Grani: Helsinki’s Local Hill with a Big Alpine Legacy

Just minutes from Helsinki, Granibacken – ”Grani” to locals – is Finland’s oldest alpine slope. Steep and full of tradition, this small city hill now combines historic racing roots with modern updates like stored snow and a redesigned children’s area.

Granibacken isn’t just bathing in nostalgia – it’s moving forward. New for the 2024–2025 season: stored snow and a redesigned kids’ area.

Granibacken may be small, but it plays a big role in Finnish skiing. Located in Kauniainen, a tiny city surrounded by Espoo and right next to Helsinki, the slope has been shaping skiers since 1934. Generations of locals have taken their first turns here, and the hill has even produced national team athletes such as World Cup racer Marcus Sandell.

GrIFK offers a clear path for young Werneri skiers to progress. Many have continued all the way to the national team — or built inspiring careers as ski instructors.

Early start with stored snow

The biggest change for winter 2024–2025 was the introduction of snow storage. By saving snow from the previous season, Grani was able to guarantee an early start in December despite an unusually warm autumn. For a city slope in southern Finland, this is a game-changer: families, ski schools and racers can count on reliable conditions from the very beginning of the season.

In summer 2024, Granibacken was topped with an impressive mound of stored snow.

A safer, wider children’s slope

Another major update is the redesigned children’s slope. Now calmer, safer and wider, the area offers a welcoming environment for ski school groups and young beginners starting their downhill journey. Just above it, a sledding hill invites kids to enjoy a different kind of sliding fun.

The children’s area renewal is part of a three-phase project. The first stage is complete, but more upgrades are on the way: a second beginner slope, a new dedicated sledding and tubing hill, a bridge linking the main slope and the kids’ area, and eventually a conveyor lift.

Granibacken is famous for its ski school – one of Finland’s largest Werneri ski schools for children.

Werneri: the world’s most inspiring ski school

Despite its size, Granibacken runs one of Finland’s largest Werneri programs — the world’s most inspiring ski school concept developed by the Finnish Ski Area Association. Each winter, around 800 children learn their first turns here, making Grani one of the country’s busiest hubs for beginner instruction.

A true training ground with alpine heritage

Grani’s main slope is steep and technical, making it a favorite training ground for ambitious skiers. This tiny city hill has built a strong alpine tradition, producing athletes who’ve reached Finland’s national team. For international visitors, it’s a rare chance to ski a slope with both urban convenience and authentic racing roots.

One of Granibacken’s strengths is its great location in the Helsinki metropolitan area. You can easily reach the slopes by public transport.

Easy skiing near the capital

Kauniainen – or Grankulla in Swedish, reflecting the city’s bilingual heritage — sits right inside the Helsinki metropolitan area. That makes Grani the ultimate urban slope: accessible in minutes, yet offering a real alpine experience.

Whether you’re in Helsinki for business, a weekend or a longer holiday, Grani offers a unique way to experience Finnish winter without the need for long travel north.