Culture and Tourist Centre Carelicum
Opening hours: Check the website
Tel. +358 13 267 5222
Address: Koskikatu 5, 80100 Joensuu
Information about the Joensuu region:
Joensuu is the administrative centre of the North Karelia region in Finland. The city was established by Czar Nikolai I of Russia in 1848 and it has flourished in the estuary of a notable waterway. Joensuu is located next to the Russian border. It is a vital city with a growing and relatively young population. The population of Joensuu is approximately 75 000. Joensuu believes in regional and international cooperation as one of the motors for the development.
Currently, the most important business areas include metal industry, wood and forestry sector, information and communication technology as well as expertise related to the border region and cross-border collaboration. Joensuu is also the forestry capital of Europe with a stronghold in research, inclusive the European Forest Institute and Joensuu Science Park. In the city centre of Joensuu you can find silence, peace and nature like nowhere else in Europe.
Besides the science and business scene, Joensuu is also a city where a number of recent Finnish films have been made. In Joensuu, you can find the Karelian folk, the most talkative ones in Finland. Furthermore, Joensuu is home to the famous summer rock festival called Ilosaarirock, which is sold out every year months before the event.
Distances and travelling times (approximately) to Joensuu from
| Distance | By car | By rail | By air | |
| Helsinki | 437 km | 5 h 30 min | 5 h | 60 min |
| Tampere | 395 km | 4 h 55 min | 5 h | (via Helsinki) |
| Turku | 540 km | 6 h 45 min | 6 h 45 min | (via Helsinki) |
| Kuopio | 136 km | 1 h 45 min | 3 h 30 min | (via Helsinki) |
| Savonlinna | 133 km | 1 h 40 min | 2 h 15 min | (via Helsinki) |
The Joensuu District Multicultural Association (Joensuun seudun monikulttuurisuusyhdistys ry, also known as JoMoni) was founded in January 2009. The founding meeting included around 30 people from approximately ten different countries. The association’s intention is to promote multicultural diversity and to prevent immigrants from being discriminated and isolated. The association is open to people of all origins, nationalities, religions and political views. The association organises cultural and recreational events, seminars, press conferences and other activities that bring together people from different backgrounds. The association helps immigrants around the Joensuu area to deal with various authorities and bureaucracy issues, and raises awareness of multicultural diversity. More information about multicutural diversity.
The Community Resource Centre of Joensuu (Kansalaistalo) supports voluntary work, develops co-operation and creates dialogue between the public welfare system and the activities of the voluntary sector. It also promotes partnership orientation in community, develops regional social and health policies and creates and develops new initiatives and innovations that increase welfare and decrease exclusion. You can find a meeting place, bikes for rent and an Internet Café at Kansalaistalo.
Citizen’s House (Kansalaistalo)
Address: Torikatu 30, 80100 Joensuu
Tel: +358 13 123 132
Joensuu has an English Kindergarten (Englanninkielinen leikkikoulu) in which children from several nationalities spend their days. English is used in the daily activities.
The Kanervala School provides English-speaking education. Teaching is meant mainly for children who speak Finnish as their mother tongue and the English education is meant primarily for children living in Joensuu. Children who speak English as their mother tongue will also be accepted to the class. When teaching English-speaking children, their command of the Finnish language and the anticipated duration of their stay in Finland as well as their individual needs (when applicable) will be taken into account.
The Finnish-Russian School of Eastern Finland in Joensuu is a school maintained by a foundation. Students study an advanced syllabus in the English and Russian languages in comprehensive education. Finnish children and children who speak Russian as their mother tongue are accepted to study at the school. After comprehensive school, the studies and the advanced syllabus in English and Russian can be continued in the upper secondary school.
The Community College of the Joensuu Area (opens in a new tab) (Kansalaisopisto) is a non-profit organisation owned and maintained by the City of Joensuu. The community college is open for everyone wishing to explore new educational areas and develop their abilities, both personally and professionally, for a reasonable investment of time and money.
Both the Open University (Avoin yliopisto) and the Summer University (Kesäyliopisto) of Joensuu offer a wide variety of courses (including Finnish language courses) to all interested students. Please note that fees are usually charged.
Open University, Joensuu Campus
Address: Yliopistokatu 2 A, Aurora building, 2nd floor
Tel: +328 50 467 8460
Email: avoinyliopisto@uef.fi
Joensuu Regional Library (Vaara-kirjastot) has books in several languages, music, videos, magazines, international newspapers and a café. The library also has material for studying the Finnish language. Library cards can be obtained from the main desk of the library. The main library is located near the city centre and there are several branch libraries in different residential areas.
