Beginner and kid-friendly skateparks near Helsinki, Finland
A skatepark is good for a first visit when it has low, gentle ramps, wide flat ground to practice pushing and turning, and few big features (tall ramps, handrails, deep bowls) that experienced skaters fly off. A fence between the park and the street and lights for evening visits help too.
We score every park from the features it lists. Gentle features such as a mini ramp (a small ramp to learn on), low banks and quarter pipes (short curved ramps) add points; lights, a fence, restrooms and staff on site add a little more; big features such as stairs, handrails, deep bowls and vertical ramps take points away, and a park with a handrail, vertical ramp, pool or large half-pipe is never labelled great. Parks that owners or skaters have marked beginner-friendly come first. Labels are great for beginners, mixed, or advanced. 19 parks near Helsinki, Finland earn the great label; the mixed parks are listed further down for a grown-up to check first.
Great for beginners
- Ponke's Park (Vallila), Helsinki, Finland · low ledges; a small kicker ramp; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); restrooms on site; indoors, out of the weather
- Pukinmäki Skatepark, Helsinki, Finland · low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp; described as good for kids; described as family-friendly
- Matinkylä Skatepark, Espoo, Finland · low ledges; a low manual pad; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Niittykumpu Skatepark, Espoo, Finland · low ledges; a low manual pad; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Ruusuvuori Skatepark, Vantaa, Finland · low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp; described as family-friendly; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Vuosaari Skatepark, Helsinki, Finland · low ledges; a low manual pad; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Leppävaara Skatepark, Espoo, Finland · low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp; smooth surface; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Myyrmäki Skatepark, Vantaa, Finland · low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp; smooth surface; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Herttoniemi Skatepark, Helsinki, Finland · low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Kontula Skatepark, Helsinki, Finland · low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Matari Skatepark, Vantaa, Finland · low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Olari Skatepark, Espoo, Finland · low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Savela Skatepark, Helsinki, Finland · low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Suutarila Skatepark, Helsinki, Finland · low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Tapiola Skatepark, Espoo, Finland · low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Tattarisuo Skatepark, Helsinki, Finland · low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Tikkurila Skatepark, Vantaa, Finland · low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Micropolis (Töölö), Helsinki, Finland · low ledges; a low manual pad; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); smooth surface; no big stairs, handrails or deep bowls
- Haruspuisto Skatepark, Helsinki, Finland · low ledges; a low manual pad; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp
Worth a look with a grown-up
These parks have some beginner features but also bigger ones:
- Kivikko Skatepark, Helsinki, Finland · low ledges; quarter pipes (short curved ramps); a small kicker ramp · watch out: has a bowl (a deep, curved pool-like area)
Tips for a first visit
- Go on a weekday morning or early afternoon: the park is quiet and there is room to practice.
- Wear a helmet, and knee and wrist pads for the first few visits. Most falls land on hands and knees.
- Watch for a minute before you roll in, so you can see how skaters take turns, and let faster skaters pass.
- Start on the flat ground and the smallest ramp. Rolling, stopping and turning come before any trick.
