Ski ResortLapland, Finland

Saariselkä

Finland's northernmost fell resort, on the doorstep of Urho Kekkonen National Park

Saariselkä is a compact fell resort 250 km north of the Arctic Circle, the gateway to Finland's largest wilderness national park, a prime aurora destination under the auroral oval, and home to the glass igloos that put Finnish Lapland on the bucket list.

Saariselkä sits in Inari, the far north of Finnish Lapland, where the road from Rovaniemi runs out into open fell country. It grew up as a hiking and skiing base on the edge of Urho Kekkonen National Park (UKK), one of Europe's largest protected wildernesses, and that proximity to genuine fell tundra is the whole point of the place: from the village you can walk straight onto marked trails that climb the treeline within an hour.

At roughly 68 degrees north it lies almost directly under the auroral oval, the ring where northern-lights activity is most concentrated, which is why it has become one of Finland's signature aurora destinations and the home of the original glass-igloo resort at Kakslauttanen. The fells around the village, Kaunispää and Kiilopää chief among them, double as ski slopes, sledding hills, summer viewpoints and dark-sky aurora platforms depending on the season.

The area has more history than its resort surface suggests. Gold was found here in 1865 and the rush that followed still echoes at Tankavaara, where you can pan for gold and visit the Gold Museum. Modern Saariselkä blends that frontier past with reindeer herding, Sámi culture and a small cluster of restaurants and hotels, making it an easy, well-organised base for serious wilderness on its doorstep.

A local's tip. For the aurora you want dark, clear skies away from the village lights: head up Kaunispää or out toward Kiilopää and the national park, and check a forecast app before committing to a late night. September is the sweet spot for ruska hiking, when the fells turn red and gold but the snow hasn't arrived. Many activities (igloos, husky safaris, ski lifts) are strongly seasonal and book out in peak winter, so reserve well ahead.

Getting There & Around

Getting there

The usual approach is to fly to Ivalo (IVL), about 25 km north, from where transfers and buses reach Saariselkä in around half an hour. By road it is roughly 260 km north of Rovaniemi on the E75, about three hours' drive, or an overnight train to Rovaniemi followed by a bus north. The village itself is small and walkable, with trailheads and ski lifts within reach on foot.

Best of Saariselkä

Best Hotels in Saariselkä (2026)

Saariselkä is the home of the glass igloo: Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort and Star Arctic for sky-watching from bed, the Northern Lights Village for aurora cabins, Holiday Club for a family spa hotel, and Fell Centre Kiilopää for a wilderness base.

Best Restaurants in Saariselkä (2026)

Saariselkä punches above its size for food, with reindeer and Lapland flavours front and centre: Laanilan Kievari for fireside fine dining, Restaurant Petronella for a polished Arctic dinner, Kuukkeli for hearty all-day eating, and Teerenpesä for a relaxed pub meal.

Best Northern Lights Spots in Saariselkä (2026)

Saariselkä sits under the auroral oval at 68°N, so the lights are a realistic catch on any dark, clear night from late August to early April. Kaunispää fell is the easy go-to, Kiilopää and Urho Kekkonen National Park give darker wilderness skies, and a glass igloo lets you watch from bed.

Best Day Hikes in Saariselkä (2026)

Saariselkä has some of Finland's most accessible fell hiking: the Rumakuru gorge loop and the Kiirunapolku climb up Kiilopää are the classics, Kaunispää is the quick view-hit, and Tankavaara's Koppelolenkki is an easy ruska loop. Most start straight from a marked gate into Urho Kekkonen National Park.

Best Things to Do in Saariselkä (2026)

Saariselkä is about the fells and the wilderness on its doorstep: ride or hike up Kaunispää for the view, walk into Urho Kekkonen National Park, pan for gold at Tankavaara, warm up in the Kiilopää smoke sauna, and head out on a husky or reindeer safari. Aurora hunting tops it all off in winter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Saariselkä worth visiting?

Yes, especially for aurora and fell wilderness. Saariselkä sits under the auroral oval and on the edge of Urho Kekkonen National Park, so it pairs world-class northern-lights viewing and hiking with well-organised resort comforts, glass igloos, ski slopes and reindeer and husky safaris.

How do I get to Saariselkä?

The quickest way is to fly to Ivalo airport, about 25 km north, then take a transfer or bus for the half-hour to the village. By road it is around 260 km north of Rovaniemi on the E75. The resort centre is small and walkable once you arrive.

When can you see the northern lights in Saariselkä?

The aurora season runs roughly from late August to early April, whenever skies are dark and clear. Saariselkä's far-north location under the auroral oval makes it one of Finland's most reliable spots, with the best displays often around the equinoxes in autumn and spring.

What is there to do in Saariselkä in summer?

Summer and early autumn are for hiking in Urho Kekkonen National Park, climbing the fells like Kaunispää and Kiilopää, panning for gold at Tankavaara, and enjoying the ruska autumn colours in September. The midnight sun gives almost endless daylight for being outdoors.

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