Joensuu Main Library
Address: Koskikatu 25, 80100 Joensuu
Big supermarkets like Prisma and Citymarket offer a variety of spices and, for example, halal meat. However, if you are looking something specific, there are a few ethnic grocery stores in Joensuu.
Halal Market - Ethnic groceries and halal meat at Kauppakatu 19, 80100 Joensuu
Phanthan Thai - Asian grocery store and restaurant at Nuottaniementie 2, 80140 Joensuu Deshi Bazaar - A meat shop in Helsinki that delivers to Joensuu approximately once a month. See their Facebook profile for delivery times and place your order in advance.
Here you can find some examples of the second hand shops (kirpputori) in Joensuu. Please note that the opening hours vary and that most of them are not located at the city centre.
FIDA - Torikatu 19
SPR Kontti (Red Cross) - Voimatie 10
Valintakirppis - Teollisuuskatu 4
Second hand bookstores (books, CDs, DVDs):
Antikvaarinen kirjakauppa – Suvantokatu 8
There has been a complete freedom of religion in Finland since 1923. The Finnish Constitution guarantees the freedom of worship. This means that everyone is free to practice any religion they wish as long as they do not violate the fundamental human rights or break the law. Finns are not particularly active churchgoers although most of them are members of the church. There are two national churches in Finland, the Lutheran Church and the Orthodox Church. Around 75% of Finns are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, while around 1% belongs to the Orthodox Church. There are also Catholic, Jewish, Islamic, and a number of small religious denominations represented in Finland.
More information
Student Pastor Ms Tiina Belov, Joensuu Campus tiina.belov@uef.fi or +358 50 590 6527
Congregations
There is one cinema in Joensuu, Tapio (Kauppakatu 27). Films are shown in their original language with Finnish and Swedish subtitles, also in 3D format. Tickets cost approximately EUR 7.50–12.50. You can get student discount on some films, remember to ask when you are buying tickets. Savonkinot website.
The Joensuu City Theatre (Joensuun kaupunginteatteri) is located in the Town Hall (Rantakatu 20). Information and tickets are available at Carelicum (tel. +358 13 267 5222) or the Town Hall one hour before the performance (tel. +358 50 437 1089). Performances are usually in Finnish.
If there are tickets left on the day of the performance, they can be bought with 50% student discount one hour before the show. Website is in Finnish.
There is also a Student Theatre in Joensuu.
The rock and pop music scene in Joensuu is very active. A popular rock festival called Ilosaarirock is arranged every year in mid-July drawing thousands of young people into the city. At other times, there are several live performances weekly. Please follow the advertisements and bulletin boards.
Kerubi (Siltakatu 1) offers a wide variety of Finnish music, live performances, disco nights, etc. See Kerubi website in Finnish.
The Joensuu Orchestra has concerts in the Carelia Hall (Yliopistokatu 2) usually on Thursdays. Information and tickets are available at Carelicum as well as one hour before the concert at the Carelia Hall.
Art Museum (Kirkkokatu 23, the large red brick building) has a permanent collection of Finnish art, sections of Chinese art, ancient Greek and Roman art, and Orthodox icons from the monastery of Megri. They also arrange temporary exhibitions.
Art Centre Ahjo (opens in a new tab) (Kirkkokatu 23, the yellow wooden building) gives a fresh view of North Karelian and other Finnish art. Exhibitions include photographic art, paintings and handicrafts.
Carelicum - North Karelian Museum (Koskikatu 5) is a modern museum of history and culture. There is a permanent exhibition called “Visiting Karelia”, which takes a look at the region of Karelia in its historical and cultural entity. For more information on this or on the smaller art galleries, please ask at the Information Desk at Carelicum.
The Botanical Garden includes about 900 species of plants from 113 countries all over the world. The collection of greenhouses (570 m2) imitates five climatic regions: tropical, sub-tropical summer-rain, sub-tropical winter-rain, temperate and desert. There is also a small greenhouse (180 m2) for propagation and research purposes and two small plastic greenhouses for summer use only. Visitors are welcome to stroll through the outside garden in the summer. The Tropical Butterfly Garden is open for visitors from April to August–September. Also available for visitors are Café Botania and Boutique Botania.
There are several bars, pubs, restaurants, pizzerias and cafés in Joensuu. The opening hours vary; usually the cafeterias are open between 8:00–18:00 (8am–6pm), but restaurants stay open until later in the evening. Most pubs open around 13:00 (1pm) and close around 02:00 (am). Nightclubs open at 22:00 (10pm) and close at 04:00 (am). More information about restaurants in Joensuu.
