The Original Free'kend

THURSDAY 27.3. 

11:45–12:15
EVENT INFO AT THE RECEPTION OF HOTEL PYHÄTUNTURI.
Those who have purchased an event pass can collect a free Vai-ko merino wool beanie from the event info if they wish. The beanie can also be picked up from Huttutupa during Friday's competition program between approximately 13:00–17:00.

12:30–14:30 & 16:00–18:00
FREERIDE SESSIONS FOR ADULTS
See detailed descriptions below. Departure from the front of Mesta.

18:30
FREE'KEND EVENING
Meet the instructors and other participants, enjoy a relaxed evening. Location: Mesta

20:00
BINGO AT HUTTUHIPPU PUB
It's recommended to arrive early, as bingo is very popular.

We reserve the right to make changes.

FRIDAY 28.3.

10:00–12:00
FREERIDE SESSIONS FOR ADULTS AND JUNIORS
See detailed descriptions below. Departure from the front of Mesta.

From 13:00 onwards
TEST CENTER AT HUTTUTUPA.
Featuring Burton, Salomon, Pusu, Atomic, Black Crows, Nitro, Julbo.

13:00
HUTTU-UKKO CHALLENGE COMPETITION INFO AT HUTTUTUPA
Huttutupa is located on slope 11.

13:30
HUTTU-UKKO CHALLENGE
In the natural snow slope of Huttu-Ukko, participants compete in style, creativity, and control. Read more about the competition below.

16:30
POKER RANDO COMPETITION INFO AT HUTTUTUPA

17:00
POKER RANDO
Collect poker hand cards along the rando route. The final winner is not the fastest, but the one who wins at the poker table, so anyone can win. The competition starts at Huttutupa. Read more about the competition below.

20:00
SKI FILM NIGHT.
Ages 18+. The program includes Aarni Toiviainen's 16 mm mountain film Pyhä Magic Montage. Location: Naava. Note! Please arrive early to ensure a seat. 

SATURDAY 29.3. 

10:00
AITTAKURU FREERIDE COMPETITION INFO
Participants must have a transceiver in the competition. A back protector is recommended. Location: CAMP Kitchen & Bar. Before the competition info, you can enjoy a hearty breakfast at Camp (adult 17€ and child 9€).

11:00–15:00
TEST CENTER IN FRONT OF THE LOWER RENTAL SHOP.
Featuring Burton, Salomon, Pusu, Atomic, Black Crows, Nitro, Julbo.

11:00–12:00
AITTAKURU FREERIDE
The legendary style competition takes place in the magical Aittakuru. Aittakuru offers both challenging and easier lines. Read more about the competition below.

12:00–13:30
LUNCH BREAK

13:30–15:30
AITTAKURU FREERIDE

16:30–17:00
JUNIOR AWARD CEREMONY AT HANKI BAR

20:00
FINAL DINNER
The Original Free'kend final dinner at restaurant Popolo. 

22:00
ADULT AWARD CEREMONY
Location: Camp Kitchen & Bar.

23:00 FREE'KEND PARTY AT CAMP: US and DJ Hulluella.
Ages 18+. The ticket is included in the Free'kend event pass and the three-competition pass. Tickets to the party can also be purchased separately. Updated info will be available on the website. 

SUNDAY 30.3. 

10:00
BACKCOUNTRY TOUR TO UKONHATTU GUIDED BY PYHÄTUNTURI SKI SCHOOL. Duration about 5 hours. Price 70 €/person. Departure from the front of Mesta. The backcountry tour offers a safe environment to practice your skills.
 

The heart of Free'kend consists of three competitions, where you compete seriously, but in a relaxed and good mood. The prizes are abundant and of high quality. The winners of all series and the most exciting performances of the weekend will be awarded. Wearing a helmet is mandatory in competitions.

HUTTU-UKKO CHALLENGE

In the natural snow slope of Huttu-Ukko, the participants will be jugded by style, originality and controllability. You can choose your own line and speed, so participating is fun for everyone. Avalanche rescue equipment is not needed, as the race is on slope area. Recommendation for back armor.

POKER RANDO

Poker hand cards are collected along the pre-determined rando trail. The ultimate winner is not the fastest rando monster, but the winner of the poker table, so anyone can win. You can participate with touring skis with touring bindings + skins or splitboard + skins/snowboard + snowshoes.

AITTAKURU FREERIDE

The legendary style competition takes place in magical Aittakuru. There are challenging as well as easier lines in Aittakuru gorge. The competitor needs at least an avalanche transmitter as avalanche rescue equipment. A back armor/backpack is recommended.

