Brit Reacts to How to Survive Winter in Finland and ENJOY IT!
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- čas přidán 25. 08. 2024
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Here in Utsjoki , north Finland , sun is shining 😁today 15.1.2024 at 12.09 - 12.33 PM , its a long time to see sun!
Hmm kuulostaa ihanalta, on nii pimmeetä onko siellä avoimia työpaikkoja? 😅❄️🌌
Aurinkopaneelien myyjiä haetaan jonkun verran.@@accelerator2833
You know you live up north when sunrise gets to the headlines 😅
@@Pisquitimagine parents telling their kids to come home before dark, in the summer. 😅
Life continues as usual here in Finland. Today it's -28 °C outside and children are going to school as usual (cycling or walk).
In northern Finland, many drivers also keep axe, warm blankets and fire-making equipment in the car in case of accidents. It can take time to get help and it's important to stay warm while you wait. 😊
This is true. Warm extra clothes, storm lighter, axe, knife, flashlight. Those are standard equipment in my car.
@@pekkajarvinen69towing rope too!
First aid kit, small axe, big knife, shovel, blanket, matches, flashlight and fire extinguisher. It's only matter of time when you need all of those.
I'll add a few more items, to already mentioned equipment list, which can be found in my car .... a HiViz safetyvest, C.A.T.(torniquet), 4" Israeli bandage, 2 camping sleeping mats (15mm thick), atleast 1 hotblanket (EMS/hospital stuff). Last two are for possible victims of an traffic accident. Sleepng mats for insulate victim from a frozen ground and Hotblanket to keep 'em warm. If / when ones core temp. starts to decrease, so does the coagulation factor of our blood. For example internal hemorrige (spleen is usually first one, which takes a damage @ car crash) ... applies with a shock patient also. In the end ... keeping the possible patient warm, is literally "A matter of life or death". Be safe out there. 👍
Hi. Ex pat from Sheffield living in Finland for almost 12 years now. The first year was the most difficult. Now its become the norm. Winter clothes are a must. Purchase them in Finland. The British ones are terrible. I got frost bite using the gloves i brought from the UK. A huge downfall of snow means nothing. You can still goto work/school etc. Winter tyres are a legal requirement. I highly recommend a visit however if you really like the way of life here, then consider moving. It is way better than the UK.
Winter tires used to be mandatory by law at certain time period in the winter, but that was changed so that you are required to have a proper tires for the conditions since the winter conditions have been somewhat unpredictable and in the northern Finland the icy roads can linger much longer. You can technically use the friction tyres in the summer also, but the rubber on those is way softer so one summer will make them useless for the next winter. Also they don't have the same traction in summer so you can lose control easier. Studded tyres are illegal in the summer since they will rip up pavement and the air gets really dusty with asphalt dust that is not too nice to breath in.
Winter tyres are still mandatory, but only when the road conditions require it. Before it used to be based on certain dates, which obviously did not take into account the weather at all.
You can drive summer time with studded tires if you take those studs off obviously you can't put them back for next winter.
@@mr.wizeguy8995 That is pretty common thing to do to at least older winter tyres since they usually loose too many studs before the thread of the tyre is too worn down. That said older winter tyres don't have as good of an grip in summer as summer tyres so those are more often used to save money or they are used for other car activitys that would destroy tyres fast.
@@juhokaartoahoYep, i have done that once and sound from tires was too unbearable compared to summer tires especially when speed limit is higher at summer time that i won't do it again.
I have never seen a Hot water bottle for warming youself In Finland. We have heated houses here. At the moment -27°C outside, 23°C inside.
Also, what is different than in my countries only little more south is the insulation of houses and triple or even quadruple windows that insulate pretty well. Otherwise it would be so expensive to heat the houses.
Everything above 20c is wasted energy, even 15c is totally nice. Under 10c inside starting to be bit uncomfortable, but still tolerable.
@@PexiTheBuilder If it's too cold inside then mold is more likely to become a problem.
A fun story, happened in the early 70's, to my german step-father (now ex-step-father), he started from Germany, heading to Kirkenes, Norway. His route was through Sweden and Finland, this was late november, he started from the southern part of Germany, and he was dressed with t-shirt, shorts and sandals.
