Skaters on a frozen lake in Finland at low sun
Punkaharju, Finland

Skating in Punkaharju, Finland

Lake Saimaa in Punkaharju national park, your own cabin with sauna, and your own pace from there.

Trip typeIndependent
GuidanceNone
AccommodationCabin with sauna
From€199 pp per day
FlightNot included
Frozen lake surrounded by pine forest in Finland
Skating track on Lake Saimaa near Punkaharju
Low sun over the frozen lake
Lake Saimaa, Punkaharju
Where you skate

Finland's largest lake district, and you decide for yourself when to get on the ice.

Punkaharju lies in the middle of Lake Saimaa, the vast lake district in south-eastern Finland. Forest, islands and ice as far as you can see.

This trip is different from Orsa and Falun: there's no guide along. You get the accommodation and the location, and you plan your own days from there. No fixed departure date, no group to join.

That does ask something of you: you need to be able to judge for yourself whether the ice is safe. If you're unsure about that, a guided trip to Sweden is the better choice.

View over the frozen Lake Saimaa
Where you sleep

Your own cabin, with sauna

You stay in your own cabin by the lake, with sauna. After a day on the ice, you step straight inside.

The size of the cabin depends on the number of people. Let us know how many of you are coming when you submit your request.

Evenings by the lake

A chance to see the northern lights over Lake Saimaa

Punkaharju lies far enough north to offer a chance of northern lights on clear winter evenings. It's not a guarantee - it depends on solar activity and a clear sky - but with your own cabin right on the lake, all you have to do is step outside and look up.

Dates and prices

What it costs, and when you can go

The price is per person per day and starts at €199. That includes the accommodation, the rental car and the other services. You arrange your own flight.

Available periods and prices are available on request. Email schaatsennovakse@outlook.com or message +31 6 17467643.

The season runs from late December to early March; after that there's no more ice. The booked weeks above are still examples.

What's included

The cabin with sauna, the local rental car and the other services around the trip.

What's not

The flight to Finland, food and drinks, and your own skating equipment and safety gear.

Payment

50% deposit at booking, the remainder no later than 5 weeks before departure.

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about Finland

Is the skating trip to Finland guided?

No, this trip is different from Orsa and Falun: no guide comes along. You get the accommodation and the place, and you plan the days yourself. No fixed departure date, no group to join. That does mean you have to be able to judge for yourself whether the ice is safe; if you have doubts about that, a guided trip to Sweden is the better choice.

What does the skating trip to Finland cost?

The price is per person per day and starts at €199. That includes the accommodation, the rental car and the other services. You arrange your own flight.

When can you go to Finland for this skating trip?

The season runs from late December to early March; after that there's no more ice. The minimum stay is 3 nights.

What is and isn't included in the trip to Finland?

Included are the cabin with sauna, the local rental car and the other services around the trip. Not included are the flight to Finland, food and drinks, and your own skating equipment and safety gear.

Would rather have someone who knows the ice?

Orsa and Falun are guided group trips. Joey comes along, judges the ice and decides each morning where the day will be at its best. You register there in pairs.

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