Pyhä Prepares for a Major Change

Pyhä has always been a skier’s fell. The nearby national park brings a unique atmosphere to the ski resort.

Pyhä – also known historically as Pyhätunturi – is one of Finland’s classic ski resorts with a long tradition in ski tourism. The resort is now entering a new era: a modern covered high-speed chairlift on the Northern Slopes, expanded lodging and family-friendly improvements are reshaping the mountain.

Pyhä has long been beloved for its authentic fell atmosphere. Now, the new PohjoisExpress chairlift – named after the Northern Slopes (Pohjoisrinteet in Finnish) – will shorten rides to the summit and make this side of the mountain more accessible in all weather. At the same time, hotel expansion and slope upgrades ensure Pyhä continues to combine tradition with modern comfort.

PohjoisExpress – a new covered high-speed chairlift

The centrepiece is the PohjoisExpress (NorthernExpress): a covered, four-person high-speed chairlift that will carry guests to the summit in roughly half the previous time. The new lift is designed to work in all conditions and will make the Northern Slopes attractive in weather that previously kept guests away. The result: more even distribution of skiers across the mountain and easier, more comfortable summit access for everyone.

Northern Slopes open in a new way

The new chairlift brings visitors to the Northern Slopes “in all weather”, and the longer, mellow runs are ideal for relaxed cruising and accessible off-piste lines at the slope edges. With the PohjoisExpress in service, the Northern side is expected to develop more lodging and services near the lifts.

Family and park improvements

Smaller but visible upgrades include a redesigned family slope now called Pikku-Ukko (run number 11). The run has been widened and the jump lines prepared, making it a constructive addition next to the popular park. New gate art by local artist Tapio Uusitalo has also been added to lift entrances, and three new ticket machines speed up lift-pass purchases at key locations.

More accommodation – Pyhä grows up a little

Pyhä is building new rooms and holiday apartments near the hotel. A planned hotel expansion replaces the old hotel parking area with two timber-framed buildings that include hotel rooms, rental apartments and resort services; a later phase will add an extra wooden floor over the old hotel structure. These additions strengthen Pyhä’s all-season potential without overwhelming the centre’s character.

Evenings extended – more night skiing to enjoy

Pyhä is increasing night-skiing opportunities: evening runs are open from the first Friday in December through the end of the school-holiday period, with slopes now lit until 21:00. That gives both locals and visitors more hours to enjoy the mountain after daylight.

Stronger freeride culture – safety first

Pyhä retains a strong tradition of freeride skiing. The new lift line makes nearby accessible forest off-piste runs easier to reach, and the resort is serious about safety: Pyhä’s ski patrol operates off-piste as well as on marked runs. The resort has also established a dedicated Pyhä Avalanche Safety Centre that runs avalanche-safety training and produces local avalanche forecasts for the fell area.

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Practical changes during construction

Construction is visible: the hotel expansion replaces some hotel-level parking (reserved for guests), so parking has been increased elsewhere on the fell (for example near the Northern Slopes and family runs). Some temporary disruption is to be expected during building works, but the new parking options and access patterns aim to keep the mountain usable for day visitors.

Quick facts

• Main change: PohjoisExpress – a covered 4-seat high-speed chairlift to the Northern Slopes.
• Accommodation: multi-phase hotel expansion with new timber buildings and later an added floor to the old hotel.
• Family/park: Pikku-Ukko widened; park jump lines prepared; new gate art; three new ticket machines.
• Night skiing: extended evening hours (open from the first Friday of December to the end of school holidays; lit until 21:00).
• Safety: active ski patrol off-piste; Pyhä’s Lumiturvallisuuskeskus handles avalanche training and forecasts.
• Character: Pyhä aims to grow without losing its intimate “Pyhä spirit”; summer tourism and new lodging support year-round activity.