Winter season 2021-2022

Winter wonderland awaits you!

North Karelia’s numerous winter activities make it possible to have an eventful vacation. Play in the snow, go skiing or snowshoeing, experience winter fishing or just let your mind and soul relax by watching the beautiful sceneries. Here are some tips to help you plan your winter trip in North Karelia.

Experience Koli on snow

Koli, the oldest bedrock of Europe, is at its best in snow cover during the winter holidays. National Park and its environment offer a lot to see and do to travelers. Koli offers for example snowshoeing, husky safaris, relaxing spa and downhill skiing. During the winter holidays there are also many skiing events.

Winter holiday in Koli

Äksyt Ämmät travel agency

An eco-friendly travel agency Äksyt Ämmät guides you to the best cross-country skiing trails, husky safaris and other unforgettable adventures. With a guide, you will get more out of your vacation and enjoy your adventures with ease.

Find your adventure

Ski tracks

Besides many other winter activities, in North Karelia there are several, well maintained cross-country ski tracks for every skill level.

For example Ilomantsi, the easternmost municipality in Finland and one of the snowiest places in the whole country has well maintained ski tracks for every taste. In Joensuu you can jump on skis almost straight from the town center and Koli area offers an endless amount of snowy kilometers for skiing enthusiasts.

Huskysafaris in Lieksa

In Eräkeskus, Wilderness Lodge und Huskyfarm you can have tailor-made programs from one day trip up to one week packages.

Kennel visit and Swiss lunch

Day trips with dogs

Eräkeskus Exlusive – One week package

Snowshoe hiking

Explore the wilderness of Karelia and Finnish winter on snowshoe hiking trip. Guided tours are available in English, Swedish, German and Finnish.

Book snowshoe trip online

Kicksledding on lake ice

This three hour guided tour introduces you the secrets of kicksledding on ice and snow. During the safari you can enjoy the beautiful Karelian wilderness.

Book kicksled safari

Mindfulness in Finnish nature

Dreams and Lullabies -retreat 26.-27.3.2022 in Koli National Park

During the two days of the retreat many lullabies will be learned and sung. Also, the mythical background and meaning of the lyrics will be part of the program. The retreat will be arranged in Kolinkeidas guesthouse, which is right next to the Koli Hills.

More information and registration

Find more winter activities

Bomba Action

Guided tours and excursions | Nurmes

Bomba Action has a wide range of activities around the whole year in the area of Nurmes. They offer e.g., jet ski safaris, fishing trips, atv safaris, canoeing and hiking. In wintertime, you can try for instance snowshoeing and husky safaris. All safaris are always made by the customer requests.

Bomba Spa

Relax and spa | Nurmes

Bomba Spa is located in Break Sokos Hotel Bomba, in Nurmes. You can enjoy in the hot and cool water pools, try Finnish, and steam saunas and relax in massaging showers and streams. You can also take a look over the Lake Pielinen and starry sky in warm outdoor jacuzzi.

Erä-Eero

Wildlife photography and viewing | Lieksa

Erä-Eero in Lieksa provides wildlife photographing and watching all year around. You can observe wildlife safely in log cabin, which includes heaters and sleeping facilities. Especially wolverines, bears, wolves, and various birds can be spotted in the area.

Feel Koli

Guided tours and excursions | Koli

With Feel Koli you have possibility to explore Koli Hills and Koli National Park more closely. Local guide will tell stories about the history, nature, and secrets of Koli and you can enjoy the pureness of nature without rush. They organize year-around individual private tours on request starting from two persons.

joensuu-polar-bears-winter-swimming-center

Joensuun Jääkarhut

Ice swimming | Joensuu

Here you have an opportunity to try typical Finnish winter activity – ice swimming! Joensuun Jääkarhut is located three kilometers from Joensuu city center. If you don’t want to swim, you can also just enjoy the stay in warm sauna and feel the calm atmosphere around you.

Jongunjoki Travel

Guided tours and excursions | LIEKSA

Jongunjoki Travel offers accommodation, outdoor activities, and relaxation in the middle of nature. The range of activities is wide, and you can try e.g., mountain biking, canoeing, hiking with snowshoes and cross-country skiing. You also have possibility for wildlife watching in safety surroundings. In wintertime, if you are lucky, you might spot the Northern lights here!

