Kiilopää Challenge

Participant Info

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Welcome to the Kiilopää Ski on Saturday, December 14, 2024!

Event Center and Arrival

  • The event center is located at Suomen Latu Kiilopää (Kiilopääntie 620, 99830 Saariselkä). See directions to Kiilopää here.
  • Parking at Kiilopää is allowed in designated parking areas or as directed by traffic marshals. Keep emergency routes and the bus turnaround clear at all times.
  • Parking is limited, so we recommend that skiers coming from Saariselkä take the shuttle bus to the race site.

Shuttle Buses between Kiilopää and Saariselkä on Event Day

A free event day shuttle bus will run between Saariselkä and Kiilopää. This is the preliminary schedule, which will be finalized in November.

Shuttle 1: Saariselkä -Kiilopää
Riekonlinna 07:45 – Spa Hotel 07:50 – Kuukkeli 07:55 – Savotta cafe 08:05 – Tievatupa (on Kiilopääntie) 08:15 – Kiilopää 08:20

Shuttle 2: Kiilopää- Saariselkä
Kiilopää 15:30 – Tievatupa 15:35 – Savotta cafe 15:50 – Kuukkeli 15:55 – Spa Hotel, Riekonlinna 16:05

Schedule and Program

FRIDAY, December 8

  • 15-20 Race office open and bib pickup at Kiilopää’s main building.
  • 9-17 Race ski waxing: Drop off your skis for race waxing, provided by Suomen Latu’s partner Vauhti. Skis can be dropped off Thursday or Friday between 9.00–17.00 at Kiilopää’s rental shop. Ready skis can be picked up the next morning. (Race waxing prices: Glide & Grip €40, Glide €30, Grip €30) Book and pay for waxing in advance here.

SATURDAY, December 9

  • 8-9 Race office open and bib pickup at Kiilopää’s main building. Bibs will be distributed outdoors in a self-service system.
  • 8-10 Free recreational ski waxing (grip) for recreational skiers. We recommend dropping off skis for waxing on Friday before 5 p.m. to avoid waiting on Saturday morning.
  • 9.00 Mass start for freestyle technique – competitive skiers in the front row, fitness skiers behind.
  • 9.10 Mass start for classic technique – competitive skiers in the front row, fitness skiers behind.
  • 9.20-10.20 Recreational category rolling start. Begin at your own pace.

Food:

The Maahinen Hut Café offers warm and cold drinks, as well as savory and sweet snacks. All competitive skiers are provided with a complimentary soup lunch at the event center after the race. Recreational skiers will have tasty snacks available at the firepit along the route. Post-race soup lunch can also be purchased at Kiilopää’s restaurant or smaller snacks at Maahinen Hut Café.

  • 12-14 Electric sauna available for participants.
  • 14-18 Smoke sauna and ice swimming – bring your swimsuit and towel. Smoke sauna tickets will be provided during bib pickup.
  • 14.00 Prize ceremony.

Storage and Changing Rooms

  • Changing rooms, showers, and storage for belongings are located in the lower level of Kiilopää’s main building.

Equipment Rentals

  • Kiilopää Adventures is located in the lower level of Kiilopää’s main building. The rental shop is open on Friday from 9-17 and on Saturday from 9-17.

INFORMATION FOR 40 KM RACE PARTICIPANTS

  • Technique: Classic or freestyle.
  • The route consists of a wide, well-maintained, two-way track.
  • Categories: M/F General, M40/F40, M50/F50, M60/F60.
  • Routes: The final route will be confirmed in early December based on snow conditions. Updates will be posted on our website.
    Route 1: After the start, the route ascends Ahopää, then descends past Pieranvaara to Laanila. In Laanila, the course follows the moonlight ski trail for three laps before returning to Kiilopää via Rönkönlampi and the reindeer gate. Aid stations are located at Laanila and the reindeer gate. See the route 1 map here. 
    Route 2: The race heads through the national park gate towards Sivakkaoja and the reindeer gate. After the reindeer gate, it continues to Laanila. In Laanila, participants ski two laps of the moonlight ski trail clockwise, then return to Kiilopää via the reindeer gate. See the route 2 map here. 
    There is no lighting on the first kilometers of the routes, so bring a headlamp!
  • Aid stations will be at the reindeer gate and Laanila, offering drinks, bananas, raisins, and pickles.
  • Finish Line: Located at the UK National Park gate at Kiilopää’s courtyard.
  • For Withdrawals: If you withdraw, notify the race director at +358 44 901 5771. Save the number in your phone.
  • Results: Competitive category results will be posted here.

INFORMATION FOR RECREATIONAL SKI PARTICIPANTS

  • Technique: Classic only.
  • The route is a traditional wilderness track, groomed by snowmobile and track sled. The route passes through varied terrain in Urho Kekkonen National Park, mostly outside regular ski trails. Some descents require caution, which will be marked. The route is not maintained after the event and will not be lit. Bring a headlamp as the polar night falls early!
  • Route: The route passes through Ahopää’s slopes, follows Latvakuru’s base, then heads towards Ruijanpolku and the reindeer gate. After passing Sivakkaoja, it continues through ancient forest before returning to Kiilopää. The route can be completed multiple times. See the route map here.
  • Aid Stations:
    • Latvakuru hut (hot drinks, snacks)
    • Sivakkaoja shelter (heavier snacks, drinks)
    • Niilanpää reindeer cabin (hot drinks, snacks)
  • Finish Line: At the gate of UK National Park, in the yard area of Kiilopää. NOTE! The finish line is downhill, so approach it with caution, being mindful of other skiers and people moving around in the yard area.
  • For Withdrawals: If you withdraw, notify the race director at +358 44 901 5771. Save the number in your phone.
  • Recommended Equipment: Bring a backpack with water, spare clothes, and snacks. We recommend taking a cup and a seat pad for breaks. Remember your charged phone!

For more information on the Kiilopää Ski Race: Program Manager Satu Salminen, satu.salminen@suomenlatu.fi, +358 44 901 5771.

WELCOME to the Kiilopää Ski Race in the snowy, serene atmosphere of Urho Kekkonen National Park!

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