Please note that the Sykettä Sports Programme offers versatile possibilities for students on the Joensuu campus:
Nature tracks for hiking in Joensuu area (opens in a new tab). Check also the rights and the regulations for the outdoor activities (everyman’s right).
Swimming pools (Uimahalli):
You can try ice swimming with the Joensuu Polar Bears Ice Swimming Club. Swimming and sauna is available for non-members by a single payment. The wristband costs about EUR 6 and can be bought from a machine at the club. For more information about location, opening hours, etc. visit their website or call tel. +358 45 7845 1992.
Sports Hall (Joensuun Kuntokeidas) offers bowling, tennis, squash, badminton, indoor climbing, table tennis, mini-golf, billiards, and a golf simulator. Address Linnunlahdentie 10, tel.+358 13 126 558 .
There are also several fitness clubs and gyms in Joensuu.
If you want to try fishing, it is good to know that persons who are 18 years or older must pay a fishing management fee (kalastuksenhoitomaksu in Finnish) and a local fishing license (kalastuslupa). No fishing licenses are needed for ice fishing or angling. More information here:
- Fishing in Finland
- Fishing licences in Joensuu (in Finnish)
- Regulations: Everyman’s right in Finland (opens in a new tab)
Horseback Riding
There are several stables in the Joensuu area. To browse different options, please go here: http://www.visitkarelia.fi/en/Travelling → Activities → Horseback riding
Information on nature tracks in Joensuu area.
There are excellent opportunities for winter sports in Joensuu. You can find ice-skating rinks around the town in wintertime, and they can be used by everyone, free of charge. Skates can be purchased at sports shops, department stores or flea markets. Alternatively, you can borrow a pair of skates from a fellow Finnish student or from the storage of the Student Union office at Joensuu. Skiing is a very important part of Finnish culture. If you have never skied before, in Finland you have a unique opportunity to try both cross-country and downhill skiing. There are many publicly maintained cross-country skiing trails in Joensuu, for example in Mehtimäki, which is very close to the Joensuu campus. Trails are always open, naturally depending on the snow conditions, and some of the trails are lit. There are also many downhill skiing centres close to Joensuu, such as Mustavaara and Koli.
Koli is situated about 70 km north of Joensuu. It is a beautiful and popular downhill skiing centre. All ski centres also rent the necessary equipment for downhill skiing and snowboarding, as well as for cross-country skiing. Snowshoeing is a new and popular form of winter sports, and the necessary equipment can also be rented at Koli.
Kuopio Tourist Service (Kuopio Info)
Address: Apaja Shopping Centre, Kauppakatu 45, 70110 Kuopio
Opening hours: Check the website.
Tel: +358 80 018 2050
Email: palveluneuvonta@kuopio.fi
Information about the Kuopio region:
The City of Kuopio was founded in 1775 to stimulate trade and other economic activity in the extensive region of Eastern Finland. Today Kuopio has a population of over 117 000 and it is the ninth largest city in the country. The City of Kuopio is the largest city in the Province of Eastern Finland. Kuopio has developed into a centre serving the entire region of eastern Finland. Some 600 000 people live within its sphere of influence.
Kuopio is a modern, developing centre of economic life in Eastern Finland. 70% of those living in Kuopio are employed in service professions. The unique nature and services of excellent quality make the city an appealing place to live in. The people of the growing city have not forgotten their roots and they still highly value the genuine Northern Savo region’s way of living. The unique summer atmosphere in the Kuopio region is provided by lakes and islands, and as well as by the landscape of forest-covered hills. Boating, hiking and other forms of outdoor recreation are plenty. The lakes, which are abound with fish, guarantee good catches throughout the year. Leisure spas with their bubbling pools and baths offer relaxation and invigoration whenever you feel the need.
In general, the climate varies a lot in Kuopio. Here you can enjoy the four distinctive Finnish seasons. The temperatures may vary from -30 C in the winter to +30 C in the summer. Read more information on the weather . The northern lights, although more common in Lapland, can sometimes be seen during winter nights also in Kuopio.
The main road of the region is Highway 5, which runs from Helsinki to Lapland. The Saimaa Canal links Kuopio to the Baltic Sea and is open for most of the year. By road, the distance from the capital Helsinki to Kuopio is about 390 km. There are also several daily flights from Helsinki to Kuopio. Coach and railway connections to Kuopio also are excellent from Helsinki as well as from the Tampere and Turku regions.
