Be active in winter Åland!
Discover the winter archipelago
of Åland! Paddle along the ice edge or try ice and snow kite racing,
which is a fun and fast-paced experience. If you would rather fly, you
can try parasailing.
Patrik Larsson at the outdoor-life company Larssons Vattensport
is very enthusiastic when he talks about ice and snow kite racing. "It
is great fun and has the potential to be a real hit. I offer five hour
courses and promise that all will have learned to ride and handle a
kite after that", he says.
You can ride with long distance
skates or skis or on a snowboard – what you choose will of course
depend on the surface. The course teaches how to manoeuvre the kite
which functions as a sail. You may even zigzag in adverse winds.
"The
kite, which is easily stored in a backpack, is also an excellent aid
for long distance skaters who want to rest their legs with the aid of
the wind" Patrik Larsson explains.
Larssons Vattensport also
offers parasailing on ice – where you get pulling help from a car and
fly 40-50 meters up in the air with a parachute
After a few
hours in the crisp winter air, you may want to have a sauna, relax in
an outdoor Jacuzzi or take a winter dip. Book your activities by email:
larssonvattensport@aland.net.
Winter paddling
The outdoor company Friluftsentreprenörerna S.G.U
has a suggestion for all those who want to enjoy the winter
archipelago. Try kayak paddling along the ice edge or among ice floes.
"This
is a very different experience as it is a completely different
atmosphere in the archipelago in the winter time", says Jan Kankkonen
at Friluftsentreprenörerna.
You do not have to be adventurous
and willing to take risks to go paddling. "It is enough if you like
outdoor life and fresh air", says Kankkonen who equips all his
customers with dry suits and stable kayaks.
Friluftsentreprenörerna
also arranges guided long distance skating tours with a dose of ice
knowledge and also swimming in a hole in the ice if you want, weather
permitting. Contact the company by email: info@sgu.nu.
If
you prefer skiing, there are ski tracks of different lengths near the
sport centre Vikingahallen in Jomala. Sometimes the tracks are prepared
with artificial snow if the weather is cold enough.
Indoors
If you would rather spend time indoors in the winter, you can visit Mariebad, Mariehamn's swimming centre with both an exercise pool and an adventure department, or go bowling in Idrottsgården.