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Types of Skiing Explained: Alpine, Nordic, Touring & SkateFinland Aventure Holidays
Visiting Finland
Sisu, an essential Finnish value, loosely translates to inner strength, perseverance and pushing forward despite challenges. Sisu is a huge part of Finnish culture and brings the nation together during tough times. Looks like Gutsy Girls and Finland have “love taking on a challenge” in common.
Adventure tours for every season
Visiting Lapland
Like the predictable ending of a Hallmark Christmas film, Finnish Lapland offers all of that festive magic and more. Visit Rovaniemi for your Lapland winter break to meet Santa himself, go husky sledging, skiing and eat great food — Rovaniemi is known as the culinary capital of the North. Trust us, winter activity holidays hit different in Lapland.
Finland Adventure Tours
Combine city life with nature trails on a trip to the Helsinki Region. Home to some of Europe’s most intriguing architecture, great Nordic food and unique public saunas where you can relax and unwind after a day of adventure.
The Lapland locals say there are 8 seasons, and you’re never short of an active outdoor adventure. Anything from a Lapland winter break with striking views of the Northern lights or hiking under the midnight sun in summer — enjoy this great wilderness.
Explore the world’s largest archipelago — more than 40,000 islands scattered across the Finnish coast. Don’t miss Finland’s oldest city, Turku, or your chance to finally meet the Moomins.
Make like a local and head to Lakeland – where Finns come to recharge and reconnect with nature. With something to do all year round, from cruises to fishing, paddle boarding, ice swimming and skating, you’ll never get bored with this outdoor lovers’ heaven.
Activity Overview
If you’ve never skied at all, then cross-country skiing is the perfect starting point. It has a much faster learning curve than downhill/alpine skiing; you’ll make quick progress over just a few days. For plenty of space to practice and ideal for beginners, visit Ylläs — affectionately known as a cross-country skiing mecca.
We love visiting the iconic Hossa National Park to ski through pristine forests, across frozen lakes and tackle more challenging terrain. Levi is another popular spot and offers an extensive 239 km network of ski tracks, ideal for all levels. You can even night ski down their illuminated trails.
Activity Overview
Fat biking offers a unique way to explore Finland’s snowy trails. Cycle through the forest on fat bikes that grip everything and can really pick up some speed. With oversized tyres for added grip and stability, these bikes are easy to handle and perfect for snow-covered paths.
Explore National Parks in just a day; these electric bikes help you cover serious ground, and fast. As one of Finland’s newest winter sports, you follow tracks made by husky sledges, snowmobiles and snowshoes — so you’re less likely to lose your way in the forest (although we always take a guide)!
Activity Overview
With snow 60-70cm deep and elk tracks just around the corner, Hossa National Park is a picturesque and ideal spot to strap on your snowshoes. Hike across hectares of frozen lakes and snow-loaded trails in Finland’s remote East.
This part of Lapland isn’t filled with tourists and Christmas activities; this is the backcountry. Snowshoe through silent forests and across ridges — you’ll be making your own mark in the snow, as you trek through the Finnish wilderness. And, the best part about doing all this in Finland? Warming up in a traditional wooden Finnish Sauna.
Activity Overview
Ski hut-to-hut across Finland’s remote wilderness. Ski expeditions in the backcountry mean no groomed trails and no other people; it’s just you making your own way through the snow. Catch the striking Northern Lights during a winter trip to Lapland, or visit in summer to ski under the midnight sun.
Lemmenjoki is one of Europe’s largest national parks and has no permanent human habitation. When it comes to going remote, this Finnish national park is the real deal for a legit backcountry skiing experience.
Our backcountry skiing expeditions typically go hut-to-hut over a few nights, and you’ll be carrying all your kit in a pulka (sledge) with you.
Activity Overview
Nature’s most spectacular light show – when she’s in the mood to perform. You’re in prime aurora territory with zero light pollution, perfect conditions for when solar activity hits Earth’s magnetic field just right.
No guarantees – nature doesn’t work on schedule – but you’ll be checking the sky each evening hoping for that green glow to appear.
Activity Overview
Saunas, a Finnish ritual deeply rooted in the culture. Each evening, you’ll have the chance to feel the warmth of the wood-fired sauna and soothe your muscles after a day of winter activities.
