General

Saarijärvi is located in the north-west of the region of Central Finland. The town is situated right in the middle of Finland both geographically and, being just a short distance from national trunkroad number 13, also in terms of road connections. The nearest major centres are the regional capital Jyväskylä (65km/40miles) and the towns of Äänekoski (37km/23miles) and Kokkola (180km/120miles).

Finland's national poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg put Saarijärvi firmly on the map in the hearts and minds of many Finns through his iconic character Paavo of Saarijärvi, a peasant hero and personification of the Finnish concept of "sisu", i.e. endurance and resilience. Today, Saarijärvi successfully exists as a modern town living and working in harmony with the natural surroundings of its lakeland landscape.

For visitors to the region Saarijärvi offers a rich pallet of high-quality services and truly unique and memorable experiences. We are blessed with a natural abundance of waterways for water sports and vast areas of pristine hiking country. We also rich in important cultural sites and cultural entertainments, open-air theatres, fun day-trip attractions for all the family and a diverse choice of accommodation from rustic forest cabin to luxury spa resort.

Saarijärvi is geographically located within a high snowfall zone -something the locals certainly know how to make the most of. Soon after the first permanent snow has arrived the town's intricate network of well-tended cross-country ski tracks are established, downhill ski slopes are packed and the snowmobiles get revving...