Border to Border ski is over 400 km long guided ski tour in Northern Finland. The route follows near the Arctic Circle from Russian border to Swedish border. The event is on the bucket list of every enthusiastic cross-country skier. Welcome to join us!
Members of the inter-municipal Border to Border -skiing organization discussed the event's situation in its meeting on November 14, 2024, following the decision by the town of Pudasjärvi to relinquish its responsibility for coordinating the event.
All members of organization noted that the conditions for organizing the event have significantly changed, and the challenges associated with its arrangements have grown year by year, with no signs of improvement. Additionally, the tightening financial situation of the municipalities has brought into focus the need to prioritize the allocation of increasingly scarce resources.
The organization unanimously declared the end of the Border to Border -skiing event. The responsibility for coordination or leadership will not be transferred to other municipalities or third parties.
Organization acknowledged the significant impact that the Border to Border -skiing event has had on the development of tourism and the vitality of local communities in the region over its long history. Every year, in addition to first-time participants, the starting line attracted an ever-growing number of old acquaintances and best of them had participated for decades. Over the course of its 38 editions, the event welcomed more than 10,000 skiers from five continents, representing 31 nationalities.
The entire working group extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who, over the years, has contributed their time and effort to this remarkable and unique event.
On the behalf of Border to Border -skiing organization,
Heikki Heikura
RR-coordinator
At its meeting on 15.10., the town of Pudasjärvi executive board has decided to give up the responsibility for coordinating Border to Border -skiing. In practice, this means cancelling the 2025 Border to Border -skiing.
The executive board has reviewed the overall situation related to the matter. The situation also involves other challenges, but primarily due to the tight financial situation of town of Pudasjärvi, it cannot provide sufficient operational reliability as required by the responsibility for coordinating Border to Border -skiing.
In its decision, the town’s executive board also states that the responsibility for coordinating the event can be handed over to another municipality or operator if the transfer can be made in a sensible and smooth manner from the point of view of operations. At the moment, it is not known whether any municipality or operator will take over the responsibility for coordinating Border to Border -skiing in the future.
Those avid skiers who have postponed their registration fee from 2024 to 2025 can expect a refund in the following couple weeks to the account or credit card from which they made the payment. If we need more information for refunding process we will contact you.
The town of Pudasjärvi and the Border to Border -skiing organization thanks everyone for the past years and apologize for any inconvenience caused by the situation to all enthusiastic skiers around the world.
On my own behalf, I also thank everyone who has been involved in making this unique event possible over the years.
Heikki Heikura
RR-coordinator
In 2024, Border to Border skiing will exceptionally be skied with smaller groups. The maximum size of the groups will be 42-45 skiers per group. The groups travel by one bus, which is why we hope that the participants will be in good skiing condition and have a brisk attitude. For longer ski days, there will be separate shuttle buses to shorten potential waiting time for skiers. You can expect same familiar Border to Border -skiing experience and meeting amazing people from all around the world.
Groups and skiing days:
RR1: 7.3.-13.3.2024
RR2: 8.3.-14.3.2024
RR3: 9.3.-15.3.2024
RR4:10.3.-16.3.2024
As usual, gathering one day earlier to Oivanki and Departure next morning after last skiing day.
The skiing distance is about 383 km. The participation fee for 2024 is 1950€
The registration system has changed and please let me know This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you notice any defects or deficiencies during the registration. Link to registration system will be available on monday morning at "participate now" section.
Below is preliminary program, changes are possible:
Gathering
On the eve of the first day of skiing, all skiers will gather to the Oivanki in Kuusamo (RR1 on Wednesday 6.3.2024, RR2 on Thursday 7.3.2024, RR3 on Friday 8.3.2024 and RR4 on Saturday 9.3.2024). At the information session in the evening, you will receive instructions and tips for the upcoming ski week. At the same time, you can start getting to know your future skiing buddies! Skiers are served dinner and evening snack.
You can book accommodation in Oivanki even before the official program, if you want to get a feel for your skis in advance!
