Lapland, ski resorts. Ski resorts in Lapland Resorts in Lapland

Are you going to ski and conquer new peaks? Do you want speed and extreme? The rounded hills of Finnish Lapland offer skiers and snowboarders ski slopes of all difficulty levels.

There are about 75 ski resorts in Finland, most of which are based on small hills near towns and villages. But the highest ski hills are in Lapland, which has already become a real Mecca for tourists during the winter season. The “four giants” among the Lapland ski hills - Levi, Ylläs, Puhja-Luosto and Ruka - rise 500-700 m above sea level, and the total length of their slopes reaches 3 km.

Lapland's winter resorts offer amateurs winter holiday all kinds mining ski slopes: from the simplest hills for children to difficult black slopes for experienced athletes. In addition, those who wish can practice on the jumps in the snow parks or go for a backcountry hike off the paved trails. The ski season begins in late October, peaks in February and lasts until early May, when the snow melts. The atmosphere in the ski resorts of Finland is conducive to a pleasant and relaxing holiday, in contrast to the crowded noisy resorts of Central Europe. You will not have to crowd in line at the ski lifts and get scared when a kamikaze skier overtakes you on the track.

I must say right away that Finnish resorts are good, but not the coolest (in direct and figuratively). However, the country of Suomi has a number of advantages even over the Alps. For example, Santa Claus is alone, unlike many ski resorts, and he always meets the New Year in his homeland (hundreds of tourists can confirm this with a documentary photograph of Santa).

You can also see the Northern Lights in Finland in winter! True, in mid-December in Lapland, daylight hours lasts no more than 2 hours, but there is so much romance in this too!

The ski resorts in Finland would be more correct to call “hill-skiing”, because in Finland there are not mountains, but hills, which are interesting mainly for intermediate skiers and beginners. But the tracks are in excellent condition. The ski track in this happy country is laid professionally, "spontaneous" tracks are not understood there.

The main flow of tourists is directed to Lapland and Northern Finland, to the south it is slushy, although there are also small ski centers, but which are more likely to be an addition to a vacation in Finland than a reason to visit this country.

Lapland has the most famous resorts- these are Ylläs, Salla, Saariselka, Rovaniemi, Pyhä and Luosto, Levi, Kuusamo - Ruka. In Northern Finland, the most popular resorts are Vuokatti, Paljakka and Ukkohalla.

Lapland

Ylläs

This is the main mining ski resort Finland. In 2002, he was officially recognized as the best in the country. Indeed, here is the steepest height difference and the most long runs... But in fairness it should be noted that according to a poll of readers of the popular Finnish newspaper Iltalehti, the best ski resort in Finland is Levi.

Ylläs consists of two ancient Sámi villages, Ekaslompolo and Ylläsjärvi, and the main tourist infrastructure is concentrated in Ekaslompolo.

In Ylläs, as well as in the Levi resort, stages of competitions for the World and European Cups in various types of alpine skiing are held.

Benefits of the resort

• Ylläs is unique: it has Finland's only Super-G (super-giant) downhill track.
• You can ski in Ylläs in any style - there are ample opportunities for downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, telemarking and off-piste skiing on alpine skiing.
• The network of ski slopes in the Ylläs region is successfully intertwined with the slopes of the neighboring resorts (Levi, Muonio and Hetta), which means that long hikes can be made along numerous routes.

Disadvantages of the resort: not the most saturated infrastructure.

Resort infrastructure

2 ski schools and 2 equipment rentals. Accommodation is possible in hotels and cottages of different levels. There are about 10 restaurants, pubs, cafes, which are not only tasty but also fun thanks to the frequent music festivals that Ylläs is famous for. In addition, there is a water park and one of best programs safari all over Finland.

For children

Children will not be bored either, special slopes and ski tracks have been created for them, playgrounds, slide "Formula" with tight turns, trampolines and tunnels.

It is interesting…

In the summer of 2008, another purely Finnish entertainment appeared in Ylläs. The most Finnish. One of the lift cabins has been converted into a sauna. Everything is real there - the cabin is made of wood, and so that you can watch how, as you climb, the view becomes more wonderful, there are several windows. In 40 minutes (this is how long the session lasts in this Finnish bath), it rises twice to a height of 500 meters. The duration of the session is 40 minutes, the height is 500 m, the capacity is four people, the cost is 500 euros.

Salla

What could be more desirable and inaccessible for a resident of an industrial metropolis than peace and quiet? And vacationers in the Salla resort can enjoy them to the fullest. Here they will be able to relax from the noise and at the same time not get bored, playing sports in a modern ski resort. Forests, hills and perfectly prepared trails among them - that is what Salla is.

