Ski center koli. koli national park finland koli national park finland how to get there

Last time I started talking about how we decided to go from Sortavala to Finland for a couple of days. The border was crossed somewhere in Karelia. The transition was remembered by a separate queue for the Russians, who were let through by the Finns, and a thorough inspection with all sorts of stupid questions. Late in the evening we reached the city of Joensuu, which I will tell you about next time. After spending the night, in the morning we moved north to the Koli National Park to look at the “best view of Finland” recommended by the local guide. Looked. Now I know exactly where the earth ends and thick, pale gray, hallucinatory nothingness begins—we've been to the very heart of the Snow Queen's realm. So, the national park "Koli".

2 billion years ago, this place was dominated by high mountains - the Karelids, which are not inferior in their power to today's Himalayas. But, as you know, everything except the Egyptian pyramids is afraid of time - until today, only relatively small rocks have remained from the once majestic mountains, the highest of which, Ukko-Koli, rises three and a half hundred meters above sea level. This is the highest place in Southern Finland.

The slopes of Ukko-Koli are a popular ski resort, so it is always crowded here.

From the parking lot up to the hotel and the ski slope there is a small funicular.

Through its tinted glass, a good view already opens up, which could well compete for the title of “the best view of Finland”.

Having risen literally a few tens of meters from the parking lot, you seem to find yourself in another world, located a thousand or two kilometers to the north.

I confess that I have never seen so much snow.

There is so much snow that it seems that you have fallen into a snowy sea that envelops you from all sides.

And in the middle of this vast sea, snow-covered lanterns shine like dim beacons.

Well, welcome to the winter fairy tale.

Among the tall fir trees and pines, silent giants standing around, you feel like a small ant. The tower located nearby, hardly discernible under a thick layer of snow, looks like some kind of incomprehensible extraterrestrial structure.

The symbol of the National Park "Koli" are numerous spruce and pine trees with several tops. This phenomenon is quite unique and is quite rare. Its nature is simple - moist air rises up the rocks, where it condenses in the crowns of trees, after which it turns into ice. Huge icy clods on the tops of pines and spruces reach several hundred kilograms, and trees often break under their weight.

The snowflakes kept growing and finally turned into big white chickens.

Suddenly they scattered to the sides, the big sledge stopped, and the man sitting in it stood up. It was a tall, slender, dazzling white woman - the Snow Queen; and her fur coat and hat were made of snow.

The walls of the halls were blizzards, the windows and doors were violent winds.

How cold, how deserted it was in those white, brightly shining halls!

Cold, deserted, grandiose!

These landscapes inspired Jean Sibelius to write his famous Fourth Symphony.

There is a legend that before the wedding, he dragged a piano to the top of the mountain, which he played for his future wife.

Cold, deserted, dead!

In the middle of the largest deserted snow hall was a frozen lake. The ice cracked on it into thousands of pieces, so identical and regular that it seemed like some kind of trick.

In the middle of the lake stood the throne of the Snow Queen; on it she sat when she was at home, saying that she was sitting on the mirror of the mind; in her opinion, it was the only and best mirror in the world.

Between the branches fancifully bent under tons of snow, you can see the endless Finnish forests, frozen in anticipation of spring.

In the meantime, we reach the highest point - the top of Ukko-Koli.

Some kind of surrealism, just a painting by Salvador Dali.

From the top, you can see the lake Pielinen, located next to the rocks.

Actually, here it is - the best view of Finland.

This is the fifth largest lake in the country. From here, the Pielisjoki River originates, whose waters then through Saimaa, Vuoksa and Lake Ladoga fall into my native Neva.

The name of the peak is translated as "Grandfather Kolya". Ukko is Finnish for "grandfather".

Ukko is also the name of an ancient pagan thunder god.

The distances here are quite small - from the hotel to the top of only some 300 meters. But if you consider that you have to wade almost knee-deep in snow, it turns out that it takes 25 minutes to overcome these 300 meters.

Some trees resemble snow-covered monsters. A little more and he will throw off his two-kilogram snow coat and severely punish violators of his peace.

As I said above, you have to wade knee-deep in snow.

And this is on a beaten track. It is worth taking a step to the side - and immediately you fall into the snow up to your waist.

So, slowly choking on the snow, we began to make our way to the next peak - Pakha-Koli.