Distances and travelling times (approximately) to Kuopio from
| Distance | By car | By rail | By air | |
| Helsinki | 390 km | 4 h 30
min |
4 h | 60 min |
| Tampere | 300 km | 3 h 45
min |
3 h 30
min |
(via Helsinki) |
| Turku | 450 km | 5 h 30
min |
5 h 40
min |
(via Helsinki) |
| Joensuu | 136 km | 1 h 45
min |
3 h 30
min |
(via Helsinki) |
| Savonlinna | 161 km | 2 h | 6 h | (via Helsinki) |
Kompassi is the multicultural centre of the Kuopio Settlement Puijola, which is located in the city centre of Kuopio. Kompassi was established in 1999 and is funded by the City of Kuopio and RAY (Finland’s Slot Machine Association). Kompassi offers information, support and activity opportunities, multicultural events and Finnish language courses. In Kompassi you can use a computer, meet new people, get help in problematic situations, get information about, for example, immigration services in Kuopio, multiculturalism and internationality. Kompassi welcomes everyone and values all of its visitors equally without discrimination.
Multicultural Centre Kompassi (opens in a new tab, only in Finnish)
Opening hours: Check the website Address: Kauppakatu 40-42, 70110 Kuopio
Email: kompassi(a)puijola.net
If you are coming to Kuopio with children, you should contact the Student and Learning Services for information on schools and day-care. There is an English and a German kindergarten in Kuopio and some schools have English language classes. There are two comprehensive schools offering bilingual teaching and one upper secondary school offering International Baccalaureate (IB) studies. For more information about day-care in Kuopio.
Some daycares and schools:
The English Kindergarten
Address: Tulliportinkatu 37 H, 70110 Kuopio
Tel: +358 44 767 5057
Deutscher Kindergarten
Address: Kauppakatu 59-61, 70110 Kuopio
Tel: +358 45 111 2070
Rajala Comprehensive School
Address: Sammakkolammentie 14, 70200 Kuopio
Tel: +358 44 718 4356
Hatsala Comprehensive School
Address: Opistotie 3, 70200 Kuopio
Tel: +358 44 718 4503
Lyseo Upper Secondary School
Address: Puijonkatu 18, 70110 Kuopio
Tel: +358 17 184 563
The Community College of Kuopio (Kansalaisopisto) is an institution offering adult education, enabling people of all ages to study and participate in activities relevant to their interests. Courses range from languages and sports to music and social sciences. The autumn semester starts in September and the spring semester in January.
Both the Open University (Avoin yliopisto) and the Snellman University (Kesäyliopisto) of Kuopio offer a wide variety of courses (including Finnish language courses) to all interested students. Please note that fees are usually charged.
Open University, Kuopio Campus
Address: Neulamäentie 2, Bioteknia building, 2nd floor
Tel: +358 294457 028
Email: avoinyliopisto@uef.fi
SnellmannEDU
Address: Haapaniemenkatu 40 C 1, 70110 Kuopio
Tel: +358 44 746 2840
Email: asiakaspalvelu@snellmanedu.fi
The City Library (kaupunginkirjasto) is run by the City of Kuopio. In Finland, libraries are open to all and borrowing material is free of charge. In order to be able to borrow material from the library, you will need a library card (kirjastokortti). You can get a library card for free from any library in Kuopio. You need to present proof of identity and fill in an application form in order to get a card. If books are not returned by the date they are due, a fee will be charged. Remember to cancel your library card immediately, if you lose it as the material borrowed on your card is on your responsibility. Please note that the university library card is not valid at the city libraries, only at the university libraries. The Kuopio City Library also has a music library where you can listen to music or borrow records, CDs and notes. There is also a language centre for language studies and you can borrow language learning tapes.
Kuopio City Libraries
Opening hours, addresses and contact info: Check the website
Big supermarkets like Prisma and Citymarket offer a variety of spices and, for example, halal meat. However, if you are looking something specific, there are a couple of ethnic grocery stores in Kuopio.
Marrakesh Shop, Pyörönkaari 26
Suker Shop, Alakatu 3,
Istanbul Market, Pyörönkaari 9 (halal meat available) Samruai, Thai restaurant and shop, address: Kauppakatu 63
The Kuopio Recycling Centre (Kierrätyskeskus) sells clothes, furniture, kitchenware, televisions and bicycles, for extremely low prices. Remember that there are many second hand stores all over Kuopio, where you can also buy used furniture etc. They are popular among students.
