I have lived in Lapland my whole life. Nature here is beautiful and never far away. There’s nothing as relaxing as taking a break from the hectic everyday life and going to enjoy the beauty of nature. It’s relaxing, and it never fails to bring a smile on my face when I see wild animals around. The silence may be unnerving at first to those who have never experienced it before but I wholeheartedly recommend people to spend more time away from their computer and phone screens and go on a walk in the woods. In fact, it is scientifically proven that spending time in nature is good for your health! There is one specific place, my happy place, that is right here in my hometown, Rovaniemi. In this blog post I will be telling you about Ounasvaara Ski & Outdoor Resort and the different opportunities and activities it offers.
Why is Ounasvaara my happy place?
I’m not much of a traveler, unlike one would expect from a tourism student. I haven’t been around the world nor do I have plans to travel much, especially not during the pandemic. In fact, my happy place is barely a twenty-minute drive away from my home in Ounasvaara.
During the winter I can take my snowboard, toss everything I need into the back of my car and drive there to get fresh air. Not only are there slopes for me to enjoy, there are also cross-country tracks available for skiers, and trails for walkers and hikers. At Ounasvaara I can have time for myself and breathe in the fresh air of nature.
What can you do at Ounasvaara?
Ounasvaara Ski & Outdoor Resort is truly an amazing place right outside of the city center. The resort offers many types of activities that change with the seasons. As mentioned earlier, some of the winter activities include snowboarding and skiing for example, but also tobogganing!
During the summer, on the other hand, it is possible to go bobsleighing, rent a bike (ranging from cyclocross bikes to mountain bikes and electric fat bikes) and hit the bike park, or go cool down by the river and rent a stand-up paddle board. Of course the activities aren’t only limited to the options I have mentioned here. Check the Ounasvaara Ski & Outdoor Resort website for more information.
There are also activities that don’t require any sort of fee. The hiking trails are free for everyone to use and a magnificent way to de-stress during both winter and summertime. It is also possible to take advantage of the lean-to’s or, as Finnish people call them, laavus. They are simple structures that offer shelter and the opportunity for hikers to take a break and build a fire in a safe spot. If you’re wondering what kind of food to make, Finnish people often roast sausages over a fire.
There are many other free activities available, but some of these depend on whether or not you have your own equipment. For example, there’s an 18-basket frisbee golf course at Ounasvaara that is free for everyone to use if you don’t have to rent the equipment. The same applies to cross-country skiing as well. Basically, nature is free for you to enjoy. It is only when you need to use equipment that belongs to the resort when you may have to pay something.
What to remember from this post?
- Nature is good for your health
- Ounasvaara offers a large variety of activities all around the year
- Take breaks and enjoy life!
Best regards,
Enni
One Comment