Pyhä expands freeride terrain with Finland’s longest forest run

Pyhä is well known for its freeride areas. Now Pyhä is opening new freeride zones designed also for newcomers and families.

Pyhä is building Finland’s most extensive freeride hub. By 2030, the plan is to open five dedicated freeride areas on the mountain.

Freeride has already been a key theme at Pyhä for several seasons. The next step is to make these areas more versatile and accessible. The resort wants to attract not only experienced freeriders but also first-timers and even whole families beyond the marked slopes.

Two new freeride zones for winter 2025–2026

Pyhä will eventually feature five freeride zones. Two of them, Honka and Huttu, will open already during the current 2025–2026 season as soon as there is sufficient natural snow.

Honka lies between the northern slopes and the Pyhä–Luosto National Park. It is designed especially for those trying freeriding for the first time and therefore suits family adventures perfectly.

Most of Honka consists of forest terrain, and the longest run can reach up to two kilometres. The route features a traditional laavu (lean-to shelter) for breaks along the way.

The area is named after Pyhä’s long-time employee and freerider, Matti Honkanen.

Huttu, on the other hand, is aimed at experienced riders, with a maximum gradient of about 40 degrees. It is located between the southern edge of the National Park and the well-known “Palander” (slope number 3). The natural snow run of Huttu-Ukko sits in the middle of the zone. Huttu features a vertical drop of 150 metres and runs of around 400 metres.

Designed with Antti Autti

Antti Autti – world champion snowboarder and well-known freerider – is a familiar face in Pyhä’s backcountry and leads the development of these new freeride areas.

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“We aim to offer easily accessible, high-quality and safe freeriding while respecting nature and the ethics of the sport,” Antti told Ski.fi earlier about the Pyhä Freeride project.

Pyhä’s ongoing five-year Freeride programme aims to expand both freeride terrain and related services. The goal is to bring the nature experiences of the Pyhä–Luosto National Park even closer to visiting skiers.

A unique aspect is that all new freeride areas are accessible by lift.

“We want to make freeriding easier even for advanced riders. You can reach the terrain by lift, and at Honka there is a dedicated exit route that leads you back to the lifts,” Autti explains.

Finland’s longest forest run

Even in these new zones, riders should never venture beyond the marked slopes without proper consideration and preparation. Knowing the conditions and your own ability remains essential.

For safety reasons, freeriding should never be done alone. A partner is not only there to share the experience but also for safety if something unexpected happens.

In the new freeride zones, Pyhä has removed major hazards such as stumps, rocks and dense bushes. There are also clear markers to help you stay on the intended route.

Children traditionally love riding in the forest, and during the 2025–2026 season, Pyhä will offer Finland’s longest forest run.

“At Honka, you can leave the chairlift and take a two-kilometre nature adventure and arrive back at the lift at the bottom. There’s a lean-to shelter for breaks along the way. It’s an easy and safe way to start freeriding,” Antti says.