High above the Arctic Circle in Finland’s lush northern forests, a special reindeer named Rudolph roams—no relation to the Christmas icon, but a prized possession of alpine skiing superstar Mikaela Shiffrin.
As the FIS World Cup slalom season opens this weekend in Levi, Finland, the winner will continue a cherished local tradition: receiving a live reindeer as a trophy. Shiffrin, already owner of eight such animals from her record-breaking victories on the Levi Black slope, is poised to claim her ninth.
Her growing herd—including Rudolph, Rori, Sunny, Sven, and others—spends summers grazing freely in the wilderness and winters at the historic Ounaskievari Reindeer Farm, where they become part of both sporting legacy and Lapland tourism.
A Prize Rooted in Culture and Nature
The tradition, unique to Levi’s World Cup races, celebrates the region’s deep ties to reindeer herding and Sami heritage. “The reindeer symbolizes resilience, connection to nature, and northern hospitality,” said Satu Pesonen, CEO of Visit Levi. “It’s heartwarming to see world-class athletes embrace their reindeer with such genuine affection—many return yearly to visit.”
Farm owner Johanna Hietanen, who cares for the champion reindeer, agrees the prize often steals the spotlight. “Sometimes it feels like people are more excited about the reindeer than Santa Claus,” she laughed.
Each spring, Hietanen releases her herd—including the athletes’ reindeer—into the wild, driving them over 20 miles from the farm. Equipped with GPS collars, the animals roam vast distances, sometimes hundreds of kilometers, before being rounded up in the fall.
“They usually stay in familiar areas,” Hietanen said, “but they enjoy their freedom.”
From Ski Podium to Farm Legacy
Shiffrin is not alone in her reindeer ownership. Past winners like Slovakia’s Petra Vlhová and Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen also have animals in residence. This year’s victors will meet their new reindeer shortly after the race and choose their names—a moment that blends athletic triumph with cultural immersion.
The Ounaskievari Reindeer Farm, perched along the Ounas River and housed in a century-old main lodge, welcomes visitors year-round. In winter, around 70 reindeer—including the famous prize animals—are available for tourist experiences, from feeding to sleigh rides.
“You don’t need to win a World Cup to meet them,” Hietanen said. “They’re part of Lapland’s living heritage—and now, part of ski history too.”