Freeride sessions for adults (16 and older) focus on exploring the techniques of freeriding outside of marked slopes. The most important aspect is the joy of skiing, so all uphill travel will be done via lifts. The sessions are led by Free'kend ambassadors and Pyhä Ski School instructors. Please note that avalanche rescue equipment (beacon, shovel, and probe) is required for the sessions. Pyhä can assist in renting avalanche safety equipment if needed. Please make sure you have insurance covering off-piste skiing. The skill level for the freeride sessions is intermediate/challenging. Beginner freeriders should explore the Free'kend Camp program, which is organized simultaneously in the mountains.

Telemark skiers can register for alpine groups during the sessions. A separate telemark category will be organized in the competitions if there are enough participants.

Please remember to choose only one session per morning/afternoon when registering.

THURSDAY, MARCH 27
12:30–14:30

SKIING TECHNIQUE & LINE CHOICE
Every skier has their own style when it comes to skiing and choosing lines. In these sessions, we will go over how terrain, skill level, and current conditions affect line choice. By understanding these factors, skiers can deepen their knowledge and appreciation of freeriding. The group will also scout the natural snow slopes of Huttu-Ukko and Aittakuru, making the sessions a perfect warm-up for those considering competing in the Free'kend freeride competitions.

PYHÄ'S SECRET SPOTS
Explore Pyhä’s hidden freeride terrain and search for the best snow conditions of the day, skiing together in a relaxed atmosphere. These sessions are ideal for skiers who are not yet familiar with Pyhä's freeride areas.

THURSDAY, MARCH 27
16:00–18:00

DROPPING SESSIONS
These sessions will focus on practicing dropping techniques and line choices. Participants will have the opportunity to train in competition areas, making it a great warm-up for the Huttu-Ukko Challenge and the Aittakuru competition.

SKIING TECHNIQUE & LINE CHOICE
Every skier has their own style when it comes to skiing and choosing lines. In these sessions, we will go over how terrain, skill level, and current conditions affect line choice. By understanding these factors, skiers can deepen their knowledge and appreciation of freeriding. The group will also scout the natural snow slopes of Huttu-Ukko and Aittakuru, making the sessions a perfect warm-up for those considering competing in the Free'kend freeride competitions.

FROM FEAR TO PROGRESSION
These sessions focus on evaluating personal freeriding skills: Where can you improve and what should you focus on moving forward? Fear and anxiety are natural feelings when engaging in this sport and should not be ignored. However, at their most challenging, these feelings can lead to situations that could be avoided by trusting in your skiing skills and understanding the terrain. During these sessions, participants will learn different techniques and approaches to terrain that allow for enjoyable skiing, even when feeling nervous.

FRIDAY, MARCH 28
10:00–12:00

PREPARING FOR THE FREE’KEND COMPETITIONS
These sessions will scout the natural snow slopes of Huttu-Ukko and Aittakuru, plan line choices with the instructor, discuss skiing with competition nerves, and offer support to fellow skiers.

RELAXED SKI SESSIONS WITH A PHOTOGRAPHER
Ski together on Pyhä’s lift-accessed off-piste areas. A professional photographer will join the session, ready to capture your best turns.

In the junior sessions (ages 7–15), participants will ride the lift-accessed off-piste areas of the ski resort and learn new skills from experienced skiers. The sessions are led by Free'kend ambassadors and Pyhätunturi Ski School instructors. Participants must be able to ski smoothly on at least red slopes.

Only a guardian can register a junior participant. Every participant must have a lift ticket, as the main focus of Free'kend is the joy of skiing, and all uphill travel will be done via lifts. Avalanche rescue equipment (beacon, shovel, and probe) must be carried in the backpack. Pyhä can assist with renting the equipment if needed (85€/2 days, 105€/3 days). It's recommended to familiarize yourself with the equipment at home, and the instructors will review it at the start of the event. Pyhä also recommends obtaining insurance that covers off-piste skiing.

Participants in the freeride sessions must have avalanche rescue equipment (transceiver, shovel, and probe) and a backpack. In the Aittakuru competition, participants must have a transceiver with them. A back protector is recommended for the competition. Helmets are required in all programs when skiing. Pyhä can assist with equipment rental if needed. Please make sure you have insurance that covers off-piste skiing. You will also need a lift pass for the event days. The most important thing in Free'kend is skiing together, and lifts are used to assist in uphill travel. The equipment can be a snowboard, alpine skis, or telemark skis. A separate category will be organized for telemark skiers in competitions if there are enough participants.

Telemark skiers can register for the alpine groups in the sessions. There are limited spots available for Thursday and Friday session groups. Young skiers (aged 13–15) can also choose the adult open category if they wish.