A few weeks ago, we reported that Vuokatti, Finland was planning on being able to offer regular terrain skiing starting in mid-September.
http://www.fasterskier.com/travel.php?id=1327
It appears that this date has now been pushed back a bit. They are now saying that skiing will start on October 2, which is still much earlier than anywhere else that we know of. They will start with 2 kilometers (one kilometer, two way traffic), in addition to the ski tunnel, which is more than originally promised for mid-September.
From Vuokatti Press Release:
From October 2nd on cross country skiing will be possible in Vuokatti, Finland
also outdoors. There will be one kilometer track made in the surroundings of the
shooting range area. The track is wide enough to allow skiing both directions,
so the course will be two kilometers. It will be connected to the Ski Tunnel
which also provide options for longer course.
It will be possible to open the cross country ski track so early, cause
approximately 16 000 cubic meters of snow has been stored over the summer.
In addition to superior training conditions, Vuokatti also hosts competitions.
The competition season gets started on November 20nd when international test
competition in nordic combined takes place (K90, 10 km) – all nordic combined
skiers are welcome to participate and check their shape ahead of the World Cup
opening.
Late winter’s high lights are for example FIS Nordic Combined World Cup “Bâ€
finals in March (10-13th) and Finnish Championships in cross country in April
(2-3rd).
