Tahko in Finland is a popular ski resort for tourists all year round. It is located near the city of Nilsia, and about 70 kilometers from the regional center of Kuopio. The resort itself is located right on Lake Syväri in the area of Mount Tahkovuori.
For the first time here began to receive tourists in 1968, when the first ski slope was launched. Since then, the resort has been constantly transformed. Now it has acquired the distinctive features of a modern international tourist center.
About the resort
Tahko in Finland is one of the best resorts in the Central and Southern part of the country. There are as many as 23 ski slopes here, half of which have a length of more than one kilometer, and elevation changes up to two hundred meters.
It is worth noting that this place is famous not only for high-speedpistes, but also the presence of special areas for beginner skiers and children. A separate lift is available for snowboarders.
In Tahko (Finland) one gets the feeling that everything here is done for people. For example, on the ski lift you can get to the ski slope directly from the car park, so you don’t have to go anywhere loaded with equipment. And the safe belt lift will help even the youngest skiers to conquer the slope that they can.
Regularly, the Tahko ski resort in Finland arranges ski trips, where vacationers have the opportunity to get acquainted with the winter landscapes of this place. Tourists especially like these events. Cross-country skiing trails run across the frozen lake and varied landscape. Moreover, part of the track is also illuminated.
Tahko ski resort in Finland is considered to be an ideal place for fun and comfort. On the slopes there are several cozy restaurants where you can take a break, drink coffee, taste fresh pastries, order a drink for every taste. When dusk descends on this place, incendiary parties begin that can warm even in the most severe frosts.
In Tahko (Finland) there are two rental points where you can rent snowboards, necessary ski equipment, sets of cross-country skis, and, if necessary, lubricate and prepare them before going on the track.
Infrastructure
The infrastructure of the Tahko ski resort can impress evendemanding athletes. There are more than 800 accommodation options of various levels for tourists to choose from. These are luxury hotels, and cottage settlements, and apart-hotels.
There are currently 23 slopes and 14 lifts in operation at this resort. It offers a variety of recreational opportunities. These are cross-country skiing, skiing, ATV and snowmobile safaris, mountain biking, golf, canoeing and kayaking, hiking, horseback riding, fishing, rowing. Since 2005, there has been a swimming spa pool, bowling, as well as other types of recreation on the basis of a multifunctional sports complex.
Events
Besides a comfortable ski resort, this place attracts tourists due to the exciting events that take place here all year round. For example, not far from Tahko there is an arena for two thousand spectators, where concerts and even opera performances are constantly held.
Next to the slopes of this resort there is the island of Ahodansaari. It is considered a center for spending free time and various courses in the spirit of pietism. The foundation of the same name, which owns it, considers the need to promote the historical, ecclesiastical and cultural heritage of the Pietist leader Paavo Ruotsalainen as its main goal, to support the spiritual life in the district in an appropriate spirit. There is a museum on the island itself, which is also owned by the foundation.
Residing conditions - cottages
This resort offersvariety of accommodation options. In addition to comfortable villas, these are also country cottages, townhouses made of wooden beams, apart-hotels, and hotels. Most of these places have mandatory saunas. The hotels have night clubs, bars and restaurants, there are congress halls for business meetings.
Cottages in Tahko in Finland are one of the most common and sought after accommodation options. The most budget one will cost you about 150 euros per day. This is how much a double room with an area of 24 square meters, 200 meters from the slopes, will cost.
From the windows overlooking the parking lot and the mountain slopes. The room itself has everything you need for cooking (oven, electric stove, microwave, refrigerator, dishwasher, coffee maker), TV, separate beds for two guests that can be connected. It also offers a private electric sauna, toilet and shower, the possibility of additional accommodation for one adult or child for a fee.
Conveniences lie in the fact that there is a pizzeria in the building itself, the cottage is located in the very center of Tahko. Of the obvious disadvantages - the small area of the room and the insufficient amount of hot water, which may not be enough with uneconomical use.
