The first school holiday of the year in Finland is traditionally called the "ski holiday". Yet the logistics and expense of a skiing trip may be an obstacle for many – especially parents with younger children.
Thankfully, skiing isn't the only way to make the most of the winter break, so Yle News sought some expert advice and researched a list of fun, affordable and creative alternatives.
No such thing as bad weather
Outdoor educator Gaye Amus believes that nature has a powerful role to play in both education and wellbeing. So, while the instinct might be to curl up and hibernate at this late stage of winter, she believes the benefits of putting on your thermals and embracing the outdoors are worth the effort.
"In a fast paced, digital world where we disconnect not only from each other but from the environment, going outdoors is a good way to slow down and reconnect. Go outdoors! Whatever the weather. There is so much to see and explore even in your own backyard or the forest nearby," says Amus, who runs outdoor education organisation Learning in Nature.
All a child needs is an adult who is inspired to go outside, an open mind and the right clothing, she says.
1. Birdwatching
Finland's birds are as resilient as its people when it comes to embracing the winter, so you will see birdlife outside regardless of the time of year.
"If you go to the seaside you might be surprised to see the footprints of gulls, swans or geese in the sand or snow," says Amus, who recommends keeping things simple. She says borrowing or investing in binoculars should only be a consideration if you get more interested in the hobby.
"It's possible to watch the birds with your bare eyes, go visit winter bird-feeding spots, listen to their sounds and look for their tracks. So aside from having the right clothing, no special equipment is needed," Amus advises.
Also, identifying species is not necessarily a priority, Amus adds, as shared nature experiences are the most important thing. However, according to the national organisation for bird conservation and birdwatching, BirdLife Finland, children from the age of 10-13 generally have the skills needed to learn even detailed species information. So older children may find that identifying and recording their spottings can be part of the fun.
The first time birdwatching can be quite exciting for parents and children alike and you don't have to go far afield. According to BirdLife Finland, it's often easier to spot birds in urban areas than in the forest.
The organisation has some excellent resources for children and families (also in English) including activities, info, tips and links to further resources.
For days when even the most intrepid avian adventurers need a break from the great outdoors, the site also includes links to livestreams of various birdlife at different times of year.
2. Winter foraging
It may come as a surprise to many that it is actually possible to forage even in winter, says Amus, who runs outdoor educational trips throughout the four seasons.
Juniper berries are easy to forage even in the coldest months, according to Amus. However, she warns that you shouldn't use them in large quantities as, if they're crushed, even two or three "peppers" can be enough to cause tummy ache or nausea.
"Even though they are actually a female seed cone, we still call them berries," she explains. This is why you'll still find them, even in frozen temperatures.
The berries are edible when they are dark purple or blackish in colour. They may be smaller and a bit wrinkled in winter, but don't let this put you off. The tricky task is getting to them without getting prickled by the juniper bush's spiky foliage.
"You need to be a bit careful while picking the berries, but even that challenge can be a lot of fun. Put a cloth on the ground, take a stick and gently hit the branch. If they don't fall because of ice and snow you can just get them with your fingers," advises Amus.
Finnish law allows every person freedom to roam the Finnish countryside and respectfully enjoy the recreational use of natural areas. This is known as "Everyone's Rights," or Jokaisenoikeudet – and foraging is permitted under this right.
However, remember that such rights do not extend to taking branches or damaging trees, so be respectful when foraging.
After you've collected them, juniper berries should be left to dry out in a dark, dry place then stored in an airtight jar.
"Juniper berries are suitable for flavouring food, and can be used as spice for fish, meat, beetroot and even chocolate," says Amus, who recommends looking online to find interesting recipes or other uses.
3. Visit a nature centre
Finland has many nature centres that are open year round to visitors. They offer a diverse range of nature-based activities for all ages, including exhibitions, film screenings and events.
"The staff at these centres give expert advice on the area's nature and hiking destinations, and you can pick up maps and information on local trails, including those suitable for young children and people with limited mobility," says Amus.
In the Uusimaa region, the Haltia Nature Centre in Nuuksio National Park is open from 10 am - 5 pm every day of the winter holidays and features exhibitions, a programme of events for children, a restaurant and a teepee-style tent in the yard where families can eat their own snacks.
