With children
We all look forward to fun holiday trips, but no one is more excited about them than the family’s youngest members. Before packing your backpacks, it’s a good idea to pause and think about what you want to do on your holiday. Is your family excited about nature trips, exercising all day, cultural experiences or maybe all of the above?
Winter fun
Messilä Snow Centre Pikkukylä
The Messilä Pikkukylä area is suitable for the whole family. There children can practice alpine skiing and snowboarding in peace. The area also has its own slope for sledding and a cosy hut for sausage frying and snacks.
The whole Messilä now bookable in VisitLahti Online Shop
From our online store, you can click on everything you need from Messilä in the shopping cart: SkiExpress bus tickets from Helsinki to Messilä, lift tickets, equipment rentals, accommodation and, for example, JumpUp snowmobile safaris.
Jäätori icerink on Lahti Market Square
An outdoor skating rink is open on the Lahti market square for the winter months. The ice rink is free of charge and open until February 28, 2021.
Sysmä skating rink
There is a free artificial ice rink at Sysmän yhtenäiskoulu school, which changing room is open on school days from 2 pm to 7 pm, on weekends and during school holidays from 5 pm to 9 pm.
Winter break in Heinola
A fun winter break with the whole family at Cronin's Irish-inspired inn in Heinola. The two-day package includes a delicacy basket, tickets to Kumpeli Spa and a private sauna shift in the inn's sauna.
Tickets to KoiraKikka Husky Park now at VisitLahti Online Shop
KoiraKikka’s farm is home to a large pack of adorable huskies, wolfdogs, reindeer and other animals in Heinola. Visit to the park must be made in advance – book you ticket at VisitLahti Online Shop.
X-country ski school for the whole family
Does your family want to get started in skiing? Lahti Ski Club's cross-country ski schools for adults and 6-12-year-olds are always held at the same time at the Lahti Sports Center. At your disposal are professional coaches and World Cup-level conditions at Lahti Sports Center. Come along with either a one-time fee or a five-time package. In case you don't have equipment, those you can rent from Messilä SkiMac.
Nature favourites for the whole family
The diverse Lapakisto conservation area in Lahti
The Lapakisto area has two accessible lean-tos on the shores of Lake Seelammi and Lapakisto – you can walk there on good even paths (also with a pram) and roast marshmallows on an open fire. The area has five different paths marked with different colours. The yellow route from Lake Lapakisto to the Lake Sammalisto lean-to is a family favourite. In late autumn and early winter, you should choose the blue Pitkäjärvenpolku path. The path climbs high up to a viewing platform from where nature-lovers have the chance of enjoying surprising ice art: giant animal figures created with a shovel on the snowy frozen surface of Lake Pitkäjärvi by Lahti nature enthusiast Pasi Widgren are a source of joy for all Lapakisto visitors.
The accessible Ekonpolku nature trail in Hartola
Spanning approximately one kilometre, the Ekonpolku path runs through the most beautiful scenery of the Hartola village on the shore of the Ekonkoski rapids on the Tainionvirta river. The nature trail has been designed to be completely accessible. In addition, several accessible spots for rapids fishing have been built along Ekonkoski, which is rare in Finland. If the children are bursting with energy, the Ekonpolku path shares a section with the 3.7 km Kuninkaanpolku path. Kuninkaanpolku passes through Hartola’s cultural destinations and a calm swamp area, and crosses an exciting suspension bridge that leads you back to Ekonpolku.
Climb to the top of Aurinkovuori hill in Asikkala
Located along the Aurinko-Ilves hiking trail, you can see far in the directions of Lake Päijänne and Lake Vesijärvi from the top of Aurinkovuori hill. A challenging climb up stairs, 239 steps, leads to the top of the hill. You can also hike up a well-lit hiking trail if you want to avoid taking the steep stairs. At the top of the hill, you will find a viewing platform, a lean-to and a designated spot for a campfire, with chopped firewood provided. It’s a great spot for enjoying a snack.
Imagination flies in the cave of Pirunkirkko in Heinola
Formed by the continental glacier, the steep and impressive Pirunkirkko (“the Devil’s Church”) rock formation resembling a gigantic lean-to in the Paistjärvi Area in Heinola is a great spot for a day out. It is also one of the most significant rock formations in Salpausselkä Geopark. Leaning at a negative angle, the rock forms an exciting cave-like space that feeds the imagination of children and adults alike.
On the Linnaistensuo duckboards
The enthralling Linnaistensuo mire is located just a stone’s throw away from Lahti city centre. Even when you find yourself at a mire, the scenery is still varied: Linnaistensuo mire has up to 15 different bog types, from muskegs to Sphagnum bogs. You can also access the mire if you don’t have a car: the closest bus stop is located by the Kujala recycling centre, from where the walk to the mire is approximately 1.5 kilometres.
Icelandic horse safaris in Vierumäki
On 20-minute minisafaris for the whole family, the smallest children in the family have a lead rein and adults can ride on a horse or walk with them. The minisafaris don’t have an age limit. Toreson organises them every day throughout the year.
Children’s culture and fun sights
All the sights and activities for the whole family
Action! Your own TV broadcast from the Radio and TV Museum Mastola is live now
The Mastola exhibitions present the history of the Finnish TV and radio industry. In the children’s exhibition, see what kids’ programmes looked like when you parents were young. A family favourite is making your own television show in the real Chroma Key studio. The Radio And TV Museum Mastola has free admission for all under-18s.
The ski jump simulator is a Ski Museum hit
Take a walk down memory lane to the beloved world of winter sports in the Sense of Skiing exhibition. In the museum’s activity section, you can try your wings as a ski jumper in the fun Ski jump simulator. Free admission for everyone under 18.
Captivating bird stories at Heinola Bird Sanctuary
Heinola Bird Sanctuary takes care of injured wild birds and returns them back to the wild. The Bird Sanctuary is home for rescued wild birds as well as former pets, such as colourful parakeets. The Bird Sanctuary is open every day and admission is free.
The joy of exercise
Terrible weather? Thank heavens for indoor sports!
Trampolin Park, the climbing walls at Ladeo and YogaRocks, indoor skateparks, glow bowling alleys and many other fun indoor activity locations are perfect for active holidaymakers, no matter what the weather’s like!
Vierumäki – an active holiday paradise
This is the perfect location if you want to get rid of all that extra energy but also recharge for your daily life. You can choose the Perhe on Paras (“Family Rules”) all-inclusive package with a pre-planned programme or select Active Hours sports classes according to your mood.
Have a Happi Holiday at Pajulahti
When you choose an all-inclusive sports holiday in Pajulahti, no one has to cook or do the dishes. The active Happi Holiday (“happi” is Finnish for oxygen) includes everything you could possibly imagine: all-inclusive accommodation and activities for the whole family.