🛷 Best places for sledding in Finland 2025–2026: cities, resorts, long trails and "warm" stops for families

If you want winter to "play" from the first hill

In this article, you will find out where to go sledging in Finland — from free city slopes near coffee shops to resort areas with lifts, carousel carpets and lighting. We'll lay everything out for you: where to go with children, where the longest slopes are, how not to freeze, what prices will be in winter 2025–2026, where to rent tubing, how pulkkamäki etiquette works, and how to fit sledding into your day so that you get both exercise and cosiness.

How to "read" roller coasters: snow, rolling, wind, light

Slides are simple and straightforward. There are three factors:

1. Snow and grooming. After fresh snowfall, the slope is soft and "slow"; after a couple of days, it is groomed (faster). Many city slopes are unlit and unprepared; the exceptions are the main slopes, where municipal services maintain the conditions.
2. Wind and humidity. On the coast (Helsinki, Turku), the wind "eats away" at the warmth; in inland parks (Töölönlahti, Pyynikki), it is quieter and warmer.
3. Light. In December, daylight hours are short; it is best to plan your skiing for midday (11:00–14:00) and in the evening at illuminated resorts.
   

Mini formula for fun: 45–60 minutes of sledding → warm break (market/library/café) → another 30–45 minutes. The north loves rhythm.

Cities: Helsinki + metropolitan area (Espoo, Vantaa)

Helsinki. City parks are a treasure trove of slides. Key locations:

● Paloheinä (Northern Central Park). A large, "proper" hill with slopes for different levels; the only one officially supported by the city. Nearby are forest trails and several warm spots (café/pine cone cat).

● Kaivopuisto. A classic by the sea: views of the archipelago, slopes of varying steepness. Windy, yes, but the atmosphere is powerful: the lights of the bay, steam from your breath, children on pulkka sleds.

● Sinebrychoffin puisto / "Sinebrychoff". A central hill next to coffee shops: great for 30-40 minutes "after work".

● Kaisaniemi / Töölönlahti. Low, gentle slopes, less windy, close to Oodi (the city's "living room" library).

● Micro-hills in the neighbourhoods. Every neighbourhood has its own "home" slope; Finnish winter is all about proximity.

Espoo / Vantaa.

● Espoo: family slopes in the neighbourhoods (Oittaa as a large "entry point" to nature), the city publishes selections of popular pulkkamäki.

● Vantaa: hills in courtyards and parks in the neighbourhoods, the logic is the same — 30 minutes of sledding, 15 minutes of warmth.

Important: many city hills are free, but without lighting or maintenance. Bring torches, a thermos and ice grips for adults' shoes.

Tampere and Oulu: terrain, parks and "warm" breaks

Tampere.

● Pyynikki. A hilly ridge, a classic "scenic" slope — ski and then go for doughnuts at the tower.

● Sorsapuisto / Kauppi. Gentle slopes, with an ice rink/ski track nearby; convenient for families with prams and very young children.
Tampere is good because there are "warm spots" (cafes, halls) within walking distance; the day is structured in "petals": slope → coffee → short walk.

Oulu.
The Nallikari shore in winter is a fantastic sight (ice/frost/light), and there are gentle slopes in the parks and on the edge of Central Park. Here, the snow is often "fine and dry," and the snowpack is moderate; the wind is stronger near the water than in the city centre. It is useful to have a backup "indoor" plan (museums/library/café) in case the weather changes dramatically.

Lapland: Leevilandia (Levi), Ylläs, Ruka, Saariselkä

Levi — Leevilandia (family wonderland). Leevilandia is located on the southern slopes of Levi and features carpet lifts, tubing, a separate sledding hill, a barbecue area, and a warm recreation area. It's a great place to spend 1.5–2 hours: children can sled, while adults can relax, take photos, and grill sausages.

Ylläs — lift-assisted sledding. On the Äkäslompolo side, there is a special sledding track with a lift (sleds are secured, there are handles and brakes). The length is about 480 m; riding time is organised in slots. For those who like it "a little faster" but safe, this is the ideal form.

Ruka — Rosa & Rudolf Family Park. A large family area with carpet lifts, tubing and a break room. It is convenient that you can "stretch" to this area in the evening: there is lighting, a warm hall and a restaurant nearby.

