A forested landscape surround the ski runs on Isö-Syöte, formerly two resorts but officially merged in 1994 to make one of Finland's biggest, as well as most southerly ski centres.. There is no real resort but log cabins are a popular and cosy form of local accommodation. Average snow depth in April is 62cm, with 17 hours of daylight in which to enjoy it.
Mountain
Iso-Syöte's two ski areas on Syotekeskus (386m) and the slightly larger centre on Iso-Syöte Fell itself (432m). Together the two unlinked areas offer more than 20 slopes and about 20km of runs between them, the longest run 1.2km long, all served by T Bar drag lifts. Although the terrain is best suited to beginners and intermediates with straight smooth runs cut through the trees from top to bottom, more advanced skiers will enjoy the opportunities in the powder fields through the trees. The area's new speciality is the Freeride area on Slope 15 on Iso-Syöte Fell, which offers a challenge to even the experienced skier. The slopes are illuminated for skiing in the evening. A ski bus travels back and forth between the fells but be aware that it runs only at weekends and peak holiday periods like New Year's and during the ski vacation period beginning in February. The one-way fare is one euro. There are over 120km of cross country trails and the area is a past host of the Finnish National Championships. The world's longest ski trekj, the Border to Border' Trek, crosses the area. Most of the trails are easy however and there's a 'warm' run at 400m (a high altitude in the area) that's illuminated for night skiing.
Families
Although there are no childcare facilities, Iso-Syöte like most Finnish ski resorts is very child friendly and keen to make children happy. It also provides a great environment for a magical family holiday. The Hotel Iso-Syöte has a children's games room and there's a tubing slope on the ski hill. The swimming pool is also a popular attraction for families. On the slopes there are special children's runs and children's ski school for ages four to 12 (snowboarding from age 7).
Eating Out
The restaurant in the Hotel Iso-Syöte was remodelled in the summer of 2001 to make it even more pleasant. The restaurant is renowned for its excellent cuisine and offers buffet lunches and salads during the day. The Pikku-Syöte Restaurant at the Hotel Syötekeskus runs a buffet lunch and dinner service. Lunch includes many kinds of salads and breads, two choices of a main course, dessert and coffee. The main dinner courses include meat and fish and there's a new á la carte menu. list offers delicious meals to satisfy the tastes of even the most demanding guest. In the evening the restaurant is a pleasant place to meet people and enjoy live music. By the slopes the Ski Bistro Romekievari and Rolls Express Burger offers coffee and cakes, sandwiches, burgers, fries, patties and soups for skiers. At weekends there's a Fondue-evening (advance bookings required for that). At the Ski Bistro Pärjänkievari located near lift number 4 you can get a good pizza or steak. The restaurant A la Taiga was opened in the new Safari House in March 2005. The restaurant offers lunch and dinner as well as a á la carte menu with delicious Northern treats. Finally the Syöte Visitor Centre's Coffee Shop is open for snacks and lunch every day.
Apres
Apres ski is centred on the scattered selection of hotels around the resort. Some offer live performances and dancing at the weekend. The Iso-Syöte Hotel itself has a bar and lounge as well as a games room or you can take a dip in the pool or hit the sauna. The lounge is used for dancing and live music is offered between two and five days a week according to the season. There's also live music at the Hotel Syötekeskus.
Boarding
For snowboarders the resort has created two Snowboard streets complete with rails, boxes and more at each of the bases with a number of terrain features to bounce off and get some air. There's are two half pipes or quarter pipes at each centre, on Iso-Syöte Fell one of these is a larger super pipe. There are also some good free ride opportunities through the trees and off piste. The constant sub zero temperatures that are the norm through the winter here stop the snow from melting and keep it light and powdery for weeks, sometimes months on end.
