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  • Kukastunturin hiihto nousee ylös avotunturiin, josta on hienot maisemat ympäröiville tuntureille, Pallas-Yllästunturin kansallispuisto
    Kukastunturin hiihto nousee ylös avotunturiin, josta on hienot maisemat ympäröiville tuntureille, Pallas-Yllästunturin kansallispuisto Photo: Rami Valonen, Metsähallitus
  • Snowhoeing in Finnish Lapland
    Snowhoeing in Finnish Lapland Photo: Harri Tarvainen, Visit Finland
  • Northern Lights in Finland
    Northern Lights in Finland Photo: Thomas Kast, Visit Finland
  • Fatbike tour through the snowy landscape of Finland Photo: Mika Viitanen, Visit Finland
  • Photo: Mikko Nikkinen, Visit Finland
  • Winter in Finland Photo: Silvennoinen, Visit Saimaa
  • Aurora Borealis over Finland Photo: Markus Kiili, Visit Finland
  • On a fat bike through the snowy landscape of Finland Photo: Mika Viitanen, Visit Finland
  • Winter swimming in clear water off Finland Photo: Mikko Nikkinen, Visit Finland
  • Sledging in Finland Photo: Juho Kuva, Visit Finland
  • Snowmobile Safari in Finland Photo: Kelkkailua Saariselalla, Visit Finland
  • Photo: Juho Kuva, Visit Finland
  • Photo: Mika Viitanen, Visit Finland

Winter Sports in Finland

Europe

Ellare Oy  Verified partner  Explorers Choice 
Author of this page
Between snow-covered fir forests, over frozen archipelagos and under bright northern lights, winter has Finland firmly in its grip. But the Finns are true professionals and know winter sports very well. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and dog sledging are traditional ways to discover the country. In snow-sure Finland, the winter lasts at least 120 days, so there is plenty of time to try out the many winter touring opportunities.
Winter Hiking Ski Touring Snowshoe walking Cross-Country Skiing Backcountry Skiing
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The Most Beautiful winter sports in Finland

Talvikävelyreitillä Ruuhitunturissa
Winter Hiking · Finland
Winter Hiking Trail to Ruuhitunturi, Salla
Toprecommended route
13.2 km
3:25 h
184 m
184 m
The crown snow-load trees create a fairy-tale world on the slopes of Ruuhitunturi fell. The summit offers magnificent views of wilderness scenery.
Metsähallitus
Kapustan päivätupa Luosto-Pyhä -latureitin puolessa välissä.
Cross-Country Skiing · Pyhä-Luosto National Park
Luosto-Pyhä Cross-Country Ski Trail in Pyhä-Luosto National Park
Toprecommended route Difficulty difficult
33.3 km
7:30 h
484 m
548 m
A wonderful, longer distance cross-country ski excursion from Luosto to Pyhä that follows the line of the fell range. Stopping at the huts and lean-tos in the middle of the national park will create unforgettable memories.
Metsähallitus
Snowshoeing,  Hossa Finland
Snowshoe Walking · Suomussalmi
Seipiniemen Sujaus multipurpose trail 6 km, Hossa Finland
Toprecommended route Difficulty easy
6.3 km
2:30 h
22 m
22 m
Experience the magical scenery of Hossa National Park. Try out snowshoeing or fatbiking on this easy multipurpose trail and enjoy a fun family outing while taking in stunning views. 
Outdoors Kainuu
Recommended list
Punkaharju Tour Skating Trails
Enjoy tour skating in Punkaharju, one of the national landscapes of Finland. This tour skating route network is one of the longest in Finland and it is maintained on a daily basis. The route network consists of four sections, which are opened as soon as the weather permits it. The starting point is at the Holiday Resort Harjun Portti by the lake or, in case of unusual ice conditions, at the southern tip of Tuunaansaari Island. Remember to check the status of the routes from the tour skating reports of Harjun Portti before departing. The route is maintained by the Holiday Resort Harjun Portti. For the maintenance, there is a fee for using the trail network: Day ticket 8 € / person3-day ticket 20 € / personSeason ticket 60 € / person 10–14-year-olds half price and under 10s free. Tickets include the use of changing rooms, showers, toilets, and the break room. The facilities can be found at the starting point, in a building by the lake. You can also pay with Finnish Smartum Fitness Vouchers. You can rent the necessary equipment from Harjun Portti.
Visit Savonlinna
Recommended list
Punkaharju Snowshoe Park
Punkaharju Snowshoe Park covers eight magnificent and diverse snowshoe trails in one of the national landscapes of Finland. Clearly marked routes run through the Punkaharju Nature Reserve and the amazing surrounding nature. Grab a pair of snowshoes and enjoy the stunning winter scenery!
Visit Savonlinna
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Off we go through the snow