If I understand correctly, then it translates as "Evil Kolya".

Probably, to justify the name of the peak, the wind here was many times stronger and meaner than at Ukko-Koli located a few hundred meters from here.

Even just standing on top was hard, so I had to take pictures from a shelter - in the soft snow I made myself a cozy lair, from which only my head and a camera stuck out.

The third peak is Akka-Koli. It translates as "Baba Koli".

There was no trodden path there, and we decided to make our way at random, trying to recognize the red marks hidden under the snow, indicating the right path.

The top of Akka-Koli is located on the opposite side of the ridge, so the view from here opens in the other direction.

Spruce and pine trees sticking out of the snow look like an army of huge fairy-tale warriors who stopped to rest, and just disappeared under the onslaught of winter.

The ancient Karelians considered these mountains to be the habitat of higher beings, so many legends and traditions are associated with these rocks.

In memory of those times in the park there is a place called the Devil's Church - a long crevice in the rock about 30 meters deep. From above, the crevice is littered with huge boulders, forming the roof of the cave. Ancient shamans from these places were sure that the sanctuary of the devil himself was located in the farthest hall.

A little later, we tried to get to the cave, but our idea failed - the snow there was significantly higher than waist-high, so after trampling around the snow-covered parking lot, we still retreated.

“Now I will fly to warmer climes,” said the Snow Queen. - I'll look into the black cauldrons.

So she called the craters of the fire-breathing mountains - Etna and Vesuvius.

- I'll whiten them a little. It's good for lemons and grapes.

She flew away, and Kai was left alone in the boundless deserted hall, looking at the ice floes and thinking, thinking, so that his head was cracking. He sat there, so pale, motionless, as if lifeless. You might think he was completely cold.

IN at that time, Gerda entered the huge gate, which was the violent winds. And before her the winds subsided, as if asleep. She entered a huge deserted ice hall and saw Kai. She immediately recognized him, threw herself on his neck, hugged him tightly and exclaimed:

— Kai, my dear Kai! Finally I found you!

Kai and Gerda left the ice halls hand in hand. They walked and talked about their grandmother, about the roses that bloomed in their garden, and before them the violent winds subsided, the sun peeped through. And when they reached the bush with red berries, the reindeer was already waiting for them.

Instead of a reindeer, a faithful Citroen was waiting for us, in which we were finally able to warm up and come to our senses.

After walking around the park, we gathered back to Joensuu. At the exit of the national park there was a large announcement about an open ice road connecting the two shores of Lake Pillinen. If you drive along the highway around the lake, then this path would take about 100 kilometers, here you could cut off 60 kilometers.

Of course, we had to go in the other direction - but I had to see what the Finnish winter road is like.

I expected to see anything, but not a wide, well-cleared highway, along the sides of which there were many road signs.

Tomorrow - a little more Finland.

Entering Finland and heading along highway No. 6 towards the city of Joensuu, you pay attention to the road designation - a small red-brown shield with two Latin letters "R" (one is black, the other is white), turned to each other. friend - R unon ja R ajan tie (Road of Poetry and Borders) is the oldest tourist road in Finland. It runs through the whole of Eastern Finland, following the Russian border, starting near the coast of the Baltic Sea (Gulf of Finland), where groves and rocky landscapes lie. It passes through the territories that were strongly influenced by the glacier, giving rise to severe fells, and finally ends with the mountains of Lapland. These territories are characterized by coniferous forests and an abundance of lakes and a clearly delineated change of seasons.

Over the centuries, many bloody wars took place in these sparsely populated areas. Nevertheless, here a person lives in the conditions that nature offers him. Even today, local residents have a special relationship with nature and the opportunities it offers for peace and activities to their liking.

The weather, stretching from south to north for more than 1000 km, is influenced by various natural factors. In South Karelia, the proximity of Lake Ladoga creates a semblance of a maritime climate. In summer, Lappeenranta is often the warmest place in Finland. Moving north in the area of ​​Salpausselk (Salpausselk?) in Parikkala (Parikkala) passes the "winter" border. North of Salpausselka, winters are snowier, and Ilomantsi is the snowiest municipality in Finland. In the Joensuu area, summers are usually hot and winters are cold. Here the difference between the two seasons is already very large, and even further north the winter frosts are much stronger than in the southern regions. Also, the length of the day, the polar night or the white nights, is a trump card of the tourist road that runs along the eastern border of Finland.

