All Great stage-races will challenge the rider’s grit and determination. The Saariselka MTB Stages IS such a race. It is true mountain-biking. You will probably hurt and struggle a bit, – perhaps be wet and cold too..
The organizers of Saariselka MTB Stages have created a very special experience for me and my team-mates as participants. This explains why we return every year; the three stages offers a unique mix of trails in a fantastic wilderness setting; narrow single-tracks, forest sections, open Arctic mountain landscape, plus plus!
Added to the riding experience, – the hospitality, service and proximity to everything in the Village makes it easy and simple.
See you in 2018!
Per Kåre Jakobsen
Nordlysbyen Sykkel
Alta
Norway
Per Kåre Jakobsen
Saariselkä MTB Stages is a unique and physically demanding race. Such an experience you cannot find from anywhere else besides Saariselkä.
The weather can be tough – you can expect anything from pouring rain to snowfall. The sceneries from the fell summits are breath taking. It is amazing to pedal alone in deep fog and see heard of reindeer running across the track – it’s hard to tell if you are sleeping or awake!
No matter if you are racing for real or mostly enjoying the ride, Saariselkä MTB Stages is a real adventure. If you finish this race you should congratulate yourself!
Toni Tähti
Winner of 2017 Saariselkä MTB Stages
Croc Sports
Finland
Toni Tähti
What makes you drive 1000km over a weekend from South of Finland to Lapland and back? It is the unique nature and atmosphere of Saariselkä MTB Stages!
It is Finland’s only stage race which takes place in terrain which is demanding in a good way. The duration of the stages and long climbs along the way will give your legs a real challenge. At the same time you will get experiences you can’t get anywhere else – river crossing at Tolosjoki, the long climb to Kulmakuru, views in Urho Kekkonen national park, and wild reindeer running alongside you in Vellinsärpimä trail are things you will remember for a long time.
When you are riding for three days you will find the same group of people riding with you every day. After the stages it is nice to go through the day during the dinner in Restaurant Pirkon Pirtti.
Coming again next year with our growing group!
Simo Schroderus
X-Tri Lahti
Simo Schroderus
Saariselka MTB is a three-day MTB marathon in Lapland (300 km from Murmansk, 1200 km from Petrozavodsk, 1150 km from St. Petersburg). The race is distinguished by excellent organization and friendly, home atmosphere at the start and finish.
In my opinion, this event is great for advanced amateurs to try a real, not diluted mountain bike. A variety of tracks, a variety of coverage will not let you relax and get bored during all three days of the competition. Stones, roots, fast single-track tracks through the forest and roads along the hills of the Lapland tundra are what Saariselka MTB is.
It is necessary to be ready morally and physically to 3-4 hours stages for three days in a row. But all the difficulties are forgotten when you plunge into the atmosphere of the race, the struggle with rivals, the apparent simplicity of treacherous routes and the unbridled beauty of wildlife.
I want to come back again and again, forgetting about the suffering that was suffered in the previous stage. I recommend to everyone who loves and understands mountain biking.
Vitalik LukinMountainpeaks.ru
Petroskoi
