When Ryan Lasch first arrived in Lahti, he came with an open mind and no particular expectations. It was also his first contact with Finland.
– Lahti immediately felt like home, it was easy to adapt. Of course, the hockey community helped, as I met a lot of good people right from the start,” Lasch recalls.
During his first season in Lahti, Lasch met his future wife, who is from Lahti, so he has returned to the city from time to time for more than just hockey. Lasch is originally from California, where he spends his summers between hockey seasons.
Sometimes, the lack of sunshine in the winter has caused his energy levels to drop. Still, on the other hand, open-water swimming has been a refreshing change of pace. He often takes a dip in the lake during the winter from the Nosturi in the harbour or from the beach at Mytjäjäinen.
In late summer, from August to September, when the hockey season starts, Lasch enjoys just being in the harbour. He stays there as much as possible, knowing that a long winter lies ahead.
Plenty to do
Lasch currently lives in the centre of Lahti, near the market square. He says the city has developed and grown a lot in 13 years. Even the Salpausselkä races this spring seemed bigger than in previous years. The city has also seen more events and concerts.
– Lahti is big enough that there is plenty to do here. You can also get to Helsinki quickly, for example, by train. The location of this city is absolutely fantastic.
– My personal interests, apart from ice hockey, are mainly food and coffee. There are cafés and restaurants to suit all tastes. You can always go there, whatever you need that day. There are also two sports bars where I like to watch the games from time to time.
The hockey player thinks that he could one day settle in Lahti permanently.
– I’ve just been lazy about learning Finnish. Everyone here speaks such good English that I’ve got off too easy. Finland is one of the best countries in the world to live in, and Lahti in particular.
It’s a short walk to the forest
Lasch likes that everything in Lahti is within walking distance, you don’t always have to use a car, and you can get fresh air.
– There is a lively city life, and the forest is a short distance away. There are excellent sports trails in the woods.
Lasch’s wife’s family lives near the central hospital, and the hockey player likes to walk there in the forest’s quietness. On one of his walks, however, he was subjected to a lot of shouting.
– You can’t walk on the ski trails, I know that now, Lasch laughs.
Original text: Maija Joutjärvi
Photos: Lassi Häkkinen
This text has been translated with the assistance of artificial intelligence.