Beyond Parikkala begins North Karelia, the administrative center of which is. North Karelia is the fourth largest (21.583.68 km?) province of Finland and the 14th in terms of population - 164.665 people. (29.2.2016).

75 km north of Joensuu is Koli. "Koli" - what is it? Those who go in for skiing will immediately answer that this is a famous ski resort in Finland. In addition to the resort, there is the Koli Hill, there is the Koli National Park, after all, there is the village of Koli. Well, about everything in order.

Koli Hill is the largest in North Karelia. It rises 347 meters above sea level, and 253 meters above the level of Lake Pielinen, on the western shore of which it is located. Koli has several peaks: Ukko-Koli (Ukko-Koli), Akka-Koli (Akka-Koli) and Paha-Koli (Paha-Koli). They are said to have taken their names from pagan deities. Everything is possible… The Koli hill consists of white quartzite and where there are open peaks, it seems that they are covered with eternal snow. This is a very old education. Kolya is over two billion years old. Scientists suggest that in the pre-glacial period it was as high as the modern Alps. Koli has withstood "treatment" by the glacier, weathering, erosion. If you climb to the highest peak of the Koli Hill - Ukko-Koli, then from there you will have a beautiful view of Lake Pielinen lying at the foot of the hill and the surrounding surroundings. In good clear weather, it can be seen for tens of kilometers around.

Lake Pielinen matches Koli, is not inferior to its famous "neighbor". It is the fourth largest lake in Finland. It is located at an altitude of 93 meters above sea level. The area of ​​the lake is 894.21 km?.. It stretches for a maximum of 120 km, and at its widest point it reaches 40 km. There are about 1,500 islands in its water area. The largest of them is Paalasmaa. Its area is 27 km?.. Several large rivers flow into the lake, and one flows out - Pielisenjoki (Pielisenjoki), which carries the waters of the lake in a southerly direction, and they eventually fall into the water system of the Neva. The lake is navigable, the first travelers got to Koli by water. After all, the first road to Koli was built only in 1913.

On the western shore of Lake Pielinen lies one of the most famous nature parks in Finland - the Koli National Park, founded in 1991. Five years later, its territory was expanded, and now it covers an area of ​​30 km? or 3.000 ha. The Koli National Park is divided into three zones-belts according to the main natural objects of protection. One zone includes the national landscape and geological objects. This zone covers the highest peaks of Koli. The cultural zone is located near the village of Koli, located at the foot of the hill. In this zone, the diversity of the traditional life of the local population is maintained: the cultivation of agricultural fields, which have been conquered from the forest since ancient times by slash-and-burn method and oats, rye and turnips have been grown in the ashes. Traditional livestock grazing - local breeds of cows and sheep, as before, freely graze in the forest in open glades and clearings framed by birch groves. In the natural zone, the forest nature of the hills is preserved. The flora of Koli is very changeable and a large species diversity of plants grows in a small area. Huge spruces, pines, birches and aspens grow in the forest. Lindens are found in several places in the national park. The grass cover is also rich. Perennial ferns are widespread. There is also such a rare plant as calypso with the smell of vanilla. The thorny wild rose is a plant symbol of North Karelia. There is also an orchid from the orchid family.

“The flora and climate of the national park is perfect for animals to live in. Flying squirrels, martens, ermines, voles, hares, lynxes, elks and bears live in mixed forests. There are also rare species such as the black shrew, wood lemming and the endangered crested newt. In the northern part of the park, birds are common: capercaillie, black grouse, hazel grouse, osprey, bluetails and clovers. There are vendace, whitefish, pike and perch in the lake. The Koli National Park is home to invertebrates such as the flat beetle Aradus laeviusculus and the snail Bulgarica cana, which live only in Koli in Finland. It is also home to over 717 different species of butterflies.”*

Archaeological finds show that people in the vicinity of Koli have been hunting and gathering for a long time. A Stone Age site was discovered on the shore of Lake Pielinen, but traces of human habitation on the western shore of the lake appear only in the second half of the 18th century. The oldest buildings, pastures and open fields for agriculture date back to the 1750s, when the village of Koli appeared.

