Finnish national championships conclude with one of the world’s toughest cross-country ski races

The final long-distance races of Finland’s national cross-country skiing championships in Inari will take place on Sunday on what is considered the most demanding course in the world when measured by elevation gain, reports Yle.

The 10-kilometre Juutuanvaara competition trail has an elevation gain of 158 metres. Women will ski the loop three times in the 30 km race, while men will complete it five times in the 50 km event. The course has required special approval from the International Ski Federation (FIS) due to its extreme difficulty.

Juha Torvikoski, an FIS course inspector, said he will “take his hat off” to every skier who completes the race. The challenge is amplified by the use of classic technique without ski changes mid-race, demanding exceptional grip from the skis.

The elevation gain is comparable to climbing nearly five times the height of Tampere’s Näsinneula observation tower. The last time skiers faced a similar test was in 2023, also in Inari, but then using the skating technique.

Krista Pärmäkoski, one of Finland’s most successful cross-country skiers of the 21st century, will end her career in the women’s race. The event’s organisers, Inarin Yritys, confirmed that the course has the greatest elevation gain of any FIS-certified trail worldwide.

Homologation, the official quality assurance process for competition trails, ensures the course meets FIS safety and fairness standards. Despite its difficulty, the organisers—including Anton and Topias Kemppi—have prepared rigorously, with Anton relying on summer hill training.

Torvikoski noted that no comparable course exists internationally, making Inari’s trail uniquely challenging. While steep climbs feature in events like the Tour de Ski, Inari’s continuous loop—starting and finishing at the same point—sets it apart.

Due to the extreme elevation, FIS granted a special exemption for the Juutuanvaara course. Torvikoski called it an unmatched test for recreational skiers in Finland.