Tips for families and beginners
With kids, it’s easy to start skiing from the Luontokeskus Nature Center toward Kortelampi, where the terrain is flat—ideal if hills still feel daunting. We've also skied around the Lucky Ranch's trail café in the village of Pyhäjärvi; a café break is always a plus. –Heidi
A lovely, flat stretch can be found across from the Naava Nature Center intersection at Kortesuo. It’s an easy spot to reach by ski bus. –Sari
For beginners, a trip to Luppo offers gentle, flat terrain without any steep slopes. Another beginner-friendly route is the family ski trail in Perheluosto, which is also nice and flat. –Johanna
We've enjoyed many trails with the family over the years. At Luosto, Kiimalaavu is our favorite for a daytime or sunset ski. With younger children, it’s quickest to reach by driving to the end of the last road in Orresokka, especially if you have little skiers or a sled in tow. Older kids can ski there on their own. Skiing around Luosto makes for a nice day trip with older children, taking breaks for snacks and stopping at trail cafés. The climb to Lampivaara is always rewarded with stunning views and a café visit. You can ski there from Luosto or Rykimäkero and then enjoy an easy descent back. Kopara’s gentle terrain is ideal for longer ski outings with kids, and there’s a nice lunch spot there, too. For children already comfortable with skiing, the route between Luosto and Pyhä offers a memorable experience. –Anna
The Nature Trail offers beautiful scenery and peaceful surroundings, with mostly flat terrain. The 4 km trail leads to Rykimäkero lean-to, from where you can return on the same route or take longer, more challenging trails back, for example, via Orresokka or Lampivaara to Luosto. –Paula
At Rykimäkero's parking area, you can start a scenic 1 km route to Rykimäkero hut. During the ski holiday, if all trails are open, it’s possible to continue from there to Rykimäkuru lean-to, about 3 km each way on easy, flat trails. –Jussi
I enjoy the Kiimaselkä loop, which has a cozy lean-to and a hut with a fireplace about halfway. The whole loop is mostly flat. Another favorite is the Pyhäjärvi loop, with its café stop featuring amazing carrot cakes among other treats. –Laura
From the Luosto Center area, there’s a trail via Orresokka to Kiimalaavu, perfect for a relaxed "Sunday skier." –Tuula
If you want to avoid steep ascents and descents, a good rule of thumb on the Luosto side is to steer clear of the eastern side of Orresokka and Lampivaara. –Martti
Longer Scenic Trails for Enthusiasts
The Pyhä tour via Lake Huttujärvi in early spring is a stunning experience. –Markku
The Soutaja loop counterclockwise around Pyhäjärvi is simply the best of Pyhä. –Riitta
All trails at Pyhä are lovely, but my ultimate favorite full-day route is Luosto-Lampivaara-Kapusta-Huttula-Haarainselkä-Pyhä. It offers some of the world’s most beautiful scenery in peaceful nature, with climbs, descents, and a final stretch over flat open marshes. There are great trail cafés at Lampivaara and Huttula for refueling, as well as wilderness huts to enjoy your own snacks. Ideal for teens, too. –Mirja
To me, the best route is to the hut between Luosto and Pyhä, though I can't recall the name right now. It’s best avoided in bad weather, but the snow-covered old pines and spruces are magical during snowy periods. –Esa
A round-trip from Luosto to Pyhä clocks in at 70 km, leaving you contentedly resting the next day. –Risto
You can share your own tips with us by emailing info@pyha-luosto.fi
