Scan Magazine

By Nia Kajastie

When travelling to Finland, a holidaymaker is often looking for an authentic experience in the Nordic wilderness with a backdrop of unblemished nature. One such distinctive destination is Syöte, Finland’s southernmost fell region, which offers access to two ski centres, Syöte National Park, and an abundance of other activities that will bring you closer to nature.

In Syöte, you can enjoy the wild scenery without having to stray far from urban areas. The fell area offers an array of nature activities all year round, and during winter these include downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowmobile rides, husky sleigh rides, reindeer safaris, sauna bathing and “ice hole swimming”. The region’s unique southerly location also provides it with milder temperatures and a shorter period of winter darkness, which might come as a relief to foreign travellers.

Adventures at night

While enjoying any of the main attractions offered in the Syöte area, visitors are always surrounded by the peaceful air of the wilderness and the clear, white snow that covers everything, even the trees on the fell tops. Some of the activities can also be done by night, giving visitors the possibility of a more thrilling and intimate adventure in the wild. Paula Paukkeri, a sales manager from Syöte’s central booking agency, says:  “Our advantage in the Finnish market is our proximity to nature-centric services. Syöte is a small and cosy destination. Given its size, Syöte is easier to manage, and we can offer a more tailor-made and individual holiday experience to our visitors.”

Challenges for all levels

Juha Kuukasjärvi, a representative of Hotel Iso-Syöte, also wants to emphasise the importance of the ski centres as a part of Syöte’s services. In Syöte, there are two separate fell areas called Iso-Syöte and Pikku-Syöte, which lie about 4 km apart. The former is designed to cater for a more advanced skier, while the latter concentrates on snowboarding and offers skiing for beginners, teenagers and families with children. There is also an opportunity for accommodation in the actual fell area, where you can access the slopes straight from your hotel’s front step.

For more details visit: www.syote.fi