Infrastructure

Salla offers accommodation in cottages of various layouts and capacities with their own sauna and fireplace and fully equipped kitchen. The resort has two restaurants, a mini market, an indoor gym, sports equipment rental and a ski school. Alcohol only in restaurants.

Among other entertainment - national park"Oulanka" with an area of ​​270 square kilometers, as well as the Deer Park, where you can meet deer in their natural habitat, as well as get acquainted with the breeding of these animals and learn how deer help humans.

For children

For children, the resort has a small slide with a children's lift.

It is interesting…

In 2003, the European Freestyle Cup and the Downhill World Championship were held on the slopes of Salla. And since the competition is taking place, it means that the tracks are very well watched.

Saariselka

This is the most northern resort Lapland, snowfalls here begin in mid-October, and at the end of the month it is usually already possible to ski.

The resort is located on the territory of the National Park named after the President of Finland Urho Kekkonen (who did so much to strengthen friendly and good-neighborly relations between the USSR and Finland).

The ski slopes themselves are 900 meters from the resort, but runs between hotels and the resort free bus so getting to them is not at all difficult.

Benefits of the resort

The resort's walking ski trails are good, their total length is 250 km, of which 40 km are illuminated at night. In addition, 65 km of snowmobile trails have been laid.

Disadvantages of the resort

The Saariselkä pistes are good for beginners and children, but the professionals will get bored on them.

Resort infrastructure

There is also no shortage of hotels with more than 8,000 accommodations, restaurants and museums (among the latter the most interesting are the gold museum and the Sámi ethnographic museum).

In addition, the annual Lapland culture holidays, reindeer races on the lakes, snowmobile safaris and pastime in the northernmost water park in Finland and throughout Europe, the Holiday Club Saariselka water park, will not let the tourists get bored.

It is interesting…

Saariselkä has the longest freestyle park and half-pipe in Finland, as well as the longest toboggan slide in Finland.

For children

A special ski slope and a children's snow park have been created for children.

Rovaniemi

In the capital of Finnish Lapland, the town of Rovaniemi, it is impossible to get lost: it consists of one main street, one McDonald's, several shopping centers and cafes, a couple of souvenir shops and a safari bureau. Mostly tourists are attracted here by the fact that Rovaniemi - hometown Joulupukki, that is, Santa Claus. He lives in his own village and takes pictures with tourists for 18 euros. As for "Ounasvaara", the ski center of Rovaniemi, it is interesting only for beginners (elevation differences and lengths are small) and cross-country skiers (100 km of slopes). There are 10 slopes for children.

Resort infrastructure

The city has a good skating rink with very slippery ice. Skate rental costs about 10 euros.

A must-see is a reindeer farm and a husky farm. Getting there on snowmobiles through the insanely beautiful forests of Lapland is already a fabulous adventure. And upon arrival, you can ride a dog sled and feed husky and deer puppies.

The Rauna Zoo, which is located about 80 km from the city, is also worth a visit. This is the northernmost zoo in the world, an hour's drive from Rovaniemi. Here you can see representatives of more than 50 species of northern frost-hardy living creatures.

Hand

Ruka - The Golden Gate of Lapland is the most popular resort among Russians, celebrating its 55th anniversary in 2009. Its main advantage is that it is located on real mountains (up to 493 m above sea level), while the resorts of Central and Southern Finland are built on hills and low hills.

The 28 ski slopes of the Ruka resort are laid in different parts of the four mountains and are suitable for skiers of all skill levels. The most difficult terrain and steep slopes are in the Ruka-West area, in the Ruka-Vostok area the slopes, although longer, are calmer, and therefore more suitable for beginners, who, by the way, can be trained in a special ski school known throughout Finland and has been teaching slalom for over 40 years.

The resort is especially proud of the Superpipe Vuosseli and Border Cross tracks for snowboarders, which meet all international standards. Fans of cross-country skiing also have a place to roam: the length of the trails is 360 km (of which 41 km are illuminated at night).

Resort infrastructure

Accommodation is possible mainly in cottages, there are more than 400 of them, and many of them are built of calibrated logs and with their harsh appearance resemble real northern huts, but inside there are full 4 and 5 "stars". The region has shops, a supermarket, restaurants and bars with discos.

Among the others winter fun May be interesting: snowmobile safari, dog and reindeer sledding, ice fishing, winter carting, snowshoeing, winter diving.

For children

At Sadetahti kindergarten, parents can leave their child with a Finnish, English and German-speaking teacher. You can take your toys and food with you there (you cannot organize your own meals in the garden). On the very gentle slope of the resort, Vuosselli, training sessions for children are held.

