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Saariselka Ski Resort
Europe’s northernmost ski resort, Saariselkä is 250km up from the Arctic Circle, not far from the Russian border. One of the main resorts in Lapland – the legendary home of Father Christmas – it has snow-sure skiing, a Christmas-card-esque village and heaps of festive activities all in one place.
The village itself is surrounded by forest and full of winter wonderland charm, with its own little chapel, some shops and restaurants and accommodation ranging from spa hotels to traditional log cabins. Everything is pretty close-knit and it’s usually only ever a short walk from A to B.
Surrounded by wilderness, this is one of those places where you feel like you’re a world away from the rest of civilisation and can get really close up and personal with nature. Right next door, the stunning Urho Kekkonen National Park is one of Finland’s largest protected areas.
There’s lots to do here, from experiencing natural beauty at Kakslauttanen’s Igloo village or spending some time indoors at the - less traditional but kids love it - Angry Birds activity park. Famous for its gold rushes (you can try your own luck at gold-digging here) it also has a thriving Sami community and the Sami Museum is well worth a visit.
If you’re lucky you’ll catch the northern lights, whether peeping out from your cabin, on a snowmobile safari or lying in a glass igloo...
The two fells that make up the ski area are 1km away. You have to take a ski bus to the slopes but it only takes about five minutes and the service is usually pretty sharp.
In terms of getting here in the first place, the closest airport, Ivalo, is only a 20-30 minute drive away and bus service for the last leg of the journey is fairly frequent. You can also train it to Rovaniemi and then take a bus to the resort.
Stats & FAQ
Location: Northern Lapland, Finland
Established: 1970s
Open: November - May
Downhill: 10km
View our detailed Saariselka snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Saariselka snow history.
| Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
| Ivalo | 32 km, 30 mins |
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| Top Altitude: | 438m |
| Bottom Altitude: | 260m |
| Resort Altitude: | 265m |
| Longest run: | 1.3km |
| Slope Orientation: | N, E, W |
| Vertical Drop: | 180m |
| Skiable Vertical: | 180m |
| Night Skiing: | Yes |
| Glacier: | No |
Snow Report
Web Cam
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| Downhill Runs: | 10km |
| Beginner slopes: | 50% |
| Intermediate: | 42% |
| Advanced slopes: | 8% |
| Lift Pass Price: | 200€ (adult 6 day) |
| Nearby resorts: Levi, Luosto, Pyha, Yllas, Ruka | |
Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Saariselka
Spread across the Iisakkipää and Kaunispää fells, the ski area is modestly-sized, with 6 ski lifts taking you up to 15 slopes. The bus is quite regular and does drop-offs at the top of the slopes and the base. From the base, one chairlift takes you to the top of Kaunispää (the rest of the lifts are T bars). All pistes take you back to the same part of the valley, where you’ll find campfires and cafés to warm up and rebuild your energy stores.
This isn’t a challenging ski area and the slopes would best match a beginner or just-turned intermediate. The ski school has a bunch of English speaking instructors that will show you the ropes (and slopes) in skiing, snowboarding, cross country, telemarking and even snowkiting, so those who have already conquered Alpine skiing can have a go at something new.
The Pollo and longer Naakka on Iisakkipää are two of the easiest greens and Huuhkaja on Kaunispää is a good one to progress onto. Iisakkipää has two blue runs to progress onto; the short Haukka and longer Metso.
Kaunispää has a couple of pistes that follow the pattern of starting off more gently and gradually getting a little steeper. Pulmunen is a blue running into a red and Varpunen is a long red that leads into a black over 1050m.
The most difficult run is the black Lunni, off-pisters might catch a little bit of powder between the runs too.
The freestyle park stretches down a 1200m street on the Riekko slope of the Kaunispää and the children’s park is helpfully located next to the ski bar where grown-ups can sit back with a Finnish gluggi while the kids play. Cross-country trails cover a whopping 220km and being national park territory; you’ll be utterly wrapped up in the views.
At the end of the day, go for the old school approach to get down a mountain and grab a toboggan for the Alli slope; made all the more exciting by the fact that it’s the oldest in Europe.
Saariselka Apres Ski
With only 15 slopes, this isn’t meant to be a resort where the sole focus is skiing and there are tonnes of other activities to fill up the week.
Snowmobiling, reindeer and husky safaris really are as fun as they look and all are a great way to enjoy the surroundings. For something a bit different, try your hand at ice fishing or follow one of the more well-trodden snowshoe route. Even better, 15 minutes away by road is Santa’s resort, Kakslauttanen for a once in a lifetime meeting with the man himself. From November to April you might be able to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis. The Sami people believe it is the energies of ancestral souls causing the lights whereas a Finnish legend tells the story of a large Arctic fox running across the snow and creating the lights as sparks fly up from its tail thumping the ground...
In the resort, you can wind-down at the spa, keep the kids occupied at the Angry Birds activity park or try something new at the curling centre.
When it comes to having a warming tipple or two, O’Poro Pub usually holds an after-party between 2 pm and 5 pm. They get local bands to play live music, and you’ll get to have a go at ski shoe dancing. They also have a restaurant with big windows to see the Northern Lights. You’ve got Brewery Pub and Kaunis Jorma Saariselka for a chilled beer and rock music (for karaoke on Sunday and Tuesday you might need another beer). Hotel Kieppi also has live music, and for a culture lesson, there’s a Sami evening once a week.
