FAQ – questions and answers

Where can I check up-to-date slope information, and why aren’t all slopes open until 7:00pm?
You can find the latest slope and lift information at https://www.tahkomountain.fi/en/on-the-slope/opening-hours/.
Some lifts close earlier because not all slopes are lit. Available slopes and lifts depend on weather, daylight and the season.

Where are the easy slopes?
You’ll find gentler, easier runs on the West Slopes, such as Lännen Helppo (24) — long and very gentle. On the Front Slopes, Mini Mountain (8) is great for children and beginners.

How do I get to the West Slopes?
The West Slopes are accessed via Varpaisjärventie.
Address: Tahkomäentie 319, 73320 Nilsiä

Note: Some navigation apps try to route you over the slopes, which isn’t possible.

From Tahko village, drive toward Nilsiä. At the Sääskiniementie / Varpaisjärventie T-junction, turn right toward Varpaisjärvi. Drive about 4 km and turn right at the sign for Länsirinteet. Follow Tahkomäentie for another 3 km, then turn right at the Tahko Mountain Länsirinteet sign.

Why does snowmaking take so long?
Our snow guns run continuously whenever conditions allow. A single slope requires at least 40,000 m³ of snow.

In cold, dry weather the guns run at 100% efficiency.
At around –2°C, they produce only about 10% of full output.
At 0°C, snowmaking isn’t possible.

Do the lifts run normally when it’s colder than –20°C?
All t-bar and button lifts operate normally even in very cold weather. Chairlifts, however, have a –20°C safety limit, so they won’t operate in extreme cold.

Why hasn’t the slope been groomed?
Slopes are groomed every night.
If it snows heavily overnight, grooming continues in the morning before opening. For safety reasons, slopes are not groomed during the day.

Can I skin, snowshoe, cross-country ski, or ride a bike on the slopes?
No. Walking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and biking are not allowed on the downhill slopes in winter. Each activity has its own designated and marked areas elsewhere.

Uphill skinning is only allowed on the right-hand side of the Hallelujah slope (12) when viewed from the bottom. The marked route runs through the forest. Skinning anywhere else on the ski slopes is strictly prohibited.

Can walkers use the chairlift in winter?
No. In winter, the chairlift is only for guests with a valid ski pass and ski or snowboard equipment.
In summer, the Panorama scenic lift is open to both walkers and cyclists.

Where can I use a sled?
Sledding is not allowed on the ski slopes for safety reasons.
There is a small sledding slope in the Mini Mountain area.
You can also sled in the activity park next to Tahko Spa, and at Tahko Tours, which has both a sledding hill and an ice rink.

When do the cross-country ski tracks open, and which ones are available?
Tracks open as soon as there is enough natural snow. Classic-style tracks require more than 10 cm of snow, so they can’t be groomed immediately after the first snowfall.
Current track conditions can be found here.

How do I get to the viewing tower by car?
You can reach the viewing tower and Pehku by car via Varpaisjärventie.
Address: Pehkuntie 457

Google Maps may incorrectly suggest driving up the ski slopes — this is not possible.

From Tahko village, drive toward Nilsiä. At the Sääskiniementie / Varpaisjärventie T-junction, turn right toward Varpaisjärvi. After about 3 km, follow the sign to Pehku on the right. Continue following the Pehku signs until you arrive.

Are there walking routes to the top of the slopes?
Yes. One walking route to Pehku starts on the left side of the Front Slopes through the forest, along trail 15 Jokestreetti (see the slope map).
There is also the Huutavanholma trail, which begins at the far end of the Tahkolaakso parking area.

You can also reach the top by car via Varpaisjärventie by following signs to either Pehku or Panorama Bar.

Can I pay with sports/employee activity benefits at the vending machines or online shop?
No. Sports benefit payments can’t be used in the online store or at the ski pass vending machines. If you want to use a sports benefit, you’ll need to visit the ticket sales at either Tahkolaakso or Tirol.

Why can’t I use an Axess or SnowCard at Tahko?
There are several different ski pass systems, such as KeyCard, SnowCard and Axess. At Tahko Mountain, we use SkiData’s KeyCard, which means Axess and SnowCard passes cannot be loaded here.
Bring all the ski passes you already own — our staff can tell you which ones work. You can also read more about ski pass systems at https://ski.fi/en/lift-ticket-systems/

Which location do I select when paying with a sports benefit app?
Choose Tahko Mountain as the payment location.

Do you offer discounts for students, conscripts or pensioners?
No, we don’t offer discounts for students, conscripts or pensioners.
Senior tickets are available for guests aged 65–74.
You’ll find all ski pass prices here: https://www.tahkomountain.fi/en/on-the-slope/tickets-and-prices/
We also run various promotions throughout the season, including Halpaa Hupia, when ski passes are cheaper for everyone.

Do multi-day passes have to be used on consecutive days?
Yes, regular multi-day passes (e.g. 3 days) are for consecutive days.
If you want more flexibility, we offer 3/5 day and 5/7 day passes, which allow you to choose a set number of skiing days within a longer period.
For example, with a 5/7 pass, you can ski any 5 days within 7 consecutive days.

Why do multi-day passes include a photo?
For passes of 5 days or longer, we take a photo of the user because ski passes are personal. The photo helps prevent misuse and is only used for lift access control.
The image is not stored in our system and disappears from the KeyCard chip once the pass expires.

Can I return my KeyCard after skiing?
No. KeyCards are non-refundable and not a deposit-based system.
You keep the card and can reload new ski passes onto it as long as the chip stays intact.
Our KeyCards work in around 25 ski resorts in Finland.

My ski pass is lost or broken — how do I get a new one?
Keep your receipt. With it, we can replace a lost or damaged pass.

Can I pay for my children’s tickets with my sports benefit?
No. Sports benefits are personal employee benefits, so they can only be used to pay for your own ski pass — not children’s or anyone else’s.

How do I use my KeyCard?
Put the KeyCard in your left jacket pocket or sleeve — either works.
It doesn’t matter which way the card faces, and smartphones won’t interfere.

Keep all other KeyCards in your right-side pockets, otherwise the gate may read the wrong card.
KeyCards are only personal for the duration of the valid pass, so any old text printed on the card does not matter.

Does the ski school lessons have temperature limit?
No. The ski school does not have an official temperature limit. It’s up to each customer to decide whether they want to book or attend a lesson in very cold weather, but lessons are not cancelled due to low temperatures.

We’re coming to ski school — what do we do?
The ski school office is located inside the SkiMac Tirol rental shop. You’ll pay for your lesson there before it starts and receive instructions for the rest of your visit.
The ski school Meeting Point is at Mini Mountain.

To book a lesson, please contact the ski school office directly.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call or email:
+358 400 681 792
skischool@tahkomountain.fi

Are there storage lockers for skis overnight?
Yes. SkiMac Tirol has a limited number of paid ski storage lockers.
For availability, please contact the rental shop directly: +358 17 464 8175.

Where can I rent skis?
Right at the base of the slopes you’ll find the SkiMac Tirol rental shop. You can reach SkiMac via the Sandels Bridge from Piazza, or by parking on the ice once the ice park is open.
There is also Hill Ski Rent at Tahkolaakso. Both rental shops offer ski servicing as well. Third rental Tahko Rent is located on the opposite of the slopes.

I’ve lost something — where can I ask about it?
Items found on the slope area are taken to the ticket sales.
You can also enquire by phone: +358 29 1707 030.