Kuhmo in Arctic Lakeland, Finland, offers activities all year round. This brand-new weekly program will help you plan your visit. How about trying exciting rapid swimming, a guided sauna experience, or a bear art workshop? These activities and many more are available for everyone!
Winter in Kuhmo – weekly program 2026 PDF Please check the final activity registration time shown in PDF!
MONDAY
10:00 Snowshoe Safari 2h
Join us on a guided 2-hour snowshoe tour, perfect for beginners! Explore the serene beauty of Finland’s taiga forest and the peaceful lakeside as you walk through the winter wonderland. Along the way, we’ll stop to warm up with a cup of hot juice, while your guide shares interesting facts about the surrounding nature. This easy-paced adventure is ideal for anyone looking to experience the magic of winter in a relaxing and enjoyable way.
14:00 Ice Fishing 2h
Ice Fishing Adventure: Drill, Jig, and Enjoy
Experience the thrill of ice fishing on our exciting ice fishing adventure! Start by drilling through the ice and try your hand at jigging for fish. The group will set off equipped with snowshoes to reach the perfect fishing spots.
The trip includes hot drinks and sausages cooked over a fire. All necessary equipment is provided and available for use throughout the day, making it a hassle-free and enjoyable experience.
18:00 Smoke sauna
18-20 SPA, sauna & ice swimming available every evening in Hotel Kalevala
TUESDAY
10:00 Snowshoe Safari 2h
10:00 Nature tour to Lentua Rapids 2h
Explore Kuhmo’s Natural Wonder Lentua Rapids
Discover the stunning beauty and rich history of Kuhmo on this easy and informative tour, perfect for nature lovers of all ages! Just a short 15-minute drive from the town center, we’ll explore the region’s natural and historical treasure, Lentua Rapids, the largest free-flowing rapid of the region. From a wooden boardwalk, you’ll get up close to the rushing waters while learning about the exciting history of how these rapids were once used as transport routes for tar. This trail covers approximately 1.5 kilometers.
To conclude the tour, we’ll gather at a cozy laavu shelter by the rapids, where we’ll light a fire and enjoy freshly brewed coffee and a snack in the heart of nature.
12.30 Nature tour to Lentua rapids2h
13:00 Snowmobile Safari 4h
Snowmobile Safaris: Thrilling Guided Adventures
Embark on our exciting snowmobile safaris and experience the thrill of winter adventure! Choose from a range of tours, varying in length and difficulty, to suit your preferences. All tours are guided and include a full set of gear: suit, boots, hat, socks, and helmet, plus insurance with a maximum deductible of 1000 €. Please note that drivers must have a valid driver’s license.
Get ready for an exhilarating journey through the snow, tailored to your level of adventure!
15:00 Nature tour to Lentua Rapids 2h
18:00 Guided sauna experience in Hotel Kalevala
Kalevala-Inspired Sauna Treatments – the Healing Power of Nature, Heat, and Tradition
Our sauna treatments are rooted in the ancient sauna culture of Kainuu, where heat, herbs, peat, and traditional healing methods come together to create a deeply relaxing experience. Each treatment is carried out with presence, calmness, and respect for nature – always listening to your well-being.
WEDNESDAY
9:30 (from 27.1.) Snowshoes tracking to wolverine hut 6-7h, Lentiira
Snowshoeing to Wolverine Hut: Explore the Taiga Wilderness
Embark on an immersive adventure through the pristine Taiga forest with our “Snowshoeing to Wolverine Hut” experience. This journey offers a deep dive into the rich ecosystem of the taiga, guided by a professional wildlife expert.
Program:
We’ll start with a drive to the Lentiira area, where the adventure begins. After a brief introduction to snowshoeing, our expert guide will lead you into the heart of the taiga forest. As we traverse the snowy landscape, we’ll follow tracks of wolverines, elk, and hares, learning about their winter survival strategies.