Yep, he also had summer tires... The journey through Sweden was OK, not so much snow, but in Finland... he lost it, and ended in i ditch... Thankfully someone saw this, but they laughed so hard when they saw him... t-shirt, shorts and sandals... He got help, and more clothing and boots fit for winter...
He had to buy winter-tires before he was allowed on the road again. This still makes me smile... 😂
Actually I have had my biggest winter shocks in UK & Ireland 😁 It was so cold INSIDE the houses! The urban areas in Finland have district heating systems, it's always warm inside, you don't need to worry for astronomical heating bills. For me the short days are the worst part of the Finnish winter, I use a speacial day light lamp during the winter months.
I love the winters in Finland, the snow, the cold, fresh air and the darkness. 🙏🏼 I really can't stand warm weather (for me, anything over +20c is horribel) and the "forever light" during the summer. So we are all different.☺️
Sleep so much better when dark and cold. Hard to sleep when light and hot all the time. Sleep best when its cold when going to bed, but start to get bit warm when wrap into sheets like cocoon.
In the south of Finland, the sunlight on winter days usually lasts about the same as how you described the UK. Checking tomorrow's (January 16) weather in Helsinki, the sun rises at 9 am and sets 4 pm. It's a bit shorter in December. It's also -10 degrees in Helsinki at the moment.
The differences between the south and north in Finland are pretty big when it comes to the weather, temperatures and snowfall in general. The south has more light, less snow and milder temperatures, while the north is obviously colder and darker (although you're more likely to see the amazing northern lights in the north).
People from the south do go on holiday to ski in the north, yes. Also, I think for myself and many other southern Finns, the northern climate can sometimes seem a bit extreme. So it's not always just foreigners, as a Finn, I am terrified of -30 weather 😂
-25 at this moment on the west coast. It is ok.
It's been particularly cold this winter, something we have not seen in recent years.
The worst thing, despite the cold, was probably in 2001-2002 when there was a period of 90 days when we could not see the sun even during the day, because of clouds in my region. I still remember the day in Feb when I saw a yellow ball in the sky and I realised that I had forgotten that the sun exists.
If you dont brush snow from your car roof, and it is above zero, the snow may slide on your windshield when you brake. That is not a nice surprise...
How to stay warm? Most of our houses are well insulated so they are not cold or damp. Temperature inside is usually about +20 C. Though due to increasing cost of electricity, some have been lowering temperatures of their homes lately. Some people also top up by heating with fire woods, but it is rarely the only heathing method. Hot water bottles are not a thing here in Finland, but if needed, layering with warm clothes is beneficial both inside and outside. Proper clothing can mean the difference of hating winters or loving winters here. You also get used to feeling the pince of coldness in your skin when you go outside when it's very cold weather. It also depends a lot on wind. Wind can make the cold temperatures feel alot colder and harsh. It helps when you breath calmly and relax your body in cold winter temperatures. If the coldness of winter seem to move inside your bones and even to your brains, the best place to go is ofcourse a Finnish sauna! 15 minutes in + 80 celcius and you will feel warm a long time. Just put warm clothes, especially woolen socks on and it will be a bless after sauna. You will feel very relaxed.
I remember some Brazilian exchange students being so shocked about the darkness and coldess cause they arrived around the fall time. But I promised them that if they last through the winter time a present will arrive in a form of a beautifull spring and lots of sunlight! I also adviced them to go to the North to see the midnight sun before they go home the next summer.. 😄
I love when it's cold in Finland.. Today in Kokkola was like -17°C
In Helsinki the day is about 1,5 -2 hours shorter than in London in January.
A lot of people spend holiday in North Finland in ski resosrts. We do not use winter tyres during summer. We change them at fall and in spring.
Some village idiot types run winter tyres around the year. That's really uncomfortable, annoying and far from ideal, but works kind of and is somehow still legal if they are non studded. Don't do it. Summer would be doable with the winter tyres they often use in Germany but not with the low temperature kind we use in the northern Nordic area. It's a horrible experience in warm weather, I tried.