Saariselkä — a long toboggan run. Kaunispää fell has the longest toboggan run in Finland: about 1.2 km with a series of turns. It's not just a simple "slide" — it's a little adventure with views of the tundra. Plan for more time and the right clothing: it's windy at the top.

Rovaniemi — Ounasvaara. There are many family activities in the Ounasvaara area; there are places for sledding near the sports centre and on the gentle slopes around it. It's nice to combine sledding with an evening walk along the river and a stop for hot chocolate in the centre.

Prices and opening hours (December–January): what's free and what's paid

● City hills (Helsinki/Espoo/Tampere/Oulu). Usually free, no rentals and no lighting; open while it is light or with your own torch.

● Family areas of resorts (Levi, Ylläs, Ruka).
— admission is often included in the ski pass, or a day/hourly ticket can be purchased for the family park or tubing; guidelines: €10–30 per slot/day, depending on the resort.
— Lift-assisted sledding (Ylläs) — separate product: ~€17–27 per session in the 2025–2026 season.
— Family Park / tubing (Ruka) — separate day ticket available (approximate cost ~€14 without ski pass).

● Saariselkä (long track). Sales — at the resort/rental shops; usually require a pass/sled and/or lift. Allow extra time for frost and wind.

Time. In December–January, family areas are open during the day and in the evening; changes are possible in bad weather — resorts have live scoreboards. Plan to arrive 15–20 minutes before your selected slot.

Where to get sledges/tubes and how to choose equipment

Cities.

● Sledges (pulkat) are sold in supermarkets (Prisma, K‑Citymarket), sports shops (Intersport) and in seasonal tents/stalls near markets. Prices for basic plastic sledges: €15–40; tubing — €30–80.

● Sledge rental in cities is rare; people usually buy them and give them to neighbours or leave them at the hotel for the next guests.

Resorts.

● In Levi/Ylläs/Ruka/Saariselkä, sledges and tubing can be rented on site: either included in family areas (tubing — on site) or rented separately from rental companies; check with the resort.

● For long slopes, bring a helmet (mandatory for children) and goggles (dry snow "dusts" your face at speed).

Clothing.

● Layers: thermal → wool → windproof; for children — mittens (less likely to get wet), warm socks, buff.

● Footwear: non-slip soles, ice cleats for adults.

● Small items: thermos, spare mittens, dry neck warmer, reflectors (heijastin) on jacket.

Safety and etiquette on the pulkkamäki

● The downhill path is the main one. Climb the hill along the edge, giving way to those flying down.

● Helmets. A must for children; highly recommended for adults on long slopes.

● Twilight. There are no lights on city hills — take a headlamp and reflectors.

● Sleds/tubing. Do not lean back, keep your feet inside; always check that the "braking zone" at the bottom is clear.

● Queue. Finns are calm and friendly: stand in a line and wait for your turn.

● Warmth. 30–45 minutes and then a break. Children get cold quickly — don't let it get to the point where it's too late.

Scenarios for the day: family, budget, "after work"

Family (Helsinki). Morning — Kaivopuisto (view/light), 40 minutes of sledging → Vanha Kauppahalli (soup/hot chocolate) → afternoon walk along the bay. Oodi is a backup in case it's windy.
Budget (Espoo). Oittaa or local hill → thermos and buns → evening in the library/coffee shop.
After work (Tampere). Pyynikki at sunset → doughnuts by the tower → short walk along the embankment.
Lapland for thrills (Levi/Ylläs/Ruka). Day on the slopes/in the forest → family area in the evening (tubing, carpets, lights, music) → dinner and sauna.
Adventure (Saariselkä). Long sledding track during the day → warm break → in the evening, attempt to see the revontulet somewhere in an open clearing.

Interactive map: city hills and resorts

Map — reference point: city "whales" and key resorts with family areas. You can add codes for your locations — the map can be easily expanded.

Beginner's mistakes

A warm spot at the end of the day

A Finnish hill is not a sports section, but a little story: snow, laughter, red mittens, steam from your mouth, and a short walk to soup or cocoa. You slide down, stop, slide down again — and suddenly realise that winter has become cosy, not "long". If you found this guide useful, share it, save it for your trip, and write in the comments where you found your "perfect hill" in Finland and which tubing was the most fun. We will add readers' addresses to the map and update the price guidelines for the 2025–2026 season.