Saariselkä

Saariselkä is a village and ski resort in Finnish Lapland, located in the Inari municipality. It lies on the Saariselkä fell in the northern part of the country, within the Sami homeland and close to Urho Kekkonen National Park. The area is known for its Arctic climate, with long winters and bright northern light displays in winter, and midnight sun in summer.

The landscape comprises boreal forests and tundra-like hills offering extensive outdoor opportunities. Snow cover typically lasts from late autumn to spring.

In winter, Saariselkä hosts a ski resort with maintained downhill slopes and an extensive network of cross-country ski tracks that connect with surrounding natural areas. Visitors also engage in snowshoeing, snowmobiling, dogsledding, and aurora watching.

In summer, the area becomes a base for hiking, nature watching, berry picking, and reindeer experiences. Trails lead into or near Urho Kekkonen National Park and other protected areas, supporting wildlife viewing and landscape photography.

Accessibility and economy: The resort is linked by road networks with other Lapland destinations; the nearest international-standard airport is Ivalo, and regional bus and car transport connect Saariselkä with Rovaniemi and other towns. The local economy is heavily dependent on tourism, with hotels, cabins, restaurants, and guided services.

History and culture: The Saariselkä region forms part of the Sami homeland. The resort developed as a tourism destination in the late 20th century, expanding to accommodate winter sport visitors and nature-based tourism. It remains a popular base for exploring Finnish Lapland.