Finland is a country that is buried in a heavy winter for
more than half the year therefore it comes as no surprise that winter sports
are extremely popular. From skiing to ice climbing, the Finnish people have a
hugely diverse range of winter activities.
One of the most popular winter sports is skiing, in
particular cross country skiing. There are resorts all around the country,
particularly in the north and Finnish Lapland. From large touristy resorts to
smaller and more secluded areas there is something for everyone. Many people
who live in the south of the country in places such as Helsinki will take the
night train up to the north for a few days just to ski. Many people however
prefer to stay off the readymade tracks and find their own slopes and paths
instead. Even just driving along the road you will see skiers coming through
the trees.
During the winter, many of the country’s lakes and
waterfalls freeze up creating great opportunities for ice climbing. There are
many companies that offer this sport to tourists and the general public and
they have varying degrees of difficulty, however it is not a sport for the
faint hearted!
Finland is a great sport for winter sports and it is a huge
part of the country’s culture. There are many, many opportunities for tourists
to partake in these sports and most of them are great for any standard, whether
you are a beginner or more advanced.
This photo comes from the website www.travelsinorbit.com
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