Top 6 winter activities in Saariselkä, Lapland
Set 350km north of the Arctic Circle is Saariselkä, a small village in the northern part of Finland. Perfectly located next to Urho Kekkonen National Park (Finland’s second-largest National Park). It’s the perfect place to get a balance between nature and civilisation. This is where our amazing traditional log cabin is located where we run our Lapland Adventure Tour.
Top 6 activities:
Snowshoeing - The best part about being located next to the national park is having amazing access to instant beautiful nature. Snowshoeing is the perfect way to explore the nearby fjells and forests that surround Saariselkä. Using one of the many fireplaces for a lunch stop and hot chocolate.
2. Fat Biking - If you enjoy riding bikes then you’ll love whizzing around the groomed snow trails around Saariselka. Whether you go normal or e-bike it’s a great way to explore the local area, and even if you take a corner too fast it’s always a soft, snowy landing. Rent bikes and get local information about the trails from our friends at Roll Outdoors.
3. Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding - Saarsielkä has a Downhill ski area with 6 lifts, rentals, lessons & a restaurant. It’s a great way to spend the day if you want to get your downhill fix. With amazing views from the top of Kaunispaa, you don’t even have to be able to ski as they also have a sledding track which is great fun too. More details here.
4. Nordic Backcountry skiing to a wilderness cabin. Want to explore the endless landscapes further? Then the best way is to head off into the national park and spend your nights in the amazing wilderness cabin dotted around the National Park. Spent a night or a week exploring the different terrains. Getting to grips with the Nordic skis is quite straightforward and you’ll soon be flying, Join us for a hut-to-hut adventure from January - to April.
5. Husky Sledding - This was one of my first workplaces in Lapland before I set up Sidetracked Adventures, and I still return every year to give the dogs a big cuddle. One of the most incredible experiences you can have. Drive your own team of sled dogs through the boreal forests just outside of Saariselkä. You learn to drive the sled, then you meet your husky team - and then you head out into the forest. If the farm has puppies you will also get to visit them after the sledding trip.
6. Smoke Sauna & Ice Dip - You can’t visit Finland without trying a sauna, and why not take it a step further by trying a traditional smoke sauna and dunking in the refreshing ice hole at Killopää? Just a short bus from Saariselkä and you will get to Kiilopaa Fjell Centre which has a small restaurant, shop, and amazing sauna facilities. It’s worth booking ahead as it’s a popular place. It is €15 for the sauna and ice dip (and remember your towel or you can rent one)
There is plenty more to do and explore in Saariselkä, but the best thing to do is walk around and explore. If you want to join a guided tour then we do some of the best Lapland Adventures in the north. Check them out here:
Lapland Winter Adventure - Snowshoe/Fat Bike / Overnight Ski Expedition / Husky Sledding - From £1650 including accommodation, guide, activities, gear hire, food & transport.
Hut-to-Hut Ski Tour - A 6 day hut-to-hut backcountry ski tour staying in remote wilderness cabins. No experince needed. From £1450 - includes accomodation, guide, food and gear hire.
