Driving in New Zealand, we found a closed road labeled as "Fine Weather Road Only". We ended up not driving the whole route, even if it would have saved us 40 kilometers... but we tested the first stream passing.
Full story
August 2017
Lyndon Road, Springfield, New Zealand
Travel
Howdy! Everything is big in Texas. Except maybe the ski areas. To be exact, there are no ski areas, just a snowboarding hill made of plastic. But, there is still plenty of sunshine, water, speed, and yes, plastic.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
March 2015
Texas Ski Ranch, Texas, USA
Skiing (Plastic); Snowboarding (Plastic); Wakeboarding
A crazy idea, at the cost of only 150€. Fly to Algeria for a day trip. To ski. Credit card data filled in, ready to press the button to book these tickets. But then I decide to check the visa requirements.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
March 2015
Port del Comte, Spain
Skiing
The end is near. Of the winter. My friend Jarne suggested that I visit Meri-Teijo, but the ski area closed just a couple of days before I arrived, due to the spring-like weather we've had for some weeks. This did not stop me from visiting, however.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
March 2015
Meri-Teijo, Finland
Skiing
How about a ski vacation in an exclusive village that has generated numerous worldcup skiers? I'm sure it sounds good until I mention the 50-meter vertical difference and rain.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
February 2015
Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing
The Ylläs 24 hour ski competition is on again in 2015. I was thinking of going, anyone else? Last year we did almost 50 km of vertical. The idea is that the gondola lift runs for 24 hours, and you can ski as much as you can during that time.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
January 2015
Ylläs, Finland
Skiing
My kids follow me on some of my trips. Not only to enjoy the great skiing, but also to learn about culture. For instance, where else would my sons learn about der Sauna, except by going to the Freizeitcentrum im Stubai, Austria?
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
January 2015
Stubaital, Austria*; Eisgrotte Stubaier Gletscher, Stubai, Austria**; Schlick 2000, Austria*; Patschkofel, Austria*; Freizeitcentrum im Stubai, Stubai, Austria***
Skiing*; Caving** (Glacier,Basic,Showtour); Sauna**; Swimming*** (Indoor,Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool)
Desperation, n. Travel to the end of the world in search of snow, and then find none. Lose your favourite tools, the skis. So desperate that you consider taking up heli-biking, but end up gliding on your butt in an imaginary world instead.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
August 2014
Hobbiton, Middle Earth, New Zealand
Sliding (Grass); Urban-Exploration (Amusement-Parks)
My friend Patrick (see his "Mad Pat" blog) told me about this magical place in Ontario. Sandhill. He had conquered its steep sand slopes. And now I was on my way to Toronto and wanted to see if I can repeat the experience.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
August 2014
Sandhill, Ontario, Canada
Skiing (Outdoor,Sand); Climbing
This time we have a guest skier in the blog: the horse head man. According to the Internet meme, he rides on the subway, attends games, and shakes hands with presidents. But can he ski? And perhaps more importantly, who left the barn door open?
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
December 2014
Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing
"This is your last chance, Neo. You take the white door—the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the orange door —you stay in the Holy land, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes. Remember: all I'm offering is the truth. Nothing more."
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
December 2014
Pyhä, Finland
Skiing
Snow report for the Kauniainen ski hill: frozen dirt bumps, covered by a layer of rocks and pieces of two-by-fours. And a dusting of snow on top. Everything is ready for the season to start!
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
November 2014
Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing
I like lazy Saturdays. The ones with no meetings, and planes not leaving until the evening. And no plans, other than having a swimsuit and wanting to visit some natural pools in the warm weather. But I ended up seeing incredible cenotes, colours, and diving in the world's 3rd longest underwater cave.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
April 2014
Dos Ojos, Yacatan, Mexico
Caving (Rock,Rock-Limestone,Morphology-Karst,Swimming,Diving); Diving
Death Valley, 5am. My skis have dislodged a layer of sand. The flow continues long after I have stopped. But at the moment fresh rattlesnake tracks in front of me scare me more than possible sand avalanches.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
October 2014
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Death Valley National Park, California, USA
Skiing (Outdoor,Sand); Hiking
In this week's episode of the Planetskier I participate in the Ice Bucket Challenge.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
August 2014
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Charity
The sun is still bright, but the environment is getting strange. Fog is engulfing us. Plants are starting to look pre-historic. And I'm hanging from a 100 meter rope, above the Lost World, a cave system in Waitomo, New Zealand. And it is starting to look like my landing spot is in the river at the bottom of the cave.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
August 2014
Waitomo, New Zealand
Caving (Rock,Rock-Limestone,Morphology-Karst,Basic,SRT); Sauna; Swimming (Indoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool)
Today we are visiting Washington DC, and trying out a Planetskier recipe: take a grass slope, two miniskis, ice cubes from the hotel ice dispenser, and mix them together. And there we have, another ski destination!
