If you still want to get some skiing in this season, there are plenty of opportunities thanks to fresh snowfalls across the alps, which means that the ski season should last well beyond Easter and into April.
But it’s not just the popular European resorts that have great skiing, as Scandinavia offers great skiing too, with Finland’s winter sports season, for example, lasting from November right through to April. So, for families searching for one of Northern Europe’s lesser-known ski locations it’s worth checking out some Finnish ski resorts where you can enjoy reindeer sleigh rides, traditional saunas and of course the northern lights. And whether you are a beginner or regular skier, Finland caters for skiers of all levels.
Getting to Finland is also very straightforward, with Finnair offering regular flights direct to Helsinki from London Heathrow, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Dublin. The airline also offers smooth and easy transfers between flights from as little as 35 minutes.
The biggest ski resort in Finland is Ylläs in Lapland, which has 500km of skiing trails for cross-country or trek skiing. If you are looking for a unique experience, you can always book yourself into the Lapland Hotels SnowVillage made entirely from snow and ice. And how about a sauna with a difference? Ylläs Ski Resort has, what is labelled a world-first, the sauna gondola. So, while you ascend the picturesque fells of the Ylläs Ski Resort, you can rejuvenate amongst the breathtaking scenery of Lapland. The gondola accommodates up to four people at a time, with one sauna tour lasting 20 minutes, giving an intimate and immersive relaxation experience. Then when you reach the summit, you have access to a dedicated sauna with a lounge, shower, heated jacuzzi and some wonderful panoramic views of Lapland. A memorable experience without a doubt.
With Snow suites at Lapland Hotels SnowVillage starting from €350 per night, the nearest airport is Kittilä with return Finnair flights from London starting at £255 (including all taxes and charges). The Sauna Gondola and accompanying facilities start from €1,500 for up to 12 people, while the top-of-the-fell sauna can be booked separately starting from €250. For more information, please visit: www.ski.yllas.fi.
Also in Lapland, is the resort of Iso-Syöte, which is just below the Arctic Circle and conveniently located between the four airports of Oulu, Kuusamo, Rovaniemi and Kemi. Surrounded by the breathtaking Syöte National Park, the resort offers plenty of adrenaline-pumping winter activities on each of its 17 slopes.
Depending on what you are looking for, the boutique hotel Iso-Syöte is situated on an arctic hilltop in the southern borders of Lapland next to the Syöte National Park, one of Finland’s snowiest areas, offering guests picturesque views from its large floor to ceiling windows, from which you can hopefully spot the northern lights. As well as skiing, you can also explore Finland’s winter wonderland on a reindeer or husky safari, and even have a go at snowshoeing.
An Aurora View Suite at Hotel Iso-Syöte starts from €234.50 a night and includes breakfast in the Restaurant Hilltop as well as access to the Spa. The nearest airport is Kuusamo with return Finnair flights from London starting at £243 (including all taxes and charges).
Finally, there is Himos in Lakeland which is a three-hour drive from Helsinki and is one of the most popular ski resorts in southern Finland. With 26 slopes and over 100km of well-groomed pistes and runs, it is suitable for both beginners and advanced skiers. You might also like to take some time out from skiing to visit the Sauna Village at Jämsä which includes about 20 smoke saunas from the 1700’s to 1940’s.
Standard double rooms at Himos Hotel start from €135 and the nearest airport is Jyväskylä with return Finnair flights from London starting at £266 (including all taxes and charges).
For more on all there is to see and do in Finland, which has recently been voted the happiest country in the world, please visit: www.visitfinland.com.
Author Bio:
Simon Burrell is Editor of Our Man On The Ground, a former member of The British Guild of Travel Writers and professional photographer.
Photographs courtesy of Visit Finland
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