I'm in soth west Finland . And had a daughter with my Finnish husband who now 14 she started skating in kindergarden. Coming for the UK U myself it was strange getting used to my daughter doing ice skating for PE lesson and they also go sleghing with the school. Kids play out in the snow all the time here at school
Playing in snow was my favourite thing to do as kid. Its like endless ball pit, you can make castles from snow, skiing and sleghing and ofc huge snowball wars with your buddies. Good times, glad that kids these days are enjoying it too
He forgot one thing about cars in the North, we have something called Electric engineand cabin heaters Plug the car into a 220W outlet that is installed in many places (its looks like on a parking lot like the charging posts for electric cars) and get a warm car before you leave You can also find are also fuel-powered mounted in some cars
I'm from the UK now living in Finland from the last 17 years. The school summer holidays start the beging of June and the new school yeare starts about the 2 week in August the kids grey about 12 weeks summer holiday. They have a week sking holiday inesrvthe end of February. They only get Friday and Monday off at Easter and a week hoiday the end of October and surly 2 week for Christmas . It dose take some time getting used to the rely cold days but we have triple glaze windows and good heating to keep warm. Andv. plenty of layers on when going outside
It is around -30 now. Polar night just about to end, after almost 2 months the sun comes back after tomorrow.
I hate the polar night and the long winter 😅 But love the middnight sun, that lasts 2,5 months.
But other wise you get used to life in here. It is not for everybody, I live in tiny village, the norhtermost place in Finland. Nearest pharmacy is almost 200km way, hospital 500km etc.
But this is the most beautiful place in Finland. Totally different culture than in Helsinki where i used to live.
Just peace and quietness, no skicenters, but lots of northern lights, reindeers and mooses and Norway other side of the river.
Dwayne everything above the equator is in the northern hemisphere
Winter tires are mandatory between November 1st and March 31st IF conditions require them! So if it is +20°C everyday through these months you obviously don't need them.
Studded tires are forbidden outside these same months IF condition don't require them. So if is is -20°C and heavy snowfall at June ofcourse you can use them. The studless winter tire or friction tires can be used during warmer months but are not recommend due softer rubber that melts during hot temperatures and poor performance in wet weather.
The highest Ice hockey tier in Finland is called SM-liiga or just Liiga. The season runs between mid September and late April to early May.
Ski centers in the north are party centrals just like the cruises to Stockholm and Tallinn. About half the people going north just go to party, the after-ski is more like instead-of-ski.
Actually, days are getting longer in january. Shortest day is in december solstice. Last year it was 22.12.
Haha, - 27 C now, last week - 37 C. So, it's quite warm. 💨
This winter record is currently -44.3c at Enontekiö some time ago.
About the winter tires, yes, you must use winter tires during winter (from november till march if the road conditions requires their use). For studded tires the law states that you must not use them from april till october unless the road conditions require you to use winter tires. While the law allows you to use studless winter tires throughout the year, vast majority of people have 2 sets of tires (one set for winter, another set for summer), while some might have 3 sets (summer, studless winter, studded winter).
You really don't want to use winter tires during the summer because they will wear out faster and provide less grip than summer tires during the summer. They also tend to be more noisy and legally they must have a minimum of 3.2mm of thread (recommended to have at least 4-5mm) where as summer tyres are legally required to have at least 1.6mm (recommended to have at least 3-4mm)
Here in Helsinki today sunrise at 9:10AM,. sunset at 3:50PM, it has been snowing all day and it is now -12. Staying inside, made chicken kebab for dinner, and having a glass of wine. Our homes are very well insulated and we have triple-paned windows. Saturday had a sauna, that is in our unit! Winter holidays are during weeks 8-10 those are ski holidays, in the south cross country skiing is very popular. Many from the south go to Levi to go downhill.
We have studded tires in the winter on most cars here in Sweden with However, And yes it is forbidden to drive with studded tiers atleast during the months when snow is not expected in in most countries. If you have friction winter tires, they can go well in some countries all year round . But yes, almost everyone has different wheels in summer and winter. Especially when you don't want to wear out the softer rubber on the winter tires
Non-studded winter tires are technically illegal during Summer in Finland. Patterns and materials do differ enough that they do not work "as well as proper summer tires" and can, if stopped and you admit you're running frictions (without a good explanation f.ex. "My proper wheel AND Spare had a holes and I'm transporting both wheels to the shop right now!"), a nice little ticket.
Also you need sunglasses to protect your eyes especially when sun is shining! Ice and snow have also important mission in our beautiful planet! They reflect warm back to space so black earth get warmer! This makes our planet warmer faster!
