Rajalta rajalle -hiihto

The Packing Checklist for Border to Border Ski

What to pack when skiing more than 400 km long tour in North Finland? Here is a checklist what to pack for your Border to Border Skiing holiday. It is not complete, but you might get some useful tips for your packing.

First, we want to remind you that the weather conditions vary a lot during March in Finland.  That is why you should take clothes for warm days (from +5 to zero Celsius) as well as for the cold days (-15 to -30 Celsius). It is not rare to have -25 Celsius the time you start to ski in the morning. Even if that might sound frightening, in those mornings the scenery is the most beautiful. The snow is shining like millions of diamonds and the colors of the sky vary from purple to blue. Overall, you need to prepare yourself to all kinds of weather conditions!

Below we have listed some tips for packing:

For the Ski

• Your own CLASSIC skis (some people take two for different conditions)
• Poles
• Boots (which you are used to ski with)
• The waxes and the iron suitable for your skis
• Little backpack or a fanny pack
• Good hat and gloves
• Layers (base and mid, merino wool is a good choice), enough for the whole week
• Waterproof breathable jacket or a soft shell (the one you feel comfortable with)
• Insulating jacket (light down jacket for example)
• Neck or face gaiter for the cold mornings and windy days
• Your favorite snacks, which give you the boost when most needed!
• Sun lotion (believe it or not, on a sunny day the snow is reflecting so much light that your face might sunburn if not protected)
• Sunglasses
• A bottle for drinking during the ski (preferably a one which can survive in freeze without totally freezing your drink)

For After the Ski

• Slippers and wool socks for the evenings
• Your personal hygiene items (you might want to consider earplugs)
• Comfortable clothes for free time
• A Sleeping bag or a blanket (You will need them in Ruona school accommodation)
• Towel
• Charger, phone, camera etc.
• NAME TAGS for everything. Tag your skis, poles, the ski bag ect. You are not the only one with black Fischer bag! J
• Some skiers take something common (food, pictures, clothes) for their own culture to share with or show to others. You can use them also in the last evening’s ceremony in Tornio, where the skiers have their own show
• Your personal medication (don’t forget blister bandage)
• AN INSURANCE, we have not insured the skiers so make sure you have your own insurance for the whole trip. Make sure it covers the expense of Border to Border also in case of your personal cancellation
• Most important: A GOOD SPIRIT FOR A SKIING HOLIDAY

How to reach Kuusamo?

It is possible to travel to Kuusamo by plane, bus, car, train or combination of these. The Border to Border ski starts from Kuusamo and ends in Tornio. The bus transportation on the last day to Kemi railway station, Kemi airport, Oulu railway station, Oulu airport and Kuusamo airport is included in the total price. PLEASE NOTICE that on the last day you may book your flights/other transportation from Kemi at 9.00, from Oulu at 11.00 and from Kuusamo at 15.00.

By plane

There is an airport in Kuusamo and in Oulu. You may fly there with direct flights from Helsinki. Check for example Finnair’s and Norwegian’s flights.

By bus

You can travel to Kuusamo by bus from all over the Finland. If you are coming from Oulu, hop on a bus of company called “Pohjolan matkat”. Those buses will take you to the doorstep of Oivanki with 5€ extra cost. Check the timetable.

By train

If you prefer train, you can take a train from Helsinki to Oulu. From Oulu you can travel to Kuusamo by bus. With night train, you will not even notice the time! Check the timetable.

By car

You can also travel to Oivanki by car. If you drive to Kuusamo by car, you can leave the car on the parking of Oivanki until you return.

Transportation during the holiday

There will be a bus available and it will follow the skiers the whole week. It is possible to leave there all the extra equipment you don’t need while skiing. During the ski, the bus will be available for the skiiers at least once a day.

Ski, sleep and eat!

Border to Border ski takes nine days in total including the traveling days. During this time, the skier needs to take care only about three things: skiing, sleeping and eating. We warmly welcome you to this unforgettable journey where all the stress disappears!

Border to Border organization takes care of all meals, accommodation and transportation during the trip. There are two to seven service points with snacks and drinks and one lunch during a skiing day. We serve dinner, breakfast, evening snacks and a snack back at the accommodations. There is also a sauna in every accommodation. The bravest try ice swimming in Oivanki, Kuusamo!

After the last skier, there is always a snowmobile to secure your safety. The snowmobile drivers help you with any kind of problems during your ski. Moreover, there are excellent guides to help you!

NOTICE! The organization has not insured the skiers. We highly recommend skiers to take an insurance which covers also the participation fee in case of cancellation.

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!

1^st 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.

2^nd 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.

3^rd 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.

4^th 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

5^th 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.

6^th 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.

7^th 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.

Matkustaminen Kuusamoon

Rajalta Rajalle –hiihdon lähtöpaikkaan Kuusamoon on mahdollista matkustaa lentäen, linja-autolla, junalla, omalla autolla ja näiden yhdistelmillä. Hiihto alkaa Kuusamosta ja päättyy Tornioon. Hiihdon hintaan sisältyy bussikuljetus lähtöpäivän aamuna Kemin rautatieasemalle - Kemin lentokentälle – Oulun rautatieasemalle ja lentokentälle – ja lopulta Kuusamoon. HUOM! Lennot voi lähtöpäivänä varata Kemistä klo 9.00, Oulusta klo 11.00 ja Kuusamosta klo 15:00 jälkeen. Jos saavut omalla autolla Kuusamoon, voit jättää autosi Oivankiin parkkipaikalle odottamaan paluutasi.

Perille lentäen

Kuusamossa on oma lentoasema, johon voi lentää Finnairin suorilla lennoilla Helsingistä. Toinen vaihtoehto on lentää Ouluun ja ottaa bussi Oulusta Kuusamoon.

Perille bussilla

Kuusamoon pääsee bussilla ympäri Suomen. Oulun ja Kuusamon välillä liikennöivät Pohjolan Matkat –bussit vievät hiihtäjät 5€ lisämaksusta Oivankiin. Katso aikataulut.

Perille Junalla

Mikäli matkustat enemmin junalla, voit tulla Junalla Ouluun ja taittaa lopun matkaa bussilla. Yöjunalla matka taittuu nopeasti myös Etelä-Suomesta! Katso aikataulut.

Perille omalla autolla

Voit tulla omalla autollasi suoraan Oivankiin ja jättää autosi odottamaan Oivangin parkkipaikalle hiihtosi päättymistä.

Kuljetus hiihdon aikana

Koko viikon ajan hiihtäjillä on linja-auto käytössään. Linja-auto on kerran päivässä hiihtäjille "tarjolla" matkan varrella, joten ylimääräisiä varusteita ei tarvitse kuljettaa mukana ja hiihtäjillä on myös mahdollisuus nousta linja-auton kyytiin.