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Ski Holidays in Finland
Home to free roaming reindeer, the Northern Lights and of course Santa Claus, Finland ski holidays and Finnish Lapland in general is known as a veritable winter wonderland. But enchanting scenery is just the start of what the country has to offer. Skiing in Finland continually blow us away with the quality of the incredibly dry snow on well-groomed slopes and the log-cabin-cosiness of the atmosphere.
- Flight Time
- 3.5 hours
- From London
- Nearest Airports
- Kittilä, Kuusamo
- Rovaniemi
- Time zone
- GMT + 2 hour
- Language
- Finnish
- Currency
- Euros
- Ski Season
- Dec - April
Finland Ski Stats
Overall: Levi
Why Go Skiing in Finland
Located on the cusp of the arctic circle, Finland has some of the best snow conditions in Europe, with places like Levi and Ruka often being among the first resorts to open and the last to close. There’s also a great variety of slopes to explore from pristinely groomed pistes to world-renowned cross-country trails and miles of untouched powder.
There are even more reasons to choose a Finland ski holiday off the slopes. Activities like husky rides, reindeer safaris and ice swimming are unlike anything you’ll find in the Alps and are experiences you’ll brag about for years to come. With relaxing saunas, cosy après and the chance to glimpse the Northern Lights, the thrill of Finnish ski holidays is married to a delightful blend of blissful relaxation and Lapland magic.
WHERE TO BOOK YOUR SKI HOLIDAY IN Finland
There are around 75 ski resorts across Finland each offering something special. There’s cosy log cabins, traditional restaurants and Santa’s grotto, as well as wide beginner-friendly slopes and awesome off-piste itineraries through national parks. Whatever you’re looking for in a ski holiday, there’ll be a Finnish ski resort that fits the bill.
Whether you’re planning a high-adrenaline adventure, a Christmassy family trip or a romantic retreat we are here to help. Our team has explored Finland’s ski resorts and we’ve collated our findings to bring you accurate and up to date guidance on where to ski in Finland this winter. Whatever your criteria, find your dream destination here:
WHICH ARE THE MOST POPULAR SKI RESORTS IN Finland
The most popular destinations for a Finnish ski holiday are Ruka, Saariselkä, Yllas and Levi.
Finland Ski Resort Guide
Best Ski Resorts in Finland
Levi was voted Finland’s Best Ski Resort by the World Ski Awards in 2023 we are inclined to agree. The main resort features immaculate slopes and a fairytale village surrounded by pine forests and glittering lakes - what’s not to love. Ylläs (pronounced “oo-lass” as if addressing a lady in Yorkshire) is another of Finland’s most popular resorts, with more runs than any other Finnish destination, oodles of powder and clear skies to better increase your chances of seeing the bucket-list but often elusive Northern Lights.
Best Après Ski in Finland
Buzzing bars, laid back pints and dancing to DJ sets are all on offer at Finnish après ski. For a party atmosphere, head to Levi where the Hullu Poro Areena takes après ski to the next level, where 10 bars around a massive dance floor and venues like IHKU blast are pumping music late into the night. Other top haunts in Levi include V'inkkari for some live music and Tuikki at the top of the slopes for a scenic tipple. Ruka also has a range of friendly bars and pubs around the village - The Kontioluola is one of our favourites regularly hosting live bands.
Most Snow Sure Resorts in Finland
Due to their Arctic Circle location, most resorts in Finland are snow-sure between December and April. In Ruka, the season stretches even longer with skiing on offer between early October and mid-June making it a top choice for snow-surety. One of Europe’s northernmost resorts, Saariselkä gets a hefty average dump of 8-10cm of fresh snowfall every week between December and April plus, with more than three snow days per week, it’s a great destination for powder skiing.
Finland’s Luxury Ski Destinations
Whether you stay in a lavish spa hotel or an elegant private cabin, Finland’s luxury ski resorts deliver a truly splendid experience. With its picture perfect pine forests, frozen lakes and waterfalls, Pyhä (pronounced ‘poo-ha’) feels like a world away from home. There’s relaxing spas and exquisite restaurants like Pyhätunturi where you can experience a five-course tasting menu of local dishes. The charming village of Saariselkä provides a luxury experience, with the majestic wilderness of the Urho Kekkonen National Park on its doorstep and the chance to watch the Northern Lights through the glass roof of your accommodation in the Kakslauttanen Igloo village.
Family Friendly Finnish Ski Resorts
As the official Home of Father Christmas, few destinations can rival Finland for a magical family ski trip. Head to Levi or Ylläs in the heart of Lapland for Santa spotting, reindeer farms, and traditional sledging. These resorts also have a great range of terrain for the whole family to enjoy, with ski schools and nursery slopes for learners, plenty of gentle blues and speedier reds for more advanced skiers. Iso Syote is fab for families with 2 family trails in SnowLand and a more southern location meaning it doesn’t get quite so freezing for little hands.