Koli Active

Guided tours and excursions | Koli

Koli Active offers outdoor services and activities in Koli National Park around the year. In wintertime you can try e.g., ice swimming, ice fishing, snowshoes tours and snowmobile tours. In summer season there are guided hiking, fishing, and paddling tours. There are also available cave adventures around the year.

Koli Downhill Skiing Center

Skiing and downhill skiing | Koli

Koli Downhill Skiing center locates right next to Break Sokos Hotel Koli and has amazing views over the Lake Pielinen. In total there are six ski slopes with different skill levels and four lifts to take you back up. Restaurant services are available both in lower and upper stations.

Koli Relax Spa

Relax and spa | Koli

This unique Koli Relax Spa is located in Break Sokos Hotel Koli. From Spa you have beautiful views over the Lake Pielinen and Koli National Park. Enjoy your stay in various hot and cool pools and saunas. In outdoor pool you have possibility to view starry night and beautiful landscape.

Kontiolahti Outdoor

Guided tours and excursions | Kontiolahti

Kontiolahti Outdoor operates in the area of famous Kontiolahti Biathlon Stadium and provides wide range of outdoor activities in beautiful surroundings. You can for instance familiarize yourself with biathlon, skiing, and biking. They also rent equipment for different activities.

The Eräkeskus Wilderness Lodge & Huskyfarm

Guided tours and excursions | Lieksa

The Eräkeskus Wilderness Lodge & Huskyfarm is located in Nurmijärvi, Lieksa in the middle of wilderness. The Eräkeskus offers various activities like hiking, kayaking, and biking. Their specialty is husky safaris in wintertime. In husky farm live over 100 huskies. Service is available in English and Germany.

Wild Nordic Bomba

Guided tours and excursions | Bomba

Wild Nordic Bomba provides various nature activities around the year in the area of Break Sokos Hotel Bomba, Nurmes. They rent equipment and have for instance guided fishing and hiking trips for the whole family and groups.

Wild Woods Husky

Dog sledding | Juuka

Wild Woods Husky is located about 40 km from Koli National Park to North in Juuka and provides sled tours in beautiful sceneries. Tours also include meal by open fire and petting and taking care of the dogs after the ride. Tailored experiences are available by request.

Äksyt Ämmät

Guided tours and excursions | Several locations

Äksyt Ämmät is a responsible travel agency and program service provider in Nurmes. They provide nature and culture holiday with a local twist and co-operates with other local companies offering their online shop for others as well. All their products and services are available in online shop.

Paimentupa

Horse riding | Koli

Paimentupa is located right next to Koli National Park. It provides riding on Icelandic horses in beautiful sceneries of Koli. Paimentupa also offers accommodation in cottages and apartments and has some meal services available.

Sisu Fishing

Fishing | Kontiolahti

Sisu Fishing in Kontiolahti offers various guided fishing tours, island trips and fishing courses around the year. Outdoor dining with local ingredients is also possible to arrange together with fishing trips. Services are suitable for all ages and skill levels.

Karu Survival

Guided tours and excursions | Kontiolahti

With Karu Survival you can experience Finnish nature and four seasons safely with professional local guides. They are teaching survival skills in wilderness and also providing guided tours in hiking, canoeing, skiing, and fishing. They also rent outdoor equipment.

Outdoor Center Ruunaa

Outdoor Center | Lieksa

Outdoor Center Ruunaa provides tours for white-water rafting, canoeing, and fishing. Also, there are available fatbikes, over 50 km of hiking trails. In wintertime you can rent snowmobile, snowshoes or go to cross-country skiing. Outdoor Center has also accommodation and a restaurant.

Lakeland Karelia

Guided tours and excursions | Kitee

Lakeland Karelia in Kitee offers different kinds of activities around the year. They have e.g., kayaking tours, cruises on Lake Puruvesi, snowshoeing and hiking trips. They also have a Finnish smoke sauna available by the lake Puruvesi.

Skiing Center Pääskyvuori

Skiing and downhill skiing | Heinävesi

Pääskyvuori is a Skiing center in Heinävesi. There are four slopes and a Snowpark, which are suitable both for beginners and kids and also for professionals. In the area of Pääskyvuori are also good opportunities for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.

Ruunaan Matkailu

Guided tours and excursions | Lieksa

Ruunaan Matkailu in Lieksa welcomes you to Ruunaa rapids in summertime. In the Ruunaa area you have also great opportunities for hiking and fishing. Ruunaan Matkailu rents various equipment for activities, e.g., canoeing, fatbiking, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. They also provide accommodation in cottages in Holiday Village.