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
July 2014
Capitol Hill, Washington DC, USA
Skiing (Outdoor,Grass,Imported-Snow)
Midsummer in Gotland, Sweden. Perfect place for boating, hanging out on the sand beach, swimming, as well as a little bit of climbing. And all this underground!
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
June 2014
Lummelunda, Gotland, Sweden
Caving (Rock,Rock-Limestone,Morphology-Karst,Basic,Boating,Swimming); Swimming (Underground,Water,Waterbody-Cave)
The Berg - a creation by architect Jakob Tigges - is the latest source of pride for Berliners. This artificial mountain covers almost the entire Tempelhof, an old airport. A park like no other. And I am in Berlin to make the first descent!
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
June 2014
Tempelhof airport, Berlin, Germany; Arkko summer cottage, Teisko, Finland
Skiing (Outdoor,Substance-Other); Urban-Exploration (Airports)
A long, hot summer. And boring. But then I found some leftover liquid nitrogen from an overclocking experiment. Would skis work on liquid nitrogen?
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
June 2014
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing (Outdoor,Substance-Other)
It is 5am and I have just arrived in São Paulo, Brazil. It is a sunny day and the temperatures will hit 25-30 C later in the day. But a couple of hours later I'm skiing on a local ski hill.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
April 2014
Ski Mountain Park, San Rogue, Brazil
Skiing (Outdoor,Plastic)
This weekend I am participating in the Ylläs 24h competition. The Ylläs Gondola lift will stay open through the night, and teams and individuals will compete on how many runs they can do. The one with most runs will win.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
April 2014
Ylläs, Finland
Skiing
This is very embarrassing, but I have never walked to a ski hill. I've taken airplanes, cars, boats, and even helicopters and horses, but never walked the whole way to a ski hill. But today I walked to my home hill.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
April 2014
Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing
If at first you do not succeed, try again. And fail. Then fail again. Then give up all hope. But in the end, you may be surprised...
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
March 2014
Snow City, Singapore, Singapore; Tanjong beach, Sentosa, Singapore, Singapore
Skiing (Outdoor,Sand); Sliding (Indoor,Snow)
New day, new country, skied all ski areas. Both of them. Portugal is not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about places to ski, but Torre (1993 m) is higher than anything in Finland. And it has more snow than we have.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
March 2014
Serra da Estrala, Torre, Portugal; Skiparque, Portugal
Skiing; Skiing (Outdoor,Plastic)
In the last ten days, my new skis have flown 35 000 kilometres. Yet, they have never touched snow. The airlines keep losing the bag, so the skis travel a day or two behind me.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
February 2014
Cannon Mountain, New Hampshire, USA
Skiing
No wonder there is a discount: no snow anywhere and there is cactus next to the rental place. But I think I can find snow. And I need the rental skis, because airlines keep losing my skibag.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
February 2014
Mountain High, California, USA
Skiing
"Avalanche!" Just a second later the avalanche hits us, moving at the speed of a high-speed train. I scream and try to fight, but it does not seem to have any effect.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
January 2014
Chamonix ski areas, Chamonix, France
Skiing
How does Chamonix powder compare to Los Angeles sand dunes? What protective gear do you need in Chamonix town centre at New Year? Can you ski in New York's central park?
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
January 2014
Chamonix ski areas, Chamonix, France; Verbier ski areas, Verbier, Switzerland; Sand Dune Park, Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles, California, USA; Central Park, New York, New York, USA; Kauniainen ski hill, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing; Skiing (Outdoor,Sand)
Only twelve ski areas had opened in North America in early November, but travel to eleven of them would take too long. No choice, really: I had to go to Banff.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
January 2014
Lake Louise, Banff, Alberta, Canada; Nakiska, Banff, Alberta, Canada; Banff, Alberta, Canada
Skiing
I travel far too much. Last year I was on some airport every week from the third week
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
January 2014
House Arkko, Kauniainen, Finland
Travel
We call this the "musta joulu" or dark Christmas in Finland. No snow. But there is rain, darkness, and depression. No matter, I have found a steep, muddy hill in Kauniainen
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
December 2013
Kauniala, Kauniainen, Finland
Skiing (Outdoor,Mud)
Accident. On my way to skiing, just 5 miles from the slopes. Accident, Maryland is a sleepy town in western Maryland. And an infinite source of sign comedy: "Welcome to Accident". "Accident Fire Department". "150 Years in Accident". You can't make this stuff up.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
December 2013
Accident, Maryland, USA
Skiing
Dec 6th. Independence. Freedom. Important stuff. Well, freedom is still a bit difficult for us skiers, there not being enough snow yet for freeskiing in Southern Finland.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
December 2013
Vihti ski, Vihti, Finland
Skiing
No plastic ski hill in Brazil for me today. My flight schedules had changed, just by a couple of hours but it foiled my plans to collect another country on my way home. Oh well, Buenos Aires is an interesting city. There is no skiing, however. And I have skied Argentina already anyway.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
November 2013
Tigre, Argentina
Biking (Bike-Road,Track-Road,Track-City,Outdoor); Canoeing
Any recommendations on what adventure to have in Buenos Aires? I have 21 hours between the end of meeting on Saturday and departure from the airport the next day.
