3rd Polar Winter School Brings International Students to Kilpisjärvi
The 3rd Polar Winter School was jointly organized by the Nordic Snow Network, the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU) and the University of Helsinki. The course took place in April 2026 at the University of Helsinki’s Biological Station in Kilpisjärvi, Finland.
The field component focused on key aspects of snow and environmental science. Students carried out snow hydrology measurements, including snow water equivalent (SWE) observations, and conducted detailed snow pit analyses to examine snow structure. Additional activities included snow depth mapping using drones and air pollution measurements in the field.
Complementing the fieldwork, the lecture programme covered topics such as snow processes, remote sensing, and adaptation to a changing climate, providing a multidisciplinary perspective on Arctic research.
During the course, participants also undertook a snowmobile excursion to the tripoint where Finland, Sweden, and Norway meet, as well as to a measurement site located above the tree line. A visit to a local reindeer farm introduced students to traditional livelihoods in the region and broadened their understanding of the socio-economic context of Arctic environments.
A total of 22 international Master’s and PhD students participated in the course. Feedback was highly positive, with participants valuing the hands-on learning experience and recommending the course to others.
The teaching team included experts affiliated with CZU, the University of Lapland, the Agricultural University of Iceland, the Finnish Meteorological Institute, and the University of Vaasa.
The Polar Winter School was organized in collaboration with the UArctic Thematic Network on High Latitude Dust.