Nordic Skating diary

Condition of our long nordic skating track may change rapidly, even during the same day. The tracks are maintained every day (outside heavy snowfall days). Usually skating tracks opens end of December/start of January and closes around end of March. See routes from Winter Routes map.

Tue 2.4. season is over

Skating season is over! Ice surface is very soft, no possibility of skating anymore regardless of upcoming cold days. Thanks for the season and we continue in 2024-2025 season!

tue 26.3. at 10 kick sled recommended

Tracks drove through with ATV, surface does not last yet for skater. Kick-sled is possible today! Skating most likely tomorrow.

Ma 25.3. klo 8.45 ei aurausta tänään, ti-ke mahdollisia luistelupäiviä

Mon 25.3. no skating today

Tracks cannot be opened, as there is partially frozen water on routes and forecast only shows 2-3 days of skatings. We will wait today, hopefully next nights cold is enough to have few more skating days.

Fri 22.3. no skating today

Warm nights, ice is soft: No skating today or on the weekend. Some possibilities for skating on next week, depending on cold nights and amount of water on routes.

Thu 21.3. forecasts

Today we expect the routes to be skatable. Nights go warm for few days, friday-sunday is unsure. We check tomorrow.

Sun 18.3. klo 16 skating today tomorrow, 12 km of routes!

To put in short, it became really challenging condition, but we were able to open 12 km of skating routes! Available from tomorrow. Forecast is good for following days. Ice quality is decent/partially good, gets better during monday!

Safety reminder: Stay on marked skating route!

Fri 15.3. no skating today

Tracks full of water due to warm, no skating today and during weekend. Start of next week looks cold, sundays snow amount will decide whether the season continues during start of next week! There is a chance and we will do all it takes to continue. :)

Wed 13.3.

Today great, tomorrow most likely good still. Then very unsure as it goes warm. Day by day.

fri 8.3. FANTASTIC ROUTE, 15 KM OF SKATING

Routes skated through, magnificent conditions! Ice cannot get better. 12 km open in perfect shape, start from southpoint of holiday village (900m from rental). Weather forecast looks really promising for following weeks! We were also able to open a 3 km Siplahti route, this route has good and decent sections.

ROUTES AT THE MOMENT:

Southpoint-Haatansaari 5 km backforth
Southpoint-Kruunupuisto 3 km backforth
Valkialampi route 2 km
Kaarnalahti route 2km
Siplahti route 3 km backforth (good and decent sections).

SERVICES & OTHER ACTIVITIES

WAFFLE CAFE on Kruunupuisto shore open this week between thu-sun!
EQUIPMENT RENTALS from our restaurant between 10-16 on weekdays and sat-sun 10-16 from rental.
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: Tracks in land are recommended! Check the route maintenance condition from here.
SNOWSHOIENG: Routes in tree arboretum awaits! See the tallest trees of Finland in Kokonharjun Lenkki.
WINTER CYCLING: a 5km route in tree arboretum and Topeliuksen Polku in ridge area recommended. Also the paths next to ice route.
WINTER SWIMMING AND SAUNA: Wed-Fri 15-18, sat-sun 14-18! Price 7€/time

Tue 5.3. klo 9.30 has to wait until wednesday, then its a go!

We must wait until wednesday: The surface is not yet completely frozen. We have to wait for it to freeze completely, which will happen next night. Surface looks great and season with route maintenance continues tomorrow! Start the rest of season from southpoint of holiday village (900m from rental).

Note: Do not go today to skating route, although it looks very tempting. The surface goes bad.

Forecast looks really good starting from wednesday to every day, even perhaps until Easter!

From wednesday its a go

MON 4.3. NO SKATING YET TODAY, TOMORROW POSSIBLE

Less freezing temperatures in nights than forecasted in the past few days. Surface of skating routes is almost frozen, but not frozen enough to carry a walker. Tomorrow is possible. Wednesday is very probable.

Winter Cycling on ice: We recommend! Paths marked with blue posts.

Fri 1.3. skating season continues around monday!