Levy

Levi is one of the best ski resorts in Finland, a direct competitor to Ylläs, and his fame is not limited to the territory of Finland, since it is the venue for the stages of the World and European Cup competitions in various types of alpine skiing.

Levi is located in western Lapland, where the most high mountains country.

It is also proud of the fact that the only gondola cable car in Finland (Levi Gondola 2000) was built here.

Sophisticated tourists say that of all Finnish resorts, it is Levi that is comparable to the reference Alps in terms of infrastructure development: hotels are located in close proximity to the slopes, all the necessary services can be obtained in the village.

The resort has an extensive network of snowmobile trails (over 600 km), flat skis (over 230 km, of which 23 km are illuminated). Fans of overcoming long distances can ride from Levi to Ylläs.

Other outdoor activities in Levi include cross-country skiing, snowmobile safaris, cycling, reindeer and husky safaris, fishing, hiking, rowing, etc. You can also go snowshoeing or snowmobiling to the nearby Skating rink.

Infrastructure

Accommodation options in Levi are varied, there are hotels: Levitunturi, Katka 5, Hullu Poro and Sirkantahti, and there are many cozy cottages.

In the center of the resort there is a large sports and recreation complex and a mini-water park .

As for restaurants, there are more than ten of them in Levi. The panoramic Tuiku, located on the top of the mountain, is very popular, traditional Lappish cuisine is served at Kammi, European cuisine can be tasted at the Steak House, and in Mullun Aya you can enjoy pizza. In addition to restaurants in Levi, there are plenty of bistros and apres-ski cafes, there are two supermarkets, a pharmacy, a wine shop "Alko", a wine cellar, sports shops, hairdressers and numerous souvenir shops. There is also a post office and an ATM.
For lovers nightlife should please in "Hulla Poro Areena" - it is Entertainment Center, which until the early morning offers its guests a variety of programs: performances by famous bands and musicians, as well as discos.

For children

An open-air children's town with interesting games and sports competitions, a ski school with a children's instructor, where adults can also be trained, play center entertainment of the Levitunturi hotel with a Russian-speaking nanny.

Pyhä and Luosto

Pyha and Luosto are two resorts that have joined forces to make tourists in Finland twice as fun. They are at a distance of 20 km. from each other, a bus runs constantly between them (the fare is about 10 EUR), and a single "ski pass" is sold for the lifts of both complexes.

But, going to this resort, you should know that the Pyhä slopes are better known to lovers of extreme skiing, it is not for nothing that Pyhä has one of the 9 most difficult slopes in Finland, called "The Man's Cry", and the Luosto complex is more suitable for beginners and cross-country skiers.

The main advantage of the resort is its year-round nature - the natural ski season here lasts from November to May, while in summer the required thickness of the cover is supported by snow cannons.

There is a ski school on the territory of the Pyhä resort - one of the most reputable in Finland.

Resort infrastructure

The center of the resort is the Pyhatunturi hotel and the adjacent Holysuites aparthotel. Here is the Pyhä Shop, where you can buy high-quality sportswear, footwear, as well as various souvenirs.

For a pleasant time, the resort offers 3 restaurants with European and Lapland cuisine, 4 bars and a nightclub with live music in the evenings (open until 4 am).

There are also interesting sights in the area: the Nature Center of the National Park, where guests are introduced to the flora and fauna of the Pyhä region; Luosto amethyst mines (the only ones operating in Europe), where you can find your own lucky stone, and then relax in the Amethyst Spa and enjoy the beauty of the northern lights from the window of your room at the Aurora Chalet, the world's first hotel dedicated to the northern lights.

And, of course, traditional Finnish winter types of entertainment are always available - in short, the list of pleasures is endless!

For children

Children's tracks start practically from the hotel. A safe "Vorobyinaya Gorka" has been built for children. The resort has a ski school, where you can order the services of a Russian-speaking instructor, as well as professional training of children in the basics of skiing.

Northern Finland

Paljakka and Ukkohalla

Paljakka and Ukkohalla are at a distance of 26 km from each other.

Just like Pyhä and Luosto, Ukkohalla and Paljakka have a single ticket system for the ski slopes, which allows you to ski on 23 slopes.

The Ukkohalla resort is very conveniently and picturesquely located: in the middle of the valley there is Lake Syvääri, surrounded by mountains. On the one side of the lake there are slopes on which trails are equipped, on the other - cottages, from the windows of which an amazing view of the surroundings opens.

Paljakka is not inferior to its brother Ukkohalle with the beauty of landscapes: from the heights of the mountains there is a beautiful view of the Pirunkirkkona river canyon and the Paljakka nature reserve.