Reindeer dishes, the native Cloudberry and the River Tenojoki salmon are all must-try Finnish flavours here. Restaurant Petronella was made with high class dining in mind and the Café/Restaurant at the top to the Kaunispää chair is great for a panoramic view. If you prefer to cook for yourself, the Kuukeli supermarket has a good supply of the necessities and then some.
Best time to go
Best time to ski Saariselka
Best time to visit & ski Saariselka
The season usually runs from November to May with temperatures just below freezing for most of the winter, so lots of warm clothing, lip balm and hand warmers is an absolute must! Thermal wear can be hired out to make things easy and the locals do a fantastic job of warming up the restaurants and bars.
The chilly weather does paint a positive picture for the snow conditions and the area is known to have excellent ski conditions all season long.
In the mega European resorts, queuing for the lifts can take up a chunk of your week, but this is rarely an issue in a place where there are more reindeer than people, especially where there’s so much focus on activities off the slopes.
If you’re coming for the Northern lights, anytime between November through to April is supposed to be the best time to see them.
Peak Dates
Christmas in Saariselkä will beat struggling through the last minute Christmas shopping mosh-pit back home. The easy skiing and activities like reindeer sleigh rides and meeting Santa will also beat any other Christmas present… Saariselka Christmas ski holidays ‣
Common sightings of the Northern Lights are the tip of the iceberg when it comes to reasons for spending the New Year at Saariselkä. Saariselka New Year ski holidays ‣
February half-term in Saariselkä should have you wishing away the next 12 months until you can do it again. Take a step back from the furore of school or the office and embrace the Finnish fells. Saariselka Half Term ski holidays ‣
Instead of hunting for the last chocolate egg, start searching for your warmest pair of gloves for an Easter in Saariselkä. It’s the perfect way to take a story or two back to the classroom or office that will top all the others… Saariselka Easter ski holidays ‣
Families in Saariselka
Saariselka is a magical resort for a family as it’s a world away from anything children might have experienced before. The ski area is contained over two neighbouring fells, making it easy for you to drop them at ski school and pick them up later. Thanks to the slopes being mostly wide and gentle, there’s some lovely skiing to enjoy as a family once ski school is out - make sure you do the toboggan run on the Kaunispää fell before you get the bus back to the resort, which is 1km from the skiing.
If you’re with the little ones who aren’t old enough to ski, babysitting services are usually available so the rest of the clan can head off to the slopes. You’ll find that you’ll probably spend as much time on the slopes as off what with the activities on offer... Husky rides are hugely popular and a reindeer safari will bring a festive feel to your holiday. If you need to escape the outdoors, the Angry Birds Activity Park is a super option (see if under 4’s can still go free). For the icing on the cake, Santa’s resort is only 15 mins away in Kakslauttanen.
Temperatures can drop to around minus 15-20˚C in the colder months and barely creep above freezing over the season, so stocking up on good thermals and taking regular hot chocolate breaks are really important when you have little ones. Ask us about snowsuit hire so you don’t have to fork out for your own gear, these warm suits can be a godsend when it comes to keeping the kids warm and happy!
GroupsGroup Holidays Saariselka
Saariselka is great for groups looking to spend equal time on and off the slopes. If you’re all a bunch of beginners or have been skiing once or twice, you’ll love the introductory greens and blues across the two fells. The ski area is 1km away from the resort and accessible by bus - or if you’re feeling fresh you could walk it... (pick up some tasty provisions from the Kuukeli supermarket before you set off).
After dedicating a few hours to the skis, turn your attention to the rest the resort has to offer: Tobogganing on the Alli slope, which takes up 1200m of the Kaunispää fell is a fun way to end a group ski session while husky, reindeer and snowmobile safaris are ideal for those who love a bit of a thrill and a view to boot. Snowshoeing can be a super way to experience the landscape – don’t forget you’re right next to a nature park here! For something a bit different, go ice fishing or stay inside to try your hand at curling or soak up some culture at the Sami museum.
This isn’t a party resort, and part of its appeal is its tranquillity. However, O’Poro Irish Bar has live music most days, which will get you up dancing - pop along to its swish restaurant afterwards. Brewery Pub and Kaunis Jorma Saarisekla are an excellent place for a drink, and Restaurant Petronella might interest those famished after a day full of adventure. Make sure to look out for the northern lights while you’re out here – a fantastic experience to share with your nearest and dearest.
Which are the best ski holidays in Saariselka?
| Accommodation | Number of nights | Price (per person) from |
|---|---|---|
| Gielas Hotel | 7 | £ 929 |
| Holiday Club Apartments | 7 | £ 695 |
| Holiday Club Spa Hotel | 7 | £ 809 |
| Santa's Hotel Tunturi | 2 | £ 1479 |
| Santa's Hotel Riekonlinna | 2 | £ 1479 |
| Santa's Holiday Club | 2 | £ 1489 |
| Juutua Arctic Aurora Adventure | 3 | £ 1869 |
| Top Star Arctic Glass Cubes | 7 | £ 1892 |
| Santa's Star Arctic Hotel | 2 | £ 1909 |
| Star Arctic Northern Lights Discovery | 3 | £ 1961 |
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