Due to the variety of climatic conditions, the choice of the best time to visit Finland depends entirely on the purpose of the trip and the region. Traditionally, this is a country of active recreation, therefore, most often the choice of the season is commensurate with certain natural phenomena.

Traditionally, the best time to travel to Finland is between May and September. At this time, the weather is warm here, and the further north you go, the longer and brighter the days. This is the optimal season for fishing, rafting on rivers and lakes, hiking, visiting historical sites or just outdoor recreation. Most of the museums, tourist centers, beaches, campgrounds and amusement parks are generally open only in summer, there is an active navigation through the most picturesque local lake-river system, numerous cultural, folklore and sports festivals are held. In addition, the polar day begins in the northern part of the country in June-July, which further expands the scope of recreation.

However, one should take into account the well-known inconsistency of the Finnish weather - dense clouds with drizzling rains can be long enough, which limits movement in the already abundant provincial areas. Magnificent roads and well-developed service to a large extent compensate for this disadvantage, so bad weather, by and large, is unlikely to interfere with visiting the country. However, it is better to exclude the period from mid-October to mid-November and from the first ten days of April to early May from the trip schedule - it is too damp and sometimes cold.

The most the best time for winter holiday in Finland - from late November to early March. In the southern and southwestern regions of the country, relatively warm and damp weather is observed at this time, but north of the Suomenselkä ridge (approximately the Vasa - Kajaani - Kuhmo line) there is a real winter with an abundance of snow. The temperature during this period rarely drops below -13 ° C, it snows almost every day, and the sun peeps out during the day. The only limitation may be only a short daylight hours, however, the artificial lighting of most local trails and sports grounds is impeccable.

The further north you go, the shorter the daylight hours and the lower the temperature. At the latitude of Rovaniemi, for example, from November to March, usually no more than 4-5 daylight hours, and the temperature already in October drops below 0 ° C (average winter -8 ° C). However, modern recreation infrastructure more than compensates for this shortcoming, and the picturesque nature of the local nature with its hills literally wrapped in snow "fur coats" allows you to use many types of recreation - from cross-country and downhill skiing, snowshoes, snowmobiling, snowmobiling, dog or reindeer sledding, to ice fishing and observation of the northern lights (in Finnish revontulet, in translation - "fox lights", the peak falls on September-October and February-March). A certain inconvenience is delivered perhaps only by the rather characteristic of this period. strong winds western direction- but it is they who bring so much snow here, and the wooded local hills provide many nooks for skiing. In addition, snow charges are quickly replaced by clear weather, therefore, with the appropriate equipment, they do not cause much inconvenience.

The peak ski season in Finland is at the end of winter, when the days are long and very sunny. However, it should be borne in mind that in late February - early March there are so-called "ski holidays", or "winter vacation", which applies not only to schoolchildren and students, but also to the majority of local residents. In fact, it lasts from October 1 to April 30, but the Finns, who adore this type of vacation, for the most part time it at the end of winter in order to relax with the whole family. Employees of many companies, slopes and ski slopes crowded and finding a place in a hotel can be tricky. Therefore, when traveling during this period, you should book literally everything in advance (sometimes 2-4 months in advance) - from accommodation and ski passes to train or air tickets. The same picture is observed on the eve of the Christmas holidays.

Recently, the number of tourists who come to shop in Finnish stores or walk for a day or two in local cities has been growing - in this case, it is better to measure the travel time against a very diverse and rich local festival calendar or sales dates. The main discount periods in Finland come immediately after Christmas (approximately December 25-27, but the schedule is different in different regions) and after Midsummer's (in Finnish - Johannus, approximately from June 20-26).

Choose the best travel time to Finland easy - the main thing is to know its main purpose and the region where it is planned to go. The country itself is very diverse in climate and nature, sometimes you want to travel around as many places as possible and see as many beauties as possible during a trip.

SUMMER HOLIDAY IN FINLAND

If you take in the general concept of travel in Finland, then the time from May to September is considered the most favorable for these purposes. Firstly, it was during this period that the country was steadily warm and dry. weather... The further you go to the north of the country, the longer the daylight hours will be there.

May-September is ideal for:
- fishing;
- rafting on boats, kayaks;
- walking tours;
- visiting all sights, historical places;
- classic relaxation in the bosom of nature.

