Saariselkä Half Term holidays
Lapland’s six month winter has just passed the halfway mark come February so while temperatures are still well below freezing, the daylight hours are slowly on the increase. If the sun does set before you’ve had your fill of slope-time, seven of Saariselkä’s runs are illuminated so you can carry on skiing.
Because of the optimum daylight and snow conditions, February is the month of choice for most Finn’s ski holidays. Even though the pistes might be busier than earlier months, compare this with other European resorts at this time and the slopes are practically empty. One reason for this is that there’s so much to do off the slopes - you can squeeze quite a lot into one week with activities such as husky sledding, reindeer sleigh rides (day or night) and ice fishing. In previous seasons there have been toboggans that you can pick up for free around town. As well as providing hours of fun on the 1200m Alli slope (said to be the longest in Europe) toboggans are great way to transport little ones around the resort.
While it’s not the official time of year for it, a couple of minutes in Saariselkä will get you thinking Christmas has come early - you can even arrange to pop in and see Santa if you fancy thanking him for last year’s stocking.
For some time indoors, the space themes Angry Bird Park’s is fantastic. From virtual to the more active games, it’ll certainly get a few smiles going and there are rest stops for adults to have a breather.
Saariselkä has a good selection of restaurants interspersed with some little gift shops. Kuukeli supermarket is perfect for grabbing the essentials. Laanilan Kievari is a 10 min walk or taxi ride from the town but worth it with traditional tastes, fresh ingredients as well as the offer of some warm socks as you enter! Café Saivu is the place for a cheesecake and Kaunispään Huippu has got the views from the top of the Kaunispää fell over at the ski area. Pirkon Pirtti is in the village centre with a warm atmosphere, pizza on the menu and an accompanying wine list. It might also have its roaring fire going in the stone fireplace...
February Half Term snow & skiing conditions in Saariselkä
Half Term Snow History
Top alt:438m
Average snow depth
Half Term45cm
Bottom alt:260m
Average snow depth
Half Term30cm
Resort alt:265m
Half Term ski rating