Lahti in the magical winter time of Finland

Finland boasts some of the most beautiful ice and snowscapes to be found in all of Europe, and the magical gem that is Lahti makes for a perfect escape this winter.

Lahti is just a short 1 hour 30 min train ride from Helsinki (or Helsinki Airport), making it a perfect winter destination to get away from the capital city and out into Finland’s breathtaking nature.

Where to stay in beautiful Lahti?

Mukkula Manor which is a stunning place, has recently been through a renovation which means all the facilities and decor feel fresh, but, most importantly, this place hasn’t lost its old traditional charm.

Perfectly located by a stunning lake, Mukkula Manor is a great accommodation choice for families, couples or friends who love their winter activities and exploration.

Go crazy and get lost on a snow adventure

Not seeing much snow back home? Lahti has absolutely loads of it in the winter time.

There’s something just so mystical and magical about seeing an entire country covered in snow!

Lake Vesijarvi is a frozen over lake where you can do many winter activities including my favourites here:

Cross Country Skiing

Get the most amazing views of this snowy landscape with some days spent cross-country skiing.

It’s a great workout, and a great way to explore too!

Snowshoeing

To traverse the snowscape on foot is really great for adventure, but you’re going to need some snowshoes to get through that terrain.

Ice Fishing

Poke a hole in the ice and see what fish you can find in the depths of Finland’s frozen lakes.

Take your catch back with you for dinner too!

Dine at Mukkula Manor

After your crazy day of snow sports and adventure, tuck in to a sumptuous dinner at Mukkula Manor.

The setting is beyond charming and all food on the menu is local and traditional.

Enjoy a fresh fish dinner caught straight from the lake. You might have caught it yourself earlier that day if you decide to go ice fishing!

Try the Mukkula Manor sauna

Most importantly when it comes to the Finnish culture, Mukkula Manor has a sauna that is available for you to rent out with friends and enjoy in privacy after a busy day of winter activities.

Socialising in the sauna is the perfect and typically Finnish way to enjoy your time in Lahti!

Snow kiting on lake Vesijarvi

For an extra kick of adventure and fun, try out a sport that was invented right here on Lake Vesijarvi. It’s called snow kiting, and it’s super fun.

It will get the adrenaline pumping, that’s for sure!

If you’ve ever tried kite surfing before, you’ll be pleased to hear that it’s not only for summer time in Hawaii.

You can enjoy it all year around with this new version on ice in Finnish winter.

Lehmonkarki resort

For a taste of something a little more upscale, check out Lehmonkarki resort for a super stylish and well equipped high-class holiday venue that has everything you need to enjoy a Finnish winter in Lahti.

Located on the southern lake of Paijanne right in the middle of glorious Finnish countryside, this place boasts well stocked log cabins and stunning villas.

I had a tasty lunch here sourced from local farmers and cooked by the resort’s local chefs. It was such a delight.

Try sauna world at Lehmonkarki resort

Lehmonkarki Resort is also home to Sauna World, an incredible traditional Finnish sauna experience complete with sauna ritual classes if you want to learn more about this essential slice of Finnish culture.

Connect to nature in the most Finnish way imaginable drawing on old folklore methods, as well as herbal treatments.

The ritual includes a session of energizing power whisking followed by a power whisking bath for the ultimate relaxing sauna experience.

Once you’re done with the treatment, you can choose from one of many different saunas and hot tubs on offer here at the resort.

If you’re brave enough, you can even go for an ice dip!

Lehmonkarki resort hunting lodge dining experience

After your invigorating sauna experience you can dine at the resort’s hunting lodge and sample local game meats from Lahti, and smoked salmon caught locally that has been traditionally cooked in the Finnish hunting lodge style.

This style of dinner is not to be missed on a trip to Finland, and Lahti is the perfect place to provide that essential Finnish experience.

Have some fun on a snowmoible

If you have enough time be sure to whizz around the local frozen lake on a snowmobile safari tour, a great way to explore Finnish lakes in Lahti.

Lahti Husky farm

To engage even more with Finnish heritage, visit a local Lahti Husky farm called Real Siberian Huskies.

Normally the huskies are on safari all around Lapland, but you can visit them in Lahti during their time off.

They rest up here after long expeditions where they can be pulling sledges for weeks at a time.

Here you can visit and feed them, and see what they’re like when they’re not working.

I would also have to recommend a visit to the reindeers as well, they don’t like being left out.

Once you’ve met some huskies you will definitely be wanting to go on a husky safari ride around Lahti winter forest and see them in action.

It’s as good as being on a husky ride in Lapland, but only a few hours away from Helsinki.

Visit the quaint Kinnari Farm

Get into the festive mood at Kinnari Farm, a place guaranteed to fill you with whimsical cheer.

You can make ginger bread and bake it here from the farm’s own rye flour, as fresh as you can get.

You can enjoy lunch in the smoke hut and enjoy some delicious salty salmon pie made with the rye flour with a nice cup of coffee.

This is truly a wonderful local experience to get a taste of authentic Finnish culture, and get into the festive spirit.

Thank you for reading this article about magical Lahti at wintertime. I hope you enjoy your trip and have fun with the huskies.

This trip to Lahti was apart of the NBEFinland, Nordic Blogger Experience 2017, connected to the MATKA travel fair held in Helsinki each year.