Things to do in Ivalo

No. 8 of Ski Resorts in Finland

Saariselka Ski & Sport Resort

Saariselka Ski & Sport Resort is a natural ski resort with an excellent environment. Its ski runs are vast and wide, featuring a significant vertical drop and plenty of winding sections. Plus, the snow is deep, making for a truly enjoyable experience.

Wild Spirit Park

2026 Europe 50 - Family-friendly Attractions

Santa Claus Village

Santa Claus Village is located 8 km north of Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle. Every year, a steady stream of visitors flocks from all over the world to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus. Santa Claus Village is a group of wooden buildings, including a pointed main gate, restaurants, flower gardens, Santa's office, residence, post office, gift shops, and a reindeer park. The tents and antlers used by the Laplanders for their stay are also quite interesting souvenirs. Here you can also get a certificate for crossing the Arctic Circle. The Santa Claus post office offers various fairy-tale stamps, greeting cards and gifts. All letters sent from here will bear a special postmark from the Arctic Santa Claus post office. Here you can also book a letter signed by Santa Claus at the post office, which will be sent to your friends and family during Christmas, bringing them a delightful surprise. By the woods stands a reindeer park enclosed with wooden fences, home to many beautiful reindeer. In summer, they lounge lazily on the grass to rest; come winter, especially during Christmas, they work hard for Santa and travelers, pulling sleighs across the snow at full speed. This lets travelers enjoy the thrill of snowflakes brushing their faces and experience the joy and warmth of Christmas, turning scenes from holiday cards into reality.

Saariselka

Located approx. 250 km north of the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland, Saariselka is a tourist destination characterized by its fell landscapes and serves as the main gateway to Urho Kekkonen National Park. The rolling terrain offers hiking and mountain biking trails in summer, and becomes a popular spot for cross-country and downhill skiing once covered in snow in winter. The Saariselka region is known for its vast Arctic wilderness and pristine starry skies, where long polar nights in winter intertwine with the northern lights, and summer features several weeks of white nights, making it one of the iconic destinations for experiencing the natural environment of Finland's far north.

Karhunpesäkivi

Ilonka Farm & Cafe

Ivalo Beach

No. 1 of Activities in Finland

Skiing in Rovaniemi

Skiing in Rovaniemi is a winter adventure that dances with the Arctic scenery. This city located within the Arctic Circle has a stable snow season of up to five months, from October to March of the following year. The polar climate of Finnish Lapland creates unique conditions for skiing. The ski resorts around Rovaniemi combine natural and cultural features. The diverse terrain design covers beginner, intermediate and advanced ski slopes, with both gentle slopes suitable for family entertainment and steep ski slopes that challenge technology. Some ski resorts are close to the primeval forest, and you can watch the traces of wild animals such as Arctic foxes and reindeer at close range while skiing. The professional coaching team provides multilingual teaching, so that tourists of different ages can experience the fun of skiing safely. Rovaniemi's ski season overlaps with the polar night phenomenon. In some months, you can "ski under the northern lights" in the twilight. This experience that combines natural wonders with sports is unique. As it is located at the transportation hub of Northern Europe, tourists can also easily connect skiing trips in Finland, Norway and other places to plan a ski trip around the Arctic.

Inari Municipal Library

Ivalon frisbeegolfrata