Free'kend Camp

Discover freeriding in Pyhä at the same time as Finland's most iconic freeride event! Free'kend Camp is the sister event of The Original Free'kend, which is for all those who want to learn new riding skills in Finland's best freeskiing areas and get to know the freeskiing culture of Pyhä. The camp's main guide is Antti Autti, a free-riding professional. Read more and familiarize yourself with the program below.

Price: €249 (incl. free-riding guidance, Haglöfs beanie and entrance ticket to the Free'kend party on Saturday 29.3.).

The rights to changes are reserved.

ENROLL TO FREE'KEND CAMP

Time

27.3.2025 - 29.3.2025

Place

Pyhä Ski Resort

Address

Kultakeronkatu 21
98530 Pyhätunturi
Finland

Big events Free riding Slopes

FREE'KEND CAMP - FREERIDE WEEKEND AT PYHÄ

The Free'kend Camp is best suited for those who are new to freeriding or have been practicing it for a while and want to learn new riding skills. The workshops help improve your skiing in varied terrain and snow conditions. Additionally, you will get familiar with different freeride equipment and how to use them. The main focus is to guide you deeper into the sport while enjoying the stunning slopes of Pyhätunturi, safely! The event program will always be adapted to the prevailing snow conditions. The most important thing is having fun together and enjoying the joy of skiing. Even if you're coming alone, you'll find great company on-site.

After fun and exciting ski days, we’ll return to the heart of the Pyhä Ski Resort, where you can join the evening festivities of Finland's largest freeride event, The Original Free'kend. Free'kend Camp is a perfect way to get to know the freeride culture and community! The event focuses on doing things safely, and unnecessary risks are avoided. Additionally, an avalanche technician will provide recommendations on areas where participants should move during the event.

The event is intended for adult snowboarders and alpine skiers. Telemark skiers can join the alpine groups. There are a limited number of spots available for the weekend program, and they will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

To make sure we can focus on what’s important—riding—we will mainly use the lifts for uphill transport. A lift pass is therefore essential. Additionally, during the event, we will move around using muscle power, (skin up), as we search for the best snow conditions of the day. Participants will also need to bring avalanche safety equipment (beacon, shovel, and probe) and touring equipment (touring skis with skins, splitboard with skins, and telescopic poles, or snowboard with snowshoes and telescopic poles) for the duration of the event. Please ensure you have insurance that covers off-piste skiing.

Would you like to stay with other participants in shared accommodation? We offer shared accommodation for the duration of Free'kend Camp. Enjoy comfortable nights in the popular PyhäSuites apartments, which feature two bedrooms, a private sauna, and a balcony, located right next to Hotel Pyhätunturi and the rental shop. One PyhäSuite apartment can accommodate up to three people. Accommodation can be booked during registration, and the cost for the event (Wed-Sun) is €260 per person.

Please note that registration is binding. Participation can be transferred to the 2026 season with a medical certificate. If the event is canceled by the organizer for any reason, a transfer or refund will be possible.

If you have any questions about Free'kend Camp, please contact us: tapahtumat(at)pyha.fi

In cooperation with:

Haglöfs
Arctic Lines

Equipment

A lift pass is required for all programs, as the workshops involve using the lifts. For the extra backcountry trip on Sunday, you will need at least a single lift ride, as we will head to the national park from the top of the ski resort, which is accessible by lift.

Backpack and avalanche safety equipment (avalanche beacon, probe, and shovel) are required for the duration of the event. Pyhä can assist with renting avalanche safety equipment if needed.

Insurance that covers off-piste skiing is mandatory.

Freeride equipment: It is recommended to use slightly wider skis or a wider snowboard, which are easier to use in varied terrain. Alternatively, you can use the equipment you are used to. If you prefer, you can rent gear from the Pyhä Kultakero rental shop. Equipment is limited, but we will do our best to ensure everyone gets the right gear.

Randonee: Equipment for uphill travel is required every day. These can be rented from the Kultakero rental shop at Pyhä. Randonee gear includes: randoskis with touring bindings + skins, splitboard + skins, and telescopic poles, or snowshoes and a snowboard + telescopic poles.

Water bottle and some light snacks, like energy bars, are recommended to have in your backpack in case of unexpected hunger or energy needs.

Helmet and ski goggles.

Active outdoor clothing suitable for physical activity. For the Saturday backcountry trip, it’s a good idea to bring a break jacket.

Note! Snowboarders going on the randonee trip with snowshoes will need a backpack with space to attach the board during the ascent. Snowboarders should also have telescopic poles that can be collapsed during the descent.

Sunglasses for the randonee in case of sunny weather.

Don’t forget to also book your accommodation!

Program

Thursday, March 27, 2025
Freeride Day at Pyhä Ski Resort

10:00–10:45 EVENT INFO AT THE CONFERENCE CENTER
We’ll go over the weekend program, get to know each other, and divide into groups. The first workshop will start directly after the event info, so make sure to bring all necessary ski gear.

