The Finnish municipality of Salla is located on the border with the Murmansk region of the Russian Federation. It so happened that its eastern part after the Second World War became part of the USSR. The modern territory of the commune unites 27 villages. The untouched nature of northeastern Finland attracts tourists from many countries around the world. Hotels are ready to receive guests at any time of the year. Distance from Helsinki – 900 km. The nearest airport is 116 km away from Kuusamo Airport, Rovaniemi. From air terminals to Salla tourists are delivered by buses.
What to do?
10 kilometers from the village of Salla built a modern ski resort. Its distinctive feature is compactness. Any point of the slope, ski lifts or restaurants can be reached on foot. There are a variety of slopes: for skiing, slalom, snowboarders. These hills have long been chosen by national teams. Leading skiers and snowboarders of Finland come here for training camps.
In addition to the multifunctional ski sports complex, the following tourist sites can be visited in Salla:
- a museum dedicated to the history of the commune and the restoration of the territory after the war;
- old church;
- Deer Park;
- Oulanka National Park.
In summer and autumn, hiking trails through the surrounding forests open. There are many berries, mushrooms and medicinal plants. The spa area offers scenic views of the hills and forest. In winter, guests can enjoy reindeer and dog sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoe hiking.
Where to stay?
Resort hotels are mainly cozy cottages with fireplaces and spacious living rooms. Numerous restaurants can be found throughout Salla. In them everyone will find for themselves useful and delicious dishes of national cuisine.
Holiday Club Salla Apartments
Cheap apartments are located in cozy one-storey cottages with attics. There is a restaurant serving finnish national cuisine on site. It offers an à la carte menu. The Holiday Club Spa is nearby. It has 3 swimming pools, spa treatments, hot tub. Water aerobics classes are available for those who wish. Private saunas and a swimming pool are also available in the hotel itself. In walking distance – ski slopes and sports complex Salla. It is equipped with a tennis court, volleyball court, gym.
“We were very pleased with the stay in the cottage. We ate on our own, cooking in the kitchen. I was surprised not by the kitchen filled with equipment (this is the norm for Finland), but by the presence of filters for coffee and even baking paper! Here everything is thought out for a comfortable stay: skis, spa, swimming pools. The house is very small, but it really has everything!”
Holiday Club Salla
A traditional Lapland hotelthat combines comfort, national colour and sport. Guests are accommodated in cozy rooms,can include breakfast in the price. The restaurant specialises in local cuisine. À la carte at lunch and in the evening. Breakfast is served buffet style. On the territory there is a spa center, saunas (male and female), hot tubs, to the nearest ski lift to the slope – 50 meters. Free parking, rental of sports equipment and active in terms of organizing leisure activities staff attract tourists here. Guests are offered traditional northern entertainment: dog and reindeer sled races, snowmobile races.
“Very close to the border and it’s gratifying. To go skiing and finnish spa treatments do not have to go inland. It has everything, up to drying cabinets, underfloor heating and chic fireplaces. Let’s be back for next winter” Olga
Sallatunturin Tuvat
The most close to reality northern exotic offers the hotel complex Sallatunturin Tuvat. It consists of several traditional Lapland huts, but with full modern service inside. You can include breakfast in the price or prepare your own meals. There are equipped kitchens and a restaurant serving Finnish cuisine, which serves a buffet in the morning. Deer Park is a 3-minute drive away. Staff can offer northern entertainment. In summer – fishing, canoeing, hiking. In winter – snow safari, sled races, mountain and cross-country skiing.
“We really liked the location of the houses. Just a stone’s throw away is the lift. Next to the house there is a children’s playground. The linen is clean, the dishes are all there. Great place for a family holiday” Lydia
Sallainen Cottages
Stylish and modern complex is located on the slope of the hill. The centre of the resort is 300 metres away. Cottages are more like mini hotels. Each has bedrooms, living rooms with fireplace, kitchen-dining room, free parking. On the territory there is a café, it is also a souvenir shop. The nearest restaurant is 800 metres away. The main type of entertainment is skiing. Nearby are the main running tracks. In the houses there are drying cabinets for clothes, rooms for storing equipment. Every season, true fans of ski slopes and races gather here.
“We always stay at this hotel when we come to Finland to ski. The house has everything you need, including a sauna. Near the illuminated ski track, to the ski lifts not far” Alexey, Russia
Villa Kuukkeli
Nice villa,decorated in eco-style, is located next to one of the slopes. The interior is used mainly wood. Around – wildlife, forests and animals. Of the domesticated only deer and dogs. Every winter they are ready to ride the guests of the resort on their sleds. The villa is rented completely, sometimes you have to live with neighbors.
