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Sport & Activities
Winter sports: One of Finland’s most popular sports is cross-country skiing, with marked and often illuminated tracks all over the country. There are also some 120 downhill skiing resorts, offering instruction, equipment hire and extensive après-ski facilities. For details, see the Resorts & Excursions section. Many resorts have halfpipes and ‘snowboard streets’ for snowboarding enthusiasts. Off-piste skiing (for experienced skiers only) is available through private companies. The skiing season is from January to February (southern Finland) and December to March/April (central and northern Finland). The lakes and the ground freeze between November and May and the coastal waters freeze in December. Northernmost Finland is above the Arctic Circle and enjoys a spell of polar night (kaamos) when the sun does not rise; many skiing slopes are artificially lit during this time. Around mid-summer, several weeks of perpetual daylight or midnight sun can be enjoyed, allowing skiers to ski at night without artificial light. Dog- or reindeer-sledge safaris, snowmobile tours and icebreaker cruises often involve overnight stays in log cabins or Lap tents (kota), located in the Arctic wilderness. Although remote, kotas are warm and comfortable.
Outdoor pursuits: Around 65 per cent of Finland’s surface area is forested. The north has coniferous forests, streams and open country; central Finland is characterised by its many lakes; the east has forests and deep gullies; and the south, though more densely populated, still offers forests and attractive coastal trails for hiking. The midnight sun period in Lapland is particularly popular. In early autumn, Lapland’s trees and vegetation take on the beautiful hues and colours of the ruska season. Finland has 31 national parks, the largest of which, such as Lemmenjoki and Pallas-Ounastunturi, are in the north. There are also seven national hiking areas, specifically designed for outdoor recreation. These offer a network of trails and extensive recreational facilities (including accommodation ranging from campsites to log cabins). Cliff abseiling, bear trails, bird- and reindeer-watching (notably in Salla Reindeer Park) and pony treks are also possible. Finland hosts several international orienteering competitions every year, and races are open to all.
Sailing: Visitors arriving in Finland under their own sail traditionally proceed past the west coast of the Åland Islands (see also Resorts & Excursions section) to either Hank, Helsinki or Kotka. Hidden rocks make the Finnish archipelago quite treacherous and only experienced sailors with up-to-date charts should navigate them. Foreign pleasure craft entering Finnish waters are subject to Finnish immigration laws. The Finnish Maritime Administration publishes a number of useful guides and brochures. For further information and charts, contact the Finnish Maritime Administration, Porkalkatu 5, PO Box 171, 00181 Helsinki (tel: (9) 204 481; fax: (9) 2044 84550; website: www.fma.fi). For information on sailing courses, contact the Finnish Yachting Association, Radiokatu 20, Slu (tel: (9) 348 121; fax: (9) 3481 2369; e-mail: kaakko.korkeili@sailing.slu.fi).
Lake cruises: Many lakes in the eastern Saimaa Lake District are large enough for bigger vessels. Cruises ranging from a few hours to a few days are available from June to August. The Saimaa Canal, the waterway leading from the Gulf of Finland through Russian territory to the Saimaa lake region, is also open to foreign visitors (but subject to special safety and travel regulations). For details, contact the Board of Management of the Saimaa Canal, Itäinen, Kanavatie 2, 53420 Lappeenranta, Finland (tel: 5458 5170; fax: 204 483 110; e-mail: saimaankanavan.hoitokunta@fma.fi).
Canoeing: Good areas for canoeing include Saimaa, Lake Oulujärvi and Lake Inari. Owing to strong currents, guides are recommended for trips to remote areas. City tourist offices can supply ready-planned canoeing routes. All canoeists should use charts of the coastal regions and inland waterways. Further information can be obtained from the Finnish Canoe Federation, Olympiastadion, Eteläkaarre, 00250 Helsinki (tel: (9) 494 965; fax: (9) 499 070; e-mail: toimisto@kaanoottiliitto.fi; website: www.kanoottiliitto.fi).
Fishing: The low salt content of the sea around Finland means that those fishing in the coastal regions can catch both sea and freshwater fish. Overall, the Gulf of Finland is excellent for salmon, trout, pike and perch. The lakes and inland waterways are particularly good for trout, perch, bream and roach. For river fishing, the Tornio and Teno salmon rivers in the Gulf of Bothnia are best. Visitors over 18 years are required to purchase a general fishing licence for all areas (except the Åland Islands); they are valid for one year and can be obtained from postal bank offices and from post offices. In addition, permission from owners of fishing waters must be obtained. Fishing permits, information and maps are available from the Finnish Forest and Park Service and Information Point (Tikankontti), Eteläesplanadi 20, 00130 Helsinki (tel: 205 644 650; fax: 205 644 655; e-mail: tikankontti@metsa.fi; website: www.metsa.fi).
Cycling: Finland has few mountains and little traffic. Some cycling routes follow old country roads and, in the cities, there are special cycling lanes. Bicycles can be taken to the start of a route by public transport. Along the cycling routes, campsites, hostels and other forms of accommodation are available. Mountain biking is popular in the lake districts, where bicycles can be hired from campsites, hotels, hostels and tourist information offices. A useful cyclists’ road map (with details of bike centres and connections to ferries and boats) is available.
Golf: Finland has 89 courses. The season runs from May to October, although in some areas (such as Rovaniemi) it is possible to play snow golf in winter. The best 18-hole courses are in the Helsinki region. Visitors should bring a membership card from their own golf club.
Horseriding: There are 150 riding schools in Finland, most of them located outside the towns and cities. Harness racing is very popular, with competitions held throughout the year; the main track at Vermo, just outside Helsinki, hosts 65 races a year (the main ones being the Finlandia Race in April and the Great Finnish Derby in September).
Special interest: The sauna is perhaps one of the best-known Finnish traditions, and the country has an estimated 1.6 million of them – nearly one for every three inhabitants. Most hotels, holiday villages, campsites and even log cabins come equipped with a sauna, usually built close to the water. During winter, when the water freezes, it is not uncommon to cut a hole (avanto) into the ice through which seasoned sauna fans may take a dip. Sauna tours, notably to the sauna village of Muurame, are possible. Health-conscious travellers can also go on a spa tour, taking in some of Finland’s spas at, for instance, Naantali or Haikko. Architecture tours put particular emphasis on buildings and designs by the internationally acclaimed Alvar Aalto, one of Finland’s most famous architects. Design tours, focusing particularly on glassware, jewellery and household items as well as fireplaces and log houses, often include a visit to Helsinki’s Iittala Glass Museum or Glassworks.
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