Environmentalists also say that the snow is the purest here, which is also an indisputable advantage of the resort. And the purity of the snow, in turn, is a kind of indicator of the purity of the air, since the snow cover accumulates in itself almost all substances entering the atmosphere. This means that the cleanest air in Finland can be tasted in Paljakka.

Paljakka has the only alpine toboggan run in Finland with a length of 1200 m.

Resort infrastructure

Of the two resorts, Ukkohalla has a more developed infrastructure. Here, for example, there is a new SPA center "Hallan Saga", the variety of saunas in which is impressive - Finnish, Ural cave, steam, aroma sauna, herbal sauna, Karelian with access to the lake, peat bath, hot tubs, hydromassage pool and jacuzzi, children's pool.

All cottages in Ukkohalla are usually located within a kilometer of the slope. The pluses of the resort also include the fact that accommodation here is relatively inexpensive, cheaper than in Ruka or Vuokatti.

In Paljakka, the houses are a little simpler, but still, in Finnish, they are comfortable, well-maintained and cozy.

In both centers there are equipment rental points and slalom schools. In Paljakka, by the way, the beginner's lift starts right from the ski school. Both Ukkohalla and Paljakka offer rental equipment for slalom, snowboard, telemark and cross-country skiing.

For children

For the little ones there are regular and Lappish sleds. In the meantime, parents set personal records on the slopes, the child can be entrusted to the educators.

Vuokatti

Vuokatti resort is very popular among Russian tourists: firstly, because it is easy to get there (it is located 40 km from Kajaani airport, there is a regular flight between Kajaani and Helsinki, the flight takes 50 minutes); secondly, Vuokatti offers a varied and in some ways even unique vacation.

For example, here, even in summer, here you can engage in winter outdoor activities, for this there is a year-round functioning snowboard tunnel and an underground ski track, 1250 meters long, where the temperature does not rise above - 5 ° C.

And in winter, on the contrary, you can warm up in the Katinkulta tropical water park, where there are more than 20 pools and countless SPA procedures, and most importantly, you can swim outside the building and get an incredible novelty feeling: winter cold reigns over the water, and pleasant warmly.

Resort infrastructure

Several large hotels are offered for accommodation, as well as all kinds of cottages with a predominantly block type of accommodation.

Several restaurants, cafes and fast food outlets are open in Vuokatti, next to the village of Santa Claus Kuhma and the local history museum under open air- "Kalevala Park".

For children

On the ski slopes there are trails for beginners and the smallest slalomists. The instructors are specially qualified to work with children. The restaurants offer a special children's menu.

You can read about ski resorts all over the world on our website - in a special article "From Finland to New Zealand: Description of the World Ski Resorts"

Technical characteristics of ski resorts in Finland

If you enjoy the snow-white snow, the opportunity to go skiing or sledding, or enjoy walking in a fabulous winter forest, you should definitely visit Finland in winter. Almost untouched nature, various opportunities for active recreation in winter, comfortable living conditions - both in hotels with a full range of services and in self-service cottages - make Finland attractive to people with different income levels.

Vuokatti Ski Resort - Family Ski Resort

The distance of 630 km from St. Petersburg to Vuokatti can be covered in a day by car or in 1 hour by plane from Helsinki to Kajaani Airport.

Vuokatti is a popular ski resort for family vacation, work here 13 ski slopes of varying difficulty and 8 lifts, especially for children there is a 50 m long "magic carpet" belt lift. In addition to the ski slopes, the resort has year-round tunnels for cross-country skiing and snowboarding.

Fans of a comfortable stay in Vuokatti will find the upscale SPA Hotel Holiday Club Katinkulta. The hotel has a water park with all kinds of slides and a bath complex with several saunas. The hotel welcomes golf lovers in summer and skiing in winter. The presence of an indoor sports complex allows you to engage in various sports at any time of the year. It offers indoor tennis courts, squash and badminton courts, a gym and group fitness programs with an instructor.

Vuokatti is a great place for a family holiday! An indoor Angry Birds Adventure Park opened here in December 2012. The park's adventure trails have climbing trails, crawling tunnels, bridges, slides, a zip line - all of these sturdy structures will withstand adults. To rest after sports entertainment, there is a fast-food restaurant, lounges and wi-fi - here you can have fun with the whole family all day long!

Iso-Syöte Resort - on the top of the mountain

At the very top of the hill stands the Iso-Suote hotel, surrounded by many cottages located in a fairy forest. The windows of the restaurant offer a panoramic view of the surroundings - you can watch the sunrises and sunsets, and if you're lucky, you can admire the northern lights.