Long time ago i work in night shifts in factory. Didn't see daylight in weeks during winter.
The entire Nordic region started the year with a severe cold snap. It was probably scary for many who had just arrived here. The coldest temperature I saw in Sweden was -48.8c. Where I live (Umeå, Sweden) we had -36.3c on January 5, it was 46 years ago we had this cold. We used to normally have about a week of temperatures around -30 every winter before the climate changes became noticeable, but in the last decade it has rarely even been -25.
It was some harsh weeks, living a little north/west of Umeå and we had -39 as coldest, it was a little chilly in the morning (14C in the kitchen and 12C in my bedroom, but liveable, could be worse).
@@PassioakkaYes, there was a lot of that. Many air source heat pumps that went on strike, for example. I know two families who only had +8 indoors for a few days, who had to heat the house with only two external radiators.
He is really good telling several important things
in lapland there was -43 celsius like a week ago
1:01 You don't get snow in september!
Today the sun rose at 9:17 and the sun set at 15:47. I live in southern Finland
In Finland many people have studded tires in winter. In Germany studded tires are not allowed. I think you can use friction tires (non-studded tires) and some other winter tires. My husband works in Germany and travels there with his car from Finland. He had to buy friction tires for wintertime, because you can't drive with studded tires in Germany. So a bit different in Germany.
Very different climate also.
Great Britain was the first world champion in ice hockey.
The IIHF considers the ice hockey tournament held at the 1920 Summer Olympics to be the first Ice Hockey World Championship.
Canada, represented by the Winnipeg Falcons, won the gold medal.
The first World Championship that was held as an individual event was in 1930. It was held in Chamonix, France
Canada, represented by the Toronto CCMs, defeated Germany in the final
Two weeks ago we had -34 C in my hometown in central Finland.
First week of januari were freesing cold. Warmest day at that week here where i live was -22 and coldest were -33 That one day was the only day that didn´t get to -30 but ecevy other days at least -30 some point. Last week was way warmer, but very windy and it snowed alot. Then we had +3 to -17 as we had two days (0 & 3 C) other days were -14 to -17. I visited grocery store 2,5 hours ago and there were -14 at the time.
Well, i like to drink coffee and hot coco at winter. I also make much more soups and stews than in summer time. No need for hot bottles becouse we propably have warmer appartments in winter than what Brittish appartments are. Double or triple windows keeps the cold outside very well.
Yes, people from the south travels to north to ski. Kids even have one week off the school and it starts from the southern Finland, next week is turn for the middle Finland and last northern Finland so at that time everybody can go to spend hollidays up north and there is capacity to take skiers becouste holliday weeks are different time in different hights in the country.
Long nights I Love! Darkness is my element, it hides me if I want that, it´s cover and when in dark, I am the apex predator. Dark nights have been my thing since I learned to walk, I´m told. Cold is fine for me. Winter has been sligtly colder than average this time, and where I ive there´s been only -36.7C (-34.06 F) at coldest, but then I´m little south of Finland´d waist and to the eastern part of the nation, it´s colder in the north. Also, ice swimming is great!
The temperature here, Norrköping, central Sweden now at 21:40 o'clock 15th of January 2024 is -12°C.
At winter feel alive, when need to carry firewood to keep house warm and wearing clothes to stay warm outside. Sleeping so much better when nights are really dark and cool, not dim and warm like in summer.
Btw. There is even glass igloos in Lapland for northern lights seekers, but they cost something like 500€/night.
Ps. At end of video, he and all other was driving way too fast compared to visibility and weather, pretty much Russian roulette, if something happened in front, no change to do anything.
You realise how well snow reflects light when you go in on a sunny winter day and for a moment think you have gone completely blind.
had -40C like a week or so ago in the north
Now we have a specially cold January in Finland (average temperature for today was -20C, but the record for 2024 has been -34C). But it's okay. Just use lots of several and warm layers of clothes when going out. But what I hate the most is scrapping the car from the frost and icy-snow. My car's windows are frozen inside and out. And when the freeze eases, it snows. And then it gets more snow. And you have to plow the snow, because it's everywhere. And then you have to plow again and "excavate" your car from the snow (piled up by the Mother Nature and the wonderful snow-plows).