And for those feeling brave, you can take the plunge in a nearby frozen lake. This invigorating combination of heat and ice is the ultimate way to recharge, leaving you refreshed and ready for the next day’s adventures.
Must visit places in Finland
To go naked or not? With over 3 million available across the country, from saunas in Ferris wheels to traditional wooden boxes, going to a Finnish sauna really is a must-do.
Finland is home to some of the world’s most incredible natural beauty. Striking arctic light and colour combinations that you just can’t capture on your phone.
Tick off bucket list experiences across Finland, with the largest archipelago in the world, the other-worldly attributes of the Arctic Circle and every km of the unexpectedly beautiful destination.
For an extra special, and chilly, experience, snuggle down in a fleecy sleeping bag in an ice hotel. Or, check out the Northern Lights from the comfort of your (warm) bed in a glass igloo.
Visit over 40 Finnish national parks with “Everyman’s rights”, or “Jokamiehenoikeudet” — you can venture pretty much anywhere (hiking, climbing, kayaking, you name it) as long as you respect your environment.
Your Lapland winter break starts here. Explore via snowshoe, ski or sleigh, meet the locals (reindeer), take the dogs out (via husky sledge) and warm up by the fire at a traditional lodge.
We've got you covered
It completely depends on what you’re after. Winter (December to March) is the classic season, that’s when you’ll get snow-covered forests, the Northern Lights, husky sledding and snowshoeing through proper Arctic wilderness. Spring (April to May) brings softer light and melting landscapes as the country wakes up. Summer, particularly in northern Lapland, brings the Midnight Sun – 70+ days of near-constant daylight, ideal for hiking, paddleboarding and exploring the vast national parks. Autumn (ruska season, around September), although short, is something else entirely: the forests turn amber and red, and the temperatures are still good for getting outdoors. Honestly, Finland has a strong case for every season.
In winter expect it to be really cold, with temperatures in Lapland regularly dropping to -15°C to -25°C, which brings deep snow. Layers, good thermal kit and waterproof jackets and trousers are non-negotiable. Summer in the south is pleasantly warm (around 20–25°C), while northern Lapland stays cooler even in July.
The key with Finland is to dress for it properly. Once you’re kitted out, the cold stops being a barrier and starts being part of the experience.
For winter trips, this is where packing really matters. Proper thermal base layers, a mid-layer fleece, and a warm windproof and waterproof outer shell are the foundation. Wool socks, waterproof boots rated for extreme cold, and a warm hat that covers your ears are also non-negotiable. For summer trips, pack light layers and be prepared for anything from warm sunny days to cool evenings.
Finnish Lapland is the obvious draw. It’s an enormous wilderness of forests, frozen lakes and fells that most people only ever see in pictures. Rovaniemi is the gateway city and well worth a night or two. It’s also known for its food scene as much as its Arctic location.
Finnish Lakeland in the centre of the season is a different kind of beautiful – thousands of lakes scattered across the landscape making it ideal for paddling and getting out on the water in summer.
Helsinki offers a completely different experience and is where to go for city architecture, coastal trails and some of Europe’s best public saunas all within easy reach.
No, and anyone who tells you otherwise isn’t being honest with you. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and depend on solar activity, clear skies and dark conditions. Finland gives you excellent odds though: Lapland sees around 200 nights per year with aurora activity, however it’s always worth managing expectations. Being away from light pollution in the wilderness also significantly improves your chances compared to watching from a hotel car park.
Ice swimming or cold water dipping after a sauna is a deeply ingrained Finnish tradition, and you’ll almost certainly have the opportunity to try it on a winter trip. The routine is simple: get very hot in a wood-fired sauna, then jump into a frozen lake or hole cut in the ice. It sounds extreme, but most people find the adrenaline rush really addictive. That said, nobody is making you do anything. It’s always optional, and watching others leap into a frozen lake while you stay warm in the sauna is a perfectly valid choice.
Visit Finland Today
Getting out in nature and that smug feeling of accomplishment from tackling a challenge. It’s no wonder Finland is consistently voted the happiest country in the world — they’ve clearly got something right over there. Isn’t it time you joined them?
