Snowtastic Finland

Guaranteed snow, guaranteed skiing, and a guaranteed ‘time of your life!’ for all the family...

Short on queues and transfer times. Long on snow, charm and off-piste activities. Skiing in Finland is unlike anywhere else. The main Finnish ski resorts are a paradise for families, with plenty of beginner and intermediate runs and an enchanting winter wonderland atmosphere set against the magical background of Lapland.

Once in a lifetime experiences
As Lapland is situated above the Arctic Circle – affording periodic glimpses of the breathtaking Northern Lights – these resorts are the northernmost ski areas in Europe, meaning an abundance of snow is almost guaranteed. Lapland is also the mythical home of Santa Claus and its resorts are a festive playground for the imagination. Everything from husky-drawn sleds to tobogganing, reindeer rides and reindeer and husky safaris are on offer to complement the skiing experience; and each resort has people onhand who can organise the perfect programme of activities for its visitors.

This wealth of off-piste pursuits is another reason why Finland is a great ski destination for families, as is the fact that the main resorts are all close to airports, making some transfers as short as 20 minutes. Families or groups of friends travelling to Finnish ski areas can choose from thousands of cosy, snow-covered log cabins to bed down in; these have all the modern amenities (often even a sauna) whilst retaining a charm a world apart from the modern condominiums found in most resorts.

Perfect skiing for all the family
The lower altitude and gentler, less crowded slopes of Finland means the skiing is less intimidating – with runs ideal for families and less advanced skiers in abundance. And there is ample opportunity for ski-enthusiasts, and those hoping to improve, to practice ‘til they drop, as many of the slopes are flood-lit and stay open as late 8pm. The sparser crowds mean visitors can spend more time skiing and less time in tedious queues.

Finland is also – as compared with the rest of Europe – fantastic value for money. With the cost of everything from hiring a log cabin for the week to ordering après ski drinks in the local bars just a pittance of what it might be elsewhere. And it’s not as frigidly cold as one might imagine: even on days when its temperature is 10 or 15 degrees C colder than in the UK, its dry climate can make it feel warmer.

Hot on the heels of its best ever ski season in 2006-07, Finland is set to woo ever more visitors to its stunning slopes again this year. Having the most northern ski resorts in Europe - well above the artic cirlcle - fresh snow is virtually guaranteed every year!
For further information on skiing in Finland go to www.visitfinland.com