Finland Group Ski Destinations
Groups heading to Finland can expect a marvellous range of terrain, fantastic après ski activities and a friendly bar scene. In Ylläs, speed demons can race the Super G slope, whilst beginners find their ski legs on the learner slopes before you reconnect in the evening to search for the Northern Lights, try winter windsurfing or dance the night away in the Akäs hotel. Levi is fantastic for intermediate groups with tonnes of steady blues and feisty reds to keep you entertained plus great après joints like Tuikku for a round of drinks at the summit and the Areena club for a late-night party.
Food in the Finnish Resorts
Ski food in Finland is all about warming dishes made with local ingredients. Lohikeitto is one of the most classic lunch dishes and it is a rich and creamy salmon soup perfect for warming the soul after a cold morning on the slopes. Other traditional ingredients include Lapp cheese, cloudberries and reindeer which are all worth trying at least once. For an authentic Finnish tipple, try a warm glass of glögi - the Finnish version of mulled wine.
Finnish Ski Resorts for Beginners
Levi welcomes learners with a spacious nursery area and lots of wide steady blues for exploring once you’ve mastered the basics. There’s also the Lastenmaa Kids’ Land which makes learning to ski extra fun for little ones. In Saariselkä, there are plenty of English speaking instructors and 50% of the slopes are gentle enough for beginners with slopes like Huuhkaja great for easing newbies from greens onto blues. It’s also worth remembering that it’s actually easier to learn to ski on snow that is dry and powdery – there’s no struggling through heavy wet snow when you’re half way to the North Pole!
Finland Resorts for Intermediate Skiers
Intermediates have a great time exploring Finland’s scenic and varied slopes. With the biggest collection of ski runs, including Finland's longest slope the 3km Jättipitkä run, Ylläs has plenty to keep intermediates entertained. Levi has some beautiful tree-lined blues for easing back into your ski legs, some short and speedy descents like the 13.1 and 13.2 runs, as well as some long reds such as the 6.1 run which starts near the summit and stretches all the way down Koillisrinteet into Golf.
Finnish Resorts for Advanced Skiers
In Ylläs, experts can rack up some serious MPHs on the World Cup and Super G slopes, plus there’s some great off-piste for powder hounds and 330km of awesome cross country routes if you prefer human-power to gravity sports. Pyhä has some of Finland’s best terrain for advanced skiers with seriously testing descents like the Huttu-Ukko which is Finland’s steepest slope and tonnes of awesome off-piste opportunities in Pyhä–Luosto National Park.
Best Off-Piste Skiing in Finland
With lots of snowfall and arctic temperatures, fluffy powder tends to stick around in Finland, making the country a great destination for off-piste skiing. Advanced skiers can have a ball off-piste traversing the extensive Ylläs area that covers seven fells. Everyone from free-riding newbies to seasoned off-pisters can find something to enjoy in Pyhä where there’s plenty of backcountry within easy access of the lifts such. Don’t miss the forested Jackson area near the Isokuru Chairlift and the challenging Aittakuru gorge which can be reached from run 6.
Best Snowboarding in Finland
With forest trails for scenic carving and fun parks for finessing your freestyling, Finland is a great destination for snowboarders. Ruka is a freestyle paradise with kickers, tabletops, a superpipe, a boardercross course and more - join some of the best freestylers on the globe flocking here in December 2024 for the FIS Freestyle World Cup. Ylläs (can’t resist saying ‘oo-lass’ again) welcomes boarders with two snow parks for beginners and two more for advanced riders. There’s also plenty of long slopes for laid-back cruising and fluffy powder for thrilling freeriding.
Pettiest Finnish Ski Resorts
All of Finland’s ski resorts could win beauty pageants for their stunning landscapes and picturesque log cabins. We can promise the uninterrupted natural vistas in Salla will dazzle you and Pyhä’s sparkling lakes glisten with a beauty your camera is easily able to capture. The ever-popular wooden cabins in Ylläs look like they’ve come straight out of a fairytale and we think seeing the frozen Sirkkajärvi lake under the stars in Levi is an unforgettable experience.
The main type of accommodation in Finland, there are loads of hotels to choose from. Many are blessed with convenient doorstep skiing and have spas and restaurants attached.
Rather than the chalets you might find in France, Finland has charming log cabins. Not only are they extremely pretty, but they provide a cosy and intimate place to relax with friends or family. Many come with saunas, a fireplace and balconies or terraces.
Ranging from simple options for the budget conscious to luxury pads with private saunas, there are apartments to suit all tastes. They can be one of the most flexible options if you want to self-cater or plan lots of excursions which mean you’ll often be out when a regular hotel might be serving meals.
Biggest Ski Areas in Finland
Finland’s ski areas have gorgeous tree lined trails and endless miles of cross-country routes yet remain refreshingly quiet with short lift queues. The biggest and best to explore are:
Finland’s largest and most popular ski destination, Levi is an appealing all-rounder. It offers 43km of slopes at a variety of difficulties and frequent northern light sightings thanks to its location about 170km north of the Arctic Circle. View Levi ski holidays.
