Tired of seeing pictures of my kids in their snowsuits? I'll admit, I'm a little tired of taking photos of my kids in their snowsuits, but we are trying to take advantage of all things outdoors right now. Next week is "ski week" for Joey and Sam (no school!). Surely, there will be many more wintry photos as we attempt a family outing on cross country skis, will head to the best-yet snow hill for sledding and will skate at one of Helsinki's "official" skating rinks complete with a cafe for hot chocolate and coffee!
I know there are a lot of Finns following, if you have a favorite winter spot for us to visit during ski break, please leave a comment. We have not decided where we will go skiing, so recommendations are welcome!
Thanks for a delightful blog! As an expat-Finn it is always nice to read on how someone experiences "my country" and compare it to how I experience other countries.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many nice things to do in the wintery Finland...Skating you have done, cross-country skiing...napakelkka would be something that could be fun. Just look it up...it is fun...trust me, I know what I am doing! :)
Snowball fights and building giant castles in the snow are always fun....you could try ice-fishing....
Is there an skating track on the sea this year in Munkkiniemi? That's a good spot to go iceskating/walking for a longer stretch, take hot chocolate and sandwiches with you :)
DeleteSo you've already told us that Finns don't start school until an older age (7?), that their school days are much shorter than here in the U.S. ... now you're telling me they get a week-long ski holiday as well?!! How many school days do they have per year in the Finnish school system? I know that there are no national requirements here, but I think that most states average 175-180 days/year. Also, I'm wondering if they have a year-round system?
ReplyDeleteI think it's around 180 (maybe 182) days a year. The holidays depend on the school and city/municipality. The schools start in mid-August (around the 10th of August), theres 2-5 days (Friday&Monday or Monday-Friday) of autumn break around the third week of October. The Christmas break is typically two weeks, around 23.12.-5.1. Then there is ski week in the end of February or beginning of March (again 2-5 days), Easter break is only Good Friday and Easter Monday and the whole country goes on summer holidays on the first Saturday of June.
DeleteIf you get a chance, fly to Lapland! Experiencing the northern lights and all the snow is so worth it.. We loved Saariselkä.
ReplyDeleteVisit www.talmaski.fi , it´s near Kerava (30 minutes from Helsinki) and they have free ski bus between Kerava train station and Talma Ski. They have fun place called Werneri park - a snow themepark for families with kids. :) Snow tubing is so fun, just try it! :)
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a blast! Thanks! I'll think we'll try to go!
DeleteTiina,
DeleteThank you, thank you, thank you for your advice to visit Werneri Park. What a blast we had. And, since the ski bug has bit my eldest, he was able to ski while the rest of us tubed. Great recommendation!
Mary
The closest place to do downhill is in Kauniainen - google Kauniainen Hiihtokeskus - it ia also the oldest in Finland. They have 3 downhill tracks, no cross-country skiing, tho. I bet it is quite busy there now during the school break, everyone doesn't travel north or south.
ReplyDeleteA very nice place would be Messilä Hiihtokeskus, it is an hours' drive from Helsinki. Propably the biggest in Southern Finland. They have cross-country skiing as well. This place would be crowded, too, I believe.
Much is taking place in the Helsinki area, but where to get the information?
Thanks. My son went skiing at Messila on Tuesday. He loved it and really wants us to go back, but I don't know that we will make it there during ski break.
DeleteHad to come and visit again: you'll have to go and see Think of Finland photo exhibition at Laboratory Gallery, Erottajankatu 9 B (just around the corner from your home)! Photos are taken by a British Martin Perry who travelled in Finland for a week in August last year. You'll be surprised and amused, you may find a different Finland or not...
ReplyDeleteGo to the Icepark located right next to the centrail railwaystation. They have all kinds of programs during Ski vacation week. They have information in English on their website. Here is a link: http://icepark.fi/
ReplyDeleteIf you are looking to to something fun indoors, you could take the bus to Espoo and visit waterpark Serena. It's one of my kids' favorite places when we visit Finland. Here is a link: http://www.serena.fi/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/lang,en_EN/
Enjoy your Ski vacation week!
Thanks Jonna,
ReplyDeleteWe always go to a waterpark one weekend in February at home, but I thought we would skip it this year. Maybe we can keep the tradition alive!