10:45–12:45 WORKSHOP: Pyhä Freeride Areas
We will tour the freeride areas of Pyhä and assess participants' skiing skills.

12:45–14:00 LUNCH (at your own cost)

14:00–16:30 WORKSHOP: Varying Terrain
We’ll refine skiing techniques in varying terrain and learn how to read the terrain while skiing to keep the flow going. Meeting point: In front of Mesta.

18:30 FREE’KEND EVENING
Meet the instructors and other participants for a relaxed evening. Location: Mesta.

20:00 BINGO AT HUTTUHIPPU PUB
Make sure to arrive early as bingo is a popular activity.

Friday, March 28, 2025
From Tension to Progress

9:30–10:00 MORNING INFO IN FRONT OF HAGLÖFS BOOTH
We’ll go over the snow conditions, weather, and the plan for the day. Groups will be divided under the guidance of instructors.

10:00–12:00 WORKSHOP: How to Overcome Tension?
This workshop focuses on more challenging ski lines that will be practiced in Pyhä’s freeride areas. We’ll learn techniques for skiing slightly steeper terrain and how to handle more difficult spots.

12:00–13:30 LUNCH (at your own cost)

13:30–16:00 WORKSHOP: Choosing Your Lines
This workshop focuses on choosing your lines in the terrain. We will also learn how to ski on different snow types to ensure a complete skiing experience. We will also take a look at the Aittakuru natural snow slope, where the iconic Aittakuru Freeride competition of The Original Free'kend will take place the following day. The slope will be a great test of your skills.

20:00 SKI MOVIE NIGHT
K-18. The program includes Aarni Toiviainen’s 16mm mountain film Pyhä Magic Montage. Location: Naava.
Note: Arrive early to ensure a seat!

Saturday, March 9, 2025

9:30–10:00 MORNING INFO
We’ll go over the snow conditions, weather, and the plan for the day. Groups will be divided under the guidance of instructors.

10:00–15:00
We offer two memorable options for Saturday, from which you can choose one:

Ski Trip around Pyhä Ski Resort / Watching the Aittakuru Freeride Competition
We’ll take a ski trip through the resort and the national park’s freeride areas. During the trip, we’ll use the lifts and walk or ski back to the lifts. We will end the trip by watching the Free’kend Aittakuru competition, which is a great opportunity to snack and get inspired by the amazing performances.
Ski Trip to Pyhä-Luosto National Park
We will take a trip to the national park. The destination will be selected based on the conditions, as well as the participants’ fitness and skill level. During the trip, we will focus entirely on the techniques of skiing with muscle power, which contribute to an all-encompassing experience in nature.

During the trip, we will make 2-3 runs and enjoy the scenery and snacks! The trip lasts about 5 hours.

You can change your choice of trip during Free’kend Camp if needed.

23:00 FREE’KEND PARTY AT CAMP: US and DJ Hulluella
K-18. The ticket is included for Free’kend Camp participants.

Sunday, March 10, 2025

9:45 AM
OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN A BACKCOUNTRY TOUR GUIDED BY PYHÄ SKI SCHOOL:

UKONHATUN LOOP (Duration: 5 hours, €70/person)
The participation fee for the backcountry tour is paid during event registration. Afterward, you can inquire about available spots and pay for the trip on-site. To join, you’ll need randonee equipment and a single lift ride. Departure is from the Mestan area, with equipment ready for skiing.

Required equipment: Randoskis with touring bindings and skins, or splitboard + skins and poles, or snowboard + snowshoes and poles. Backpack should contain a beacon, shovel, and probe. Also bring snacks, warm drinks, and a break jacket.

Note: The right to make changes is reserved.

Skill requirements

The program of Free'kend Camp is designed for beginner freeriders. The minimum requirements to participate in the weekend program are:

You should be able to confidently and safely ski at least red runs and be comfortable skiing in varying snow conditions. Groups will practice on the ski slopes if needed before heading off-piste.
You are either going freeriding for the first time or need additional practice with off-piste skiing and movement (e.g., selecting lines, skiing in powder snow, and safety).
Before arriving at Pyhä, please familiarize yourself with what avalanche safety equipment (beacon, shovel, and probe) is and how it works, so you know what gear you’ll be carrying in your backpack during the event. More details on the equipment will be covered during the event.
Randonee equipment is only required for Free'kend Camp on Saturday, and if you’re participating in the extra backcountry trip with the ski school on Sunday. All other activities will take place on lift-accessed off-piste areas, so randonee gear is not needed from Thursday to Friday. Randonee/ski touring equipment = randoskis with touring bindings + skins, splitboard + skins, and telescopic poles, or snowboard + snowshoes and telescopic poles.
You will need a valid lift pass for the workshop days from Thursday to Saturday.

Guides

Antti Autti

Antti is a professional snowboarder and freerider, as well as a collaborator with Pyhä. He has spent years getting to know the Pyhä area and knows how to find the best possible conditions for each day. Through his work, Antti also aims to inspire people to enjoy skiing, regardless of the conditions. According to Antti, a good freeride guide is also a great lifestyle guide.