Working in the winter is a trip in Finland.
You wake up, it's pitch black.
You spend your day at work and miss the small window of the natural embrace of Sun.
You get out of work typically around 15-16 and it's pitch black.
Southern Polar Regions do experience the same kind of long darkness/light, Aurora Australis and all that jazz.
The difference is that very few 'populated' regions of Earth spread far enough South to experience these phenomenon in full.
27:00 And don't overestimate your car, tyres and skills. If it feels like you have good grip when driving on the right lane don't overtake even if some do it. Left lane usually has grooves and more snow and I often see someone in a ditch after overtaking everyone at high speed which would be fine on the right lane but not in the thicker snow between lanes.
-30 degrees celcius is not bad if you have proper clothing. What is bad is below -20 and seaside wind. You get this combination at least in Tornio and Oulu all the time. The wind just makes everything so much worse. It takes about 5 minutes when your face doesn't move and your toes are feeling the first symptoms of frostbite.
When I was young we went driving in to frozen sea... scary but also fun
The ice warning is really important. About two years ago an exchange student drowned during winter here.
A few weeks ago in my aunt's place a little to the south from the middle of finland it hit -37°C and her water pipes froze
In Finland by law in winter you have to use winter tyres (safety) and in the summer, summer tyres (studs will eat away at the asphalt)
Yes, our houses are very well insulated and of course central heating + fireplaces in some houses. Cozy +21 C degrees inside (-15 C outside atm in Helsinki).
The worst time for me is October/November when it's already quite dark but not snow yet. (Please, don't come visiting then! 😂) Feeling really down and eating a lot of chocolate to comfort myself...
Hi Dwayne! Yes, that is called the circadian rhythm.
By the way, as you know, Finland is a rather elongated country, so the southern coast is very different than the extreme northern part or Lapland. Helsinki, on the southern coast, never has temperatures of minus 30C. The most, and very seldom, is minus 25C, which usually doesn't last more than a day or two.
The extra cold weather this winter is very exceptional. It was caused by a cold stationary vortex over northern Russia. It stretched all the way into Sweden.
Yes, of course we have de-icing liquids.
I'd add: have some warm clothes / blankets in the car in case it stops "in the middle of nowhere". You can feel comfortable in the running car in summer clothes, but you'd be surprised how small and humble a human quickly starts feeling when put in -25 Celsius in those clothes. For the first 15 minutes you have no problems. ("In the middle of nowhere" is a fairly common place on the roads in the evenings / nights around here.)
The law about winter tires is outdated and now it depends on the weather instead of the calendar. The mandatory used to be 1.12. - 29.2. But in practice the change is hardly seen anywhere. Also, those German winter tires are not real winter tires by our standards. They are used as summer tires when a used car is imported from Germany and the "winter tires" come along.
After reading some of the comments a lovely memory came in mind and I need to share it: we were in Germany with a brother and two cousins, young lads driving an old VW Jetta, cheaper car than anyone had over there (with proper studded Nordic winter tires + off course little experience of driving on snow and slush). It was snowing heavily in the terms of Germany and oh how I felt driving 120-140 km/h on the autobahn - the fastest that was physically possible - overtaking literally every single Porsche, BMW, Audi and Mercedes :D
I was giggling inside when I saw a neighbor trying to clear his windows with a bottle of some liquid in his hand and perhaps -20 C out and the motor _not_ running. I guess he's British. We don't have a custom of using de-icing liquids, but I've seen you can get them here now. Usually you preheat the motor before starting it, so the car warms up quicker and the heat melts or softens the ice off the windows.
Polarn Nights calls "Kaamos" ... and just before sunrise (if it is that) or sun set it is "Sininen Hetki" ... the blue moment ... sooooo beautiful. Everything is ultaramarine ... strong ultramarine. And in my area sometimes whole the landscape is pink. The Northern light", Revontulet" are so wonderful.
I use lots of bright lights inside in wintertime, they keep me awake. I can't believe how our ancestors survived here before electricity with just dim candle light.
Most people could not afford candles in everyday use, they were mostly just for Christmas. In everydays they burned thin wooden splints, which were hold in special stands made just for them. They were not very firesafe either.