1st Skiing day
The first day of skiing starts with a hearty breakfast after enjoying Lake Suorajärvi, about 20 km from the Russian border. Day’s skiing is about 33km and it will end to Ruka, the accommodation is Scandic Rukahovi. The ski trip winds through Ruka's rugged landscape, where a hot soup lunch is also served.
2nd Skiing day
The second day of skiing is about 43 kilometers long and ends in Taivalkoski. Accommodation and meals are taken care of by Ruska, During the ski day you can enjoy beautiful natural landscapes and taste Särkelä's delicious salmon soup. In Taivalkoski, you can visit a shop and pharmacy, as they are only about 1.4 km away.
3rd Skiing day
The third day of skiing is 58 kilometers long. Many skiers find the scenery particularly beautiful on the third day of skiing, as the route partly winds through the Syöte National Park. However, the last kilometers do not let the skier go easy, as at the end there is a climb to the Pikku-Syöte fell hotel. Lunch is served in the wilderness scenery of Pirinlampi.
4th Skiing day
The fourth day of skiing measures the grit and fitness of a cross-country skier, as the total distance covered is a whopping 88kilometers. The skiing trip starts with a fast descent from Pikku-Syöte and ends with long swampy landscapes in Ranua. Stay overnight at Gasthaus Ranua in Ranua
5th Skiing day
The skiing day is 46 kilometers long, but after the last long day it can feel tough. On the fifth day of skiing, lunch is served at Ruona village hall/school. Accommodation is also arranged in Ruona that is legendary place among RR-skiers.
6th Skiing day
On the sixth day of skiing, the journey continues towards the Swedish border for a total of 60 kilometres. Lunch is served in Keminmaa. For accommodation, the group is transported to Kemi, where accommodation is provided in the nostalgic and cosy Hotel Merihovi. After the sauna and meals, a small restorative evening walk before the last day is probably in order.
7th Skiing day
On the seventh and also the last day of skiing, there are 55 kilometers left. There are snacks waiting at the finish line and a sauna at the hotel. The last night in Tornio is spent in traditional style at Park Hotel Tornio, where you can also enjoy a dinner together. After dinner, there will be an evening party where prizes will be handed out and performances by skiers will be seen.
Departure
Next morning after last skiing day, it's time to go home! Please remember that flights can be booked from Kemi at 9.00, from Oulu at 11.00 and from Kuusamo after 15.00 on the day of departure.
Border to Border -ski Committee has assessed situation of 39th Border to Border -skiing.
Regrettably, we have encountered great challenges regarding accommodation in the Syöte area. Our longstanding accommodation partner has informed us that future and continuation of their business is uncertain, and the hotel in question has been put up for public sale. Unfortunately, this means that in this situation accommodation for our skiers in March 2024 cannot be guaranteed at that accommodation. After being informed of this situation, we have been trying for several weeks to find alternative accommodation in Syöte or its surrounding areas, but without success. March is the best season for ski resorts and therefore none of the other suitable accommodations in the area do not have enough rooms for our needs.
Every event, also Border to Border skiing, has certain time limits in terms of arrangements, during which the organizer must be sure of certain things. Accommodation is one of the most important of these.
In this situation, the Border to Border Skiing Committee has considered that safest option is to move the 39th Border to Border skiing to March 2025. As a responsible event organizer, we cannot put ourselves or our skiers in a situation where we would continue to organize and sell the event without accommodation necessary accommodation.
This decision was not easy and we regretfully apologize any inconvenience this may cause for everyone involved.
Despite the heavy disappointment, we look to the future and start preparations for 2025 as soon as possible. We will contact registered skiers by email.
Border to Border -skiing committee
Border to Border -skiing coordinator Heikki Heikura
During the spring and early summer, the organizing municipalities discussed about the continuation of Border to Border -skiing. During this week we received the last responses, and every municipality involved in the arrangements has announced their commitment to continue RR -skiing. We begin preparations and 39. Border-to-Border skiing will take place in March 2024! We will provide more detailed information about the opening of the registration and the participation fee during the summer.
Discussions took little bit longer than expected, but it was worth of it!