“Great place for a family holiday. Near the spa, ski slopes. I liked everything» Olga
Sallainen Panvillage
3 kilometers from the resort you can stay in the apartments Sallainen Panvillage. Skiers stop here, but the place is especially popular in the summer. The Oulanka Mountain River flows in the surrounding area. In the summer season, lovers of rafting and rafting come here. The atmosphere in the house is created just for rest after long ski crossings or a difficult struggle with the fast flow of a mountain river. On the territory there is a barbecue area, a sauna, and a wood-burning stove in the dining room creates a unique atmosphere of home comfort.
“I recommend for relaxation. There is a unique atmosphere of complete unity with nature. This is a fantastically beautiful place located on the forest edge. Lovers of outdoor activities will also have something to do” Veronica
Holiday Home Sallanrinne b
Another holiday home is located in a forest area near the village of Tikkala. Eco-style is observed in everything: in the exterior and interior decoration of the apartments with wood, home textiles, a stone fireplace, a wonderful sauna. People come here to breathe fresh air and ski.
“It’s a very beautiful nature. It’s around. The soul is so calm that you constantly want to sleep. Especially under the crackling of firewood in the fireplace. Both soul and mind rest here” Kirsti, Finland
Holiday Home Samruam
Where else can you fully relax, if not in a log Finnish house? Holiday Home Samruam has two floors, full wooden interior decoration, separate classic sauna, real wood-burning stove. Of course, in addition to this, there are still a lot of modern amenities, including an equipped kitchen. But the place itself is exotic. The house stands at a distance from other residential buildings. But it has everything. Tourists especially like the separate indoor barbecue area. The seats are arranged around the brazier. Those present have all gathered in the northern plague to have dinner and talk together.
“Great stay! Skiing and reindeer sledding gave my children all the delights of the northern winter. And we observed the aurora” Ayk-Risto, Finland
Sallan Savu – Santas secret
The class apartments just below are located one and a half kilometers from Lake Khangasjärvi. This is a freshwater reservoir with an area of only one and a half square kilometers. One shore of the lake is located in Finland, the other – in the Murmansk region of Russia. Salla is just 800 metres away. Guests are accommodated in a one-storey log house. From the outside it looks like a northern hut, inside it is equipped in accordance with the needs of modern man. Activities in the surrounding area include skiing, summer and winter fishing, canoeing and hiking.
“Great! After an active day, we gathered in the yard, lit a brazier and watched the northern sky. This house, it’s like a village. Colorful rugs were lying and hanging everywhere, and the door to our bedroom was closed by a patchwork quilt. Peaceful evening gatherings and fast ski races in the afternoon – we had a great time on the weekend” Kristina, Estonia
SnowLounge AuroraHut Glass Igloos & Ice Hotel
One of the most interesting hotels in the vicinity of Salla. It offers rooms with tents stylized as an igloo or real igloo with ice beds. The property is located in the village of Sallatunturi. The owners bet on snow and ice. There is an ice bar on site and a Snow Relaxation Area a few metres away. In winter, the snow rooms are rebuilt. There is also an ice restaurant with a Menu of Lapland cuisine, an ice pub, an ice gallery and a chapel. Each snow room is individually decorated with ice and lighting.
AuroraHut inns welcome guests throughout the year. These are separate rooms, in appearance more reminiscent of tourist tents. With one difference – there are excellent beds inside, transparent windows located around the perimeter are curtained with dense curtains. Through the transparent ceiling you can watch the starry sky and the aurora. The rooms are located in such a way that in winter they are among the snows, and in summer they overlook the transparent surface of the lake. The complex has a toilet, a shared kitchen. Each room has independent heating.
The unique design and location near the Ski Resort of Salla makes the place popular with travelers, but not all information about it on the Internet is reliable.
“The main disappointment is the location of the house. It is right next to the ski lift and artificial lights. To see the aurora, you need to go further from civilization. The organizers explained that it had to be reinstalled due to the onset of the thaw (we went in March 2020) For barbecue you need to pay extra. If you run out of gas, you need to look for a spare cylinder (it is, just call the owners, they will tell you where to look) The price of booking is not always true. It is simply necessary to clarify it with the owners of the igloo” Olga
Hotels in the vicinity of the Salla ski resort are mainly detached log cabins, huts or villas. Such privacy makes it possible to fully relax and recharge your batteries until the next vacation.
