Winter activities the Finnish way- things to see and do in Turku

This year we've got plenty of snow in Turku. The winter will still last until at least March, so there is plenty of time to enjoy all kinds of winter activities in your home town. The people of Turku are currently enjoying the possibility to do some real winter activities in their town, since in some winters the town has been suffering from a serious lack of snow.

Here are some tips for you to get started with:

1. Skating in Turku

Figure skating is one of Finland's national sports. The sport is practiced at winter time in the local school, and pretty much everyone can skate. The most important names in the Finnish figure skating at the moment include Susanna Pöykiö, Kiira Korpi and Laura Lepistö.

Laura Lepistö

There are several places in Turku where you an try out figure skating. You could for example try out:

-Parkin kenttä
http://www.turku.fi/public/default.aspx?contentid=22551
There is also a possibliity to rent skates.

-Kupittaan rata
http://www.turku.fi/public/default.aspx?contentid=87665
At Kupittaa park there is a skating track for real skating enthousiasts. There is a skate rental shop as well on the spot.

2. Cross-country skiing

Cross-country skiing is a very popular sport in Finland as well. Quite many people watch the skiing competitions on television, but there are many who also cross-country ski themselves as a hobby. You can try cross-country skiing out at Ipivaara
http://www.turku.fi/public/default.aspx?contentid=23072
There is a ski rental shop and a possibility to buy snacks at the skiing hut.

3. Downhill skiing

Despite most the skiing centers in Finland are located in the North, there is a downhill skiing center pretty much in each bigger town. The Turku downhill skiing center is located at the island of Hirvensalo. Find out about the opening times and the travel connections at
http://www.tusla.net/uusi/


4. Ice swimming

Swimming in the winter is quite popular too. Find out more about dipping yourself into the frozen water at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_swimming

In Turku the best place to do this is probably at Ispoinen:
http://www.turunavantouimarit.fi/index.htm