Midsummer Skiing Event
Midsummer Skiing is one of Kilpisjärvi’s best-known and most unusual events. This race, skied under the midsummer sun, has been held for over 80 years and has become a tradition where fell nature, humour, and the spirit of Midsummer meet.
In Midsummer Skiing, the goal is not record times but unforgettable experiences. A relaxed atmosphere, colourful outfits, and a truly unique setting make it something you cannot experience anywhere else in Finland – or in the world.
Taking Part in Midsummer Skiing
You can register for Midsummer Skiing by paying the participation fee on the event day at the SaanaVeikot race office located at Kilpisjärven Retkeilykeskus. The actual skiing location on the slopes of Saana varies each year depending on snow conditions, and the course manager will announce the exact area on the day of the event. A group departure to the race site is organised from Kilpisjärven Retkeilykeskus.
You do not need your own ski equipment, as the organiser provides all necessary gear. The event is perfect for both locals and visitors, and even for spectators Midsummer Skiing offers a unique and entertaining experience.
Cheers Echo Across the Fells
The heart of Midsummer Skiing is togetherness and good spirit. Along the track, laughter and cheering echo through the fell as participants take turns heading out – sometimes seriously, sometimes with a playful glint in their eye, snow flying. The length of the course varies each year depending on snow
The History of Midsummer Skiing
The roots of Midsummer Skiing reach back to the immediate post-war years. The event was founded by Kilpisjärvi Saana Veikot and its founder Yrjö Metsälä. Metsälä worked in Kilpisjärvi for the Border Guard and Customs and later for many years as a mountain guide for the Finnish Tourist Association. Physical activity and the outdoors were close to his heart.
He trained as a physical education instructor in Vierumäki in the late 1940s and played a key role in establishing organised sports activities in Kilpisjärvi. The first Midsummer Skiing event was held on Saana in 1946, and it has taken place every year without interruption ever since. Originally, the races were skied under the Midnight Sun, but today the event is held in the afternoon.
Over the decades, Midsummer Skiing has grown from a local initiative into a nationally known curiosity – a unique Midsummer tradition where fell nature, community spirit, and light-hearted sport come together.
Stay at Kilpisjärven Retkeilykeskus
Kilpisjärven Retkeilykeskus offers accommodation right next to the Midsummer Skiing venue and other Midsummer weekend events, as well as restaurant services throughout the holiday. On Midsummer Eve, the atmosphere reaches its peak when the traditional bonfire is lit on the shore at 10 p.m., in the heart of the Midnight Sun and fell landscapes.
When you stay with us, you are within walking distance not only of the Midsummer Skiing event but also of other highlights of the “Sports Midsummer,” such as the Saana Run and Kilpis-Rasti orienteering event. All activities, services, and experiences are easily accessible without the need for a car.
Midsummer is one of the most popular times of the year in Kilpisjärvi, so be sure to book your accommodation well in advance to secure your place in an unforgettable Kilpisjärvi Midsummer.