By the way, most museum complexes, campsites, tourist centers and beaches are open exclusively in the summer. Also in the summer you can take part in various cultural events, sports competitions and folklore festivals.
And most importantly - on June and July days in the north Finland an incredibly beautiful and picturesque phenomenon begins - the Polar Day!
The only BUT: in summer, long drizzling rains with a dense curtain of clouds are not excluded. Some areas of the country are seriously flooded, which precludes normal movement on them. But even with this significant disadvantage good roads and the highest level of service fully compensate for everything.

WINTER HOLIDAY IN FINLAND

Finland- the country of snowboarding, biathlon, cross-country skiing and everything that may be connected with this. But you can also ski in Transcarpathia, Italy, Poland and others. European countries, but meet New Year authentic, family-like, surrounded by a fairytale forest, living in a wooden hut, around which deer stroll slowly - this is only in Finland!
Where, if not in Finland, you can go ice skating, wooden sledges not on an artificially flooded ice rink, but on a frozen lake, where under a thick layer of ice you can see the beauty of the underwater world.
Where else but in Finland can you admire the clock of the Northern Lights?
Only in this country you will be offered to take a steam bath in a real Finnish sauna!
The ideal Finnish winter begins exactly at the end of November and lasts until the first days of March. Moreover, in the south of the country it is damp, cool, drizzling rains are replaced by sleet. And here is the north Finland during this period - just a fairy tale! During the above seasons, the average daily temperature in the northern Finnish regions almost never falls below minus 12 degrees Celsius. The weather is mostly sunny during the day and snowfall at night.
The only drawback of the north in winter is the very short daylight hours. It starts to get dark already at three o'clock in the afternoon. But this is not critical - on average in Moscow in December it gets dark around four in the afternoon. Finns are thoughtful people and respectful of vacationers local residents and to guests - every playground, track, footpath has impeccable lighting, therefore, in the evening, no discomfort should be experienced in this regard.
Very north Finland- this is the coldest. But Russians, accustomed to extremely low winter temperatures, are not afraid of this fact. At the latitude of Rovaniemi, for example, thermometer readings fall below zero in October, and daylight hours from October last only four hours. The average daily temperature is minus eight degrees, but this is unlikely to stop those who want to enjoy incredible beauty nature, completely immerse yourself in the world of skiing. And the northern regions of Finland are just conducive to sledding, reindeer sledding, organizing skiing, watching the wonderful, beautiful, fabulous northern lights (in September, October, February, March).
The very peak of the season for skiing in Finland- the end of the calendar winter months - long daylight hours, warm, clear, sunny weather.
Many will be interested in why during this period the demand for alpine skiing is increasing? Are people so attracted to sunny weather and comfortable temperatures? No, the reason is slightly different. From the end of February to the middle of March, the "ski holidays" begin in Finland. This period coincides not only with the period winter break among schoolchildren and students, but also with the holiday period of most Finns. Many simply go on holidays with whole companies, going to the ski slopes with their families, working collectives.
Therefore, if you want free skiing on the slopes, the choice of rooms in hotels and a minimum of people - this is definitely not for February-March! The hotels will be overcrowded, the ski slopes will not be crowded. If, well, you really want to get to Finland during this period, then you should take care of the advance booking of hotel accommodation (three to four months in advance), train or plane tickets, ski passes.
The same "ski" excitement is typical in the pre-Christmas days, which should also be taken into account when organizing holidays in this country.

Ski resorts in Finland

Generally call Finland ideal in terms of ski entertainment difficult - despite the ideal condition of all tracks, they do not differ in any interesting routes, steep descents and incredible slopes. But if it is only planned to start skiing for the first time, then the Finnish ski resorts are just right.
All rental equipment is brand new. That is why you do not have to worry about the quality of the services provided and the service in general. Ski season starts from November 10th and lasts until May 5th. The ski-pass fee for a period of five days will vary from eighty to one hundred euros.

In the northern part of the country there are Kuusamo Ruka, the resorts of Pyhä, Vuakatti, Levi, Saariselkä and others.
In the southern part there are the resorts of Messilä, Ellivuori, Kalpalinna.
In the central part of the country - Tahko, Himos, Koli and others.

In what months is it better to give up a trip to Finland altogether?

