Discover Saarijärvi: Slopes, Stone Age and Lakes

Saarijärvi can be discovered through a wide range of experiences: illuminated slopes at Kusiaismäki, an engaging Stone Age village and a canoe route across seven lakes each offer something different.

Saarijärvi at a glance

• The Paavonrinteet slopes at Kusiaismäki offer five illuminated runs for skiing and snowboarding.
• There are two ski lifts; the lift at the children's slope is free. There is also a toboggan run.
• At Kivikauden kylä, visitors can explore a life-size Stone Age village with dwellings, objects and tools.
• Puuhapuisto Veijari offers activities on land and water, including canoeing, boat rides and swimming.
• The seven-lake canoe route loops around the town centre; there are rest areas and shelters along the route where you can stay overnight.
• The Saarijärvi Museum features changing special exhibitions throughout the year.

Winter days at Paavonrinteet

If you want to make snow activities the focus of your stay, Paavonrinteet at Kusiaismäki offers skiing and snowboarding. Five illuminated slopes make this winter sports area a clear focal point for planning your trip. There are also two ski lifts. The lift at the children's slope is specifically free of charge; this does not apply generally to all facilities.

The toboggan run offers another option for a winter day away from the slopes. So you can choose between the slopes and tobogganing at the same location.

The Stone Age, art and exhibitions

At Kivikauden kylä, the Stone Age comes to life as an engaging glimpse into everyday life: the life-size village shows how people lived back then, with dwellings, objects and tools on display. A child-sized area complements the concept, where children can explore Stone Age life through play. The village thus brings together a depiction of a way of life from the past and an area expressly designed for children to explore.

Toivi Järvisen taidekoti offers a very different cultural experience. Alongside the house's complete furnishings, visitors can see Finnish artworks collected by Toivi and Osmo Järvinen. The collection spans the 1880s to the 1980s. Art enthusiasts can enjoy a broad view of Finnish works across several decades, while the historic home interior forms a distinct part of the visit.

The Saarijärvi Museum's special exhibitions change throughout the year. They provide another cultural point of interest alongside the Stone Age village and art collection. When planning your trip, you can choose between these places according to your interests: an engaging look at everyday history, an art-filled furnished house or changing special exhibitions all offer different reasons to include culture in your stay.

Water experiences and the canoe route

Puuhapuisto Veijari brings together activities on land and water. These include canoeing, boat rides and swimming. This puts water-based activities firmly on the itinerary, while Paavonrinteet caters to winter sports and the cultural attractions to other interests.

For those who want to explore Saarijärvi from the water, the seven-lake canoe route offers another clear option. It loops around the town centre and passes through Saarijärvi, Kallinjärvi, Summasjärvi, Kiimasjärvi, Pyhäjärvi, Iso-Lumperoinen and Pieni-Lumperoinen. There are several rest areas and shelters along the route where you can stay overnight. The route details therefore include both places to take a break and overnight accommodation options. The named lakes and places to rest make it easy to distinguish this canoe route as a separate travel interest from the activities at Puuhapuisto Veijari.

Tradition and choosing the right trip

A local tradition also gives the year a special highlight: every year on the eve of Midsummer, the Saarijärven Paavo is announced at the foot of the Paavo statue. If you want to plan your trip around this custom, this is the key date to bear in mind. Alongside the special exhibitions that change throughout the year, winter activities and water experiences, it shows how varied the interests of visitors to Saarijärvi can be.

When choosing accommodation, it helps to start by asking which of these experiences you want to shape your trip: winter sports, the Stone Age and art, exhibitions or water-based activities. Tailor your accommodation search to whichever of these experiences you want to make the focus of your trip. Discover more destinations: Kinkomaa, Joutsa, Pihtipudas, Uurainen, Toivakka, Häkkilä, Kyyjärvi and Suolahti.

Frequently asked questions about Saarijärvi

What winter sports are available at Paavonrinteet?

At Paavonrinteet in Kusiaismäki, there are five illuminated slopes for skiing and snowboarding, two ski lifts and a toboggan run. The lift at the children's slope is free.

What can children discover at Kivikauden kylä?

The Stone Age village includes a child-sized area where children can explore Stone Age life through play. Visitors can also learn about dwellings, objects and tools there.

What water activities are available at Puuhapuisto Veijari?

Activities include canoeing, boat rides and swimming. The park also offers other activities on land and water.

Which lakes are on the seven-lake canoe route?

The route passes through Saarijärvi, Kallinjärvi, Summasjärvi, Kiimasjärvi, Pyhäjärvi, Iso-Lumperoinen and Pieni-Lumperoinen. There are rest areas and shelters along the route where you can stay overnight.

When is the Saarijärven Paavo announced?

The announcement takes place every year on the eve of Midsummer at the foot of the Paavo statue.

For the broader travel overview: Central Finland.