Full story
November 2013
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Travel
Sarcophilus Satanicus. Satanic meat lover. Better know as the Tasmanian Devil. We did all we could to ski with the devil, like we did with the kangaroo, but alas, it was not to be. Turns out the devil is in trouble. The numbers of this previously common animal are down at least 80% and maybe as much as 99% from 1990s, due to a mysterious infectious cancer.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
November 2013
Tasmanian Devil Unzoo, Tasmania, Australia*; Ben Lomond, Tasmania, Australia**; Mt. Mawson, Tasmania, Australia**
Travel*; Skiing**; Climbing**
The summit ridge lights up, seemingly rising to the sky. The sunrise is about to start. I forget the cold night and the two vertical kilometers of climbing to get here. It is a magical moment to be at the top. I had not realised it would be possible to see the entire island of Bali in one view, as if I was in space.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
November 2013
Gunung Agung, Bali, Indonesia
Climbing; Skiing (Outdoor,Rock,Sand,Ash)
The noise does NOT come from grandma moving on crutches, as a passerby suggested. My skis and poles are just noisy on the concrete. I realize that it is an impropable material to ski on, but it is what I have. The view to the brightly lit Parthenon temple and the Acropolis in front of me make up for the lack of powder snow. Skiing in Athens!
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
October 2013
Mt. Lycabettus, Athens, Greece
Skiing (Outdoor,Asphalt)
An hour and a half. Australia is a big country, and we were on our way from the big ski areas of New South Wales to the airport in Melbourne. We only had an hour and a half to explore skiing in Victoria. I'm glad we made the stop though.
Full story
October 2013
Mt. Buller, Victoria, Australia
Skiing
Turn right. Jump left. Turn left. Jump right. I'm speeding down on the backside of Tasmania's second highest mountain, Legges Tor, and a kangaroo is jumping on the snow in front of me. She must be equally surprised by the largest snow fall in the decade as we were.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
October 2013
Ben Lomond, Tasmania, Australia; Perisher, New South Wales, Australia; Thredbo, New South Wales, Australia; Mount Kosciouszko, New South Wales, Australia
Skiing
The emergency snow pack is still at -66 degrees. GPS says that I am at the right spot. I have miniskis on my feet. Everything is ready for the first descent of Uruguay's highest mountain. But first I need to bring on the winter.
Full story
(Suomenkielinenversio)
(Svenskt version
October 2013
Cerro Catedral, Uruguay
Skiing (Outdoor,Imported-Snow)
I don't know if I should classify this as gear testing or as new angle into a previous story. I have some new footage from my Krakatau trip, and it should give you an idea of what my snowboard went through. Yes, I bought it bought used.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
(Svenskt version)
September 2013
Anak Krakatau, Indonesia
Climbing; Snowboarding (Ash,Rock,Sand)
A few free hours appeared in my schedule, so I wanted to become a tourist. And do all the usual things tourists do here in Beijing. Like going to the sauna or skiing.
Full story
(Suomenkielinen versio)
(Svenskt version)
September 2013
Qiaobo, Beijing, China
Skiing (Indoor,Snow); Sauna
Our ski trip to Chile with Tero Kivinen is now complete. Tomorrow we'll return via Malalcahuello, Temuco, Santiago, Sao Paolo, Milano and Helsinki, a 15 000 km trip.
Full story
August 2015
Malalcahuello, Chile
Travel
That moment when you realise that the ski area you wanted to visit next week is closed due to volcanic eruption taking out the road.
Full story
August 2015
Villarica, Chile
Travel
Go Scotland! Great place, great people, and possibly soon a new, independent country. Vote wisely in today's elections!
Full story
September 2014
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Political
Having come back from the tropics, it feels surprisingly good to be in cold air, on a shiny white ski hill. And particularly with new skis!
Full story
February 2015
Pitäjänmäki, Helsinki, Finland
Equipment
I am usually dislike anything related to military, but I wanted to share a video where a local military surplus store is calling for Arnold Schwarzenegger to visit them. Varusteleka, is after all, the supplier of Planetskier's gas masks for the volcano trips.
Full story
September 2014
Konala, Helsinki, Finland
Equipment