Most people could not afford candles in everyday use, they were mostly just for Christmas. In everydays they burned thin wooden splints, which were hold in special stands made just for them. They were not very firesafe either.
The coldest we had this year in northwest Finland was -38.4°C. Currently we only have -23°C.
Yes, we have to have two sets of tires. Because you can't use slippery summer tires in the winter, but the studded tires kinda break the road surface without snow or ice in between and the friction tires start to kind of melt when driving in over +10°C weather. Technically you are allowed to use the friction tires in the summer, but you'll just ruin your tires.
Remember car liquids to car have to resist cold. Ain't funny if your car stop in minus degrees, that case you may miss your mum.
Yes, the term you were looking for is "Circadian rhythm", whereas "Sir, Cadian rhythm" is another beast completely, where you will fire your first gun at the age of 5, you will learn to disassemble and then reassemble it at 10, you will have pounding artillery drills, day in and day out at 15, and you'll fight your first Swarmlord at 16. Or it can mean the epic rhythmic way that you've developed for reciting the mantra of "Let it be known, that the planet broke before the Guard did. Cadia stands."
I’m Swedish but I don’t know how to skate (well). Here everyone knows how, so it’s embarrassing. It’s hard to learn once you’ve grown up, unfortunately. I believe that learning how to ski is easier.
Oh, forgot to say that one reason that I never learned was that I was always scared of skating on the lake. Still am!
czcams.com/video/XqhotY5CTeM/video.htmlsi=ioRJ8x9XID91fOVx
I'd say learning to ski cross country is way harder than learning to skate.
I wasn't good at either as a kid, but had to relearn skiing in the army. Was like learning to walk.
Experienced ice walker here... the warning of thin ice was a bit exaggerated. If you go on ice where you can see many other people, then it's very safe. Check the ice, light grey colored ice is always safe. Dark steel ice is also if you can verify thickness to be over 5 cm. Most dangerous situation is newly formed crack in the ice, then it has recently refrozen and has a thin layer of new snow on top of it concealing the crack and thin ice. If you have planned to go through the ice, it's ok. I mean every man that goes exploring unknown ice has to be prepared to fall in to it. You need to have ice pecks, dry suit or full set of dry clothes packed in waterproof backpack to ensure that you can access dry clothing if the worst happens. I've been through ice twice in my life, I know how it happens.
I have actually three sets of tires currently, studded which are now in my car, friction tires which I will put under my car soon, and summer/normal tires that I change once all snow is gone.
Studded ones hold the best when there is ice, but friction tires are relatively good nowadays, and they hold the best on snow. Summer tires are best during summer, as they can help you stay on road if there are large pools of water on road, so car won't go into hydroplaning as easily.
I know this is late comment, I just found your channel. I live in South Finland, where you'd think you have more light during the winter but it's actually quite the opposite. Where as North Finland might have polar nights or kaamos as we say in Finland, there's always that snow that makes it brighter. But in South Finland, sure there isn't kaamos per se but when there's almost little to none snow some winters, it gets dark, like really REALLY dark believe me, I've experienced such winters. The foxfires or the aurora borealis happens almost only in North Finland, we don't usually have them in South part. To add the darkness, if there's no snow, only gray/brown ground and it sleets that wet version of snow, now that's..... yeah. But you'll survive because you have to.
I remember in the New Year of 1999, not too long since getting my driver's license, we were going (with my parents) to another town about 150 km from where we lived. I had been placed as the driver to get that experience for driving longer distances. Already it was snowing and during the trip it turned into a snowstorm with zero visibility. I could not even tell where the lanes were let alone see the other cars on the road. It was genuinely frightening and especially for an unexperienced driver. Finally I did spot a little side road and pulled over, so we could switch drivers. My dad took the wheel. The car itself was very nice. A silver Buick Regal with automatic transmission my dad bought from the United States when we lived there.
Usually if you're home and going to drive anywhere you warm the engine with the block warmer and cabin heater
The only way you would even be allowed to use winter tires all year round is if they are so called friction tires, aka no studs in them, studded tires are illegal to use when it's not winter. But why would you use them all year round no matter which version you have? How long do you think our winters are? 9 months? 😅
Friction tires, the Nordic variety and not the European type, will wear down in just one summer season if used due to the soft rubber compound.
