Lapland’s reindeer race blends Sámi heritage with Arctic sport
Last weekend, Lake Inari in Finland hosted one of Lapland’s most famous events: the Reindeer King’s Race, marking the grand finale of the Poro Cup. Each year, nearly 200 racing reindeer compete in this competition, which includes multiple events across Finnish Lapland and begins in Rovaniemi in late February.
For many around the world, reindeer are simply Santa Claus’s helpers. However, those who have traveled to Lapland know that reindeer are omnipresent in daily life. While reindeer farm visits are a popular tourist attraction, these animals are also an essential part of the local economy—particularly in the meat industry. Reindeer meat is a highlight of Sámi cuisine and is featured in numerous Finnish fine dining dishes.
From Herding to Racing
Reindeer herding has been a way of life for the Sámi people for centuries. The Sámi, known as the only Indigenous people in the European Union, have traditionally herded reindeer across the vast Arctic landscapes of Finland, Sweden, Norway, and parts of Russia. Unlike in other Arctic regions like Canada or Greenland, where reindeer are wild, in the Nordic countries they are domesticated and herded. This distinction makes reindeer a unique cultural and economic pillar of Sámi life.
Beyond herding, reindeer have historically been used for transportation, clothing, and food. Their ability to thrive in Arctic conditions has made them invaluable companions, serving as a mode of transport across snowy landscapes long before snowmobiles existed.
Surprisingly, reindeer are also athletes. Reindeer racing has been a Finnish tradition since 1932 and remains a major winter sport in Lapland. The competitors are trained males, selected for their speed.
These races are held in a ski-joring style, where jockeys—on skis—are pulled behind the racing reindeer. Interestingly, a jockey can compete with multiple reindeer, even if they belong to different owners. For reindeer herders, having a winning reindeer is a symbol of prestige and reinforces their reputation within the community.
While the animals are trained to race with a skier behind them, not all succeed. If a reindeer veers off track or its jockey falls, the confused animal may stop, unsure of what to do next. In these situations, race officials on snowmobiles quickly intervene, escorting the lost reindeer back to its waiting area.
Beyond the race itself, these events also offer a glimpse into other aspects of Sámi culture. This weekend, for example, spectators had the chance to watch the lasso-throwing competition—a skill traditionally used by Sámi herders to catch reindeer in the wilderness.
Events like this provide a unique window into the traditions and way of life in the region—and are one of the few occasions where locals and tourists come together to celebrate Sámi heritage.
