A trip to Vuokatti
Vuokatti is the ultimate sport and leisure resort in the region. It is located somewhat 40 km away from Kajaani towards the eastern border that Finland shares with Russia. Russia is still about 150km away, so you can't see it, but you're getting close and there are masses of Russian tourist flocking to Vuokatti every year around 7 January which is the date when the Russian celebrate their Xmas (according to the Russian Orthodox Church and the old Julian calendar).
Enough about the Russians, the facilities in Vuokatti include 200 kilometres of cross country skiing tracks, 12 down hill skiing slopes, an indoor ski tunnel, indoor half pipe, luxurious KatinKulta spa, golf course, indoor bowling (with regular disco bowling evenings) and a whole range of accommodation from log cabins to well equipped flats and hotel rooms (It's useful to book well ahead though).
The skiing season runs roughly from December to May. Vuokatti also boasts as being the home of the nationally and internationally recognised sports training institute, as several professional teams from various different countries train there every year.
The KatinKulta Spa and water world hosts a curious speciality called "Sauna World”. This section of the spa has a Turkish, a Roman and a Finnish sauna. It is guaranteed to be a bit of an experience, since they do not actually allow people to wear their swimming costumes in the section. However, there are separate changing rooms, showers, loos and a Finnish sauna and for males and females, so no need to worry!!! Phew.. There is also a special "smoky" sauna outdoors. In practise, it is just a mild steamy sauna, but it does have a distinctive smell of smoke. The sauna is prepared several hours in advance by setting a fire under some stones. When the fire has burnt out, the door is opened and the smoke allowed to escape. The stones will however still continue to provide enough heat for the visitors.
