Cross-country skiing in winter wonderland
The moon shines through the clouds to the frozen lake. I don’t feel quite safe on my skis yet. I try to follow all the instructions my friend is giving me. This is my third winter season working in Lapland and it’s the first time in eight years, since I try cross-country skiing again.
Finnish national sport
Cross-country skiing is very popular among the Finns. It seems that everybody knows how to do it and everybody is actually doing it. I don’t know any Finn, who doesn’t own a pair of skis himself. You meet them especially in February during their holidays. But it never feels crowded, because there are so many slopes and different routes around Äkäslompolo and Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. In fact, it’s a skier’s oasis. There are tracks for everyone, even for me as a beginner.
Learning how to ski
I start with skiing on the flat lake. My friend suggests gliding without using the poles first. After the second round I feel comfortable using the poles. I finally find my rhythm in the fresh prepared tracks. My friend is very patient. She has been cross-country skiing for several years in Switzerland. But Lapland is different for her too. She tells me about the beautiful places she has discovered in the old beautiful forests in the national park. About the snow covered trees, frozen streams and pure silence. She has also met reindeers, capercaillies and snow grouses along the way and enjoyed nice conversations with locals while grilling sausages in a kota or laavu.
Leaving safe ground
I am still dreaming of those experiences and can’t wait to leave the lake behind me to explore the other tracks. After some more training I am finally brave enough to go. My first challenge is going uphill. Once I am up, I have to go down the other side. I am a bit scared, but my friend shows me how to do it and I manage pretty well. I am so relieved!
We leave Äkäslompolo on the frozen river. The sun is shining and warming our faces. It’s a wonderful day and we are alone on the track, just enjoying the view, pure fresh air, nature and silence. I understand why Finns love this activity so much. It completely frees your mind.
We arrive at a small wilderness café after an hour and get some hot drinks. After coming back from this tour, we warm up sauna. I feel so happy that I decided to give Cross-country skiing another try. I’m already planning my next excursions on skis.
Story & Images By Anja Degiampietro