The four seasons of Skiing in Finland

Unbelievable but true – those crazy Finns even want winter in the middle of summer!

Skiing in Finland is a year-round adventure. You can hit the slopes in October, ski under the northern lights in winter, enjoy sunny spring turns in May, and even find snow parks in summer. Few places in the world offer such a long and varied ski season.

Whether you love alpine skiing, snowboarding, or cross-country skiing, each season offers a different kind of magic.

Winter – The Heart of the Season

From December to March, Finland turns into a true winter paradise. Ski resorts are blanketed in snow. During the Polar Night, you can ski under a blue twilight or illuminated slopes, and enjoy peaceful trails stretching through frozen forests.

Christmas and New Year’s holidays bring extra sparkle, while January’s deep winter conditions attract freeriders and backcountry explorers.

Spring – Sunshine, Festivals, and Slushy Turns

When daylight grows longer in March and April, skiing becomes pure joy. Temperatures rise, layers lighten, and terraces fill with smiling skiers. The highlight of the spring season is May Day (Vappu), when Finnish ski resorts celebrate with colorful costumes, music, and laughter.

In Lapland, slopes often stay open until May or even early June, offering some of Europe’s longest ski seasons.

Summer – Snow Storage and Midnight Sun Skiing

Even in summer, Finnish skiers don’t put their gear away. Several resorts, including Laajis in Jyväskylä and Levi in Lapland, have built small snow parks from stored snow for summer sessions – just for fun.

Farther north, Saariselkä has even opened its lifts in June to celebrate the Midnight Sun, letting skiers make turns under the never-setting sun.

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Cross-country skiers can continue training indoors at Vuokatti’s ski tunnel, which stays open year-round with perfectly maintained snow tracks.

Autumn – The First Turns of a New Season

As the autumn colors (ruska) paint the fells gold and red, Finnish skiers start counting the days to winter. Thanks to snow-storage technology, resorts like Ruka and Levi are often the first in Europe to open their slopes – sometimes as early as October.

The crisp air, early-season excitement, and vibrant fall colors make autumn skiing in Finland a uniquely beautiful experience.

A Year-Round Skiing Culture

In Finland, skiing isn’t just a winter hobby – it’s a way of life. The changing seasons shape how Finns live, move, and enjoy nature. From the Polar Night to the Midnight Sun, each part of the year brings its own rhythm to the slopes.

Tip: Discover more about skiing in Finland and find your next resort at Ski.fi or explore Finnish weather climate at VisitFinland.com.