For hundreds of years, Laplanders have been harnessing reindeer and strapping on Nordic skis as a way to travel across vast snowy expanses.  This practice was originally called snörekjöring in Norway. It remains a popular tradition in all Scandinavian countries today.  In fact, reindeer races are still held annually north of the Arctic Circle during winter festivals celebrating the region's rich Sami tribal culture.  

INARI, FINLAND

The winter reindeer racing season in Finnish Lapland culminates in the King of Reindeer race event held in Inari, 350 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, when Lapland’s forests and lakes are still covered with a thick blanket of snow and ice.  The first Reindeer Championship was held in Inari in 1959. Many of the reindeer owners are indigenous Sámi people, and some competitors come over the border from Norway.

Almost 200 reindeer are brought to Inari to run in three competitions for animals with different levels of racing experience: a general category for beginners; a “hot” category; and the King of Reindeer category, run over two days.  Jockeys, wearing streamlined ski suits and helmets, ski behind the reindeer using leather reins to keep the animals on course.  High-speed collisions can occur, but once at the finish line the jockeys let go of the reins, and the reindeer rejoin their pack in a paddock.

Side events include lasso-throwing contests and 220-metre reindeer sprint races. Beside the racecourse, locals gather at stalls where locals offer hand made crafts as well as hot coffee and tasty reindeer meat stew.

In 2016, a Reindeer Competition Committee was formed and now organizes an annual Reindeer Cup. Six events are typically held from February - April at separate venues, Rovaniemi, Pudasjarvi, Akaslompolo, Salla, and Kuosku ending with a Championship Race in Inari.  In 2023, The Reindeer Racing Champion was crowned on the last day of racing on April 9th. Reindeer Verneri and jockey Janne Alatalo came out on top in one minute and 35.26 seconds.

Click here to learn more.

TRomsø & Kautokeino, Norway

Reindeer Racing Championships are held on the first Sunday of February in Tromsø during Sami Culture Week.  The Sami people traditionally inhabited the northern parts of the Nordic countries (Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia) then called Sapmi.  In recent years, the Sami people have had to fight for their right to maintain their culture and traditions, resisting pressure to assimilate to the norms of their modern counterparts.

During Sami Culture Week these lasting traditions are celebrated.  Lasso Throwing and Reindeer Racing are the highlights, however, a traditional market is built where traditional Sami handicraft such as knives, gloves, hats, shoes and jewelry is sold.  Visitors can also experience a Lavvo or traditional Sami tent where a fire burns and reindeer meet can be eaten.  Traditional song called "yoiking" is also a popular attraction. 

In 2024, the event will be held in Tromso from February 5 - 11 and Kautokeino from March 23 - April 1.. Click here for more info:

nADYM, Russia

Participants often travel hundreds of miles across the frozen tundra to attend the Reindeer Herder's Day competition in the northern Siberian region, which has more than half of its territory above the Arctic Circle.  

There are about 40,000 Nenets living in the Arctic region and many work in traditional reindeer herding.  For the indigenous nomadic Nenets people, the event offers a chance for them to celebrate the animals, show their prowess in wrestling, high jumps and other traditional local sports, but, above all, participate in reindeer races. 

The year 2015 marked the 20th anniversary of the event, and dozens of reindeer-driven sleds took part in the race.

In 2017 the event was held on March 25 & 26. Click here for more info.