From the fifteenth of October to the twentieth of November, as well as from the tenths of April to the beginning of May, the country, regardless of its region, is very cold, damp and uncomfortable during this period. Therefore, if there is an opportunity to organize a trip to Finland in other months, it is better to consider this option.

Despite the relatively high cost, in 2020 most of our compatriots bought Christmas tours. In the period February-March, the ski resorts of Iso-Syote, Himos, Tahko are steadily popular.

Fishermen, walkers and nature enthusiasts believe that summer is the best time to travel to Finland in 2020. This is evidenced by the statistics of renting cottages.

Winter's tale

The richest, although not cheap, rest in winter, especially tours to Finland for the New Year. It should be noted that on December 24-26, all institutions and shops, except for grocery ones, are closed. All comers will find the village in which Joulupukki (local Santa Claus) lives, located near Rovaniemi. In fact, this magical village is an amusement and amusement park.

St. Valentine and February 23 give the opportunity to see the Northern Lights. Reindeer and dog sledding, ice hotel rooms, Arctic fauna at Ranua Zoo are available until mid-April. Extreme lovers will love ice diving.

Saariselkä and Levi are ski resorts that are ideal for spending the Christmas holiday season in Finland. And the prices here are lower than in Rovaniemi.

Spring North

The first half of spring is dominated by cold weather, all ski and snowboard trails are working. You should know that:

• On March 8, polar flashes still often appear in the sky;
• April frees the land from snow, deer rides end;
• May holidays are best spent at spa resorts.

In the spring, it is worth visiting here for those who want to save a little or go on vacation to Finland for excursion purposes.

Summer holidays

Families should come here in the summer on vacation with children for health improvement. High ecological indicators are provided by winds from the Arctic and Atlantic oceans. The purest water lakes are collected from the thawed arctic snow.

Having rented a cottage, vacationers buy the purest rural products. At the same time, you can see the life of the European hinterland. Children will enjoy the Moomin Park, water activities, and deer walking freely along the forest edges.

July-August is the best time when it is better to go to Finland for tourists who want to combine outdoor recreation with a cultural program.

Autumn travel

It is advisable to devote September-October to excursions. Autumn is low season rest in Finland. Services of guides, hotels, restaurants and other establishments are significantly cheaper, which makes the trip attractive from an economic point of view.

In Helsinki, Turku, Espoo, Vantaa, tourists will be offered inexpensively to visit theaters, museums, exhibition halls. Interesting bus trips around the country, introducing the ancient settlements, temples of the pagan gods of Scandinavia.

From the end of October it gets significantly colder, and November holidays can already be noted on ski resorts Oh. The second half of November is the best time to go to this country for inexpensive ski and educational tourism.

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TOP 9 ski resorts Finland, where to go this winter

Modern ski resorts in Finland are not much inferior to Austrian, Swiss and others. Yes, there are no stunning Alps, the climate and weather here are slightly different, but Finland has beautiful lakes, gorgeous forests, and great friendly people. If you are going to ski on the local slopes, then read the reviews of tourists and find out where and when it is better to go in Finland to go skiing. And so, our small TOP.

Santa Claus, dense snow-covered forests, reindeer in sleds, northern lights, frozen lakes - this is what winter Finland is associated with. And, it would seem, where do the ski resorts come from, because there is no high mountains and suitable slopes. But the Finns were able to come up with and make hundreds of incredibly beautiful and modern resorts for skiing not only downhill, but also on smooth skis. Read on - where and when to go, and where it is cheaper to go skiing.

Pyhä ski resort

Ski resort with interesting name Pyhä is located in the Arctic Circle in a national park. Athletes of the national team train on these tracks. alpine skiing and that's it. Pyhä is without a doubt the best ski resort in the country.
On the slopes of the resort you can go skiing or snowboarding, you can walk in the snow on simple smooth skis. The total length of the tracks is about 12 kilometers, and the height difference reaches 305 meters.

Rookka

And this ski resort in Finland is always heard. Here you can ride more than 200 days a year, and many people generally call it year-round. Sometimes the snow lies here all summer long and this attracts tourists. However, in the summer vacation here is very expensive, since the maintenance of snow-covered trails is very, very expensive.
The length of the ski slopes is 24 kilometers, and in total here you can try 35 slopes of different levels. I would especially like to note that the resort has more than 500 kilometers of smooth skiing trails. So there is a place for those who like to go skiing. Most of the trails are illuminated, so you can ride from early morning until late at night.