The ski slope is located right outside the hotel. If you brought your ski equipment with you, then you will not need a car at this resort at all. True, novice skiers and children will still have to get to the foot of the slope by transport in order to start skiing on simple gentle slopes, of which there are a sufficient number.

The youngest skiers are invited to visit the children's snow country "Lumimaa", where not only special lifts are provided for children, but also many other entertainments.

Ruka resort - skiing in Lapland

Ylläs Ski Resort - a ski resort beyond the Arctic Circle

"Snow Village" beyond the Arctic Circle

As a northern exotic, you can visit the "Snow Village". Every year, at the beginning of the winter season, a team of Chinese craftsmen comes here and, together with their Finnish colleagues, erects another snow masterpiece in a short time.

The snow hotel has several rooms where you can sleep on ice beds - special sleeping bags are issued for this. Each room has an original design, however, there are no toilets or other amenities in the rooms.

Particularly popular at the hotel is the bar, where you can warm up with, for example, blueberry vodka. And in the restaurant you can order the national Lappish food.

New Year in Finland. Cottage or hotel room?

If you are used to relaxing in hotels, please - all Finnish ski resorts have such accommodation options. But Finland is just interesting because you can try a new format - rest in a cottage in the middle of a fabulous winter forest. The cottage is not a hut "on chicken legs", it is a spacious 1-2-storey house with all the amenities - you will have an equipped kitchen, a sauna, several bedrooms, the living room will most likely have a fireplace, next to which it is pleasant to spend an evening with a glass of wine and for a pleasant conversation with friends. Of course, there are cottages not only in the forest, but also in resort villages close to shops and restaurants. Which option to choose is up to you.

It is especially convenient to travel to Finland with a friendly company - renting a large cottage is much cheaper than a hotel room, and even more fun. Spending evenings in the sauna, relaxing after skiing - what could be better ?!

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sights

Lapland is one of the most exotic and popular destinations in Finland. The capital of Lapland is located at the Arctic Circle, the home of Santa Claus and one of the best winter recreation centers in Finland. Ranua Zoo, representing the arctic fauna, is located 80 km south of Rovaniemi. Also of interest are the Aurora Borealis Museum in Pohiyan-Kruunu, the famous Deer Park near, Korvatunturi's fell Sovakoski- "the official residence of Santa Claus", and the amethyst mine not far from. Rovaniemi is the starting point for hundreds of snowmobile safaris, skiing, tobogganing, fishing and ecological tours throughout Lapland.

The resort (125 km from Rovaniemi) is famous for 160 km of first-class ski slopes (40 of them are illuminated) around the Pyhätunturi (" sacred mountain"), the ski center and the Pyhätunturi National Park Nature Center. Ylitornio, small village Tanhua with a unique husky kennel - Siberian sled dogs - and the untouched forests of the Kainuu region.

The northernmost ski resort in the country is located on the border of the huge (2550 sq. Km) Urho Kekkonen National Park, 30 km from Ivalo, and is famous for 25 km of ski slopes of any difficulty level, 210 km of flat tracks and more than 500 km. prepared snowmobile tracks. It is interesting to visit the nearby (30 km from Saariselkä) gold digging village Tankavaara with the Museum of Prospectors and the exhibition "The World of Gold", as well as the village Siida(70 km from Saariselkä) on the shores of the country's second largest lake - Inari where interesting wooden church built in 1760 and the unique Sami Museum.

Lying on the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia city Kemi became famous for his icebreaker "Sampo" and the Snow Castle, and Oulu- most Big City in the north of Scandinavia. Also interesting are the "twin cities" Tornio and Haparanda and the resort Kalajoki- an ideal place for family holidays both in summer and winter.

The proximity of Sweden gives these places a specific character - the border is very close here, and you can visit neighbors, and in Tornio Haparanta you can play golf in the snow by throwing balls over the border! And, of course, beautiful nature, hundreds modern hotels and private cottages, plus all the conditions for active recreation.

Ski centers

The northernmost winter resort in Finland is Saariselka.

Centre winter species sports (18 km from Kittila), has 250 km of first-class ski trails (together with neighboring Muonio and Hittite- more than 1000 km!), 15 km mountain trails(the longest is 2.5 km) and an indoor sports center.

Located in Western Lapland, near the Swedish border, it has the most extensive network of well-prepared ski runs in the country (250 km), successfully intertwined with the tracks of the neighboring resorts of Levi, Muonio and Hitta. In all resorts, you can take part in safaris, snowmobile and dog sled races, fish in the beautiful surrounding waters or spend an evening in the sauna, which, of course, is available in every hotel and cottage.