We have had a cold winter and a lot of snow this year, even in southern Finland where I live. Commute was a hastle this week because the bus system had to reduce drivers because of safety. Otherwise I love it. Today I went cross country skiing along the coast line. Also make my home cozy, warm, alot of coffee, tea, warm black currant juice and hearthy food. :)
The darkness can be kept away with exercise, good quality entertainment, alot of people that have money often travel somewhere warmer, we have great many indoor exercise options and I guess the whole system is built to help us in the winter months. Snow makes everything better honestly, it illuminates natural and artificial light. Snowless, dark and wet winters are the worst, and that can happen! I've worked in Lapland too, and it's gorgeous there, I have some family roots in Lapland and center lake side Finland so i go both to visit family, work and travel with my family there!
Families usually and friend groups usually in Finland takes ski trips. Usually we stay a lot inside and if you own a house you do mandatory snow removal from yard and then go back inside. Families also go to ice skating or small child downhills to have fun during a day. We have all group activitys inside houses, like football, tennis, basketball and so on so we arent tied to summer only.
Also we have 2 kind of winter tires. One is frictionbased and one is pinned tires. You can drive with frictiontires all year but you gonna burn gasoline more with frictiontires during summer thats why many prefers pinnedtires for winter for added security and summer tires for smaller friction during summer.
The kid her grow up doing skating and sking at school they do ice skating on there school yard as it so cold they make outside ice skiing places in the school yeard. And do it as there PE lesson . The start on kindergarden her ice skating
I live 127 km north of the arctic circle and work in an underground mine at 1250m below sea level. And in the winther i rarley see the sun in the winter. And we recently had two weeks of 32 to 38 celcius below zero.
A snow shovel to shovel snow, in a snowy place. Who would have thunk it ?
Even though I was always warned about ice as a child, I once fell into frozen water. It felt like many knives had hit the body at the same time. Getting out of the water felt like a fight for life and I will definitely remember it always. Don't go on the ice without being sure of the ice's durability and not alone. I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't gotten help
i drink beer and go work. skating is easy, i learned to skate when i was 3 or 4. played ice hockey since. :D
Days are already getting longer, 6,5h in the south! 😅
When I drove past my youngest daughter’s school the other day I saw a class skate on the school yard for PE lesson 😀 It is totally normal here 😊
What we do is just keep on going. About to head to work in the biggest snow storm of the year (so far) bout 120km drive to and from.
During the darkest period of the year, you will notice that the sun rise at 8 - 9 in the morning and sets at 2 - 3 in the afternoon in most of Sweden. So 4 - 5h of sunlight during that time of the year. :P Add to it that it can also be very cloudy up here throughout the year. :)
Also... Skiing is a lot of fun! Definitely something you need to do if you haven't already. :)
When it comes to winter tires you must use them between 1st of december and take them off the 15th of April I think. There are different kinds, friction tyres or dubbed tyres. Dubbed tyres can only be used in the time span I mentioned above and this is because we do not want to break the roads when there's no snow or ice on there. Friction tyres can be used the year around though, but it is recommended to change to your summer tyres regardless to make them last longer because these are usually a little more expensive. :)
If you're interested in ice hockey, you have the EIHL in the UK. The sport is getting bigger, and the league teams are able to sign even ex-NHLers, and for example Nottingham Panthers vs Sheffield Steelers have audiences of around 9000 people, which is actually FAR more than any teams here in Finland have, where we average around 4-5000 people per game. There's even four teams in Scotland, Glasgow Clan, Fife Flyers, Dundee Stars, and Edinburgh Capitals, and one in Ireland, Belfast Giants.
Have a look at it, depending on where in the UK you live, you could catch a game!
