Activities for Ski Holidays – Experiences for Winter

In Äänekoski you’ll find plenty of activities for winter weather. The proximity of nature and waterways offers excellent conditions for outdoor activities in a winter setting. Pack some snacks in your backpack and head out to enjoy the fresh air with the whole family. In your free time you can explore new nearby destinations or try a new activity. Read below for ideas to try on your winter holiday.

Try these tips during your winter holiday!

Did planning your winter holiday get left to the last minute? No worries, you can try these activities without a reservation, on your own schedule. 

Ice fishing

Ice fishing is an experience especially for visitors from abroad, but it’s enjoyable for everyone. In Äänekoski you can ice fish on Lake Keitele, Lake Kuhnamo, as well as on the area’s smaller lakes. Ice fishing combines fresh air, stunning scenery and calm. Remember to move cautiously on the ice and bring ice picks. When was the last time you went ice fishing?

Winter disc golf

You can play disc golf year-round in Äänekoski. Laajalahti winter course is maintained by packing down the whole area daily. This way discs don’t get lost in the snow and moving on the course is easier. It’s worth coming to throw on this course even from farther away! Using the course is free, and you can admire wintry Kuhnamo at the same time.

Spend a day on the slopes

Skiing and snowboarding are easy at Äänemäki. The ski slope near the town centre offers runs suitable for different skill levels. A roughly 5 km outdoor route circles Äänemäki, which you can walk, mountain bike or snowshoe. Children under 6 can use a free rope lift to practise skiing. On site you’ll also find a café and an equipment rental where you can rent ski gear or snowshoes. For the little ones there’s also a sledding hill. You can enjoy your own snacks at the shelter below the slope, with firewood ready to use.

Among the many winter activity options at the Sports Park, you’ll also find a sledding hill. Alongside sledding you can enjoy your snacks at the shelter near the slope.

Skating

In good winters there are just over 30 kilometres of maintained tour skating track in the Äänekoski area. The most reliable tour skating is at Mämme, where in the best winters there is even a 6 km loop of skateable track. Tracks are also sometimes opened in winter to Lossi, Likolahti and Risusaari, and in Suolahti to Majaniemi. This year the winter weather has been quite changeable, so please treat the ice conditions with caution.

If the tour skating tracks are not in good condition, try Äänekoski’s artificial ice at the Sports Park or other skating rinks. Field list lets you see in advance, what condition the ice is in. 

Cross-country skiing

In Äänekoski you can ski amid beautiful scenery on excellently maintained trails. In addition to the trails starting from the Sports Park you’ll find many worth trying in different districts, often with shelters for resting and enjoying snacks. There are a total of 250 kilometres of classic-style trails. Skating trails amount to about 100 kilometres. City-maintained machine-groomed trails can be found in the Äänekoski urban area from the Sports Park, along Rantaraitti and in Rantapuisto; in Suolahti at Nakertaja, the Metsoreitti connecting trail and the fields of Majala. In Äänekoski and Suolahti there are also various neighbourhood loops, for example near daycare centres. There are also machine-groomed trails in Sumiainen at Saarikkaa and in Konginkangas.

Psst.. Did you know that Äänekoski also has two trails where you can ski with dogs? The dog trails maintained by active locals can be found in Koivisto and Hietama.

Hiking

Exploring your surroundings in winter landscapes is delightful, and you can visit new spots. Have you already explored Gallen-Kallela routes in Äänekoski?  At the Kapeenniemi recreation area you can follow various routes while enjoying the esker scenery and the roar of the rapids. Risusaari is a popular destination among outdoor enthusiasts, especially in winter. It is within an easy walking distance from Mustaniemi harbour and you can get there on foot or by skiing. Petäjäsaari is also worth visiting in winter. On Petäjäsaari, a few kilometres from the Sumiainen harbour, there is a sauna, a fire pit and a kota shelter.

Head into nature with various gear

There is now a wide range of equipment for those moving outside the common outdoor routes. For example, snowshoes, backcountry skis and sliding snowshoes have been popular in recent winters when there has been lots of snow in the forests. With different gear you can explore new routes, and movement becomes easier even in more challenging terrain.

Snow and ice art

While outdoors you can let your imagination fly and make art. For example, on natural ice you can stomp out beautiful patterns, and the whole family gets exercise without even noticing. Building snowmen and snow castles is great shared fun. If it’s really freezing, you can also make ice lanterns and decorations. Have you tried making frozen soap bubbles and photographing them?

Ice swimming

If you’d like to refresh your winter holiday, try ice swimming. There are two official ice-swimming spots in Äänekoski. Enter the ice hole listening to your body and with proper gear. Ice swimmers often wear a beanie, as well as gloves and booties designed for the sport.

Share photos of your winter holiday activities using #visitaanekoski or tag us @visitäänekoski. We’re happy to share your post on our channels, and you’ll inspire others too!