Just Another Day in the Finnish Snow Clearing Office!

With the recent cold snap in the UK causing its usual problems, I thought it was a good time to take a look at how the Finns deal with snow.

Its fair to say that our northern cousins in Finland know a thing or two about snow clearance and the importance to keep roads, footpaths and cycle paths clear so everyone can continue to go about their day-to-day business.

Snow is essentially guaranteed every year in Finalnd, with the very first snowflakes falling to the ground in late August or early September over the higher peaks in Lapland. The first ground-covering snow and permanent snow cover arrive at different times in different parts of the country. In Lapland the winter is long (approximately seven months) and the permanent snow cover comes significantly earlier than in Southern Finland.

The snow cover is usually thickest in mid-March, in Lapland often as late as early April.

A whole industry is built around snow clearance in Finland and other Nordic regions, with many different contractors taking on the task during the winter months, using a wide range of equipment including motor graders, backhoe loaders, compact loaders and tractors with snow blowers.

The difference is that in Finland, unlike the UK, they are totally geared up for it, and are experienced in dealing with the snowfall. I am hoping to get back up to Finland to sample the winter snow again for myself over the coming months and to potentially witness some of this kit in action for Earthmovers Magazine.

I came across this video from Aarne Hakala on You Tube, which shows snow removal taking place in the town of Riihimäki. Eagle eyed viewers may notice two Finnish brands of machinery in action, Veekmas Oy motor graders, and Lännen Multi-Functional backhoe loaders.