In winter, Jyväskylä-based influencers Mikko and Kimmo Niemi enjoy ice skating, culture and the delicacies of their favourite restaurants. Read Mikko’s and Kimmo’s tips for winter in Jyväskylä.
With the arrival of autumn and winter, the Jyväskylä-based influencer Mikko Niemi feels himself coming to life. “I’m generally more of an end-of-year person and I love the winter. The best thing about winter is the scent of the frost and the fresh air. And in winter, the nature looks amazing. “
Husband Kimmo Niemi is not quite as enthusiastic about winter, but he too enjoys the beautiful winter days and the light that snow brings. They both enjoy the outdoors in winter, for example skating on the ice of a lake near their home and keeping warm by the fire in the windbreak. The Laajavuori outdoor recreation area, about four kilometres from the centre of Jyväskylä, has also proved to be a pleasant winter destination. The Niemi couple says, that a wide range of equipment can be rented from Laajis for winter sports. They themselves have rented fat bikes for several years and gone winter cycling around Laajis.
“It’s insanely nice, and there are good routes in the Laajis’ forests”, Kimmo praises.
“For a couple of winters we have also talked about trying snowshoeing and this winter we are going to do it,” Kimmo says.
Mikko reminds that Lutakko harbour is also a nice destination in the winter. Those who enjoy cold water swimming can also take a dip in the lake water pool in the harbour of Viilu in the winter.
“But you can’t get me there”, Mikko laughs.
Museums are perfect winter day activities
In the winter, the Niemis are very happy visiting the Jyväskylä’s museums.
“The perfect thing to do on a too chilly day is to visit museums to see the exhibitions. We may visit the same exhibition several times”, says Mikko.
One of the Niemi’s absolute favourites is the new Aalto2 museum centre, which brings together under one roof two museum buildings designed by the world-famous architect Alvar Aalto: The Alvar Aalto Museum and the Museum of central Finland. At the Museokeskus/Museum Centre’s permanent exhibitions you can discover Aalto’s work and life, as well as his roots in Central Finland. The Niemis also visit the Jyväskylä Art Museum frequently.
“In the winter, of course, we also go to the cinemas a lot”, Kimmo says. In addition to films, the Niemis are interested in concerts and performances at the Jyväskylä Kaupunginteatteri/City Theatre.
“Theater is incredibly good entertainment. I’m particularly interested in feel-good plays, comedies, musicals and all the lighter plays”, Mikko says. In the winter, of course, you can enjoy the delicacies of cafés and restaurants. The Niemis have definite ideas about their favourite places.
“Bistro Kirkkopuisto is a perfect coffee shop. The food and lunch there is also really good”, Mikko praises.
At the Pöllöwaari and Kuokkala kartano, the Niemis are happy to try out the new seasonal menus.
“And the best pizza in Jyväskylä is at Cielo, one has to go there almost every week”, Kimmo praises.