Levi ski resort

It is the largest ski resort in Finland. There is a huge number of tracks that are suitable for people with different levels of training. More than 43 kilometers of tracks have been laid for cross-country skiing. For smooth skis, about 230 kilometers. And if you want to ride a snowmobile, then there are more than 886 kilometers of snow-covered roads for you.
Since the resort is the largest and most popular, the prices are higher than average compared to other ski resorts. But you will remember visiting this resort forever. Especially its restaurants on the top of the mountains, from where you can see everything, and especially the northern lights.

Vuokatti

This is not just a ski resort, but whole center Olympic training. Athletes train here all year round. A snow tunnel has been dug in the resort. Where snowboarders and athletes of other disciplines can hone their skills.
The resort is located far from noisy cities, so there is silence and beautiful untouched nature. If you like smooth skiing, then you should not come here, since there are only slopes and tracks for practicing other Olympic disciplines for speed.

Tahko

Ski resort in the beautiful place Finland - in the Lake District. There are cozy cottages right next to the slopes, which can be rented for any period of time.
Since the resort is located next to lakes, it can often rain instead of snow, and frequent fogs do not always allow you to ride and enjoy your vacation.

Himos

Perhaps the most comfortable resort of all ski resorts in the world. It all started with the fact that a long time ago a family made this resort for themselves and their friends. And then I opened it for everyone. The atmosphere of comfort and kindness has been preserved here to this day. Perhaps this resort is the cheapest in the country, but it is not very convenient to get to it, since the nearest airport is far away.
The advantage of resting in Himos is that here you can just rent a room with small amenities or huge house... There are rooms and housing for any wallet size.

Ylläs

The resort is located right on the border with Sweden. Climbing to the top of any track, you will see Sweden and its resorts. Recently, the Finns themselves have chosen the Ylläs ski resort as the best in their country. This recognition speaks volumes.
It is curious that 95% of the slopes in the resort are intended for amateurs and inexperienced skiers. Professionals hardly come here. The slopes are easy, most of the slopes are very gentle.

If

If you like variety on vacation, then feel free to come here. In addition to ski slopes here beautiful nature, stunning views from observation platforms, lot hiking trails and caves open to tourists.
Ski resort is included in the area national park and the Finns themselves love to come to Koli for the weekend.

Messilä

The resort is located near Helsinki and therefore is always crowded here. It also hosts international ski jumping and alpine skiing competitions.
The ski resort is located right on the shores of a picturesque lake, surrounded by rocks and mountains on all sides. You need to book a hotel here in advance, it is difficult to find a free room during the season. Therefore, most people come here by car for one day, and then they leave for the city or return back to their homes.

Fairy-tale Finland attracts tourists primarily with the beauty of its forests, snow-covered plains, northern lights and white nights. Here you can not only go fishing or go skiing down the mountains, but also visit Santa Claus himself. But when you go to Finland, you should prepare well for the cold surprises of the local climate.

Climatic zones of Finland

The weather in Finland is rather harsh compared to other European countries. A temperate climatic zone of two types passes through the country.

Continental temperate climate captures the northern, central and eastern part country. Its main difference is cold winters with heavy snows and not hot summers. Winter is characterized by temperatures in the range of -20 ° C, it begins in the second half of September and ends in early May. Summers are cool, the air heats up to + 19 ° С. Spring is bright and fast. Autumn is practically not felt, winter comes immediately.

To the south and west, the climate gently changes into maritime continental... Due to the warm air masses with Atlantic Ocean and the location by the seas, the weather conditions are milder here. Winter lasts from November to April, the temperature during the colder months is around -7 ° С. It happens that Bothnian and Gulfs of finland freeze completely. In summer, the air warms up to + 25 ° С, it often rains. The water in the seas and reservoirs is cold for swimming.

Cyclones come from the west to Finland all year round. They bring strong winds, heavy rainfall and cloudy skies. Therefore, sunny days in Finland are a minority. The amount of precipitation falls more near the coast, and decreases towards the northern territories. The depth of the snow cover, on the contrary, increases from south to north.

