Ski Holidays in Saariselka, Finland

Slope Direction	N S
Very Easy Runs	0
Easy Runs	4
Medium Runs	6
Difficult Runs	1
Toughest Run Name	Lunnirinne
Skiable Vertical	180m
Number Of Lifts	6
Top Lift Height	0m
Night Skiing	Y
Snowboarding Parks	1
Half Pipes	1
Swimming Pools	1
Night Clubs	3
Mountain Restaurants	2

Ivalo:	25 minutes
Kittila:	3 hours

Saariselka has great beginner terrain that's wide, smooth and gentle. Once you have learned your basic technique you'll be able to ski virtually all of the runs by the end of the week.

Highly affordable packages including lift ticket, rentals and tuition are provided by the local ski school for beginners for little more than the cost of a six day lift ticket, and less than the cost of a six day lift ticket (let alone tuition and rentals) in a major resort in the Alps.

You're unlikely to book a holiday to Saariselka just to ski, but there are about a dozen slopes to enjoy which can provide a few hours of entertainment each day. The cold and the lack of much variety is likely to limit the long term enthusiasm of all those beyond low intermediate level.

Slopes are up to one-and-a-third kilometre (three-quarters-of-a-mile) long and most are floodlit for night skiing, which is also useful during the dark months of mid-winter.

With one black run, the 900 metre (half mile) long Lunnirinne piste, marginally steeper than the neighbouring red, there's not much to attract advanced skiers here.

On the other hand snow integrity is great thanks to the low temperatures, and so you can have fun skiing through the trees that cover the bottom three-quarters of the ski area.

Saariselka claims to operate Finland's largest snowboarding area, filling the whole side of the ski hill from top to bottom. The park includes a half pipe and wide selection of jumps, and is accessed by the area's one chairlift, making it easier to get up if you're not keen on boarding up on the T Bar.

Saariselka is a multi-activity holiday destination with superb facilities of which the downhill ski slopes are a minor part.

Cross country skiing is of course very popular and the resort endeavours to open its first loop each winter by mid-October, as soon as the night time temperatures fall below zero. The Finnish Cross-Country Skiing Team and many other international ski teams practice on Saariselka's first snowfall trail.

The cross-country ski trail network comprises routes of varying lengths and difficulties, so there are routes for everyone from beginners right through to competition athletes. The network covers a total of 240 km, 34 km of which are lit.

The majority of ski trails go through the magnificent fell landscapes of the Urho Kekkonen National Park. A 10km moonlight route via Välimaa and Laanila is particularly highly recommended.

The resort has a superb Spa complex with tropical pool, Jacuzzis and warm saunas to relax in. The wide range of refreshing spa treatments includes aromatic herbal baths, hot clay treatments and a variety of massages.


There is a fitness centre and you can play tennis, badminton, volleyball and floorball indoors. There is also a museum of Sami culture and the chance to spend a night in a thermal glass-roofed igloo, an ideal way to see the northern lights.

Back outside there are marked snowshoe hiking routes of two to six kilometers in length with spectacular views over the fells. In addition a toboggan run goes from the top of the Kaunispää fell to the village and ski kiting has also taken off at the resort.

Of course there are also the traditional attractions of the Arctic winter holiday - dog sledding excursions and reindeer safaris of varying lengths, and the more modern attraction of hundreds of kilometres of snowmobiling trails. Gold panning is also available in the area.

Saariselka endeavours to provide wide ranging après ski fun with several bars, including the Sports Bar in the Holiday Club and dancing choices varying from tango, waltz or rumba to pop and rock.

Some of Finland's most popular bands and solo artists visit the village, especially during peak season. The Laanila after-ski dance is a particularly popular place.

Dining options range from pizza through to gourmet standard Lappish cuisine. In addition to traditional meat and game meals there are plenty of fish and shellfish delicacies available, such as the Arctic Ocean king crab.

And mushrooms and berries remain a staple ingredient of Scandinavian cuisine. For the full Lappish experience it's well worth signing up for a traditional evening in a Lappish tepee.

Daycare is available from birth to age nine, but only during ski school lessons, which are for 90 minutes per day. There is an indoor nursery facility for those two young to ski. Special children's ski lessons are available for five to 11 year olds, snowboarding lessons from age seven.

The Kids Park provides a safe mini fun terrain area for children. Around the Christmas period excursions to visit Santa in his secret home in the forest are organised. There's also an ice maze to explore.