Vuokatti, Finland
The tracks in Vuokatti and Sotkamo have a terrain for all levels of skier right from from beginners. The first-snow track opens every year around mid-October and lasts until April time. There are 190 kms of cross-country ski tracks in both techniques. and 32 km of these are lit from early morning to late evening.
How to get to Voukatti
By Air
Taxi from Kajaani Airport
Fly to Helsinki and, from Helsinki, there are several flights per day to Kajaani, the nearest airport. Flights from Helsinki to Kajaani take around 1 hour 20 minutes.
The next two closest airports are Oulu and Kuopio, Oulu to the north and Kuopio to the south, and both about 200 km from Vuokatti.
Bus Connections from Kajaani Airport
From Kajaani airport, which is 40 km from Vuokatti, there is a bus connection from the airport to the resort (which takes about 30 minutes). The shuttle bus connects each flight with Sotkamo / Vuokatti and leaves from the car park outside the small terminal building.
Menevä taxis for 1-4 person is €80 and for 5-7 person (minivan) €100 (2024 prices). You can order in advance from the free Menevä booking system.
You can also take a taxi from Kajaani Airport to Kajaani Travel Centre and take a bus from there to Vuokatti. Bus timetables and tickets from Matkahuolto and Perille.
By Rail
The nearest train station is in Kajaani and there are several trains per day from Helsinki and Tikkurila (the nearest station to Helsinki airport). These trains tie up with the local buses which go directly to Voukatti. It takes about 6 hours to get to Kajaani from Helsinki by train.
By Bus
Local bus information/timetable
There are long-distance buses straight to Vuokatti, and buses in Finland are generally reliable, comfortable, on time and cheap. Travelling by road is safe and easy as the roads in Finland are well maintained and the traffic volumes are low.
The local bus company - SotKatti, operates in the Sotkamo-Vuokatti area. You can pay the fare with debit card, mobile ticket (Waltti mobile app) or with cash.
Cross Country Ski Maps of Vuokatti
Cross Country Ski Map of Sotkamo
Cross Country Ski Tracks and Routes
The types of tracks in Vuokatti can be divided into three groups by their location and difficulty level.
- The tracks around the Holiday Club Katinkulta are the easiest, with quite flat terrain and lengths of up to 10 km.
- The tracks near Vuokatti Sport all start from the Vuokatti Arena car park, and divide into those that go up to the hills; with a lot of challenging uphills and downhills (max ascent 165 m). There are 5 to 30 kilometers of excursion and race routes in this area, and several fireplace spots/huts, and the Heikkilän Pirtti café for refreshments.
- The rest of the tracks stay down in the “lowlands” with shorter distances and moderate height differences.
During springtime the tracks around Katinkulta have a sunny disposition, and are mainly flat as they mostly run on the lake. The connecting track goes between Katinkulta and Vuokatti Sport allowing easy transfer between the larger accommodations and the ski track networks. In Sotkamo city, the sunny ski trail runs from Hiukka, and there are more tracks in the city centre area. You can ski between Vuokatti and Sotkamo on the cross country ski trail that connects the two.
Vuokatti Cross Country Ski Routes
The Vuokatti website has a full list of all of the cross country routes in the Vuokatti area.
Cafes on Cross Country Routes
Where to Stay
There are a couple of modern hotels at the Vuokatti ski cente and cabins in the surrounding area, for which you would need a car. You can stay in Sotkamo and use the free ski bus to get to the ski cenre. There is a good supermarket, sports shop, and couple of restaurants and bars.
The Tullikettu Hotel, is a spacious and friendly 80s style hotel with good food for skiers, situated on a wooded hill by the town.
Cross Country Ski Rental
Vuokatti Ski Service
- Opistontie 1, 88610 Vuokatti, in the same building as the Vuokatti Arena.
https://vuokattiskiservice.fi/
Customer service: +358 50 542 7268
The rental works on a walk-in principle, so you don’t need to book anything in advance. The shop is open year-round and offers cross country ski equipment and other activities.
Vuokatti Slopes -
Pohjoisrinteet Veikontie 3, 88610 Vuokatti.
Equipment rental and maintenance services.
Cross Country Ski Races
The Vuokatti Hiihto is one of the most famous and biggest ski marathon races in Finland with around 2,000 participants. It takes place each year around the first week of February. The course takes in the Vuokatti Hills and the Vuokatti Hiihto is known for its compact competition zone, great atmosphere, lovely scenery and perfectly groomed trails.
The start is at the Vuokatti Sports Institute and the routes for the 50 kms and 100 kms start for 5 km around Vuokatti in very demanding terrain. The second part of the course runs over frozen lakes and the third part, through Finnish forests and over mountain ridges with partly long moderate climbs. The 30 km course is basically the third part of the 50 km course, and the 10 km course runs almost continuously on a frozen lake.
Companies featuring trips to Vuokatti
None known at present.