Activities include "pancake school" – which sounds vastly more delicious than normal school – both Saturdays from 12 - 2 pm, a flying squirrel search or booking a sauna slot.
On the west coast, near Vaasa, you'll find the World Heritage Gateway Visitor Centre, which acts as an information hub for the Kvarken Archipelago. The archipelago is Finland's only UNESCO listed Natural World Heritage Site, and an excellent place for exploring the Ice Age phenomenon known as postglacial land uplift.
Meanwhile, some of Finland's more remote parks, such as the 2,550 square kilometre Urho Kekkonen National park in Lapland, offer extensive information about activities, hikes and local nature online in English with additional assistance offered via phone or email.
You can find further information on services and opening hours, plus a map showing all of Finland's national parks' nature centres at the National Parks website. Admission to the centres is usually free, although some exhibitions may require an entrance fee.
4. Family ice-fishing expedition
While stepping out onto the ice anywhere in Finland is not to be taken lightly, if done under expert guidance and with sensible safety precautions, the experience of ice-fishing can be quite special.
Ice-fishing, or "pilkkiminen" in Finnish, is a traditional outdoor activity that can prove a novel and rather exciting outing for the whole family. It involves casting your baited hook and your greatest hopes into a hole made in the ice of a frozen lake or waterway.
The danger of falling through weakened ice is a real consideration, so if you do decide to venture out for some frosty, fishy action, heed the guidance of local authorities, or better still head out with someone with knowledge and experience of local conditions. Always take ice picks and rope and ensure you have up-to-date and accurate advice on the condition of the ice in the area you're planning to visit. The Finnish Meteorological Institute publicises updated information in English on sea and ice conditions on their website.
"Throughout the skiing holidays there are organised events for families in many regions of Finland who want to try ice-fishing safely, providing them with gear, guidance and maybe even the chance to drill a hole in the ice," says Amus.
From affordable winter fishing "camps" to family ice-fishing explainers and serious ice-fishing competitions, the Finnish Federation for Recreational Fishing (FFRF) promotes a truly exhaustive list of family-friendly events and activities throughout the year. The map-based database also includes fishing clubs (kerhot) for children and youth. Search terms are in Finnish but can also be searched by time period. You may want to tick the boxes for "leiri" (camp), "tapahtuma" (event) or "kilpailu" (competition).
According to the FFRF, there are nearly 1.6 million recreational fishers in Finland. That's almost 30 percent of the population, so they must be onto something.
Free family ice-fishing events will take place in Naantali (information in Finnish) and Kajaani (information in Finnish) on 11.3 during the northern Finnish skiing holiday.
5. Search for local sporting and outdoor facilities
The University of Jyväskylä runs a national database of sporting facilities, with up-to-date information on their condition and a map showing locations all around the country.
You can search for an activity, and the right input will yield a map of locations and links nationwide. You can then zoom in and see what's accessible in your region.
Entering search terms in English will in itself often deliver good results, but enthusiastic activity seekers may find they get more hits when terms are in Finnish.
A search will yield plenty of options if you're looking for standard sporting activities such as floorball, indoor swimming or hockey. Users can key in the following search terms if they want to explore some more creative options:
Lintutorni / Nature observation tower
Avantouinti / Ice-swimming
Luistelu / Ice-skating
Luontopolku / Nature trail
Last but not least…
If you really can't beat 'em, then know when to avoid them. National Skiing Day will be celebrated for the third time on 24 February. So, if you're deeply committed to ski avoidance, this might be the perfect time to follow Amus' final words of advice.
"Going outdoors, playing, exploring and enjoying nature is wonderful. At the same time, it's good to have balance. Simple things like preparing breakfast together, planting seeds indoors for the spring, building dens and having naps are just as precious," says the outdoor educator.
"Slowing down is important, and the skiing holiday is a wonderful time to be mindful of this," she concludes.
The winter holiday takes place in Uusimaa, Satakunta and Southwest Finland in week 8, 19.2. – 24.2.2024. In Pirkanmaa and Central Finland winter holidays are during week 9, 26.2. – 3.3.2024 and in Lapland, Kainuu, Northern Ostrobothnia, Northern Karelia and Northern Savo the holidays fall in week 10, 4.3 – 10.3.2024.
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