All about Saariselka Ski Resort
Saariselka Ski Resort (Saariselkä) is one of the most popular sports resorts in Lapland. The vast, hilly region is situated in the very north of Finland. It boasts magnificent scenery, clean air, great ski trails and an excellent level of service. As well as cross-country skiing, alpine skiing in Saariselkä is also popular with outdoor enthusiasts.
Saariselkä Ski Resort is one of the most popular sports resorts in Lapland. The village of Saariselkä is located in Urho Kekkonen National Park in the middle of unspoilt nature in Lapland.
It is the northernmost and one of the most exotic ski resorts in Finland. Saariselka is 233km from Kittilä airport and 25km from Ivalo. In this article we share 5 facts and tips about the Finnish ski resort Saariselkä:
1. All about Saariselkä Ski Resort
The village of Saariselkä is located in Urho Kekkonen National Park in the middle of unspoilt Lapland. It is the northernmost and one of the most exotic ski resorts in Finland.
Each season a network of 250 km of well-equipped cross-country skiing routes welcome tens of thousands of skiers from all over Europe. Saariselka offers tours for skiers of varying skill levels, but everyone can choose from a wide variety of slopes of any difficulty level and for any age.
2. Saariselkä ski slopes
The Saariselkä slopes are a paradise for budding skiers, children and their parents. There are 12 slopes in total, the highest height difference is 180 metres and the longest slope is 1500 metres long.
There are a variety of slopes of varying difficulty levels. A network of well-equipped slopes. Free shuttle bus service for skiers from mid December to early May. Magnificent scenery. Lively nightlife.
For those not keen on skiing, there are 200km of cross-country trails, 34km of which are lit. Saariselkä also boasts Europe's longest toboggan slide (1.2 km)! Want to find out more? Click on the picture.
Height of the resort: 257 m
Season duration: mid-November to mid-April, around 150 days
Height difference: 257 metres / 437 metres.
5 ski lifts.
Ski-pass price:
Adults: 43.00€.
Children: 28.00€
If you like cross-country skiing, you can enjoy a variety of trails that go through forests and lakes. You'll particularly enjoy the long, winding descent from the top of the mountain to the town. One of the trails will take you to a gold mine, while the other involves a journey from the igloo to Saariselka, accompanied by reindeer.
3. Saariselkä downhill courses
The Saariselkä slopes are a paradise for budding skiers, children and parents. There are 12 slopes in total, the highest height difference is 180 meters and the longest slope is 1500 metres long.
For those who are not keen on skiing there are 200 km of cross-country tracks, 34 km of which are lit. Saariselkä also boasts Europe's longest toboggan slide (1.2 km)! Want to find out more? Click on the picture.
4. The best place to see the northern lights from igloo
Saariselkä is located in the polar region, where the northern lights (Aurora Borealis) are the most active in all of Scandinavia. Statistically it can be seen for 200 days during the active season: September to April.
This means that there is up to an 80% chance of the northern lights appearing there. The only thing that can prevent you from seeing the northern lights is cloudy weather. However, there is a good chance of catching a cloudless night during the week.
5. Angry Birds theme park in Saariselkä
If you know the Angry Birds game and have young children, then you should definitely visit the Angry Birds Activity Park in Saariselkä!
The Angry Birds Activity Park is special in that all of its guests and locals are fully immersed in the fascinating atmosphere of the world-famous Angry Birds game that was created by the Finnish company ROVIO.
Children and adults alike are sure to find something fun to do and enjoy.
6. Things to see and do in Saariselkä
If you think skiing, snowboarding and sledging are all there is to do in Saariselkä, you're wrong! Even though the village is small, there is plenty to see and do here. For instance, you can try out geocaching as an outlandish new pastime, or you can climb the triangulation tower that overlooks all of Lapland!
For those interested in mysticism, you'll find a haunted house, where you can even stay for a coffee. There's also the extraordinarily beautiful St. Paul's Chapel in Saariselkä, where you can listen to Sunday Mass. Interested?
