Angry Birds and Nordic Skiing

Finland is known for both and I didn't think I see them at the same event. Today all over the country was the Angry Birds Go Snow event.  (For those who don't know, Angry Birds was created by a Finnish company and first released in 2009.)  The event provides free use of nordic skis, snowshoes and sleds for kids and encourages families to recreate outdoors, have fun and enjoy being in nature. 

There was a real life Angry Birds game to play in which players launched stuffed Angry Birds with thera bands (like the ones from physical therapy) hoping to knock off stuffed pigs sitting atop wooden  poles. 

The location of the event in Jyvaskyla is beautiful: a cabin set on the edge of a frozen and snow covered lake with groomed nordic trails all around. The cabin has  about 6 or 8 tables each table had two votive candles,  a fireplace,  a simple concession area with coffee, tea and snacks for sale including sausages to cook in the fireplace. A small building close by houses the sauna.  The building is part of a recreation association that anyone can join which provides a base for summer and winter outdoor activities. Check it out http://www.jyvaskylanlatu.fi/   

A new storage building at the association is in the works and the insulation is made with Eco Vili or "eco wool" make from a recycled paper product. Recycling and sustainable living and building are visible everywhere in Finland and reflect how Finn's feel about the natural environment: they respect it and want to keep it as pristine as possible.