Warm juice and memories from history

Since the beginning of Finlandia Ski Marathon in the 1970s, service stations have been a significant part of the event. Finlandia Ski Marathon’s goal has always been to help people keep fit, not to promote competitiveness, which is why there has been time to enjoy and perhaps chat at the service stations. Also, the Ski Marathon would have been quite harsh without some breaks to rest and have a snack. Nowadays, sports drinks and energy products are offered on top of more traditional snacks, but the atmosphere and cheering has stayed the same through decades.

Volunteers have always been in charge of the service stations, and during the first years of the event, even draftees were helping in the stations. Service stations have always been popular, and the statistics of 1984 give an example of that: 1200 kg of pickles, 10000 slices of bread and 15000 bottles of small beers were served. In 1985, Reppu-Finlandia (“Backpack-Finlandia”) was launched. It was directed particularly at people who just wanted to keep fit, and the goal was to ski with backpacks, while the service stations offered only essential service. However, skiers had a lot of time to enjoy the beautiful weather while eating their snacks out of backpacks. Nowadays, Reppu-Finlandia is no longer a part of the event, and everyone is served at the service stations.

In 1982, the service stations experienced perhaps their most historical moment, when prince Tomohito, member of the imperial family of Japan, took part in the event. The prince had his own taster and a representative of the defence forces with him. In 1983, the service stations’ new invention was Lammin kuntopulla (the fitness-buns of Lammi), 4000 of which were served. The recipe was a secret. In the Kuutamo-Finlandia (Moonlight Finlandia) of 1989, the skiers stayed and rested at nightly campfires. During the last years, service stations are maintained by different organizations that promote free time activities for people, and they get a financial compensation for their work. On top of snacks and drinks, the skiers are offered wax service - not to forget the cheering. While resting at service stations, the skiers can breathe in the atmosphere and get to know other winter sports enthusiasts.

The historical service stations have developed new traditions as well. Instead of fitness-buns, the skiers are offered Finnish Energy Chews and reusable cups have replaced disposable cups.Recycling waste has become more effective. Finski’s traditional polar bear mascot still entertains participants, nowadays often with music. In 2023, Finlandia-skiers had the chance to choose the best service station, and the winner was a local scout group Hollolan Hirvenhiihtäjät. The next years will offer more possibilities to stop and enjoy and meet new people- sports event at its best, someone might say.

This article is part of Finlandia Ski Marathon’s Behind the Scenes -series, which introduces the story and background of the skiing event. Building up some new structures, responsibility actions and a versatile network of partners are interwoven as themes in Finlandia Ski Marathon in 2024.

Sources: https://www.ess.fi/paikalliset/5743219 | https://www.ess.fi/paikalliset/5749356 | https://www.hiihtomuseo.fi/finlandiahiihto/ | Finlandia Ski Marathon’s own archive