Above the Arctic Circle in the region Lapland polar nights are observed in winter. This is the period when the sun does not rise above the horizon, as a result of which there is night during the day. In summer, on the contrary, the heavenly body at sunset approaches the horizon and stays like this until morning. Such nights are called white.

Concerning Lapland (Rovaniemi), then it is here that the residence of Santa Claus is located. Children and parents can see him and visit Santa Park, where the holiday of fun reigns, and the elves bake gingerbread and prepare gifts for Christmas.

Tourist seasons in Finland

Up to 7 million tourists visit Finland during the year. A third of them are residents of Russia. The rest are citizens of Estonia, Sweden, Germany, China, Japan and Great Britain.

The most visited city is the capital Helsinki... In addition to her, there are excursions around nature reserves and cultural attractions of cities ( Turku, Tampere, Oulu, Porvoo, Kuopio). The favorable period for this is May, early June and September, you can go in the summer, but it can be rainy.

Fishing in Finland- the pride of the country. Large fish are caught in the north (Inari, Kuusamo), south (Turku, Saimaa), west (Oulu, Vasa) and the Aland Islands. For fishing, you need to purchase a license. Fishing can be done all year round, but different types fish in different seasons.

Amateurs travel to Finland from October to May ski resorts... The tracks, excellent in quality and service, are well suited for beginners and people with an average level of preparedness, but there are also "black" tracks for professionals. The best resorts- Levi, Puhya-Luosto, Friski, Vuokatti, Salla, Rovaniemi, Ruka, Ylläs, Uuperinrinteet.

During the Christmas holidays there is a lot of tourist activity, especially in Rovaniemi, the birthplace of Santa Claus.

A bright event in the life of Finns is the holiday Johannus, held annually on Saturday between 20 and 26 June in honor of the summer solstice. Residents go out on a large scale for picnics, burn huge bonfires, and organize folklore entertainment.

From June to August, the beach season opens in the south (Pori, Kotki, Helsinki) and west (Kalajoki, Oulu). The temperatures are comfortable for sunbathing and relaxation on the coast, but only those who like coolness can swim in the water (+ 18 ° C). It is worth considering that swimming in the waters of Finland is possible only in permitted places and the Finns strictly monitor this.

Health resorts and spas throughout the country are gaining popularity. They are visited all year round.

The mysterious Northern Lights - Aurora Borealis - are observed in northern Lapland (Utsjoki, Sodankyla) from September to March. Its sudden appearance is visible on every second clear night from 9 pm to midnight.

The polar night in the north (Utsjoki) lasts from November 25 to January 16, the closer to the south, the less days it costs. But White Night Lapland begins on May 17 and ends on July 27, the period decreases towards the south of Finland.

Finland Monthly Weather

January

Coldest month. The fallen snow lies throughout the country. The air is frosty (in some places down to -20 ° C), frequent clouds. Until the middle of the month, there is a polar night in the north. In other regions, daylight hours last for several hours.

At the beginning of the month, many tourists visit the Christmas markets in Helsinki. After that, the winter sales begin, when you can buy quality items at low prices.

Good time for ice fishing for pike, burbot and grayling.

February

Frosts still hold. It does not snow often, the humidity is not high. Daylight hours are gradually increasing. There are sunny days. On clear nights, you can see the Northern Lights closer to the northern regions.

There is a peak ski season(Levi, Ylläs, Vuokatti). Tourists spend time in cozy cafes and Finnish saunas.

March

Winter is still in March. Temperatures are gradually rising, but the snow cover does not melt. Precipitation practically does not descend. Daylight hours are 9-12 hours. Sometimes a strong wind blows.

Great time for active sports, skiers and snowboarders come in droves (Himos, Ellivuori). As long as the snow lasts and the frost is not severe, the guests ride in reindeer and dog sleds.

April

Spring comes to the south and west of Finland. The snow melts, the first bloom appears. There is little precipitation, but the snow turns into rain. Daylight hours from 12 to 15 hours. In the mornings, there is ice on the roads.

There is snow in the north, so skiers do not miss the opportunity to ride. Prices for ski services are falling. The fishing season begins in the coastal regions and on Åland Islands.

May

Spring reaches the north in May. The snow is melting quickly, the meadows are covered with greenery and flowers. Most sunny days. The temperatures are pleasant for walking in nature. Sometimes there are frosts at night.

Ideal time for sightseeing tours major cities(Helsinki, Tampere, Turku). The fishermen start fishing for salmon.

