Tornionlaakso

Welcome to VEEN Land of Wonder!

It is a sunny day in early spring and we have just arrived to Ylitornio, in Tornionlaakso<, to visit the VEEN production site and to get to know what kinds of activities and attractions this wonderland offers. "So nice to actually have a relaxing day for a change", says Tomi Grönfors, MD of VEEN, smiling, while we are preparing for a full day of different activities. We meet Anna Nevala, a local up-and-coming model and a biotech student at University of Helsinki, who is going to give us a quick tour of what Tornionlaakso is all about. So in addition to the best water quality on the planet, what makes this place so special?

Located in Lapland about 800km north of Helsinki and next to Sweden, Tornionlaakso has some 50,000 residents, with a majority located in the city of Tornio. It is a very popular place for many Finns to build their summer houses, as it offers visitors many kinds of activities, ranging from hiking, fishing and camping during the summer to snowboarding, reindeer riding and snowmobiling during the wintertime. "What makes Tornionlaakso and Ylitornio so special is its versatility: you get the best of both winter and summer activities", explains Anna, as we are heading towards our first activity of the day, snowmobiling. She has a good point: not everywhere are you able to enjoy the four seasons to their fullest.

In addition to its magnificent four seasons, Tornionlaakso is also known for its proximity to pristine nature. The place is located next to some of the highest fells in Finland and there are lots of forests, lakes, rivers and other natural landmarks that will . Many times the views are so breath-taking that you find yourself just admiring them for a while. If you are lucky, it is also possible to see the Northern lights in the sky almost all year round, which is quite rare these days.

Not only offers Tornionlaakso many activities for outdoor enthusiasts, it is also a great place to spend a relaxing holiday. "People are very pleasant and there is absolutely no rush here", explains Tomi as we stroll around Ylitornio's center. "And there are also all kinds of shops, boutiques and other services here and also nearby in the city of Tornio, so you won't get bored", adds Anna smiling.

The sunset has passed and we have just finished reindeer riding, the last activity of the day. After a long day of activities, we can't wait to go to sauna and just enjoy the magical atmosphere of Ylitornio with a bottle cold VEEN. In a few hours it is time to wish farewell to Ylitornio, as we'll pack our gears and start a ten-hour drive back to Helsinki. Already I miss the activities that VEEN land of wonder has to offer.