They make the region almost a universal winter resort - there is something for fans of sightseeing tourism, adherents of outdoor activities and vacationers with children. The main destinations are still ski and family tourism. Athletes are attracted by a large selection of well-equipped slopes, while young travelers are attracted by the Santa Village and other New Year's activities.

The cultural region of Lapland is divided between 4 countries - Russia, Finland, Norway and Sweden. But when it comes to tourism, we mean the Finnish part - the province of Lappi.

How to get to Lapland

Getting to Lapland is not as difficult as it seems. The region has good highways; many cities have airports and railway stations. Depending on the point of departure, road, rail and air transport are available.

By plane

There are air connections with Russia in the cities of Rovaniemi, Ivalo and Kittila, it is faster and cheaper to fly through the first one. Aeroflot and Finnair operate from Moscow with a transfer to Helsinki. Flights of other airlines have two connections. The flight takes 5-10 hours, ticket prices start from 650 EUR in both directions. The way from the Northern capital is a little longer - 17-18 hours. Prices on the page are for September 2018.

Aeroflot and Finnair organize flights to Rovaniemi from Krasnodar, Kazan, Murmansk, Novosibirsk and other cities, all of them with two transfers, tickets will cost 820-910 EUR.

By bus

For Russians, the only route is Murmansk - Ivalo-Rovaniemi. The road, taking into account the passage of the border and change to another transport, will take about 10 hours. Round-trip buses leave on Saturdays, tickets are sold at the Murmansk bus station. Carriers - LLC "Auto-express" (office site) and Gold Line Oy. A round trip costs about 65 EUR.

Bus service (official website of the carrier in English) connects Lapland with many Finnish cities. The duration of the trip Helsinki-Rovaniemi is 13-14 hours, round-trip tickets will cost 64-80 EUR.

By train

There are railway stations in the capital of Lapland and in the border town of Kolari. VR trains (official website in English) are dispatched from Helsinki several times a day. This route cannot be called fast, the average travel time is 8-14 hours. Prices range from 160-220 EUR for a round trip.

Search for flights to Rovaniemi (nearest airport to Lapland)

Lapland cities and resorts

There are several dozen settlements in Lapland - some of them are almost of no interest to tourists, others annually attract thousands of travelers.

Rovaniemi is the largest and most popular city in the region among holidaymakers. Fans of excursion tourism, adherents of active recreation and families with children come here. Young tourists are delighted with the residence of Santa Claus, and adults are waiting for numerous museum exhibitions and the Ounasvaara ski resort right within the city.

The gallery in border Kemi is of interest precious stones, Museums of History and Arts. But its main attraction is the Snow Castle, the largest in Europe. True, you can visit and even settle in it for a while only in winter and early spring. For fans of extreme sports - a cruise on the Sampo icebreaker with immersion in ice water in a heat-resistant suit.

Tornio is a unique settlement located on the territory of two states - Finland and | Sweden. Tourists are attracted here by underwater salmon fishing and leisure- skiing, skating and dog sled racing.

Kemijärvi is a small town surrounded by wild northern nature - rivers and lakes teeming with fish, forests and sparkling waterfalls. There are also plenty of cultural and historical attractions here - monuments, exhibitions and chapels.

Ylläs is a popular ski resort with the longest runs in the country, and the high season lasts from December to May. In your free time, you can ride a reindeer or dog sled. Other ski areas Lapland is located in Inari, Levi, Saariselkä and Luosto.

Transport

The province occupies a fairly large part of Finland, and the cities are at a considerable distance from each other. Formally, 2 types of transport run between settlements - buses and electric trains. But the railway lines only lead to Kemijärvi, Rovaniemi, Kemi, Kolari and a few other cities. The journey costs an average of 28-39 EUR, and you can spend 3-6 hours on the way.

Tourists who prefer to hitchhike shouldn't expect much, especially in winter. There is no heavy traffic on the roads in Lapland.

Widespread network bus routes covers everything, even the smallest settlements. Transport runs infrequently, between some stations - not even every day. When planning a tour of several cities in Lapland, it is better to check the timetable and calculate the route in advance. You can do this at the office. website (in English) of the ticket operator Matkahuolto. Prices are also indicated there, it is possible to buy tickets online. The fare is not high, but it depends on the distance. Between distant points (for example, Simo in the south-west and Utsjoki in the north-east), it can reach up to 150 EUR.

