
Ounasvaara – And How to Make The Most of It
It’s neither the biggest nor the highest hill in Lapland but it is definitely the most beloved one amongst Rovaniemi locals. Nothing beats a free day spent in Ounasvaara. For indie travellers, the place has a great network of trails for running, cross-country skiing, and mountain biking, basically any activity powered by feet. You will find a long list of fun doings provided by local companies below.
Santasport's Service Palette
Located on the hillside of Ounasvaara, the local sport centre Santasport, is the place to start your day. For cloudy days, take your family swimming in the pool area. If water play is not your cup of tea, there’s a 12-lane bowling alley you can go to and enjoy a relaxing day with your friends and family.
Santasport also counts with a wide array of rental services for outdoor activities; for example, you can rent a fat bike or an e-fat bike, try cross-country skiing, or go snowshoeing.
Located in the main building, Sporthotel grants easy access to all activities.
Mountain Biking With Local Bikers
Roll Outdoors treats you with guided mountain-biking tours in Rovaniemi’s trails. Equipped with high quality bikes that have wide tires for all-terrain riding, Roll Outdoors offers year-round tours through the forest, the city, and riverside.
Huima Adventure Park
“Huima” is a Finnish word for reckless and wild, and that’s exactly the type of fun this adventure park next to Santasport provides. In Huima Adventure Park, you can move between living trees using ropes, beams, bridges, and nets that are spanned from tree to tree.
*Kids under 15 require parental supervision/authorisation.
Ounasvaara Ski Resort
On the northside of Ounasvaara’s hill you’ll find Ounasvaara Ski Resort, where all the wintry sports are available: downhill skiing, snowboarding, and skiing. Both beginners and skilled adventurers will find a base.
Arctic Golf
Golf is not only for green fields. In Santa Claus Golf, you can play golf either on a white or green terrain, depending on the time of the year you’re here. When golfing during winter, you can play 9 holes on the same routes as in the summer golf field.
Winter / Summer Trail to a Observation Tower
For a little fresh air, try the starting point of the Ounasvaara Winter Trail. Access to the trail is a 15-minute walk from downtown, and it directly leads you to a little open area where you’ll find a sightseeing tower, and a cosy lean-to to enjoy a snack. There, in the middle of nature, it’s hard to believe how close the city is – climb to the top of the tower to see the surreal.
Accommodate in Ounasvaara
Sky Hotel
Located at the top of Ounasvaara, Sky Hotel gives you direct access to the highest and most spacious spot to certify the wonders of the midnight sun.
Lakituvat Chalets
Modern cabins, with a fully equipped kitchen, fire place, and sauna, the chalet is an ideal place for families. The cabins have 2 bedrooms and a loft with 2 beds.
Lapland Hotel Chalets Ounasvaara
Located on the north side of the fjell, by the river Kemijoki, Ounasvaara Chalets offers 73 rooms furnished with saunas, as well as conference sites.
Pssst....Skateboard - And Let the Reindeers Be Your Audience!
A group of reindeers is called a “tokka”. In summertime, fleeing the summer-forest laden with mosquitoes, one particular tokka likes to hang around Ounasvaara hillside, near the skate park behind Lappi-Arena.