A few months ago, I wrote about the rhythmic, satisfying crunch of crushed stone beneath a gravel tire. I talked about how that sound is my personal cue that the modern world has been left behind.
But here in Ruka-Kuusamo, the seasons hold absolute power. Slowly, the damp pine needles and dirt roads vanish beneath a thick, heavy blanket of white. The vibrant autumn forest transforms into a quiet, frozen kingdom of snow-heavy trees—tykkylumi, as we call it.
You might think that when the snow arrives, the bikes go into storage. For me, it is quite the opposite. The adventure doesn’t stop; the soundtrack just changes. The sharp crunch of summer gravel turns into the soft, muffled compression of crisp winter snow.
And the tool for the job? The e-fatbike.
Defying the deep snow
Winter in the north can feel restrictive. If you step off the plowed roads, you instantly sink waist-deep into the powder. But with the oversized, low-pressure tires of an electric fatbike, the wilderness opens up again.
Riding an e-fatbike through frozen forest trails feels like a magic trick. The wide tires float over the snow, and the quiet assistance of the electric motor ensures that the steep, snow-covered hills of Kuusamo become a playground rather than a struggle. It allows you to keep your eyes up, focused on the majestic landscape, rather than gasping for air on a climb.
In the winter, the forest is even more grounding than in the summer. The snow acts as a natural sound dampener. When we stop the bikes deep in the woods, the silence and is so absolute you can hear your own heartbeat.
Feel the freeze, love the warmth
Just like our summer gravel trips, Korpi Gravel’s winter e-fatbike tours are not about speed or counting kilometers. They are about sensation.
It’s about feeling the crisp, sub-zero air on your cheeks while your body stays perfectly warm from the movement. It’s about the surreal experience of riding through a landscape that looks like a living painting, where the low winter sun paints the snow in shades of pink and gold. And, of course, it’s about the rewarding warmth of a hot drink by an open fire, in between a ride or after a day in the cold.
The winter forest is calling
If you loved the freedom of the gravel roads, you need to experience the magic of the winter trails. Don't let the cold keep you inside.
Put on your winter gear, hop on the e-fatbike, and let’s head out into the white silence. The winter forest is waiting, and I promise you, it is a destination like no other.
— Visa
