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Source: Pixabay

10 Cool Things To Do During Winter

Winter in Finland offers endless possibilities for enjoying activities that are related to the season. Even though it is chilly outside, you can dress up warmly with the instructions found on the blog post How to Dress up for Winter?  After you have ensured that you stay warm, let’s head out to be adventurous, sportive and enjoy a little bit of fun with your friends!

1 - Stay inside

Yeah, it is cold outside and your fingers and toes are feeling it. How about just putting on fireplace from your favourite streaming service, (you will surely find a fireplace video on free video streaming platforms too) get your favourite warm cup of coffee, hot chocolate or tea and spend a moment curled up to your bed or sofa enjoying the afternoon. 

Yeah, cold winter nights inside can be very enjoyable. Plan your weekend getaway, hang out with friends or play your favourite mobile phone game. 

2 - Cross-country skiing

In some cities you can rent out skis. Especially in ski-centres, and most Finnish towns and cities have one, even in the Southern parts. Maybe you have a Finnish friend who can borrow you a pair. And maybe your Finnish friend can even come teach you a bit. 

Check local Erasmus / student groups, maybe they are organising a trip!  Do not be fooled however, skiing may look like an easy activity, but it is a coordinating of hands and feet when your feet want all but listen to your muscles! Rest assured, that once you master it, it is an excellent endurance sport that exercises your large muscle groups and your brains too! 

 Source: Pixabay

3 - Downhill skiing or snowboarding

Cross-country skiing may be the slow way of travelling on the snow, but if you are an adrenaline junkie and are not scared of heights, you may want to try snowboarding. Head to your nearest ski centre and ask for rental equipment and maybe a lesson or two. It is fun and for first timers, sore muscles are guaranteed! 

4 - Spa or sauna

If you are located in the Helsinki area, Yrjönkatu public saunas, operated since 1928, are a must. Head out on a crispy winter day and have a half day relaxation. A word of warning though, Yrjönkatu does not require swimming suits and for this reason, there are separate shifts for ladies and gents. 

Do not worry however, there are plenty of swimming pools and spas in Finland to explore and they all have informative websites. Just search for your location, city/town + swimming pool or hall. The prices are affordable as well, and remember to ask for a student discount with your student card. 

5 - Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is for the sports lovers! It is hard at the beginning but gradually you’ll learn the technique and will enjoy the surroundings in a completely new way. It is best experienced after heavy snowfall and the advantage is that you can access areas that are not necessarily accessible with any other means, during the winter. 

Please do not get lost!  Be aware of your surroundings, ask locals or get a guide, if you plan on wandering in the deep forests or parks. 

6 - A trip to laavu, lean-to shelter 

As you know, Finnish people enjoy the outdoors. There are many laavu’s (lean-to shelters) maintained in the wilderness and parks in Finland, that are reserved for recreational use. You can hike, ski, snowshoe, bike to them, boil coffee from snow or grill your favourite barbeques. Or maybe you just want to enjoy your packed sandwich and beverages and take pictures, there is no necessity to start a fire. 

There are several applications and websites for finding laavus in your area and one of those is called Tulikartta (firemap) at www.tulikartta.fi. 

 Source: Pixabay

7 - Build a snowman or watch when others do it

When the wet, sticky snow lands, there are a lot of building activities available. Yes, in the snow! Traditional snowman is always fun to make, but try making a snow horse! A rideable horse is my favourite! In order for you to be able to ride a snow horse, it has to have sturdy legs and carry a lot of weight. You need to pack the snow very tight in order for it to maintain your weight, but once you manage it, you will be the admired snow cowboy of the year! 

On another note, keep an eye on the snow sculpture competitions that happen in almost every city and town annually. You are going to be in awe with all the fun slides, climbs and towers and beautiful statues the competing teams will build for your viewing and testing pleasure! 

And nothing beats a traditional snowball fight. Avoid the eyes, please! 

8 - Ice Skating

Brace your lovely little toes! Ice skating requires balance and coordination and a pair of skates! Maybe you can rent these somewhere (try libraries, you can borrow several different things from libraries, not only books) or borrow from a friend. You can definitely find some used ones in flea markets or recycling centres that are run by organisations or Facebook market.  

If you have ever been skating with quad skates or in-line skates you find some familiar moves in ice-skating but all in all, it is definitely more slippery! Enjoy a hot beverage after skating. 

It is also good to remember that you should adhere to the rules explained in the blog post about how to dress up for winter. Take a skate that is one number larger  than your normal shoe size and add a normal sock and then a secondary woollen sock or a fluffy one. Ice skating shoes are generally very cold and the best weather to skate is a prickly cold weather! 

9 - Visit a local historical cafe 

Almost every town or city has that one particular cafe that is historic in some way. The old bakery cafe, the one in a historical building, the library cafe that is somehow special or just a locals favourite tea house or another establishment thar that has some great history or reputation. Ask around, google for the best locations or follow a hashtag in social media. You are bound to find your favourite spot in no time! 

10 - Swim in the ice hole

Yes, I left the best thing for last! Ice-swimming is another activity Finnish people are famous for!  Every city or town in Finland has an “avantouimala” or “avantouintipaikka” where they maintain a hole in the ice throughout the winter. 

There is usually at least a modest dressing room, but always with a little water pump that keeps the hole alive, and prevents the water from freezing after the hole has been opened. The holes are located on top of deeper water, so that you do not need to walk too long to be able to fully immerse yourself. Most often there is a pier with stairs descending to the icy cold water. 

If maintained by the city or a local ice-swimming association (yes, there are plenty of those in Finland) you usually find a sauna, or a heated dressing room in order for you to  comfortably change into your swimming suit. Also, in most cases, you can purchase a seasonal ticket or a ticket book and you will  meet like-minded ice-swimmers when you visit. 

A word of warning

Do not make an ice hole yourself to a location that you are not familiar with, there may be strong currents in rivers and circumstances that you may not be aware of. Never go swimming in an ice hole alone, always have a friend with you just in case. Do not dip your head under the water. The water is so cold that it may render you unconscious and there is a real chance of a serous accident. Head does not have an insulating layer of skin and fat and the brain is very close to the icy water in that way. Do not go swimming under the influence of alcohol or if you are ill. 

Do these instead! 

However, do wear a hat! You can use special swimming shoes and have a hot beverage with you on your visit. Some locations also offer grilling facilities!  Go in the water as many times you feel like it, but do not over do it. Ask your doctor before going if you have heart or lung problems, blood pressure problems or epilepsy etc. Use your common sense. 

Ice swimming has to be proven to reduce migraines, help with chronic pain and different joint and muscle problems. Even doctors may prescribe ice swimming to their patients in Finland. You feel amazing after having won yourself over and dipped in the water! You feel a rush of blood flowing through your body and endorphins take over. It is truly an exhilarating experience!