Yesterday was hard on many levels; the distance, the conditions and of course the accident. Today is the perfect remedy, with clear blue skies, bright sunshine, a great ski track and beautiful views. Two weeks ago, a 50 km ski would have been a very big day for me but today that distance feels like a bit of a break. Today’s ski is almost entirely within the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, a landscape of taiga (Nordic coniferous) forest, large frozen bogs and snow covered hills. This area also claims to have the cleanest air on earth, which seems quite possible.

The National Park’s cross country ski trail network has 500 km of groomed tracks and on a sunny Saturday, it is full of people skiing; young and old, singles and families, fast and slow, they are all out today and it’s wonderful to see and be a part of. 

In the category of “could this get any better?” the National Park also has small warming huts with fire places, hot coffee and pastries every 20 km or so. Skis are stacked outside and inside they are buzzing with warmth and happy conversation. And the cinnamon buns are amazing. This part of Finland is a cross country skiing paradise.

Two additional minor delights from today: a clever “donuts on a stick” bird feeder and some axe themed art at one of the warming huts.