This area is home to 63km of runs and even more off-piste thanks to its location on the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. Visit here for long runs, higher altitudes and unobstructed views. View Ylläs ski holidays.
22 lifts service 35km of slopes in this area which enjoys a long season from October to May. There’s also 500km of cross-country trails to explore as well as a world-famous freestyle park and the nearby Oulanka National Park. View Ruka ski holidays.
BEST TIME TO GO ON SKI HOLIDAY TO Finland
Ski Conditions & Snow Record
With many resorts sitting within the arctic circle, Finland’s snow conditions are reliably good between December and April. Resorts like Levi and Ylläs in Lapland see a whopping average of more than 200 days of snowfall per year. It is important to remember that whilst the northerly position brings great snow, it also affects Finland’s daylight hours and days can be as short as 5 hours in December. To see what snow conditions you can expect for a particular time of year, take a look at Finland’s Snow Report. If your holiday is coming up, check out Finland’s Snow Forecast to see what snowfall is in store.
Finland Ski Deals & Last Minute Holidays
Whether the festive spirit has you planning a visit to Father Christmas or you have a craving for cross-country, our last minute trips to Finland are designed so you can book and go with the minimum of fuss.
If value for money is your top priority, call us for help or browse our Finnish Ski Deals. We have great savings on package holidays as well as lift-pass offers and rental discounts so you can experience the magic of Finland without blowing the bank.
Summer Ski Holidays in Finland
There are no ski resorts with glaciers in Finland meaning summer skiing is hard to come by. Ruka is the best bet for skiing outside the winter months often opening as early as October and offering skiing as late as June in a good year. For quality summer skiing in July and August, try the alpine glaciers of Mayrhofen in Austria and Zermatt in Switzerland.
All Finland Ski Holiday Destinations
-
Iso-Syote
- Finland’s longest Snowpark
- SnowLand for families
- Trips to meet Santa
-
Levi
- Bucket list destination
- Meet Santa
- Unique activities & excursions
-
Pyhä
- Authentic Lapland resort
- Cosy log cabins
- Chance to see Northern Lights
-
Ruka
- Northern lights
- Short transfers
- Winter wonderland activities
-
Saariselkä
- Urho Kekkonen National Park
- Easy skiing
- Local cuisine
-
Salla
- Authentic Lapland experience
- Fantastic scenery
- A host of wintery activities
-
Yllas
- Short transfers
- Northern Lights
- Finland’s biggest ski area
- Winter wonderland
Finland ski resorts FAQ:
Finland’s main resorts are in, or near to, Lapland. In terms of size, the ski areas aren’t as expansive as you’d find in France, Austria or Italy but offer a wonderfully different, type of holiday. Some of the most popular ski resorts in Finland are Ruka, Levi, Saariselka, Yllas, Pyha, Salla, Tahko, Luosto, Iso-Syote, Ounasvaara, Vuokatti, Messila and Himos.
Finland is very accessible for new skiers. The resorts don’t have the huge vertical height drops like the mainland European resorts. Ski resorts in Finland tend to be more gentle, rolling hills and fells often lined with trees. This is all bolstered by excellent ski schools, many of which are English speaking.
Levi is a fantastic choice for novice skiers with wide slopes, a beginner area and an easy to explore ski area once you’ve mastered the basics.
Saariselka is another excellent choice, especially if you want to combine skiing with other activities. It’s a brilliant place to try and see the Northern Lights too - there’s little light pollution, and 2 national parks surround you.
Yllas has beautiful scenery and wide, accessible slopes for skiing. There are loads to do if you’re looking to expand into cross country skiing too- around 330km of trails. You should also check out the Ice Hotel near the resort.
Finland is an attractive option for those looking to ski early in the season. Due to its proximity to the Arctic Circle, there is snow early on in winter. Resorts open as early as October in good snow year. One of the main things to consider in Finland is the cold - the average high temperature for Ruka in November is -3 °C, and it only gets colder from there! Another consideration is how much daylight you’ll be getting each day, especially if you want to travel early in the season. You can get less than 5 hours of daylight in somewhere like Ruka November-January.
There are around 75 ski resorts in Finland. Many are small, so we may not have package holidays to them. In Finland, favourite ski resorts where we’ve sent clients to in the past include Ruka, Levi, Saariselka, Yllas and Pyha.
Yllas is the place for skiers as it has the most runs, including Jättipitkä which is Finland’s longest piste. Yllas and Levi are a great choice for a family winter wonderland or Santa Break style trip. They offer an abundance of magical excursions like husky sledding or meeting Santa. Those looking for more advanced skiing will be better served looking toward the picturesque slopes at Ruka where you’ll find varied terrain and powder skiing. Cross Country skiers will love Yllas with 300km of marked trails.
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