here ya go, already is getting more and more light everyday ^^
9.03
Friday, 19 January 2024 (EET)
Sunrise in Helsinki
15.56
Thursday, 18 January 2024 (EET)
Sunset in Helsinki
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I would add one important thing if you are not familiar with operations in cold conditions and you buy or rent a car in Finland. ALWAYS carry clothing in the car that will help you survive at least a few hours in very cold conditions if necessary. There are large practically uninhabited areas in Finland. If you have rented a cabin in Lapland or in a more remote part of the country and on the way there you drive into a ditch, etc., you may have to wait for help for a long time. Even in southern Finland, the temperature can sometimes be below -20 degrees, and without proper warm clothing, something as simple as a flat tire and changing a tire can be very unpleasant. The temperature does not have to be extreme. Imagine yourself in a situation where the temperature is close to zero. It's windy, the wet and cold mix of snow and sleet falling from the sky doesn't really fly down with a lovely sparkle and a nice sound, but flies horizontally and tries to penetrate the collar of the jacket and every hole on your skin. The wind is so lazy that it can't go around the unfortunate motorist but blows straight through the poor devil. If in such a situation you change the tire by hand without gloves but dressed in stylish gray flannel pants, handmade leather shoes and a club jacket, it's probably a very stylish performance and increases your masculinity (regardless of gender). more than 10%. But if you were traveling in your car with an unstylish and humble fur-lined winter jumpsuit, woolen mittens and a woolen beanie, as well as woolen socks and rubber boots, you can cope with changing a tire perhaps more unstylishly, but warm and with significantly fewer tongue sins than if you were more elegantly dressed.
It's not that dark even when the sun goes down because there's snow, which reflects even a little bit of light. November is usually the darkest, because the days are getting well shorter already but there's often not much snow in Southern Finland. But this winter, November already was very snowy and the winter altogether has seen a LOT of snow. I always say I love winter, but maybe I should amend that I love snowy winter.
yes! react to an ice hockey game!
There are great clips from to world championship in 2011, but they are mainly just in Finnish and no subtitles. Other great option would be 2019. There are highlights and even full games at official IIHF channel (IIHF Worlds 2023).
I'm a Finnish kid and a thing a do before I go on a frozen water is throwing a rock as hard as I can at the ice
A week or two ago there was -46 °C in Utsjoki (northern Finland)...
What to do in winter in Finland? In my opinion, the best thing to do in winter is to take a sauna and take a dip in a river or lake. Yes, it's frozen, but you can make a hole in it. The water is 0 degrees celsius and it doesn't get colder than that anymore. You can watch movies or CZcams in the sauna, just like this one. winter swimming (ice hole) is popular. And there are also many public saunas where you can swim. Saunas themselves are standard in almost every home.
it's illegal to use studded tyres after the season is out. Some people drive on friction tyres in the summer, when they are end-of-life ones. That's not a good choice because the rain grip is suboptimal, and they offer far less emergency situation control that dedicated summer tyres.
You need to clean the snow off on top of your car because when you brake hard it might block your visibility.
-1°c is considered a warm winter day in Finland. If there is no wind, you don't even need a jacket.
You can get 1-2 hours lessons for winter-driving from any driving school just maybe 200-300 euros.. Money well spent I would think.
UK got milder weather due to being surrounded by water, that is why there are a lot more snow even in areas no more to the north in Finland.
Skiing is fun, so I prefer to live with snow in the winter then the alternative.
Snow also makes days a lot brighter, even when the sun is not up much.
That actually makes the darkest time the days before snow falls rather then when the sun is up less.
Winter sports are big in the Nordic countries. Winter olympics essentially originates from Norway.
I am in Sweden, and skating rinks are everywhere. What is in the summer public tennis courts are in the winter ice rinks.
Even if you live in the central parts of Sweden so can you take day trips by buss that includes the round trip and a ski pass and they don't cost that much.
I am assuming it's pretty similar in Finland.
Best swidler sold (at winter) house next to field, telling its lake and you bying lakehouse :)
Most people that come here are completely unprepared to Finnish winter, not just the snow but the cold. You NEED to put on layers! LAYERS! are the key! :)
Now I am in Sweden, but I wake up at the same time all year round, dark as light months. Most people have an inner clock that don't care about the sun. Those who doesn't really struggle though. Maybe they do better with jetlag? I am out of it for 2-3 days when traveling through more than 2-3 timezones.
yes, i think about 5 hours is the shortest in tampere, in for example in oulu even shorter, 3 hours. Of course ones you cross the arctic circle, you don't have any day, so 0 hours. The reason is because of the tilt of the earth, the earth is tilted away from the sun during the winter, so there is less sunlight, and some parts never get sun during winter. But then again, during summers some parts always get sun, but of course it stays quite low all that time.
South of Finland is very short days, just more extreme up north.