In winter, we look forward to truckloads of powdery snow, endless slopes and cosy, warm accommodation. Due to its location, Finland is absolutely snow-sure - high up in the north, the winter season starts as early as November and lasts until May. Because the winter here lasts half a year, the Finns are well-equipped and absolute professionals when it comes to winter sports.

No matter how you prefer to move through the vast snowy landscape, here you will find the right routes.

Winter fun in Finland
Photo: Juho Kuva, Visit Finland
Cross-country skiing in the Finnish winter landscape
Cross-country skiing in the Finnish winter landscape
Photo: Mikko Nikkinen, Visit Finland

Cross-country skiing is a national sport in Finland, and as soon as the children can walk, they already put their cross-country skis on. In the past, the sport was the primary way of transport in winter.

Nowadays, cross-country skiing is practised for various reasons: to explore the countryside, burn off energy, to relax or to spend time together.

From Helsinki to remote places, Finland has beautifully maintained cross-country ski trails, many of which are floodlit to enjoy the peace and quiet at night.

But there is nothing to stop you from having an adventure in the wilderness. The archipelagos freeze in winter, so you can also explore them on cross-country skis. Use the knowledge of a guide to get to the most beautiful and remote places.

  • Cross-Country Skiing · Arctic Lakeland Kainuu
    Hepovaara ski trail 12 km, Paljakka Finland
  • Cross-Country Skiing · Pyhä-Luosto National Park
    Around Ukko-Luosto Cross-Country Ski Trail in Pyhä-Luosto National Park
  • Cross-Country Skiing · Salla
    Ruuhitunturi Ski Track, Salla
  • Cross-Country Skiing · Visit Saimaa
    Research Forest Skiing Trail, Punkaharju
  • Cross-Country Skiing · Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
    Kukastunturin hiihto
  • Cross-Country Skiing · Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
    Pallaksen 10 skiing trail
  • Cross-Country Skiing · Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
    Aakenushiihto skiing trail
Out in the snowy landscape of Finland with Ski and Snowboard
Out in the snowy landscape of Finland with Ski and Snowboard
Photo: Harri Tarvainen, Visit Finland

In Lapland, the slopes on the fells become steeper and numerous winter ski resorts are waiting for your visit.

Ski resorts like Ruka, Levi, Ylläs, Pyhä, Luosto, Saariselkä, and Salla offer excellent skiing in the middle of beautiful arctic landscapes. Combine skiing and other arctic activities for a perfect winter holiday experience.

Also, ski tourers, snowshoe hikers, freeriders and snowboarders get their money's worth.

  • Snowshoe Walking · Arctic Lakeland Kainuu
    Kalastuspolku - Snowshoeing the Fishing Path 8 km, Paljakka Finland
  • Snowshoe Walking · Pyhä-Luosto National Park
    Lampivaara Snowshoeing Trail in Pyhä-Luosto National Park
  • Winter Hiking · Finland
    Winter Walking Route to the top of Sallatunturi fell, Salla
  • Snowshoe Walking · Enontekiö
    Jyppyrän talvipolku snowshoe trail
  • Snowshoe Walking · Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
    Palkaskeron valloitus
Husky safari through the forests of Finland
Husky safari through the forests of Finland
Photo: Julia Kivela, Visit Finland

The dog sledge tours are an absolute highlight, where you can experience the winter landscape in a completely different way.

