Traditional Ice Harvesting in Northern Finland

In winter, when the ice on the lakes reaches tens of centimeters in thickness, workers mark the surface and cut rectangular blocks with special saws and ice cutters. The blocks are then removed from the water and stored.

Historically, ice was used to preserve fish, meat, and dairy products in so-called icehouses—insulated storage areas where the blocks were lined with sawdust to slow melting. In the northern climate, such a supply could last until summer.

Today, traditional ice harvesting in Finland is more of a cultural practice and part of a tourist attraction, although natural lake ice is still used for ice hotels, bars, and saunas in the Lapland region.