Considering transport features, it is best to travel in the homeland of Santa Claus by car - personal or rented. You can, of course, use a taxi, but a long-distance trip will cost a pretty penny - 1.43 EUR per km. On your car, tires that correspond to the season are required - winter tires at least until the end of March, but locals usually "change their shoes" by summer only in May. Gasoline prices are high - about EUR 1.37-1.57 per liter.

Lapland Maps

Skiing

The Lapland hills have the largest elevation difference in Finland. Fans of skiing are attracted here by the variety of slopes, developed infrastructure and more calm, compared to European resorts, the nature of the rest. Here you rarely find such a crowd on the slopes or at the lifts. Skiing opportunities can be found in many parts of the province, the most popular being Ylläs, Luosto, Ruka and Levi. All ski areas are equipped with modern lifts, most of the slopes have slopes of all difficulty levels - from small hills for children to professional black slopes.

The ski season in Lapland starts in October and ends in early May, that is, you can actually ski here for six months. Many resorts have everything snowboarders need, and some tourists prefer off-piste skiing.

Lapland nature

Lapland Accommodation

Most of the hotels are concentrated in tourist centers and in ski resorts. There are many types of accommodation - hotels, bungalows, vacation homes, apartments, lodges, chalets, campgrounds and hostels. The price level is high, the most budgetary room will cost 20 EUR. The cost depends on the date of construction, infrastructure and location.

Snow hotels stand apart on the Lapland hotel map, where everything is icy - walls, floor, ceiling and even a bed covered with reindeer skins.

The cheapest way is to live in a campsite, prices from 50 EUR for a house for 2-4 people. They are in Ivalo, Inari, Tornio and several other cities. Most of all in the region are middle class hotels (80-200 EUR per night in a double room). The cost of living in elite hotels reaches 1500 EUR. In some of them, you can admire the northern lights through the transparent igloo roof.

In ski resorts, most often there are self-catering apartments and hotels, including a spa. Some include breakfast, saunas and pools with water slides.

Shopping and shops

Unlike other regions of Finland, national paraphernalia and delicacies are more often brought from Lapland than clothes, shoes and accessories. Large shopping centers with fashion boutiques in almost every locality... There are both Finnish and well-known world brands - luxury and democratic. Prices are high, you can buy a good thing on the cheap only during sales - 2 weeks after Christmas and at the end of June - discounts reach 70-80%. To use Tax free, you need to make a purchase for more than 40 EUR, tax refund - 5-15%.

Those looking to save money should check out the kirputori flea markets, which offer souvenirs, antiques and second-hand branded clothing at low prices.

Souvenirs

Sami handicrafts made from deer skins and antlers, arctic birch and other types of wood are in great demand - warm fur slippers and hats, national costumes, bijouterie, toys, kitchen utensils and much more. In the shops you can also find gold and silver jewelry with Sami symbols.

From this region, they often bring something edible and unique as a gift - raw or jerky reindeer meat, lingonberries and cloudberries, and from alcoholic drinks - mint liqueur "Mintu" and vodka "Koskenkorva".

Lapland cuisine and restaurants

Traditional Sami dishes are often found on the menus of Lappish establishments. The main delicacy is reindeer meat. It is stewed, fried, dried and made carpaccio. Hot meals are served with mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam. The local “bread” cheese is seasoned with a delicacy made from northern berries, and a very tasty and healthy dessert is obtained. The rivers in this corner of Finland are literally teeming with salmon, and in any cafe tourists will certainly be offered fish soup or fillets fried over an open fire.

Snow restaurants are especially popular with tourists, where walls, tables and even a bar are made of ice.

There are establishments of national and European cuisine in every city. Thrifty tourists pay attention to fast food and inexpensive lunas lunches, which are served in many eateries between 11:00 and 15:00. You can have a hearty meal for only 10-15 EUR. Otherwise, the prices are quite high - breakfast in a cafe will cost at least 32 EUR per person, lunch for two in a middle-class restaurant - 120 EUR, and the average bill for a dinner with wine in an expensive fashionable institution can reach 200 EUR.

The best pictures of Lapland

Entertainment and attractions

The main attractions of Lapland are the untouched northern nature and ski resorts. But from the point of view of sightseeing tourism, there is also something to do here. Those who want to get to know the culture of the indigenous population should go to the Sami town of Inari. There are Cultural Center, handicraft exhibitions and other exhibitions. This trip can be combined with an excursion to the unusual gold museum in the nearby village of Tankavaara. It was discovered on the site of a mine that existed here during the Lapland Gold Rush - in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Now anyone can feel like a gold miner.

To admire the northern lights, it is better to choose the period from September to March for the train. The best chance to see it is on a clear frosty night.