Our trek will culminate at a private observation hut, where we’ll spend 1,5 to 2 hours immersed in the serene silence of the forest, awaiting a glimpse of a wolverine or other wildlife. Enjoy warm drinks and a picnic as you quietly soak in the tranquil magic of the taiga. The tour includes approximately 1,5-2 hours of snowshoeing and 1,5-2 hours in the observation hut.
10:00 Rapid Swimming 2-3h
Exciting rapid swimming
Dive into an exhilarating adventure at Pajakkakoski Rapids in the heart of Kuhmo! Begin by gearing up in thermal clothes and a rescue suit. After getting accustomed to floating in the river, your guide will explain the safety procedures and techniques for navigating the rapids. Everyone will start with a group-swim down the rapid and after that participants can go alone and take turns, feeling the rush of the water and the thrill of the experience. Conclude this unforgettable adventure with a warm cup of hot chocolate and receive a diploma inside a cozy teepee.
14:00 Fatbike tour Kuhmo town 2h
Fat Bike Adventure
Discover the thrill of fat biking on a 2-hour tour through undiscovered trails. Equipped with specially designed bikes featuring over sized tires, you’ll easily navigate terrain, experiencing a unique blend of cycling and adventure. Your guide will lead you on a scenic route, showcasing the beauty of the landscape while ensuring a fun and safe ride for all skill levels. In winter time you can bike over a frozen lake. You will stop for a coffee break at local pastry-coffee shop.
14.00 Ice Fishing 2h
18:00 Smoke sauna
THURSDAY
10:00 Reindeer Tour, Suomussalmi 7h
Welcome to a winter excursion where we will experience snowy landscapes and the rich culture of Kainuu. Along the journey, we’ll learn about reindeer herding, the local history, and the lives of residents, both in the past and present.
At the reindeer farm, we’ll observe reindeer feeding, take a ride through a snowy forest on a reindeer-pulled sleigh, and practice throwing a suopunki—a traditional lasso used to catch reindeer and a valuable tool for herders. The excursion is well-suited for both children and adults. During the trip, we will enjoy lunch.
PROGRAMME:
Pick-ups from accommodations in Kuhmo. The drive to the reindeer farm in Suomussalmi takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. During the trip, you’ll hear stories about local life, culture, and the experiences of people in the region. At the reindeer farm, activities include reindeer feeding, photography, a reindeer sleigh ride, and suopunki (lasso) throwing.
Lunch: reindeer soup, bread, juice, or water. For dessert, tea or coffee with a bun.
The return journey begins, accompanied by stories about the culture and the lives of people in Kainuu.
14:00 Fatbike tour Kuhmo town 2h
14:00 Salt Room Therapy (available every weekday)
A salt room is a natural form of therapy that is especially suitable for skin and respiratory problems. The salt room is lined with rock salt, and during the treatment, a fine mist of salt particles is sprayed into the air. The salt dust affects the surface of the skin, the lungs, and the mucous membranes.
Salt therapy can be helpful for those suffering from dry or atopic skin, psoriasis, and asthma. Among other things, salt reduces inflammation.
FRIDAY
Cultural day in Kuhmo
Explore Kuhmo’s stunning architectural sites at your own pace, including Kuhmo Arts Centre, the city library, Kide Stage (Architizer A+ Popular Choice Award 2025), Kuhmo Church, and the Lakeside Path Rantaraitti. Discover Kalevala epic at Juminkeko, learn about the history in Winter War Museum and enjoy traditional “rönttönen” Kaesa Café. Also visit local shops like Villa Vanamo yarn shop & Poukama boutique, Sanninco offering wooden jewelry and local products, Rusasen Kulma gift shop, and other town stores.
SATURDAY
10:00 Cross-country ski school 2h
Ski School or Ski Tour: Discover the Joy of Skiing
Experience the thrill of skiing with a ski school or ski tour at Kalevala ski centre next to hotel, designed for beginners or those looking to refine their technique.