Today, about 250 people live in the village, many of whom are entrepreneurs in the tourist area, but also the villagers work in agriculture and the forestry industry. In the village of Koli, there is a local shop with a post office and a pharmacy. In the center of the village is the Art and Cultural Center "Kolin Ryynönen" and the Koli Museum of Local Lore. Exhibitions are held in the Ukko visitor center and a souvenir shop is open. Here you can also purchase summer tourist maps of the Koli region, which will help you orient yourself while walking along the tourist trails of the Koli National Park. Almost all hiking trails start from here, which are designed for different ages, physical fitness and interests. Hiking trails of different lengths from one kilometer to 60 km.

There is also a hotel here, but the tourist pilgrimage to Koli began in the second half of the 19th century, after some representatives of the Finnish artistic intelligentsia visited here, reflecting the beauty of Koli in their works. The artist Ero J?rnefelt painted a whole series of paintings reflecting not only local landscapes, but also the daily activities of the local population. Composer Jean Sibelius expressed his impressions of his stay in Koli in the fourth symphony, and the writer Juhani Aho published a series of articles describing Koli and local attractions. This was facilitated by legends that speak of sacred places, koduns and caves. In one of these caves, which the locals call the “Church of the Devil” (Piirunkirkko), Ero Järnefelt wrote a worm-line in red paint, traces of which are still visible to this day, though already vaguely.

"Yksi salaisuus, yks henki,
yks onni kumpaisenki
on kirkko t?m?,
sen pyhyytt? muistelemma aina."

Eero and Fanny 1893

The first travelers settled for the night in private rural houses. But then the Tourist Union of Finland in 1896 on the top of Ukko-Koli built the first guest house "Ulyamaya" (Yl?maja - the upper hut) and laid the first path to it, and below, not far from the pier, the first sign appeared, written on a huge boulder, once brought by a glacier. The inscription reads: "To the traveler's hut 2 km." Today it is the oldest sign in Finland still in use today and points to a nature trail leading from the port towards Ukko-Koli.

In 1911, a local teacher built another guest house in the yard of the torpa, which they called "Alamaja" (Alamaja), which means "lower hut" in translation. She stood until the 1980s and then she was dismantled. In 2004, a new hotel was built, which now stands on the very shore of Lake Pielinen. She was named in memory of her predecessor, too, "Alamaya".

The port has also been updated. Today, guest yachts and a local car ferry, which transports everyone to the opposite shore, moor in it. And in winter, if weather conditions permit, an ice road is laid across the lake, which reduces the distance between Koli and the city of Lieksa by 50 km. This is the longest ice road in Europe.

In 1923, Koli became the most visited tourist site in the country, which was facilitated by the opening of the road, and in the 1930s a "serpentine" was built leading to Ukko-Koli. At the same time, skiing began to actively develop in the country. The first ski slope was opened in Koli, "Ulyamaya" was expanded, and it began to receive guests all year round. Subsequently, a modern hotel was built on the top of the hill, which now receives guests, and the wooden "Ulyamaya" was dismantled in the 1970s.

During the Second World War, tourist life in Koli stopped. It was revived again only in the 1960s, but big plans for the development of Kolya were slowed down due to the energy crisis of the 1970s.

Today, Koli is a multifaceted area of ​​natural tourism, where there are more than a hundred kilometers of summer tourist routes, of which 80 km are in the national park.

Two ski centers have been created on the slopes of Koli: one is located on Ukko-Koli and is aimed at experienced athletes, the other, also located in the national park, is family-oriented and is located on Loma-Koli. Ukko-Koli has two lifts and six slopes. The biggest height difference is 230 meters, and the length of the slopes is 800–1.500 meters. Ukko-Koli has one of the steepest ski slopes in Finland (33.8 degrees). Loma-Koli has six slopes and four lifts. The largest elevation difference is 145 meters, and the length of the slopes ranges from 530 to 1,050 meters. Two of the slopes are designed for snowboarders and students of the new ski school. For children there are snow fortresses and "centrifugal" sleds and a "carpet" lift.

In 2013, Koli was chosen as the “Tourist Site of the Year”, and its slopes as the “Ski Center 2013”.

Photos of Marina Afanasyeva were used in the design of the article.

