Metsähallitus cabins closed in Lapland amid safety concerns

Users have been unable to reserve Metsähallitus cabins through the online rental service, according to Sompio, a local newspaper in Sodankylä. The only explanation given to customers has been vague references to “customer safety reasons.” Metsähallitus has not issued any formal communications regarding the matter.

Katja Heikkinen, the service owner for Nature Services, explained to Yle that “customer safety” pertains to access to the cabins and safe travel conditions. While the cabins themselves are safe, reservations can be problematic if users do not understand the location or potential weather issues, which might necessitate changing plans.

Heikkinen noted that feedback about the cabin closures has mainly come from hunters and experienced outdoor enthusiasts. However, Metsähallitus aims to ensure that inexperienced hikers have sufficient information about the reserved locations. Currently, there are no details regarding remote cabin distances or weather-related risks on the Luontoon.fi reservation system, raising concerns within Metsähallitus.

The cabins in the northernmost parts of Lapland will be closed from mid-October to the end of the year, coinciding with the worst time for travel due to muddy conditions. Most cabins will reopen in December when snowfall is likely to be more stable, but there are no closures due to real safety concerns, rather a caution regarding accessibility.

Heikkinen pointed to an avalanche incident in Pallas in January that resulted in a mother and son losing their lives, citing it as part of the reasoning behind the closures for safety. During the closure, hikers and hunters can still use free-day cabins and other rest areas managed by Metsähallitus. A new booking system will launch at the end of November, which will restore access to temporarily closed cabins and provide greater awareness about location and potential hazards.