Whether you’re new to skiing or seeking to improve your skills, this session offers personalized instruction or a guided tour tailored to your needs. Our expert instructors will ensure you receive the guidance you need to enjoy skiing to the fullest.
Join us for a memorable experience and discover the joys of skiing in the beautiful setting of Kalevala.
10:00 (from 27.1.) Sliding snowshoe tour 2h
This skin skies or sliding snoshoes are very interesting as they are much more stable, shorter and larger that classic skies which give you stability and longer and faster that snowshoes more support on snow and less tiring .
We will go into the forest to discover the taiga ecosystem. The trail will depends on snow conditions and weather conditions.
We will start from Kuhmo or Lentiira .
After an introduction to the equipement and safety , we will go into the forest , on swamp or lake to enjoy the finnish nature .Your professional guide will explore with you the secrets of the finnish winter. How do animals survive in this arctic conditions ?
During the excursion we will degust biscuit and hot drink.
Duration on ski is about 2h and distance 3 to 5 km
12.30 Cross-country ski school 2h
15:00 Cross-country ski school 2h
18:00 Bear art workshop at Pohjolan talo
Unleash your creativity in this workshop! You’ll receive a wooden piece shaped like a bear’s head, from which you can create either a pendant or a keychain.
You’ll have the opportunity to decorate your creation using acrylic paints or a pyrography tool. An artist-guide will assist you as needed with brainstorming ideas and mixing colors. At the same time, you’ll learn interesting facts and stories about the king of the forest, the bear.
SUNDAY
10:00 Snowmobile Safari 2h
12.30 Snowmobile Safari 2h
15:00 Snowmobile Safari 2h
AURORA PROGRAMS
Available when the aurora forecast looks good starting from 21:00
Aurora photography picnic
Aurora picnic is the easiest Aurora activity we have. We start from Hotel Kalevala and we walk 1 kilometer to an island to get a bit further from the streetlights.
When we reach the island, the guide will make a fire so we can warm up and grill some snacks. You will hear some interesting facts and stories about the lights and if we are lucky, we will witness them dancing over the lake.
The guide is experienced night photographer and they can take some photos for you with the auroras. If we don’t see the auroras, we will take night portraits with lanterns. You will get the photos to your email later! If you have your own camera, the guide can also teach night photography for you.
Professional Aurora hunting with car
Jump into the car with a local Aurora hunter and let them take you into the best Aurora watching places in the area. We will drive out of the town to reach places with zero light pollution and good view to the north sky.
We always do our best to help you seeing the lights – the route is chosen according to the cloud maps and we can read satellite data to know when the lights are appearing.
This tour is also great for photographers. You have an unique chance to learn night photography with a professional!
We will visit 2 or 3 different observation places and if we have time, we will also make a fire to grill some snacks. The tour starts at 20:00 and we come back in between 23 and midnight, depending on the situation.
Taiga Aurora Tour 3-4 h
The magic of the polar sky, the northern lights. Our professional guide will take you through the forest to get to the spot to observe the northern light. Staying outside is your chance to observe the aurora borealis if the night sky is clear and starry. Our guide will tell you stories about the sky and northern light. A fire will be there to warm you up waiting the magic moment to happen. Hot drink and snacks will be also served.
Aurora Snowmobile tour
Come explore the evening landscape in stunning nature. Nature’s own lights – Northern Lights – are also available when conditions permit. Coffee, juice and snacks are served in the glow of a campfire.
Kuhmo Arts Centre
Kiinteistöosakeyhtiö Kuhmon kulttuuritalo Koulukatu 1, 88900 Kuhmo Get to know more
Questions?
If you have questions about a specific activity, please contact the person listed in the weekly program directly.
If you have questions about Kuhmo or other broader topics, contact the tourism information office: matkailu@kuhmo.fi or +358 44 725 5307.
See you in Kuhmo!