Weather starts to change and tour made on ice. The thick water layer on top of the skating routes has started to freeze. As the water layer is thick + the following 2 nights have only little amount of cold, we expect the first possible skating day to be monday 4.3. This is possible, but tuesday 5.3. already looks very likely.

Winter Cycling, warmly recommended!
Cross-country skiing and snowshoieng, in tree arboretum routes.

Thu 29.2.

Next week looks finally a cold one to re-start skatings! When the freezing temperatures are about to start, we will report that how many days it takes for the skating to start again (amount of water on routes is decisive).

Mon 26.2.

A break in ice activities, until the cold nights return. Right now ice activities not available.Snow situation good in forests and land routes!

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: Tracks in land are recommended! Check the route maintenance condition from here.
SNOWSHOIENG: Routes in tree arboretum awaits! See the tallest trees of Finland in Kokonharjun Lenkki.
WINTER CYCLING: a 5km route in tree arboretum and Topeliuksen Polku in ridge area recommended.
PANCAKE HUT: Pancake Hut open this weeks tue-wed 12-16
WAFFLE CAFE on Kruunupuisto shore open weeks 8-10 between thu-sun!
WINTER SWIMMING AND SAUNA: Mon-Tue 15-18 still this week. Wed-Fri 15-18, sat-sun 14-18! Price 7€/time
EQUIPMENT RENTALS from our restaurant between 10-16

FRI 23.2. AT 23 TOMORROW AND NEXT WEEK ACTIVITIES

Torch Skating was held, just before the tracks went soft and water arose to tracks! Many thanks for participants to our event. Starting from saturday, the skating tracks are closed (warm weather, water is rising on top of skating route). We will wait for cold nights to re-start skatings.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: Tracks in land are recommended! Check the route maintenance condition from here.
SNOWSHOIENG: Routes in tree arboretum awaits! See the tallest trees of Finland in Kokonharjun Lenkki.
WINTER CYCLING: a 5km route in tree arboretum and Topeliuksen Polku in ridge area recommended. On saturday, you can still use (with your own risk) the skating track for cycling - starting from southpoint of holiday village. Starting from sunday there will most likely be too much water on the routes.
PANCAKE HUT: Pancake Hut open on saturday 12-16 and next weeks tue-wed 12-16
WAFFLE CAFE on Kruunupuisto shore open weeks 8-10 between thu-sun! Tomorrow saturday 15-18, sun 12-17
WINTER SWIMMING AND SAUNA: Mon-Tue 15-18 on the next two weeks. Wed-Fri 15-18, sat-sun 14-18! Price 7€/time
EQUIPMENT RENTAL open on saturday until 15/16. Starting from sunday, rentals from our restaurant.

fri 23.2. at 12

Right now track is great, but the surface might get soft in the late evening. We expect todays skating to be good! See the event info of evening

Due to warm, skating seems unlikely starting from saturday until the nights go cold again..

Wed 21.2. FRIDAYS SKATING EVENT + WEEKEND FORECAST

Right now tracks in great condition and situation the same on thursday. Weather goes warm on thursday, right now expect the skating to be possible during friday's day and evening (Torch Skating event)!

Saturday is unsure due to lack of cold nights, but possible. Kick sledding and winter cycling is 100% sure anyways.

Mon 19.2.

Start from own shore and 14 km of routes open (all the routes expect Siplahti route). When you skate everywhere, it’s a 14 km lenght.

EQUIPMENT RENTAL: Rentals everyday until 16.00 (can be returned to restaurant)
PANCAKE HUT: Pancake Hut open tue-wed 12-16, friday 17-21 (Torch Skating event), saturday 12-16.
WAFFLE CAFE on Kruunupuisto shore open thu-sat 12-18, sun 12-17 (until 10.3.)
WINTER CYCLING can be done on the cross country skiing trails on ice.
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING Great conditions!
WINTER SWIMMING AND SAUNA: Mon-Tue 15-18 on the next two weeks. Wed-Fri 15-18, sat-sun 14-18! Price 7€/time

19.2.: Fantastic conditions, but beware in some sections the bumps on ice. Always stay on marked trails on ice!

Sun 18.2. Skating day!