Ski lovers have long included Finland among the popular resort destinations. The country, located in the north of Europe, is ready to provide all conditions for outdoor activities. Among the most visited places by skiers is the Koli resort.

The picturesque place is located in eastern Finland. It opened for vacationers in 1991 and now annually receives up to 100,000 tourists from all over the world. The unique natural attractions of the country are located on an area of ​​45 km². In the park, visitors will see the highest point in Southern Finland - Mount Ukko-Koli. From a height of 347 meters overlooking the fourth largest lake in Finland - Pielinen.

The park is often chosen for hiking. Tourists enjoy the green hills and the clear water of the lakes. The place is famous for its natural beauties - the famous gorge Pirunkirkko or "Church of the Devil". It is the longest natural cave in Finland.

The park is open to visitors all year round. Walking around Koli will help you relax from the bustle of the city and enjoy the beauty of untouched nature. Every year, tourists choose a place for family vacations.

There are many activities for children and adults to choose from:

• fishing;
• dog sledding;
• horse riding;
• hiking trips;
• skiing, sledding, snowboarding.

Among outdoor enthusiasts, there is a popular local ski resort of the same name. It consists of two separate centers - Loma-Koli and Ukko-Koli. They are located 5 km from each other.

Characteristics of tracks and slopes

The ski resort has been operating for over 75 years. Since 1938, its tracks and slopes have welcomed athletes. There are options for beginners and experienced skiers.

A total of two ski centers 10 slopes and 12 pistes, of which:

• 6 slopes with artificial snow in the center of Ukko-Koli, 2 illuminated;
• 4 slopes on the territory of Loma-Koli, 3 illuminated;
• snowboard - 740 m track in the center of Loma-Koli;
• 60 km of cross-country skiing trails.

The maximum length of the descent is 1.5 km. The elevation difference is 230 m. In Ukko-Koli there is a Black track - one of the most difficult in Finland.

The organizers of the resort have thought of a special towing lift for beginners. In total, the resort has 7 drag lifts, 3 in Ukko-Koli and 4 in Lomo-Koli.

Prices for equipment rental and lift

The price of the lift depends on the number of days planned in the ski resort. The more time you devote to skiing, the cheaper the cost of one climb. One-time adult ticket for an hour costs 5 euro, children's 3 euros.

Ski pass prices:

It's best to buy discount cards! For couples with children, it is economical to buy a family ticket! Young visitors under 7 years old and seniors over 70 years old enter for free!

A family ticket with an S-Etukortti 94 card costs 110 euros for the whole day.

If necessary, you can rent equipment at the resort. The rental price will also depend on the time. Minimum rental time 1 hour will cost 20 euro.

Equipment rental prices:

It is most advantageous to purchase the whole set for a day for 37 euros!

The resort has a contactless SkiData KeyCard system. It allows you to accelerate the ascent to the slopes. You yourself upload a convenient number of tickets to it. Card cost - 6 euro.

Photo gallery of the Koli ski resort:

Hotels in Koli

The ski resort is located near the city of Joensuu. Travel time from it to the slopes is 1 hour. Here, tourists will choose a hotel that is suitable for the cost and number of stars.

Sokos Hotel Koli

For those who are not ready to spend even minutes on the road, it will do. It is located right in the park. It is easily accessible by skiing down the slope.

The rooms are equipped with everything you need:

• separate bathroom;
• television;
• kettle;
• bath accessories

Price for two adults per day 8549 rubles And 7203 rubles for one. The price includes breakfast.

Updated: 23.4.2019

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Ski slopes open

The Koli ski resort has been operating for over 75 years! What's new awaits guests this ski season? The lift is open for children! Now the youngest guests of the resort can easily climb to the top and develop their skiing and snowboarding skills.

The Koli Ski Center is located in North Karelia, 75 km north of the city of Joensuu. The Koli National Park is also located here. From Helsinki, Joensuu is easily accessible by train or plane; group taxis run regularly from Joensuu to Koli. Approximate travel time from Helsinki is 6 hours.

Ukko-Koli has a black run, which is considered one of the most difficult ski runs in Finland. The resort offers a ski rental, a ski school and a cafe-restaurant Rinnetupa, which can also be booked for private events. New at the resort are the SkiShop sports shop and the telemark equipment rental service.

