Snow is being stored in Virpiniemi for the construction of the autumn's first snow track

In Virpiniemi, a new snowmaking system has been put into operation. Ten hybrid snow guns and three low-pressure snow guns are being used to store snow in a snow reservoir for the summer. This stored snow will be used to create a new 5-kilometer track for the early snow skiing, which will be opened next autumn.

• During the upcoming summer season, an air and water pipe system will be constructed along the track route. This will allow for the relocation of snow guns to different points along the route. In the future, snow can be made directly on the track base during short periods of cold weather, according to outdoor sports manager Mika Puolitaival from Oulu's sports services.

Currently, a 1.7-kilometer track with skiing conditions for both freestyle and traditional skiing is available in Virpiniemi. The track has been covered with artificial snow, and efforts to increase its length to 2.5 kilometers will continue shortly.