Some routes open today and great condition! Start from southpoint. Valkialampi pond-route is also closed. These sections will open tomorrow! Next weeks looks great, warm forecast in the end of next week.

Sat 17.2. 14 KM OF ROUTES, SUNDAY MOST LIKELY

Biggest and most difficult storm of the winter. After 14 hours of ice work, we were able to open 14km of skatable routes hopefully for tomorrow (today too wet). Siplahti route is closed. The warm weather lifts water on top of routes, although the weather gets bit cold soon, we are not sure that is it enough for sundays skating (these water sections has to freeze).
We will check this on sunday morning! Our estimate right now is, that we will have skating on sunday. Sundays start will be from southpoint of holiday village (the normal starting area is filled from water, this has to freeze a 2nd day).

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: Maintenance late afternoon/early morning tomorrow, should be great for following days!

Thu 15.2. FORECAST OF FOLLOWING DAYS

Friday: Great conditions!
Saturday: Huge storm forecasted for fri-sat night. We will start working on sat morning with 3 machines from the morning, but no promises that is there skating possibilities at all during saturday. We will inform during the day on the diary.
Sunday: Great weather forecast, we will work the whole saturday to have nice conditions at the ice tracks.

Wed 14.2.

17 km open, all routes.

Fri 9.2. 17 KM OPEN

Tracks are in great condition! 17 km open.

EQUIPMENT RENTAL: Fri 10-15, Sat 10-16, Sun 10-15.
PANCAKE HUT: Pancake Hut open on saturday 10.2. 12-17!
WINTER SWIMMING AND SAUNA: Wed-Fri 15-18, sat-sun 14-18! Price 7€/time
EQUIPMENT RENTAL: Saturday 10-16, Sunday 10-15 (returns to restaurant)

Very cold temperatures always make little cracks on ice, which is you have to look out when skating (skate might get stuck to these cracks). This is normal on natural ice. These cracks will go away when weather goes to zero OR via our work of putting water on top of routes.
As forecast shows freezing temperatures for nearby future, right now the plan is to put water on some of the routes next week (its a 2 day job when half of the routes is worked like this)

WEd 7.2. steady, great conditions

Tracks cleared from snow and conditions are great! Forecast is steady for the following days, next new updates will be given when conditions change. Maintenance daily if needed. Plenty of snow so looks like a long winter season!

THU 1.2. GREAT CONDITIONS

If no suprises, should be great weekend ahead! 17 km open and in nice condition.

EQUIPMENT RENTAL: Fri 10-15, Sat 10-16, Sun 10-15. Other
PANCAKE HUT: Pancake Hut open on saturday 12-17!
WINTER SWIMMING AND SAUNA: Thu 15-17, friday 15-18, sat-sun 14-18! Price 7€/time

Tue 30.1. Great conditions today!

mon 29.1. warm days

Ice skatable today, difficult to forecast following days as it is warm. Most likely ice surface soft tomorrow morning, but we will check the situation daily.

THU 25.1. SKATING ROUTES OPEN AGAIN FROM FRIDAY--> !

Starting from tomorrow, routes open for skating again! Condition will be very good after fridays work on the ice.
All routes open, 17 km.

Rentals: Between 10-15 daily (returns possible to restaurant)
Pancake cafe: Open in our shore on saturday 12-17.
Winter swimming and sauna: In our shore friday 15-18, sat-sun 14-17. Expanded times next week!

tue 23.1. forecast of nearby days

After huge job today due to blizzard in tricky conditions, we were able to open all routes 17km. Starting point has been moved for the next 3 days (wed-fri) to our secondary starting point, southpoint of holiday village (900m from rental). Most likely on saturday we will move it back to our own shore. Forecast of following days_

WEDNESDAY: Skating possible, surface may go soft during the day
THURSDAY: Surface most likely soft
FRIDAY: Is 50/50 that is the route open in great condition or closed: If there rises a lot water to routes, we have to let it freeze on friday before allowing skatings. This can be seen on thursday.
SAT-SUN: Should be excellent conditions! Pancake cafe open in our shore on saturday between 12-17

sun 21.1.

Good conditions at the ice tracks, 17km open.