The huskies that take you through the snow are at least as excited to finally get going. After a joyful and loud hello, the dogs are in their element and peace returns so that you can relax and enjoy the tour in the fresh, crisp air.

If you want more action, you can go on a snowmobile safari with a guide or ride with a fat bike over the frozen archipelago.

  • Mountain Biking · Pyhä-Luosto National Park
    Tunturiaapa Winter Biking Trail in Pyhä-Luosto National Park
  • Mountain Biking · Pyhä-Luosto National Park
    Lampivaara Winter Biking Trail in Pyhä-Luosto National Park
  • Mountain Biking · Suomussalmi
    Jatkonvaara multipurpose trail 12 km, Hossa Finland
  • Mountain Biking · Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
    Kesänkitunturi winter mountain biking
  • Mountain Biking · Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
    Pyhäkeron talvireitti winter biking trail

Among the dancing firefoxes

The glowing bands, which paint the landscape in a strange green light on cold winter evenings, have fascinated humanity from the very beginning. The northern lights shine particularly brightly in Finland during the winter months. They are a spectacle that makes a holiday unforgettable. You can chase the lights on a night tour or make yourself comfortable in one of the many unique northern lights accommodation and enjoy the atmosphere cuddled up in blankets together with your loved ones.

But what are northern lights anyway? Research has long since clarified this question: the so-called solar winds, a stream of electronic particles, penetrate the earth's magnetic field, attracted by the north and south poles. The reaction between the particles and the molecules in our atmosphere creates the lights that travel across the sky in long bands. This is a truly fantastic phenomenon that has existed since olden times.

So generations of our ancestors have seen these lights and have been looking for an explanation. As scientific knowledge is comparatively recent, our ancestors created numerous cosmological myths to explain the world.

Among the Nordic peoples, a wide variety of attempts to explain the situation were made - some eerily, others heroically.

The Finnish term "revontulet", literally "firefox", has its origins in a beautiful myth: Arctic foxes ran so fast across the sky and when their rods touched the mountains, fire sparks were created which left their mark in the form of glowing bands.

Nordlichter über der Winterlandschaft von Finland
Photo: Markus Kiili, Outdooractive Editors
In clear weather conditions, you can see the Northern Lights in Lapland almost every night between September and March. The farther south you are in Finland, the rarer the phenomenon is. In any case, the location is crucial; far away from any artificial light source, only the firefoxes illuminate the clear night sky and make your winter trip an incomparable experience.

Ice Fishing - Finnish winter meditation

Ice fishing in Finland
Ice fishing in Finland
Photo: Vastavalo Eemeli Peltonen, Visit Finland

Apart from the fun and action, you should not forget to pause for a moment. The world is covered in snow and nature comes to rest. To draw new strength from the calm, the Finns turn to ice fishing.

However, fishing is secondary; it is a kind of meditation that is suitable for everyone - because of the everymen's right, you don't need a fishing licence. It is important to layer your warmest clothes and have enough hot drinks with you.

The most wonderful memories are made in a cosy atmosphere, in familiar surroundings and with local expertise. You can find suitable waters everywhere in Finland, the ice cover only needs to be 5 cm thick to carry a person, and here they are usually much thicker.

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Reviews

  31
Taivaan Tavoittelijan Taival Trail, Snowshoeing, Salla by Al
March 22, 2023 · Community
Comment
Cross-Country skiing track (dogs allowed on a leash) Levijärvi loop by Delphine
February 12, 2023 · Community
When did you do this route? February 12, 2023
Photo: Delphine Dohy, Community
Comment
Valtavaara Winter Trail 5.5 km, Valtavaara-Pyhävaara Nature Reserve by Leo
February 05, 2023 · Community
Unbelievable beautiful track! Highly recommended with Snowshoes!
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When did you do this route? February 05, 2023
Comment
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Find winter sports in neighboring regions

Norway Sweden Russia

Discover other winter sports within Finland

Arctic Lakeland Kainuu Lappi North Karelia Nothern Ostrobothnia Päijät-Häme Satakunta Southern Ostrobothnia Southern Savonia

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