Finlandia-Hiihto

Finlandia Ski Marathon will be held in Lahti and Hollola, on the Salpausselkä ski tracks on February 22-23, 2025. Only one week to go. During this winter the weather in Lahti has not been on the organizers’ side, but, the good news: The event consisting of different routes can be organized as planned. More than 3000 skiers are registered already.

The warm and partly rainy winter has caused challenges for winter sports in general. But, the original plan will remain at only 20 kilometers. The 32-kilometer route is slightly modified, and the 62-kilometer route will include 32 km twice.

“It’s great that even in challenging conditions we are able to complete all routes in their full length. Over the next week or so, snowmaking and preparation work will be done at about 10 different locations along the 32-kilometer route. Organization is doing a fantastic job ensuring the skiers have the best possible conditions for the event,” says Event Director Markku Levanen.

Changes to the route, ski stations and starting schedules

The Hälvälä service station was not originally part of the 32-kilometer route. Now Hälvälä is part of the route and therefore 32 km distance skiers can enjoy the services of four stations. Papinkaivo and Orinkarkaus service stations won’t be on the route be, but “Papinkaivo hosts”, known for their good atmosphere, will serve skiers near the Sports Center, on the at the lean-to behind the large ski jumping hill. Therefore, nine service points are available for 62-kilometer skiers, who will start the new round from the base of the big hill, not through the stadium.

Changes have been made to the starting arrangements and schedule to minimize overtaking and to make the competition for the fastest skiers smoother. Athletes from the first starting groups, Elite, Jahti and Group 1, will be allowed to set off as early as 8:00 on both Saturday and Sunday. These groups will have around 400 athletes skiing, and the organizers anticipate that they will have time for another round before the next ones start, which will be delayed to 10:00.

By Thursday morning, over 3,100 skiers had registered for the Finlandia Ski Marathon. The route and some changes in the start procedure will not limit the number of participants, so the organizers expect the final number of participants to be close to 4,000 skiers. The final changes to the route and schedules will be published on Monday, February 17, 2025.

Event Director Levanen shares his praise for the organizing committee, which has been together for a long time. In total, Finlandia Ski Marathon is organized with about 300 volunteers. There are many non-profit associations participating, for whom the event is significant in terms of fundraising.

The number of people registering for Finlandia Ski Marathon has been increasing compared to the previous year until the end of January. Event Director Levanen encourages everyone who is interested to join.

“The event has local significance, of course, for the two sports clubs that are responsible for the arrangements, but also for more than ten other operators who have prepared to produce and manage, among other things, ski service stations, traffic control and services for participants. A warm welcome to skiing,” concludes Levanen.