The Legend of Heikki Lunta

Heikki Lunta: The Finnish Snow God Who Brings Winter’s Fury

If you’ve spent any time in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, you know that winter isn’t just a season—it’s a way of life. Snow falls early, stays late, and buries cars, driveways, and entire towns in thick, powdery drifts. But did you know that deep in the forests of the U.P., there’s a mystical figure who controls it all?

His name is Heikki Lunta, the Finnish snow god, and depending on who you ask, he’s either a blessing or a curse.

The Birth of a Legend

Unlike the ancient deities of Finland’s mythology, Heikki Lunta isn’t a centuries-old figure from the homeland. Instead, he was born—or rather, invented—in 1970 by a man named David Riutta, a radio host from the town of Atlantic Mine, Michigan.

That year, the Upper Peninsula was facing an unusual problem: there wasn’t enough snow. A local snowmobile race was at risk of being canceled, and in a region that prides itself on its winter sports, this was a disaster.

Riutta, inspired by Finnish folklore and the U.P.’s deep Finnish roots, decided to take matters into his own hands. He wrote a song: The Heikki Lunta Snow Dance Song—a catchy, folksy tune asking the mythical Heikki Lunta to bring the snow. The song debuted on Hancock’s WMPL radio station, and soon, something incredible happened.

The snow started falling. And then it kept falling.

And falling.

Until there was so much snow that the very race the song was meant to save had to be canceled.

When Too Much of a Good Thing Becomes a Problem

At first, people were amused. The idea that a simple song could summon a blizzard was a fun coincidence—until the snow refused to stop. That winter, the U.P. was pummeled with storm after storm, burying roads and making everyday life a battle against the elements. Some locals, weary from endless shoveling, began to blame The Heikki Lunta Snow Dance Song for their snow-induced suffering.

Sensing the growing frustration, Riutta responded the best way he knew how—by writing a follow-up song: Heikki Lunta, Go Away. This new tune was a plea for the snow to stop, an attempt to reverse the effects of his first hit.

Did it work? Well, if you’ve ever spent a winter in the U.P., you probably already know the answer.

Heikki Lunta Goes National

What started as a bit of local fun soon turned into a full-blown cultural phenomenon. The Heikki Lunta Snow Dance Song gained national attention, with mentions on The Today Show and The Tonight Show. Radio stations across the country played the song, and suddenly, people far beyond the Upper Peninsula were singing and dancing for snow.

Heikki Lunta became more than just a song—he became a symbol of the U.P.’s Finnish heritage, its deep connection to winter, and its ability to find humor in the relentless snowfall.

A U.P. Tradition Lives On

More than 50 years later, Heikki Lunta is still very much alive in the folklore of the Upper Peninsula. In fact, in the town of Negaunee, Michigan, an annual Heikki Lunta Festival is held every winter to celebrate all things snow-related. From ski races to snowshoe hikes and bonfires, the festival honors the snow god who became an icon.

But Heikki Lunta isn’t just a festival mascot—he’s a real presence for those who believe. Some still perform snow dances in his name when the flakes are slow to fall, while others whisper curses when their driveways are buried for the third time in a day.

Are You Calling for More Snow—Or Begging for It to Stop?

And so, the legend of Heikki Lunta continues. His name is spoken every winter by those who either worship his snowy gifts or shake their fists at the sky in frustration.

So, what about you? Will you sing and dance for more snow, or plead with Heikki Lunta to take a break this year?

Just remember—be careful what you wish for!

Listen to original Heikki Lunta music.

Heikki Lunta Snow Dance by David Riutta (1970)

Heikki Lunta, Go Away by David Riutta (1970)

Heikki Lunta by Da Yoopers (1991)