Two of Finland's biggest ski resorts have got their 23-24 season underway today.
Levi and Ruka both used snow they had stockpiled from last winter, under cover through the summer, then spread back out on the slopes to create several kilometres of runs each.
Levi is pictured above on Wednesday night, when the northern lights put on a display, Ruka below yesterday.
Both areas had stockpiled record amounts of snow, over 100,000 cubic metres each, and say they had improved storage techniques to ensure that less snow was lost to summer thawing.
Both are also running gear tests and snow fun park events to make a festive atmosphere for opening weekend. Each also plan to stay open for more than 7 months, closing in May next year.
Temperatures have been cooler in Lapland than much of Europe, with temperatures closer to freezing and some fresh snowfall in late September, although that has since melted. However the snow being used now is expected to last until fresh snowfall and cold weather for fresh snowmaking allows the resorts to open more terrain.
