We flew to the Finnish north and drove to Pyhä just before the big winter storm of the end of 2025 hit. And came back after it, missing the storm impact on our flights. However, it did it the skiing time. I was wondering if something was wrong with my helmet visor setup, because I couldn't keep it clear... could see almost nothing. But it wasn't the visor or my use of it, it was the supercooled water flying around and freezing on everything. Even the tops of my skis froze up with an ice layer. Clothing. Helmet. Everything.
Nevertheless, very nice skiing! Amazing views, darkness, fun slopes, like the Huttu-ukko, at 32 degrees is listed as Finland's steepest official ski piste (link).
It is surrounded by the Huttu free-ride area with plenty of other things to explore.
And the first slope, as always when skiing from Hotel Pyhätunturi, is the Palander slope. Named after the most successful Finnish skier, Kalle Palander. It is an excellent, steep and icy slope that just continues and continues. It is the only ski run right next to the hotel, so you have to at least start from that, although of course hiking 200 meters to the other direction you can find the easier slopes. Ski map is here, by the way.
But my favorite slope was Blue 5, which starts and ends where Palander does, at the top and the main bottom facilities. But Blue 5 goes around, feeling like it goes to a different direction but eventually comes back to the same bottom point. It is a nice cruising run with great views and no people. You feel like being in the middle of the mountain. And you are :-) Here are some Blue 5 feelings:
Pyhä's official web pages are here.
Skiing photos, ordered by color: orange-blue, yellow, white:
Pyhä bars and restaurants below. They must be selling ice wine:
On the same trip we also visited the Alaskan husky farm and did a husky ride. In the middle of the storm... it was cold and wet but in an amazing environment and felt very real. You were able to steer your own pack of dogs in the handles of your own sled. Recommended! The husky farm breeds their own dogs, and was busy growing a dozen puppies this winter. The husky rides can be booked from Kairankutsu, costs vary depending on what kind of ride you are looking for and when but our hour's ride and farm visit was about 175€ per person.
We stayed at Hotel Pyhätunturi (today also called Pyhä Ski-Inn). The hotel is legendary, but newer parts of the Pyhä Ski-Inn -- the other hotel buildings and the villas/apartments next door are newer. The views on the downslope side from the hotel are wonderful though, with trees covered in snow and the mountain dropping away underneath.
There is no spa or pool at the hotel, but there was a sauna. Also accessible to outsiders and not just hotel guests, cost 6€ if you are not a guest. There's a gym as well.
Lift tickets:
Other articles from this trip include the amethyst mine and spa visit (alt. link) and the Oulu airport experiences report (alt. link).
This article has also been published here. See more Planetskier stories from Blogspot, and Planetskier.net, swimming stories at planetswimmer.com, and sauna articles at saunablogger.cool. Photos, videos, and text (c) 2025 by Jari Arkko. All rights reserved. Sauna photos have been taken when the facility has been closed and empty.
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