Helena Halme Author

Nordic Fiction with a hint of Noir and Romance

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Google+
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Join My Launch Crew
  • New Novel Sneak Peek
  • Contact me

Snow is beautiful in many different ways

March 10, 2009 by Helena Halme 2 Comments

Just back from a week in Finnish Lapland and boy was there a lot of snow. I forget how much I miss the stuff. As I huffed and puffed on the first cross country skiing trip in about 20 years, I wondered what it is about the stuff that makes me smile. Of course whizzing on snow down a mountain pretending to be cool in your hired helmet and skis, hiding the terror of the steep decent behind the latest in designer goggles that the teenage boy in Snow & Rock claimed would be ‘great in flat light’ (I didn’t dare to ask what that was), is one thing. Although the old knees and thighs start to ache after a while, there’s always a handy bar or mountain top cafe to hide out in or increase courage with a glass of something fortifying. As we were in Finland there was a lot of alcohol involved…

I, however, was more ambitious than that. The purest, deepest snow in Lapland demanded a more noble effort and cross country skiing seemed to fit the bill. But I had forgotten what a lot of effort it is. At primary school in Tampere I’d been quite good at the sport, so much so, that I won many prizes. (A missed career opportunity one thinks?) Now after many years spent going down a mountain I’d forgotten that there are no lifts on the cross country trails. Nor is it easy to go down a hill following a narrow trail. But I had sisu, (Finnish for endurance), and so bringing my poor old body to its limits, I made the first five kilometres without any major embarrassing falls or fits. My partner, the master of all sports, fell over a lot – but that’s another story. I will only say that I enjoyed the cross country skiing so much I took him out the next day too, doubling the distance.

The cross country trails in Yllas, where we were, run through beautiful scenery. On the second day when we were both a little more used to the limitations of our narrow skis and light boots, and weary bodies, we spent more time admiring our surroundings, enjoying the many huts serving cinnamon buns and hot drinks, as well as the friendly fellow crazy people, many of whom were central Europeans and even Englishmen.

But the snow was the star of the week. It hung heavy on the dark branches of the fur trees, even forming high narrow piles on top of bare, seemingly thin willowy branches of the birch trees. The forest floor either side of the cross country track was untouched by human step. All you could see on the white snow where occasional faint marks made by birds or hare. Twilight, or the blue hour, seemed to last forever. The landscape became magical , then slowly the sky fell dark and the snow glittered as if covered by tiny diamonds.

‘I guess at the end of the winter you must grow tired of the snow’ I said to my lucky friend who half lives in Lapland. It was our last day and I was trying to look forward to our return to gray England.

‘Never. It’s always changing and beautiful in different ways.’

I’d forgotten Finns never lie. To them there’s never a good reason to.

You may also like:

Default ThumbnailMy Nordic Adventure – Part Two: Snow and more snow Default ThumbnailMoomins on the Riviera – a new feature film Default ThumbnailCoffee and Vodka is out! No Snow in Lapland

Comments

  1. Cultural Blonde says

    March 16, 2009 at 3:37 pm

    Sounds glorious, I would love to go to Finnish Lapland. Am ashamed, I have never been and my mother is Finnish. Love your selection of films by the way.

    Reply
  2. Anonymous says

    March 18, 2009 at 5:52 pm

    I want to be there

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Free Story for my Readers Group only!

Read an Exclusive First Chapter

NEW

Find out more

new

View Book

Alliance of Independent Authors /

Free Exclusive Bonus Chapter

looking for the self publishing coach?

Follow me on Instagram

First time on the Elizabeth Line. #elizabethline First time on the Elizabeth Line. 
#elizabethline #londonlife #tube #farringdon
I’m into orange at the moment, I wonder why? 😄🧡📙
Five weeks to publication of AN ISLAND HEATWAVE today. 💃
https://mybook.to/AIH #linkinbio
What a lovely surprise! AN ISLAND HEATWAVE has hi What a lovely surprise! 
AN ISLAND HEATWAVE has hit #No1 on Amazon.💃
The novel is now on pre-order offer. 
https://mybook.to/AIH
Link also in bio. 😉🧡📙
It’s a frosty, sunny morning in North London. Fe It’s a frosty, sunny morning in North London. Feels a bit like home. 🥶🇫🇮🇬🇧
Load More Follow on Instagram

Follow Me On Facebook

Facebook Pagelike Widget
Alliance of Independent Authors /

writing and publishing tips

Read Exclusive First Chapter

free exclusive bonus chapters

Copyright © 2023 · Author Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in