Finland’s largest winter sports event, the Lahti Ski Games, will take place this year on 5–8 March.
Over four competition days, the Lahti Sports Center will host top-level competitions in cross-country skiing, Nordic combined and ski jumping, along with a wide range of side events.
This year, both women and men will compete in all disciplines at the Lahti Ski Games.
The event arrangements have been planned to minimise disruptions to the daily life of Lahti residents. However, the competitions and related preparations will affect the use of some facilities and ski trails, as well as traffic and parking in the vicinity of the Sports Center.
Traffic in the Sports Center area will be busiest on the main competition day, Saturday 7 March.
Effects on ski trail use
Construction of the competition trails in the Sports Center and nearby areas has already begun. Snowmobiles, ATVs and grooming machines are operating within the competition area.
During construction and dismantling work, everyone moving in the area must exercise particular caution and follow the signage and instructions provided by the event organisers. Net fences and information signs will be placed along the trails to guide movement. It is essential to follow these instructions to avoid dangerous situations and potential damage.
Skiing on the stadium and competition trails in the Sports Center is prohibited from 2 March to 12 March.
Recreational skiers may use the Tapanila fitness trails throughout the event. The trails can be accessed via the first snow track from the parking areas on Mäkirinteenkatu, Sykekatu and the old racetrack.
More information on ski routes is available on the sports services website, and up‑to‑date trail information can be found in the LahtiSki service, both in Finnish.
Effects on facilities, traffic and parking
The Lahti Ski Games will also affect the use of certain facilities and streets, as well as traffic and parking around the Sports Center.
Luhta Arena and Salpausselkä Arena will be reserved exclusively for the event organiser from 3 March to 10 March, with agreed exceptions. Recreational users may park in the designated area of the Luhta Arena parking lot until 4 March.
Traffic restrictions will apply on the following streets:
- Suurmäenkatu: 2 February–20 March 2026
- Teivaankatu: 2–10 March 2026
- Svinhufvudinkatu intersections: access routes to Jalkarannantie and Hollolankatu 6–8 March 2026
- Salpausselänkatu: closed from the roundabout to the Sports Center 4–9 March 2026
- Veikko Kankkosen raitti and Satamaradanpolku: closed 4–10 March 2026 (the pedestrian and cycle route is not in use)
- Paasikivenkatu: from the Ståhlberginkatu intersection towards the Sports Center 5–8 March 2026
Access to properties and taxi traffic will operate normally.
From 4 to 9 March 2026, the Sports Center area, stadium and competition trails will be reserved exclusively for event operations and closed to all other traffic.
Parking areas reserved for the event organisation:
- Salpausselänkatu parking area: 25 February–11 March 2026
- Luhta Arena parking area: 25 February–11 March 2026 (recreational users permitted until 4 March)
- Pikku-Vesijärvi parking area: 5–8 March 2026
- Part of Sopenkorvenkatu: 6–8 March 2026
- Jalkarannantie parking area: 5–8 March 2026
- Dog training area and part of the old racetrack: 2–16 March 2026
Arrival information for sectators
Event attendees are encouraged to use public transport whenever possible. Routes and timetables are available at lahti.digitransit.fi, and additional public transport information can be found at the Lahti Region Transport website lsl.fi.
In addition to the P-Kartano and P‑Toriparkki parking facilities, parking is available along the streets near Fellmann Park according to the valid parking regulations. Parking guidance can be found on the City of Lahti website.
The event’s official partner, LähiTapiola Vellamo, will offer free weekend area tickets to all comprehensive school pupils in Päijät-Häme. The tickets will be distributed through the schools to pupils in Asikkala, Hartola, Heinola, Hollola, Iitti, Kärkölä, Lahti, Orimattila, Padasjoki and Sysmä. In addition, on Friday 6 March 2026, the Lahti Ski Games will serve as a learning environment for Lahti’s comprehensive school students in grades 4–7, who will spend their school day in the competition atmosphere at the Lahti Sports Center.
Event partner OP Pohjola will offer free entry for everyone on the first competition day, Thursday 5 March.
The event organisation kindly asks residents for their understanding regarding the temporary changes to daily mobility in and around the Sports Center.
Further Information
Lahti Ski Games
Project Manager Kirsi Hänninen
+358 50 028 2505
kirsi.hanninen@lahtiskigames.com
City of Lahti Sports Services
Sports Services Manager Markku Ahokas
+358 44 416 3629
markku.ahokas@lahti.fi