Fri 19.1. at 15

After snowstorm, all routes open! 17 km open.

Thu 18.1. no maintenance day

Stormy day, no maintenance day. Work continues tomorrow morning!

mon 15.1.

Great ice conditions (for natural ice) at the moment - it does mean though, that you wil always find some bumpy sections. 15 km open now, we expect to open the full 17km to open tomorrow.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING ROUTES ON ICE: The next maintenance for these routes in the end of this week, as it shows snowfall for everyday. Check the route maintenance condition from here. We recommend the tree arboretum 7,5km route (Tutkimusmetsän lenkki).

Sun 14.1. tracks in great condition

Ice condition has improved from good to great!

fri 12.1. tracks alright! 15 km

Due to daily work, tracks start to be in good condition! Now 15 km of tracks, all routes open expect the southern route (Siplahti) which is halfway open).

EQUIPMENT RENTALS: Daily from restaurant 10-15, rental open sat-sun 10-15 (you can return later).
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: Routes open and also all ice routes - check the route maintenance condition from here. We recommend the tree arboretum 7,5km route (Tutkimusmetsän lenkki).
SNOWSHOIENG: Nice amount of snow for snowshoieng, tree arboretum is recommended!
WINTER CYCLING: Path of Topelius and tree arboretum roads are the best option, you can also cycle the nordic skating routes!
WINTER SWIMMING AND SAUNA: In our shore there is winter swimming possibility and sauna, fridays between 15-18 and sat-sun 14-17, price 7€.

Mon 8.1.

at 16.00: Now 15 km of tracks and condition of ice starts to be quite alright!

at 9.00: Maintenance done throughout the weekend. The ice cutter works better during this weeks temperatures and we expect the ice surface to improve in future days. 13 km of tracks and start from our shore!

FRI 5.1. WEEKEND ROUTE INFORMATION

at 15.00: Start point from Harjun Portti shore! The 1st kilometer needs a lot work, but can be used starting from saturday.

at 9.00: 12 km of tracks now and we will inform if additional routes will open for the weekend. Ice cutting has been already started (to smoothen the surface), but at these extreme temperatures (-30 degrees) it doesnt have much effect to ice yet. Otherwise routes in decent conditions expect Haataansaari, which is not decent yet. Work continues today and working the natural ice is a changing process which takes time.

Routes today:
Start point: From southpoint of holiday village (900m from rental)

Kaarnalahti route 2km
Southpoint-Kruunupuisto 3 km (backforth)
Valkialampi pond 2 km
Haataansaari route 5 km (backforth)

Wed 3.1. tomorrow 12 km of routes!

Tomorrow 12 km of routes open! After full day of ice work, we were able to work the ice quality already in Kaarnalahti route. The ice quality overall is decent at this point. Work continues tomorrow.

Routes tomorrow and friday:
Start point: From southpoint of holiday village (900m from rental)

Kaarnalahti route 2km
Southpoint-Kruunupuisto 3 km (backforth)
Valkialampi pond 2 km
Haataansaari route 5 km (backforth)

Tue 2.1. Skating tracks will open on thursday!

We were able to finally start the track preparations today! Wednesday is track preparations but on thursday the routes will open for skating, most likely with 12 km routes (all other routes instead of Siplahti route).

Start point in southpoint of holiday village at the moment. Weather is cold but good clothing and movement helps a lot!

FRI 29.12. WORK BEGINS AFTER NEW YEAR

Finally some progress at the ice, the water on the ice has finally beginning to freeze (different layers in between ice layers). These has to freeze in order for us to operate with any vehicles.

The plan is that on tuesday 2.1. we begin the ice skating route maintenance.

WED 27.12. SKATING STILL HAS TO WAIT

Bad luck regarding the ice formation for this winter in our area: The first ice measurements were made one month ago, but still today the ice isnt good or thick enough to manage the ice with ATV's. Its due to many circumstances happening that all affects the ice formation in Punkaharju, thick amount of snow on top of ice is now the issue.

The next check will be made on 2.1.2024 and in best case its a matter of few days to open. Very cold forecast for next week, lets see how it affects!