June

Summer is coming. The days are pleasing with warmth and sunshine, only in the north there can be frosts at night. A month of white nights in the north and long days of light in other parts. Rains are rare.

There is a large influx of tourists who want to get acquainted with the cities and Finnish nature. Tour prices are increasing. Since June it is allowed to fish for pike perch.

There are many festivals and celebrations throughout Finland in June. The most popular among them is the international festival Ruisrock (Turku), where you can listen to rock and jazz music, visit a fair and interesting shows.

July

The hottest month. Temperatures in the south sometimes rise to + 30 ° С, in the north it is slightly colder. Have southwest coast you can sunbathe on the beaches, but the bathing water is cool. From the middle of the month, it rains more frequently.

There is a maximum influx of tourists to the sights of cities and ecological recreation in Finland. Tour prices are overpriced. It's a good time to taste strawberries and raspberries.

August

The wettest month. High humidity comes along with showers. But the rains are not prolonged, after them the sun appears. In the north, the first snow falls, frosts occur at night.

Large-scale sales of clothing, footwear and accessories of famous brands begin. It is pleasant to visit beaches and health resorts, as well as get to know the culture of the country on excursions.

September

Colds come along with autumn. In the south, instead of rain, the first snow may fall. It is snowing in the north. Daylight hours are 10-14 hours. There are strong gusts of wind.

The last warm days in the south are conducive to walking around the capital Helsinki. The most interesting in it are the Sveaborg fortress and the church in the rock, and families with children will be curious to visit the zoo, the sea center and the Linnanmäki amusement park.

October

Freezing temperatures are falling across the country. Strong winds break down, it often rains with snow in the south, snowfalls in the north. The sun sets after 5-6 pm.

But October is beautiful with golden-red landscapes, which fall by the end of the month. Tourists are leaving the country and prices are dropping. It's time for lovers of peace and quiet. Fishing with artificial bait is organized on the Åland Islands.

November

The Finnish winter is in full swing. Snow lies throughout the territory. Sunny days little, the more daylight hours are reduced to 6 hours.

The tourist season is calm in November. Visiting tourists spend their time visiting the sights of the cities, alternating them with gatherings in warm cafes. There are snow trails for skiers in the mountains (Puha-Luosto, Friski, Rovaniemi).

December

Temperatures are kept in minus, the ground is covered with snow. The air is dry, so extreme cold is easily tolerated. Sometimes the Bothnian and Finnish straits freeze over. In the north, there is a polar night all month, and lanterns illuminate the streets around the clock. Closer to the south, the sun sets at 15:00.

For the Christmas holidays, many tourists come to celebrate the New Year and get to know the country. Santa's Village is especially popular on the eve of the holidays. In the north, on a clear night, you can see the northern lights.

What to take on a trip to Finland

Above all, the right wardrobe is important in Finland. Insofar as most the country is cold, you need to take warm clothes with you.

You should dress according to the principle of several layers in order to remove the extra jacket in time if it gets hot. With active actions, the human body heats up and releases moisture, therefore, ideally, the first layer of clothing on a person should be thermal underwear. Then you should put on woolen clothes, as wool retains heat well. Outerwear should be windproof and waterproof. It is better to take shoes that are comfortable and waterproof, preferably with thick soles.

In summer, you can wear shorts with a T-shirt and a dress, but you should always have a down jacket at hand.

V winter time Hygienic lipstick and moisturizer will come in handy when traveling, as the air becomes dry and the winds are strong. In summer and autumn, a raincoat and an umbrella will do the trick.

In summer, mosquitoes appear throughout the country. To avoid contact with them, you can take mosquito sprays, and a fumigator in the room.

For long journeys, you need a first-aid kit with the necessary set: plasters, bruises, pain relievers, medicines for colds and intestinal disorders.

The currency of Finland is the euro, so when I go to the country it is worth taking them. You can pay with credit cards, but if you withdraw currency from them, then ATMs take a decent commission.

Professional skiers, snowboarders or cyclists bring their equipment to Finland. If there is no such thing or you do not want to carry it, then you can rent it near the ski resorts. Likewise with fishing - special tackle and boats are rented.

Weather in cities and resorts by months

Helsinki

Vantaa

Kuopio

Lahti

Oulu