Alternatively, you can rent a cottage with an area of 38 square meters. It is located in Maaninka. From here, about 50 kilometers to Tahko and less than 30 kilometers to another ski resort - Kasurila. This place is ideal for a calm and measured rest inrural area. A wood burning sauna is available.
Hotels
Many people prefer to stay in Tahko hotels (Finland). Here you will find both budget and luxury options for lovers of living in a big way.
One of the best options is Sokos Hotel, where you will find everything you need for a reasonable price. It is located in the small town of Nilsia in the tourist area of Tahkorvuori. Guests can optionally use the gourmet restaurant's cuisine, free Wi-Fi, swimming pool, gym and sauna.
All rooms have a TV with a variety of cable channels and a private bathroom with a shower. Some have a balcony with great views of the area.
Among the amenities of the Sokos Hotel itself - a playroom for children and a lobby bar for adults, free parking is available on site. Golf courses, ski slopes, restaurants and shops are within walking distance. In addition to skiing, you can enjoy other sports such as canoeing, fishing, horseback riding and hiking.
Conditions for skiing
There are almost ideal conditions for practicing this sport. Ski slopes in Tahko are located within walking distance from civilization, which is considered an obvious plus. The slopes offer a wide range of opportunities, and the well-maintained trail network attracts athletes of all ages and abilities.
There's enough room forsnowboarders who will be able to demonstrate their skills. You can cross the bay via a pedestrian bridge, and parking right on the ice opens as soon as weather conditions permit.
This resort uses a popular ski pass system.
Equipment
If you didn't bring your ski equipment to Tahko, it's okay. There are three shops that provide its rental services right on the slopes. They will give you everything, including sets of cross-country skis and snowboards.
In addition, there is one point of training equipment. If necessary, you can sign up for ski school lessons, where you will be taught the secrets of gliding - from telemark to snowboarding.
Rental cost
On average, the cost of renting a set of skis for one day will be 32 euros, for children it is cheaper - 24 euros.
Pro kit will cost more - 42 euros. A set of snowboarding equipment will cost 38 euros.
If necessary, you can separately rent a snowboard (31 euros), boots (23 euros), a helmet (10 euros), skis (20 euros), poles (5 euros).
Slope reservations
The resort is very popular. Here regularly there is a need to book the slopes. To do this, you need to check the availability of free time in a special table, and then send the corresponding application to the email address. It should indicate the time, date, name of the club, contact person with an international telephone number,discipline and group size.
Applications are accepted in the order in which they are received. The only condition is that they should be sent at least 48 hours before the start of the reservation.
The head coach is responsible for the creation of the track. It is important to ensure that the reserved area is equipped with the signs provided for this. At the same time, all team members and equipment must remain inside the reserved part of the slope.
Travel Experiences
In reviews of Tahko, tourists often note a large number of accommodation options, a noticeably developed infrastructure.
Many are satisfied with almost everything, from accommodation. It is especially convenient to stay in hotels or cottages within walking distance from the ski lifts. The rooms are carefully thought out to make tourists as comfortable as possible. There is a clothes dryer, own kitchen, sauna.
There is a separate locker in the basement for storing inventory. The variety and quantity of slopes will impress even the most demanding skier.
Negative
Of the negative points, travelers note that the organizers do not prepare the tracks well. Some have had to deal with a situation where only four out of 23 were opened, and even those were badly broken.
In addition, most slopes have too steep and short braking zones, which is extremely difficult for beginners. The only outlet is the cross-country skiing track, which turns out to be well prepared andvaried. Compared to other Finnish resorts, this one is overpriced and cramped.
Some people leave here completely disappointed. Just because of the unreasonably high cost, a small number of open tracks and their unsatisfactory level of training. Because of this, the whole impression of the rest is spoiled. Large queues are almost always formed for the lifts, and by the middle of the day the tracks are simply smashed to smithereens. And all this at a high cost, clearly not corresponding to the level of service provided here, which customers are counting on.