Ski Saariselkä in Finland to enjoy a small skiing area built above the Arctic circle. With just the right amount of slopes for a family with varying slope expertise, there are runs for everyone along with the magical Aurora Borealis.
Where
Found in the native village of Saariselkä, this ski resort is located in the heart of the local municipality of Inari just 250km north of the Arctic Circle. Ski Saariselkä and you are sandwiched between the fell region of Saariselka and the Urho Kekkonen national park. Since all tourist attractions are within a tight few hundred meters of each other a perk of the ski resort is that no car is needed to get around. You can fly Finnair from Helsinki to Ivalo airport in order to get into resort.
Essentials |
Suitable For |
Slopes |
RESORT ALTITUDE : |
734m |
TOTAL PISTE : |
16 km |
LONGEST RUN : |
2 km |
START SEASON : |
November |
END SEASON : |
May |
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OVERALL |
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SKIING |
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BOARDING |
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APRÉS |
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FAMILIES |
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Beginners
0 / 0% |
Intermediates
3 / 25% |
Advanced
7 / 58% |
Experts
2 / 17% |
TOTAL RUNS : |
11 |
SNOW CANNONS : |
10 / 3ha |
SNOW PARKS : |
1 |
CROSS COUNTRY : |
220 km |
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On the slopes
The Saariselkä ski resort area is home to 11 slopes on Kaunispää and Iisakkipää fells that service all ranges of ski expertise and are accessed by six ski lifts. For the most part skiers can enjoy natural snow conditions due to the Scandinavian weather that naturally provides a large amount of snowfall.
Since most accommodations are cabins in between slopes the hills are easily found right outside most residences although the resort is located in the middle and offers toboggan runs as well as ski lessons to those who want to learn making it a wonderful place for children. The park area totals 20km and the slopes run north to south with the largest altitude of the resort reaching 180m.
Off the slopes
Known as a family resort, ski Saariselkä for plenty of safaris, trails, and other nature hikes. Many people enjoy the restaurants around the area and the bar areas within the ski resort hotel as well as the spa swimming pool. Nearby there are also several souvenir shops, local family owned businesses and a supermarket for stocking up during your stay in a cabin.
One of the most practiced activities off the slopes is witnessing the awe inspiring Aurora Borealis which is best observed around midnight. There is of course some good après ski but it's very moderate and not a rowdy affiar.
WE LIKE
- Great slopes for beginners or timid intermediates or if you want to learn cross country skiing (220km of tracks)
- Empty slopes, good instruction and fantastic surroundings
- A beautiful small traditional Finnish muontain village for your holidays - perfect!
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WE DON'T LIKE
- Limited runs for experts - in fact limited runs for all - but good for a relaxed family holiday
- Jan and Feb weather can be unbelievably cold and the wind can go right through you!
- Any après-ski you do come across is relatively tame - but fun all the same
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Tourist Office
Worldwide cover from £60.48
or Single trip Europe cover from £22.98 - get covered before you arrive!
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