CityPörssi – Lapinlinnankatu 21-23
Kirpparilla – Leväsentie 2
Rihma – Puijonkatu 39
SPR Kontti - Leväsentie 2
Elävä Kauppa - Teollisuuskatu 1 (also second hand household items and furniture)
Second hand bookstores (books, CDs, DVDs):
- Antikvariaatti Kirja- ja Lehtilinna – Kuninkaankatu 23
There has been a complete freedom of religion in Finland since 1923. The Finnish Constitution guarantees the freedom of worship. This means that everyone is free to practice any religion they wish as long as they do not violate the fundamental human rights or break the law. Finns are not particularly active churchgoers although most of them are members of the church. There are two national churches in Finland, the Lutheran Church and the Orthodox Church. Around 75% of Finns are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, while around 1% belongs to the Orthodox Church. There are also Catholic, Jewish, Islamic, and a number of small religious denominations represented in Finland. Information on international church services in Kuopio will be delivered through the ESN KISA.
More information
Student Pastor Mr Raimo Hakkarainen, Kuopio Campus Contact: raimo.hakkarainen@uef.fi or +358 40 484 8471
Prayer Room
There is a prayer room for Muslims on campus in Kukkola building. The building is locked so you will need a key to access the room. You can apply for the key of the prayer room at Buildings and Estate Services (Tilapalvelut) located in Snellmania building, ground floor, Ms Anne Sulkakoski, Room 1078/5. There will be an about EUR 40 deposit for the key.
Congregations
- Catholic Church
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Evangelical-Lutheran Parish Union
- Free Church
- Islam: Kuopio Mosque, the Islamic Society of Savo Soikkokuja 12, 70780 Kuopio
UEF Muslim Students’ Club in Facebook - Orthodox Church of Saint Nicholas
- Pentecostal Church
- Seventh-day Adventist Church
There are two cinemas in Kuopio, Scala (Ajurinkatu 16) and Kuvakukko (Vuorikatu 27). Films are shown in the original language with Finnish and Swedish subtitles, in Scala also in 3D format. Tickets cost between EUR 7.50–15. Films usually run for one to three weeks. Film clubs show classic films and re-runs at reduced prices at Kuvakukko. Scala offers discounts for students.
There is also the Student Union Film Club (Hyvät Kuvat), which is open to everybody. You have to buy a personal movie card for the price of about EUR 25. Please note that there are free club cards available for exchange students every semester. The film club shows one film in two sessions on Thursdays in the cinema Kuvakukko (Vuorikatu 27). All the films are in their original language with subtitles in Finnish.
The Kuopio City Theatre has several stages and there are many other theatre groups in Kuopio. Even if you cannot understand the language (all the shows are in Finnish), the performances are worth seeing.
A popular rock festival called Kuopio Rock is arranged every year in mid-July drawing thousands of young people into the city. At other times, there are several live performances weekly. Please follow the advertisements and bulletin boards.
In Kuopio, ordinary bars and pubs are also venues for shows and concerts of Finnish pop and rock groups; especially The Circus (Vuorikatu 19), Ottopoika (Kauppakatu 40-42) and Sawohouse Underground (Tarhakuja 1) have many bands performing regularly. The KISA mailing list will provide you with more information whenever there are shows that might interest students.
Kuopio Symphony Orchestra has concerts at the Kuopio Music Centre (Kuopiolahdenkatu 23), usually on Thursdays. More information and tickets are available at Kuopio Music Centre and Kuopio Info (Apaja).
Kuopio Art Museum (Kauppakatu 35) is housed in a former bank building. The collections include primarily Finnish art from the end of the Nineteenth Century to the present, with an emphasis on local painters. The central theme of museum is nature and the environment.
Kuopio Museum (Kauppakatu 23) is a cultural historical museum. Their permanent collection consists of pieces from the history of the Northern Savonia region. They also arrange temporary exhibitions.
Old Kuopio Museum (Kirkkokatu 22) consists of a block of eleven old wooden houses. Their interiors represent living conditions and living styles of different families from the 1800s to the 1930s. In addition, there is a pharmacy house, an exhibition hall and a room dedicated to the renowned local author Minna Canth.
VB Photographic Centre (Kuninkaankatu 14-16).
J. V. Snellman Home Museum (Snellmaninkatu 19) is museum for the philosopher and statesman. The museum building is the house he used to live in during his years in Kuopio in the 1840s.
