Lahti – Sports Destination created by water
At the end of the Ice Age, some 12’000 years ago, the continental ice sheet was melting. The glacial meltwater streams carried and deposited enormous amounts of sand and gravel, creating an outstanding geological wonder, the Salpausselkä ridge.
Today Salpausselkä in Lahti is well-known as an exceptional destination for outdoor sports. For one hundred years, the world’s elite athletes have competed in the lush forests and steep slopes of Salpausselkä. The region’s unique nature inspires people both to exercise for wellness and test their limits in fierce competition.
There is no place like Salpausselkä of Lahti. Sports Destination created by water.
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100 years as a Host City
We have been organising major international sport events for a hundred years, and their legacy is built daily – we have set our sights on an eighth FIS Nordic Ski World Championships, the Ironman world championship and many other major international events.
Making use of Salpausselkä UNESCO Global Geopark’s stunning surroundings, the Vierumäki and Pajulahti Olympic Training Centers are developing future stars and, above all else, creating healthy people who enjoy exercise. Did you know that Vierumäki is home to the Finnish national ice hockey team, Olympic and world championship winners, and that Pajulahti is the only sports institute in Finland that focuses on parasports?
The year of sports 2023
The natural venue of Salpausselkä UNESCO Global Geopark will welcome the Ironman 70.3 triathletes to compete in the world championship, and the Lahti Ski Games will celebrate its 100-year history with the world’s top nordic skiers and cheering crowds. On June 2023 Finnish Formula One star Valtteri Bottas is introducing a completely new kind of FNLD GRVL premium cycling event in his home region.
Add to this the 50th anniversary of Finland Ski Marathon, Ironman 70.3, Nordic Gravel Series – Falling Leaves Lahti gravel cycling event and dozens of youth sporting events and you can say that Lahti will enjoy a super year of super sporting events!
Lahti Sports Hub
LAHTI SPORTS HUB is a competence and facility centre for the sports sector based on the world class sports infrastructure, know how built around more than 400 different sports disciplines, universities and other R&D operators.
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