Lumi Experiences Group Enjoyed Finlandia Ski Marathon and Explored Finnish Culture

17. toukok.

During the week of Finlandia Ski Marathon, the saunas, ski trails, and ice swimming spots of the Lahti region welcomed a group of cheerful North American outdoor enthusiasts.

The group traveled to Finland through Lumi Experiences, a travel company founded by former U.S. Olympic skier Garrott Kuzzy. Kuzzy started Lumi Experiences to share his passion for skiing and ski tourism, and today, the company offers trips to Worldloppet events, sight-skiing trips, and visits to World Cup competitions. The participants are American and Canadian ski enthusiasts and winter sports fans.

Visiting Ski Factory Peltonen

*Lumi Experiences group got acquainted with ski manufacturing at the Peltonen ski factory in Heinola.*

Before arriving in Finland, the Lumi Experiences group took part in Estonia’s Tartu Marathon. In Finland, their itinerary included skiing in Vierumäki, enjoying traditional Finnish saunas, and ice swimming. The group also visited the legendary Lahti Sports Center, climbing the ski jumping towers for a breathtaking view. On the Friday before the Finlandia Ski Marathon, they toured the Peltonen ski factory to learn about the production of high-quality Finnish skis and hear fascinating behind-the-scenes stories. They also got a glimpse into the history of ski craftsmanship by admiring Peltonen skis from different eras.

One of the group leaders, Margit Järva, explained that Lumi Experiences aims to provide guests with the opportunity to ski in new countries and landscapes while immersing themselves in different cultures. Participants can also choose to take part in mass skiing events—many of them skied in either the Tartu Marathon or Finlandia-hiihto, and some even took part in both.

*Margit Järva says that in addition to skiing, the travel program for Lumi Experiences groups always includes a variety of activities, such as visiting museums or dining at local restaurants.*

Järva said that Lumi Experiences strives to arrange ski factory visits whenever possible. Their groups have previously toured factories of Fischer, Atomic, and Salomon during their ski trips. These visits allow participants to ask questions and gain firsthand knowledge about skis and their manufacturing process.

At the Peltonen factory, the group showed a keen interest in ski design and historical production methods. Many were particularly fascinated by the vintage Peltonen skis on display, with several participants reminiscing about skiing on Peltonen skis as children.

*The group members admired old Peltonen skis and actively asked questions.*

“The trip has been absolutely amazing, we’ve seen so much in both Estonia and Finland. Our guests can’t get enough of Sauna and are amazed at how well maintained the ski trails and areas are," said Järva, reflecting on the group’s experiences in Finland.

Hilary Garrett from Oregon, US, and Randel Bladel from Alaska, who were also part of the trip, thoroughly enjoyed their time in Estonia and Finland. They both participated in the Finlandia Ski Marathon with a relaxed mindset, focusing on the experience rather than racing against the clock—their goal was simply to enjoy the journey and cross the finish line.

Both Garrett and Bladel were particularly impressed by Lahti's sports facilities. “I love how much investment they put into people getting outside to exercise and recreate,” Garrett remarked. Bladel praised Lahti as a well-designed and beautifully maintained city.

Finnish people and its skiing opportunities left a lasting impression on Garrett and Bladel. When asked about their trip, they responded in unison: “I love Finland.”