Preparing for the Skiing Season with New Infrastructure in Jyväskylä

In Jyväskylä's Laajavuori, preparations for the upcoming skiing season are underway with a sparkling new asphalt roller skiing trail. This month-long facility, measuring over a kilometer, has not yet been officially opened, but skiers have already been utilizing the track vigorously.

In the dim October evenings, the location attracted a variety of skiers, from casual fitness enthusiasts to competitive athletes. Competitor Aleksi Koskela praised the high intesity training opportunities available on the track, noting that increased speeds in shared traffic can raise risks.

The track was opened to users in early October, and dedicated skiers like Ari Vainio have already completed hundreds of laps, stating their commitment to preparing for the skiing season with regular visits.

The track follows a route similar to that of the snow-preserving ski trails constructed in Laajavuori during the winter. In addition to flat sections at the ski stadium, users will also encounter hills in the course of their practice.

Jyväskylä is currently assessing the potential to extend the track further, which would allow it to loop around the nearby lake.

In tandem with the roller skiing track construction, upgrades have also been made to the ski stadium's parking, lighting, and snow-making technologies. The project, costing approximately €500,000, received 40% funding from the Ministry of Education and Culture, emphasizing the significance of year-round usage for maximizing community engagement in physical activity.