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: Routes partially open, ice routes still closed. Check the route maintenance condition from here. We recommend the tree arboretum 7,5km route (Tutkimusmetsän lenkki).
SNOWSHOIENG: Nice amount of snow for snowshoieng, tree arboretum is recommended!
WINTER CYCLING: Path of Topelius and tree arboretum roads are the best option (ice routes still closed)

WED 20.12. CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES

Equipment rentals on christmas: Rentals available 22.12. and 23.12., now you get a -15% discount for bookings minimum 2 days! Check the pricing list from here.
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: Routes partially open, ice routes still closed. Check the route maintenance condition from here. We recommend the tree arboretum 7,5km route (Tutkimusmetsän lenkki).
SNOWSHOIENG: Nice amount of snow for snowshoieng, tree arboretum is recommended!
WINTER CYCLING: Path of Topelius and tree arboretum roads are the best option (ice routes still closed)
NORDIC SKATING: Ice conditions in our region still doesnt allow us to work on the ice with machines unfortunately, christmas skatings seems to not be available. We will check again tomorrow.
WINTER SWIMMING AND SAUNA: In our shore there is winter swimming possibility and sauna on 22.12.-23.12. between 15-18, price 7€.

Cafe-restaurant is open:
fri-sat 9-19, sun 24.12. 10-16, mon 25.12. closed, tue 26.12. 10-18

MON 11.12. maintenance cannot be yet started

No luck with the weather regarding skating maintenance: Ice isnt thick enough due to amount of snow and other factors. Maintenance cannot be started this week, we will monitor the issue daily!

Amount of snow though starts to be nice for cross-country skiing tracks and snowshoieng!

To 7.12.

5.12. some progress in freezing

Although very cold temperatures, we cannot yet operate on the ice tracks. Measuring are done and the snow on the ice slowes the freezing process greatly. Changes are that next week could be the start of working on the ice tracks.

1.12. freezing goes ahead

First ice measuring done, progress looks promising! During next week we will do longer measuring of the tracks and hopefully can start working on the tracks with ATV's in 7-10 days - the forecast looks quite cold and good!

27.11. forecast looks great, early winter

Freezing cold temperatures, early winter! Winter routes not yet open but looks good: Lakes have frozen, and have a small ice layer on top. The snow on the ice slowes the freezing of lakes, but we anticipate that we can start exploring the ice thickness of our planned routes until end of this week.

When does the skating season start? With these weather forecasts, its very possible to start the season in around 2 weeks. Amount of snow affects also the freezing process.

17.11. freezing temperatures, looking good

Cold nights started and the weather forecast looks promising - lakes have begun to freeze. Hopes for early skating season start are high.

2.11.2023 Waiting for the NEW season

Waiting for the skating season! On this page updates will be written when start of season approaches and during season we give information of whats the route situation and quality. Previous diarys and statistics of maintenance below.

When does the skating season / winter start? Check statistics of previous winters from diary below. Our promise in Punkaharju is, that we do absolutely everything possible on a weekly basis to keep the skating tracks open - for the last 17 years already! Circumstances change on ice depending on weeks temperature and work is daily throughout the winter.

Skating diary of past winters

Mostly regarding nordic skating tracks, but also information about cross-country skiing and other routes.

Skating diary of 2022-2023 winter
Skating diary of 2021-2022 winter
Skating diary of 2020-2021 kept only in finnish
Skating diary of 2019-2020 winter
Skating diary of 2018-2019 winter
Skating diary of 2017-2018 winter
Skating diary 2015-2016 and 2016-2017

Lenghts of past seasons

2022-2023: Start 4.1.2023, end of maintenance start of April
2021-2022: Start 23.12.2022, end of maintenance early April
2020-2021: Start 8.1.2021, end of maintenance was end of March
2019-2020: Start 1.1.2020, end of maintenance was Mid March
2018-2019: Start 12.12.2018, end of maintenance Mid March
2017-2018: Start 12.1.2018, end of maintenance early April
2016-2017: Start 19.12, end of maintenance Mid March.
2015-2016: Start 29.12., end of maintenance end of March
2012-2013: Start 28.12., end of maintenance early April