Don't forget to visit Koli Relax Spa! Here you will find the very rest for body and soul that you have always dreamed of! In the SPA complex you can enjoy various pools, saunas, rain showers and all kinds of treatments .

The slopes of Koli have some of the best profiles in Southern and Central Finland! The Ukko-Koli slopes are perfect for high-level skiers and can compete with the slopes of Lapland itself!

ski school

The ski school in Koli is the oldest ski school in Finland. We have specialists who will help you learn how to ski and snowboard, you will learn what telemark is and much more. Whether you are a professional or a beginner, we are always happy to help!

We are ski school Werneri.

Contacts

ski resort

010 762 3630

Rantatie 27 83960 Koli

ski school

010 7623 630

Rantatie 27 83960 Koli

How to get to the resort

http://www.koli.fi/fi/Koli-info/Miten-Kolille

Slope Information

• Number of slopes7
• Number of lifts4
• Ski pass systemSkiData
• Ski slopes100

Information about slopes and runs

• Opening hours
• Slopes open0
• Lifts open0
• Children's slopes open0
• Ski slopes open0
• Snowparks openClosed

slope facts

• Maximum height difference230
• The longest descent1500
• Illuminated slopes4
• Slopes with artificial snow7
• Black slopes2
• Red runs3
• Blue slopes1
• Green/transitional routes1
• Children's slopes1
• Children's VillageYes
• SnowparkYes

Facts about lifts

• Lift capacity7200
• Rope lifts (anchor)2
• Ski lifts (dish)
• Belt lifts1
• moving ropes
• Chair lifts1
• Gondola lifts0

Track Information

• Length of ski slopes80
• Illuminated slopes50
• Trails with artificial snow

Service Information

• Rental pointYes
• Ski serviceYes
• Snowboard repair and maintenanceYes
• Ski ShopYes
• Ski SchoolYes
• Cafe on the slopes2
• Restaurants3
• Places for motorhomes
• Snowmobile trails
• Nearest gas station
• Nearest railway station

  Joensuu, 75 km

• Nearest airport

Hike or ski through the rocky hills of Koli Park and you'll see why artists and nature lovers draw inspiration from these magnificent views that capture the essence of the Finnish lake landscape.

In the Koli Park, part of the beautiful Lake District of Eastern Finland, a chain of wooded hills rises above the crystal clear waters of Lake Pielinen. The hills of the Koli Park consist of rocks that are perhaps the most ancient in the world. The crystalline quartzite found here was formed over two billion years ago in the heart of an ancient mountain range that was taller than the current Himalayas.

Koli Park has a large number of hiking trails. Amazing views open from the crest of the ridge. Climb to the Ukko-Koli (Grandfather Koli, Ukko-Koli) and Akka-Koli (Baba Koli, Akka-Koli) observation decks, which offer stunning views of the lake, or go down any of the forested slopes to the quiet lake shores.

In summer, a car ferry runs across the lake towards Lieksa. You can also rent a kayak or rowing boat. In winter, the snow-covered hillsides of Koli Park are a great place for cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and snowshoeing.

flowering meadows

In the heart of the dense forests of Koli Park, there are several old pastures and meadows that play an important role in preserving the traditional local ways of farming and breeding livestock. The forest was deliberately burned in several places to clear fields, as was done in the old days when slash-and-burn agriculture was widespread in Eastern Finland.

Get to know the forest properly - stay in the park for the night. Accommodation options are varied, from a mountaintop hotel and picturesque log cabins to free-of-charge campgrounds dotted through the woods. Walking through the forest, observe the life of forest dwellers. On the way you can meet a lot of animals from a tiny mouse to a huge elk.

In the information and reference center you can learn a lot of interesting things about the geology, nature and history of the Koli National Park. At the end of the 19th century, Finnish romantic artists came here to capture the surrounding landscapes on their canvases. Archaeological finds indicate that in the Stone Age, the ancient people who lived in Finland chose these difficult places for ritual sacrifices.

While in this part of Eastern Finland, don't forget to take a look at the Ruunaa rapids. This is a very impressive sight.

Address, opening hours, how to get there

• Kolin kansallispuisto
• The address: Kolin Kansallispuisto, Suomi
123 4567
• Coordinates: 63.063359 , 29.844246
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