for skiing but also for family holidays and other winter sports:
Pyhä
A short drive away from the Lapland capitol Rovaniemi, Pyhä is an ideally located and easily accessible resort. It contains nine lifts and 14 slopes, the longest of which is 1,800 meters, while the surrounding Pyhä-Luosto National Park is connected through cross-country ski paths. There is also an amethyst mine nearby, the only one in the world open to visitors, and restaurants serving traditional Lappish food.
Saariselkä
The northernmost resort in Finland near the city of Inari, Saariselkä hosts a wide range of winter activities and natural wilderness, yet is less crowded and more peaceful than many other Lapland resorts. There are a total of 15 slopes and 200 km of cross-country trails. Despite its remote location, the resort still has a lot of amenities and entertainment, including jazz and blues music festivals and biking events.
Vuokatti
Vuokatti’s location on the border of Lakeland and Lapland makes it one of the most popular year-round ski locations, and has snowmobiles, reindeer farms, husky safaris, and even an Olympic training centre. In the summer, the area is warm and offers pony trekking, theme parks, car racing tracks, and cycling.
Levi
One of Finland’s largest, best rated, and most popular resorts, Levi has a wide range of 45 slopes and activities for all experience levels, 230 km of cross country ski tracks, and 27 miles of pistes. It also has a lively holiday village, a range of accommodation including log cabins and glass igloos, and is only a few minutes away from the local airport.
Ruka
Ruka is often considered one of the best ski resorts in the Nordics, winning Finland’s best ski resort 2016 at the World Ski Awards. The resort and town are popular with visitors with 21 lifts and 34 slopes, all in pristine natural landscapes and with chances to spot Finland’s fascinating wildlife. The snow lasts for around 200 days of the year and off-season still has hiking, rafting, biking, and fishing, with the Arctic animals and Santa’s summer cottage available to see year-round.
Iso-Syöte
The 17 slopes in Iso-Syöte on Finland’s southernmost fell includes both professional slopes, a children’s Snow World, and a SnowParks for teenagers. This makes it the ideal family resort where everyone can find something for their interests or skill levels, including reindeer sledges, snowboarding, dog sledding, rally driving, and snowmobiles.
Himos
Himos in Jyväskylä in central Finland is more of a starter’s resort with mostly short slopes and gentle hills. Yet this and its pure Finnish wilderness make it one of the best places to pick up skiing. In addition, it has snowboarding, moose safaris, ice swimming, curling, and children’s activities.
Ylläs
Possibly the most scenic of all of Finland’s resorts, Ylläs has a vertical drop of 463 meters and the longest ski run in Europe at 3,000 meters in length. Yet the majority of the 63 slopes are more suited for beginners, plus there are 200 miles of cross-country trails, ice fishing, snowmobiles, reindeer, and dog sledding.
Tahko
Tahko is closer to central Finland in the Lakeland area, with 24 slopes and an even divide of beginners and expert slopes. The longest trail is 1,200 meters long and the highest drop is 200 meters. This is all in pristine forest and mountain scenery and with views of the Northern Lights in winter.
Salla
Considered one of the best resorts in Finland for families, with quieter runs and lots of children’s facilities and events such as Santa Adventure weeks. Salla is still remote enough for a peaceful holiday in spotlessly beautiful surroundings.
Messilä
Resorts in southern Finland are less numerous as they don’t have heavy or permanent snowfall, yet Messilä in Lahti is one of the best for those who can’t travel all the way to Lapland. Located in the grounds of a beautiful historic manor, the ten slopes are serviced by snow machines during warmer periods. Yet there are also the traditional log cabins, saunas, cross-country trails, snowboarding, and everything else you’d expect from a good Lapland resort.
Ounasvaara
A slightly smaller resort of only five lifts and eleven slopes, Ounasvaara is located close to central Rovaniemi so it can be visited along with the Santa Claus village and other Lapland sites. In addition, there is a children’s Snow World for safe practice, a snow carousel, and toboggans for rental.
