PHOTOS

VENUE DESCRIPTION

The Lahti region is Finland's fifth largest urban region. With its versatile range of services the City of Lahti forms the centre of an economic region with 200,000 inhabitants. The surrounding ridge and lake landscapes provide a natural living environment. Lahti is also the gateway to the Finnish Lake District.

The city of Lahti, with population of 100 000, is the seventh largest in Finland. Thanks to excellent connections this city, in the centre of Southern Finland, is easy to reach.

Lahti is an internationally known winter sports city. Lahti Sports Centre is one of world's best winter sports venues, and has already hosted Nordic World Ski Championships six times. The annual World Cup event, known as the Lahti Ski Games, has been organised in since 1923. The Lahti Ski Games remain one of the biggest winter-festivals, attracting tens of thousands of spectators from near and far.

COMPETITION SITE

At Lahti Ski Stadium all important functions are in the same place. There is space for 30.000 spectators in the ski stadium stands, 7 700 separate seats, main stands mainly covered and heated. Ski jumping stadium is situated right beside the cross-country stadium with maximum capacity of 40.000 spectators.

The Salpausselkä network of competition courses consist of 11 World Cup level courses of different lenghts. Over the past few years, cross-country courses have gone thru some significant improvements. Competitions are easier to follow, because courses are very near to the stadium. Competitions are easy to follow at the stadium and along the tracks. Latest development is that one of the tracks goes over the cross country service building.

Competition venue offers great facilities to serve the needs of hospitality, entertainment and other spectator services. Plenty of alternative solutions are available for spectator services. Restaurant Voitto offers VIP services right beside ski jumping hills. The Lahti Hall also offers VIP services and other additional events (etc. concerts). There is also programme tent for 1500 spectators and VIP tent for 700 quests at the venue. From the market area it is possible to get different services, for example food and beverages. Kids Corner and Family Cafe are situated at main building, mid level.

Ski Museum situates at the same building as restaurant Voitto. The exhibition will guide you on a tour at the Ski Stadium and the Nordic World Ski Championships in Lahti, from the 1920's all the way to the late 1980's. On your way you will meet many famous sportsmen and sportswomen. Naturally, the ski game officers and spectators - the essential forces behind the genuine, enthusiastic spirit of the Games - will also receive well-deserved honors.
At the Ski Museum everyone can try their skills in ski jumping and biathlon simulators. Also artificial (plastic) cross country track can be tested in the Museum.

OTHER SPORT EVENTS

Other annual winter sport events in Lahti: Finlandia Ski Marathon (6000 participants), Childrens Winter Olympics (1000 participants), Mini Lahti Ski Games and National championships in Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined.

ACCOMMODATION

For accommodation, Lahti Region has plenty of alternatives to offer. Downtown hotels within walking distance from the Ski Stadium, Manor Hotels, Lake Shore Hotels and Sports Resorts are all available with reasonable prices for ski friends. To all hotels, there are excellent bus connections from downtown Lahti with max 30 minutes journey time. Restaurant facilities, sauna and pool departments and outdoor and indoor sports services available in most of the hotels.

In the Lahti Region you can also choose to overnight in a wooden log cabin situated by the frozen lake and next to the snowy forest. Log Cabins are full-equipped with sauna and offer a comfortable alternative for families and small groups up to 8 persons.

The new Scandic hotel will have a central location in Vierumäki, with fantastic opportunities for sports and leisure activities. The Scandic Vierumäki hotel has a sporty atmosphere and is a natural addition to Vierumäki, which is the leading training centre for athletes and coaches in Finland. Surrounded by beautiful forrests and rolling terrain, Vierumäki also offers a sports arena, cross country tracks, ice halls, swimming pool, football pitches, walking trails and two 18-hole golf courses.

Further Information about the accommodation alternatives in the Lahti Region can be found at www.lahtitravel.fi. Bookings should be made well in advance!

TICKETS

Ticket information available soon.

HOW TO GET TO LAHTI

Lahti is situated only 100 km North from Helsinki. Lahti is part of the Finnish metropolitan area.The main scene of the Lahti Ski Games, Lahti Sports Centre, is in only a few minutes' walking distance from the main bus station, railway station and hotels! The main airport of Finland, Helsinki-Vantaa, is located less than 100 km from Lahti. The easiest way from the airport to Lahti is a bus, which will take you straight to the city centre of Lahti.

To Lahti from Helsinki by motorway or train in an hour.

Timetables - train - www.vr.fi
Timetables - bus - www.matkahuolto.fi