The Orthodox Church Museum of Finland (opens in a new tab, page in Finnish) preserves studies and displays the unique cultural heritage of the Orthodox Church of Finland and to uses this heritage for educational purposes.
Please note, that Covid19 affects the events!
Kuopio is famous for a multitude of events and known as both a lively sports centre and a city of rich cultural life. Every summer in June the Kuopio Dance Festival (Kuopio Tanssii ja Soi) takes place in Kuopio. The festival is a significant international dance festival presenting a wide spectrum of dance art from different cultural backgrounds, as well as modern trends and traditional dance theatre. Students get a discount on tickets.
Every year Kuopio also hosts many other national and international events and festivities. Among them are the rock festival Kuopio RockCock, Kuopio International Wine Festivals, Ice Marathon on Lake Kallavesi, different food festivals and many more. There are also several sport events (ice hockey matches, football in the Keskuskenttä and Väinölänniemi and Finnish baseball in the Puijo Stadium).
The Kuopio Music Centre offers a variety of concerts throughout the year.
Anti, International Contemporary Art Festival held in Kuopio every autumn, free entrance to festival events
For further information on sport activities in Kuopio (opens in a new window) and cultural activities in Kuopio.
There are several bars, pubs, restaurants, pizzerias and cafés in Kuopio. The opening hours vary: usually the cafés are open between 8:00–18:00 (8am–6pm), but restaurants stay open until later in the evening. Most pubs open around 13:00 (1pm) and close around 02:00 (am). Nightclubs open at 22:00 (10pm) and close at 04:00 (am). More information about restaurants in Kuopio.
In Kuopio, ordinary bars and pubs are also venues for shows and concerts of Finnish pop and rock groups; Puijonsarvi Night (Maaherrankatu 5) have many bands performing regularly. The KISA mailing list will provide you with more information whenever there are shows that might interest students.
Please note that the Sykettä Sports Programme offers a variety of activities for students on Kuopio campus.
Kuopio has a wide network of jogging and skiing tracks. Information on different sports possibilities in Kuopio (opens in a new window).
Exercise tracks and skiing trails.
Check also the rights and the regulations for the outdoor activities (everyman’s right).
Swimming Pools (Uimahalli):
- Lippumäen uimahalli Petosentie 8, 70820 Kuopio
- Kuntolaakson uimahalli, Hannes Kolehmaisenkatu, 70110 Kuopio
You can try ice swimming with the Kuopio Ice Swimming Association (opens in a new tab, page in Finnish). Swimming and sauna are available for non-members by a single payment of about EUR 10.
Kuopio Hall (Opistotie 4) offers several sporting options and their facilities include a football field, a running track, a gym etc.
If you want to try fishing, it is good to know that persons who are 18 years or older must pay a fishing management fee (kalastuksenhoitomaksu in Finnish) and a local fishing license (kalastuslupa). No fishing licenses are needed for ice fishing or angling. More information here:
Horseback Riding
There are several stables in the Kuopio area. You can find the stables in the internet, but the most popular stable is Savisaaren Ratsastuskeskus (Savisaari 61, tel. +358 17 2822238, also SMS messages, talli@savisaari.com)
- Kuopion jäähalli Olvi Areena
- Hannes Kolehmaisen katu 4, 70100 Kuopio
- Lippumäen jäähalli Rauhalahdentie 66, 70820 Kuopio
There are excellent opportunities for winter sports in Kuopio. You can find ice-skating rinks around the town in wintertime, and they can be used by everyone, free of charge. Skates can be purchased at sports shops, department stores or flea markets.
Alternatively, you can borrow a pair of skates from a fellow Finnish student or from the storage of the Student Union office. Skiing is a very important part of Finnish culture. If you have never skied before, in Finland you have a unique opportunity to try both cross- country and downhill skiing. There are many publicly maintained cross-country skiing trails in Kuopio, for example in Puijo. Trails are always open, naturally depending on the snow conditions, and some of the trails are lit. There are also many downhill skiing centres close to Kuopio, such as Kasurila and Tahko.
Skiing
- Kasurila Ski Centre, Viitonen 1920, 71800 Siilinjärvi
- Tahko Ski Centre, Tahkolaaksontie 4, 73310 Tahkovuori
Bowling Alley (Keilahalli)
- Kuopion keilahalli, Tel. +358 17 282 4003
- Rauhalahti Bowling, Kartanonkatu 11, 70700 Kuopio
Climbing
- Kuopio Climbing Centre Voema, Kaivotie 23, 70700 Kuopio
There are also several fitness clubs and gyms in Kuopio.