Finland ski holidays
Finland may be best known for Lapland, the home of Santa Claus, but there is a lot more to offer in this beautiful country than many people realise. With magnificent scenery, a laid-back culture and a winter climate absolutely perfect for skiing, there is much to look forward to for skiers and snowboarders. Saariselka is another great location in the area and is perfect for those looking for a relaxing getaway, offering majestic views and excellent options for skiing and hiking.
Best ski holidays in Finland
Best for snow-sure slopes - Ruka is Finland's most snow-sure resort thanks to its northern location and it also has the longest season lasting from early October to mid June.
Best for families - For festive fun, Levi and Saariselka in Finnish Lapland is the best place to go to in the build up before Christmas. We have a number of Santa's Lapland holidays filled with festive fun for 3 or 4 night breaks - read more here!
Best for après - Levi and Ruka are well known for the après ski. There are plenty of bars with live bands and dancing on tables is the norm but there are more cosy après ski bars if dancing on tables doesn't appeal!
Best for groups - We have a number of cosy log cabins in Yllas that sleep 6 to 8 people as well as self catering cottages and apartments in Levi and Saariselka that are perfect for groups.
Ski areas in Finland
Skiers and snowboarders can expect exceptional forests, frozen lakes and small queues for some of Europe’s best runs. Skiing is not the only activity that visitors can look forward to, as there are a number of gorgeous trails and a variety of other winter sports to take part in.
There are many off-piste options available across Lapland, especially in between trails, so those who are looking to explore some of the more difficult runs have much to look forward to.
Ski resorts in Finland
There is a variety of excellent ski resorts to choose from in Finland, all offering a hospitable Lappish charm. Lapland is, predictably, one of the most popular areas in the country thanks to its festive atmosphere and delightful facilities. There is a large amount of ski terrain in the region, along with a snowboard park and ski schools, making it perfect for those new to the sport. Levi is Lapland's most popular ski resort.
Yllas has the longest ski runs in Europe with a ski playground totalling 63 pistes and 29 lifts. Another popular resort in the area is Iso-Syote, where skiers can marvel at exceptional snow sculptures and develop their ski skills in a paradise located around 150 kilometres from the Arctic Circle. As well as this, there are a number of children’s and beginners’ slopes, making it a fantastic option for families.
Those looking for more of a challenge should consider visiting Ruka, where there is an extraordinary variety of trails to suit all skill levels. The area hosted the Freestyle World Championships in 2005 and is one of the country’s largest and most popular resorts.
Another great resort in Finland is Tahko, where visitors will be able to witness the magical Northern Lights and take their pick from a number of brilliant ski runs close to beautiful forest land and gorgeous mountain scenery.
Snow conditions in Finland
Finland’s close proximity to the Arctic means skiers and snowboarders can benefit from exceptional snow conditions between November and April, while the natural beauty of resorts such as Lapland and Ruka guarantee picturesque surroundings for visitors. Iso-Syote offers a total of 17 runs and its own ski-school to help people develop their downhill abilities and ensure they have a chance to improve their skills.
Tahko has 35km of piste and its small size means tourists can enjoy everything the resort has to offer without doing too much travelling. Around 10k of the terrain is ideal for beginners, while the remaining 10km is suitable for intermediates or experts.
Apres ski and non-ski activities in Finland
Ruka has one of the top bars in the country’s ski scene, the Colorado Mts Bar and Grill, which boasts a great restaurant with a large bar, warm atmosphere and live performances. The Finnish ski resort Takho is another that offers excellent entertainment options, including Pehku’s After Ski, which takes place every Friday and Saturday across winter and offers live music and a relaxing vibe.
There are many other apres ski options across Finland’s other ski resorts, including Iso-Syote, where a number of hotels provide live music and dance events to allow skiers to relax after a day on the slopes.
One of the fantastic reasons to come to ski in Finland is also to have the choice of so many exciting activities at your fingertips. Enjoy meeting the animals and learning about their way of life on either the Reindeer safaris or the Husky dog sledding trips or for adrenaline junkies, you can get your pulse racing on one of the exhilirating snowmobile adventures. A magical visit to Santa is an absolute must for the whole family.
If you are really fortunate, you may even be lucky enough to see the Northern lights, lighting up the night's sky with its hypnotic swirling rainbow coloured lights.
Northern Lights in Levi
Accommodation in Finland
Visitors to Finland can look forward to staying in outstanding accommodation, ranging from luxury hotels to beautiful log cabins. Hotel Crazy Reindeer in Levi is excellent value and one of our most popular properties in Finland. The Levi Cottages in Lapland are one of the most tranquil options available, providing a wonderfully Nordic experience for visitors, while the Kelotahti Apartments in Saariselka offer stunning modern facilities in an excellent village location. The Villa Armas Cabins in Yllas is another leading option and is positioned close to a number of beautiful cross-country ski trails, making it easy for skiers to start their skiing as soon as possible.
Transfer times to ski resorts in Finland
Lapland and Levi are around 20 minutes from Kittilia Airport. Isu-Syote is around 90 minutes away from Kuusamo Airport and Ruka is 25 minutes away from the same airport. Most of the resorts are within two hours of an airport, making the country easily accessible for skiers looking to get on the slopes quickly.