Next Winter is for sure coming!

And that's why we replaced our old scooter "Viking" by a brandnew Polaris Titan. Big amounts of fresh snow should not bother this one and we can prepare perfect trails. Looking forward to using it in next winter and wishing safe trails already now to all drivers!

And as next winter is for sure coming and as it will be our main-season also then, even more after the corona-times, we have all our new programs online since today. Guests with pre-bookings will be contacted indiviudally in the next few days.
The Finnish Forest Goverment "Metsähallitus" sadly decided - after approving new structures - to not rent out any more wilderness cabins in wintertime. After 16 years of cooperation this decision came to us as a big surprise in the middle of last winter.  But although we tried for weeks and months to negociate, to get at least an interim solution, the authorities stay stubborn and were not even interested to meet and talk on one table. This new process at Metsähallitus is concerning the regularly used cabins Hähnijoki, Olkikoski and Puuruu, which were all strongly integrated in our programs. Other renters were affected after even longer contracts and probably were as helplesss as we were. 
Well, it is as it is! We had to accept this decision and are of course grateful that we could buy our Aittokoski-cabin 3 years ago, to have at least 1 charming cabin left for use for our programs. Directly affected by this decision of Metsähallitus are the Beginners Week "Plus, the Bears Trail and the Border Trail. All 3 had to be adjusted to the new situation. The Beginner's Week "Plus" with 1 cabin-overnight is not possible anymore. But instead we included a 4th daytrip with our sleddogs and are still able to show our guests the main part of our trails. The new Bears Trail has now 2 overnights at Aittokoski and 6 days with our guides. And the Border Trail finally is splitted into a 2-day-trip north, followed by 1 more night here at Eräkeskus, then a 3-day-trip south. There we can still use the holiday houses of Ruunaa and Neitikoski. In one of those places we will have the doghouses - which were standing till now at Hähnijoki - for our 4-legged friends. The new Border Trail has 6 days with out guides and dogs as well.
We think, the changed programs are good and we are curious to hear what you think about it! Looking forward to meet you again in Eräkeskus during winter 20/21 or later!

Besides all those planning-jobs in the last days/weeks, we have now finished also our after-corona-budget and scheduled our summer. As always, there will be many repairs and optimising works done in the kennels. Also the guesthouse, lodge and kitchen will get a new touch and refreshenings. And of course the Aittokoski cabin - as it will be used much more often now - will get a fresh touch, still keeping that style of wilderness cabin and make it look like a charming camp! 

Still the lakes can be crossed, the dogs can fool around on the ice, the patient ones from us try their luck as ice-fishers. But the last few nights were just a little bit below zero and day-temperatures are getting 2-digits more often during coming weeks. Spring is coming closer also here! We have to accept that May and June is most probably without guests for us, due to all the travel restrictions. But we hope for a slow re-start in July and that from then on some guests are finding their way up north to Finland and to Eräkeskus. We would love to activate our summer-programs! What can be safer in those times, than a relaxing stay in the finnish forests?

Stay healthy and have a good spring!