The first snow season ends - the frosty period of November-December brought a good framework for the next winter's snowfall

Kontiolahti Outdoor's announcement 13 December 2021

Kontiolahti's paid first snow season ends on Tuesday, December 14, nine weeks after opening.

"It has snowed enough at the end of November and in December that the natural snow pistes have been opened. This fall, the paid first snow slope extended the cross-country skiing season by 61 days. A year ago, the first snow season lasted until the beginning of January and was 83 days long," says Kimmo Turunen, CEO of Kontiolahti Outdoor, which is responsible for snowmaking services.

The price reform brought more skiers

This fall, ticket pricing was changed so that the previous two-hour one-time ticket became a day ticket. At the same time, the price of an adult ticket fell from 17 euros to 15 euros. The price of a day ticket for pensioners, students and 9-17 year olds was 10 euros. Eight-year-olds and younger ski for free. The change was intended to lower the threshold for families with children to come skiing already in the first snow season,

According to Turunen, the reform was reflected in the number of skiers.

"Although the weather was not favorable and autumn was also difficult in terms of slope maintenance, there were more skiers per day than before. This autumn, more season tickets were also sold than ever before and a new one-day visitor record was set."

Almost half of next season's snow made

Turunen says that Kontiolahti Outdoor has made almost half of the planned amount of more than 60,000 cubic meters of snow for the 2022-23 season.

"The good frosts also meant good conditions for making snow. The forecasts promise frost for the next few weeks as well, and we will be able to continue firing. We will be able to open the next first snow season again in mid-October."

Slopes, cafe and rental shop open

Ensilumenlatu's customer service point coffee restaurant Napakymppi will be open on weekends from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition to cafeteria services, it offers a soup lunch.

"Even though the first snow season is over, the slopes are in skiing condition and the equipment rental company serves in the usual style," says Turunen.

INFO: Kontiolahti biathlon stadium services 14.12. from  

• Cafe restaurant Napakymppi open Sat-Sun 10am-2pm. Café services and a soup lunch are available.
• Välinevuokraamo serves on weekdays during office opening hours 9-15. On weekends, equipment rentals are available through the café-restaurant Napakympi. Self-service rental works at other times.