The main information and museum center of the Finnish north is in Rovaniemi. The "Arktikum" contains a huge number of exhibits, documents and photographs that tell about the history of Lapland, the indigenous population and culture. There are two permanent exhibitions - “The Changing Arctic” and “Northern Fields”. The presentation "The Land of Snow and Northern Lights" is shown daily, where you can see all the natural beauty of this region. However, it is still better to look at the colored flashes in the dark sky with your own eyes.

There is also an Art Museum in Lapland, where more than 2000 works of Finnish expressionist painters are presented. It is located in the border town of Tornio and bears the name of the collectors Eila and Veli Aine, to whom it owes its existence. In addition to the permanent exhibition, there are temporary exhibitions of works by artists and photographers.

Religious sights are located in several cities - the wooden and white stone churches of Sodankylä, the Lutheran church in Kemi and the most beautiful temple in Finland in Tornio.

6 things to do in Lapland

1. Personally inform Santa Claus about your wishes for the next New Year.
2. Pass the ancient Sami deer initiation and find ultimate happiness.
3. See the northern lights.
4. Feed the reindeer.
5. Dive into the cold waters of the Gulf of Bothnia from an arctic icebreaker.
6. Spend the night in the ice castle or, in extreme cases, burn out in the ice bar.

Lapland National Parks

On the territory of the province, there are 7 rather vast territories in which nature has been preserved in its original form. Everything National parks were opened in the last 60 years, starting in 1956. Two of them, "Pallas-Yllästunturi" and "Pyhä-Luosto", united the older reserves, created at the beginning of the 20th century. Most of national parks is located in the Arctic Circle.

The flora in different parts of Lapland is very different. In the south and west, the area is wooded, pines and other taiga trees grow, while in the north, woody vegetation almost completely disappears, and it is convenient to walk along the bare tops of the hills.

Of particular interest are Lemmenjoki, the largest national park in Finland and one of the largest in Europe, and Perameri, which unites the meadows and juniper wastelands of the Gulf of Bothnia near Kemi. The latter can only be reached by boat. The territories of the reserves "Oulanka", "Riisitunturi", "Urho Kekkonen" and others are covered with pine trees, rivers, swamps, hills up to 800 m high, taiga and forest-tundra. Most parks are home to reindeer, eagles, foxes, bears and wolverines.

Joulupukki reindeer team

Lapland for children

The center of attraction for tourists with children is Rovaniemi, 8 km from which are the village of Santa Claus and Santa Park. The Finns themselves call the main winter wizard Joulupukki, but this does not change the essence. A real Santa Claus is waiting for the kids in his office. In addition, there are many other fabulous entertainments - an elf school, a magic train "Seasons", a gingerbread kitchen, where everyone can decorate a gingerbread, and a secret elf toy workshop where children learn to make unusual Christmas tree decorations.

The traditional Lappish reindeer farm Purnumukkan Porofarmi is located 30 km from Saariselkä. Both children and adults will enjoy communicating with these mysterious and charming animals. In addition, the owners of the farm offer guests a rather exotic entertainment - a reindeer safari.

There is a park 80 km south of Rovaniemi wildlife"Ranua" (off. Site), the northernmost in the world. Several dozen species of Arctic animals live on its territory - polar bears, reindeer, lynx, roe deer, wolves and many others. All of them are kept close to natural conditions. In addition to walking and acquaintance with the inhabitants of the northern latitudes, here you can ride a dog or reindeer sleigh, and in summer - horseback riding.

Holidays and events

At the end of June, Rovaniemi hosts the Yutayset folklore festival. This tradition has been going on since the 70s. last century, but earlier the holiday was held in Sodankylä. Sami groups and clubs perform on the stage these days, performing national music and dances.

Music festivals are often held in the province; jazz and blues are especially popular. You can hear them in Jakäslompolo in February, in Tornio in June-July, in Kemijärvi in ​​September and in Tankavaara in November.

In winter, the Arctic Rally is held on the snow-covered and ice-covered roads of Lapland - a popular competition among racers, one of the stages of the Finnish Rally Championship. Over the 50-year history, mostly Finns have won this race, only a few times by Spaniards and Swedes.

At the end of January, during the caamos polar nights in the Sami town of Inari, you can visit the Skabmagovat international festival of Arctic films. The theme that unites all the films of the festival is the north, which directors from Finland, Russian Yakutia and Komi, Australia, Canada and other countries tell about in their own way.

Weather

In winter, the temperature sometimes drops to -50 ° C, and during the polar nights, the sun is not shown for several days in a row. In summer, the thermometer can reach +30 ° C, but the usual summer temperature ranges from +10 to +20 ° C. The most warm month July is considered.