Lack of Snow Strains Ski Competitions in Mikkeli – Traditional Savonia Skiing Cancelled

A shortage of snow is posing significant challenges for skiing competitions in Mikkeli this winter. The traditional Savonia-hiihto, a well-established cross-country skiing event, was cancelled due to the lack of adequate snow. Organizers emphasized that under the current conditions it would be unsafe to hold the competition.

Originally planned for February 14–15, the cancellation means that athletes who had already registered for Savonia-hiihto will retain their participation rights for the 2026 winter season. In related news, the regional relay event known as the Maakuntaviesti is also affected. The event will be moved from its initial venue at the Urheilupuisto to an alternative location on Rantakylä’s early snow field. According to competition director Juha Putkonen, around ten teams had registered for the relay. He noted that the unusually mild winter has dampened the enthusiasm of young skiers, which in turn is impacting participation in both competitive and recreational events.

Local ski facilities are similarly hit hard; for example, the Tornimäki ski resort’s slopes were closed earlier this week, although there is hope they might be reopened over the weekend. Overall, the harsh winter conditions are disrupting traditional skiing events in the region, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the sport due to changing weather patterns.