What I need to know about Kiilopää Ski Event?
Fitness enthusiasts can easily participate in the Kiilopää Ski Race, and the route is manageable with a good basic fitness level. At the start, participants are grouped so that competitive skiers start from the front, while those aiming for a long, steady ski will start further back. The most important thing is to take part in the first event of the ski season and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the northern polar night.
The recreational route of the Kiilopää Ski Race has about 300 meters of ascent and an equal amount of descent. The snow conditions greatly affect how the route can be groomed and whether it’s possible to include sections like Niilanpää fell.
The race route has about 340 meters of ascent and an equal amount of descent. Whether the route crosses Ahopää or goes around Sivakkaoja, the ascent meters remain roughly the same.
Recreational ski aid stations offers warm juice, cookies and some salty snack. The biggest aid station, Sivakkaoja offers more substantial food.
Competitive ski aid stations offers warm juice, sports drink, water, raisins and pickled cucumber.
Recommended gear for recreational skiers: a backpack with a water bottle, an extra shirt and/or a jacket for breaks, spare gloves and a hat, as well as some extra energy (energy bars). For rest stops, we also recommend bringing your own cup and a sitting pad. Don’t forget your fully charged phone!
For competitive skiers: weather-appropriate ski clothing is sufficient, depending on whether you are skiing competitively or at a more relaxed pace. We also recommend bringing a buff or other garment to protect your face from wind and cold if necessary.
Recreational ski is suitable for children too. You can turn earlier from the route if you feel tired, so completing the entire route is not mandatory. The elevation differences are also very moderate, and there are several rest stops where you can refuel before the next leg. For children, the route offers an excellent winter adventure, where the tracks winds through a snowy pine forest, and the twilight of the polar night creates imaginative shapes in the snow-covered trees.
The place for accessories during skiing is located in the hall downstairs in the main building. There will be signs directing you to the depository from the outdoor grounds. The depository will be supervised throughout the event.
Saunas are included in the participation fee. The electric saunas will be heated for skiers starting at 11:00, and the smoke sauna from 14:00.
A bus transfer to Kiilopää Ski Race will be available from Saariselkä on Saturday morning, and in the afternoon, the bus will return to Saariselkä. The exact schedule will be updated on the participant instructions page.
The start and the finish line are located in the court of Suomen Latu Kiilopää, right next to the gate of Urho Kekkonen National park.
The registration confirmation email includes a self-service link, which allows you to transfer your participation to another skier, switch race categories, change the skiing style (skate skiing/classic), or transfer your registration to 2025. These changes can be made free of charge until November 10, 2024. Please check the registration page for detailed cancellation terms.
On Suomen Latu Kiilopää we offer accommodation in a hotel, cabins, holiday apartments and in a hostel. Read more from our website https://www.kiilopaa.fi/en/accommodation
At Suomen Latu Kiilopää, there is a small minimarket offering a limited selection of groceries and souvenirs. The Kiilopää Adventures rental shop also sells energy snacks and sports drinks. The nearest larger store is located in Saariselkä, about 16 kilometers from Suomen Latu Kiilopää.