Arctic Wilderness Traverse

Ski across the frozen landscapes of Finnish Lapland, pull your own expedition sled and spend your nights camping beneath the stars and staying in remote wilderness huts.

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Location: Finnish Lapland

Difficulty: Level 4 ▲▲▲▲

Duration: 8 Days

Group Size: 5-7 Guests

Groups: Mixed & Women Only

Price: £2450

Dates: January - April

Best for: You want a challenge of heading off trail in the winter, sleeping in expedition tents, open shelters and remote wilderness cabins.

Trip Overview

This is more than a ski trip, it's a true Arctic expedition.

Over six days, we'll travel through the remote wilderness of Finnish Lapland using Nordic backcountry skis and expedition sleds, carrying everything we need for life in the Arctic. We'll ski across frozen lakes, camp beneath vast winter skies and warm ourselves beside wood-burning stoves in remote wilderness huts.

Expect challenging days, incredible landscapes and the unique satisfaction that comes from travelling through the wilderness entirely under your own steam.

Snow-covered landscape with numerous trees and three people hiking with snowshoes or skis, under a cloudy sky.
Four people in winter gear with ski poles and a sled, standing on snow-covered ground in a snowy mountain landscape at sunset with pink sky, and a red marker with a white cross in the foreground.
Person in winter gear sitting inside a snow tent outdoors, with a clear sky in the background.

Why you’ll love this trip

Travel Like a True Arctic Explorer
Learn how to travel efficiently through the Arctic wilderness using Nordic backcountry skis and sleds.

Camp Beneath the Arctic Sky
Experience the magic of winter camping in one of Europe's last great wildernesses.

Sleep in Remote Wilderness Huts & Finnish Laves
Spend your nights warming up beside the fire in traditional off-grid cabins or open shelters deep in the national park.

Challenge Yourself
Push yourself physically and mentally on one of our most rewarding adventures.

Learn Expedition Skills
From pulling sleds and managing layers to cooking outdoors in winter, you'll develop practical wilderness skills throughout the week.

Disconnect Completely
No roads, no WiFi and no distractions. Just snow, fjells and good company.

Trip Dates 2027

28 JAN - 4 FEB

MIXED GROUP

£2,200 pp

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27 MARCH - 3 APRIL

MIXED GROUP

£2,200 pp

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Trip Deposit

Secure your place on a trip with a £300 deposit. The full amount will then be due 90 days prior to the trip's departure.

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What to expect…

Day one / arrival day

Arrive at our basecamp on the edge of the national park and meet your guide and fellow adventurers, settle into our cosy cabin and have a trip briefing about your upcoming week.

kiilopaa basecamp sidetracked northern lights
kiilopaa basecamp sidetracked northern lights

Day two-six / ski days

Ski from 10-18km each day through snow-covered forests and over arctic fells, spending your nights in tents, laves and remote wilderness cabins. Exploring off the beaten track and enjoying life off-grid.

Group of five hikers walking through snow in a winter landscape, pulling sleds loaded with gear.
Group of five hikers walking through snow in a winter landscape, pulling sleds loaded with gear.

Day seven / ski day

On day 7 we will return back to our basecamp cabin after an incredible week off-grid exploring Urho Kekkonen National Park. The team will enjoy a sauna and we will celebrate with dinner in a local restaurant.

A wooden cabin surrounded by snow-covered trees in a winter landscape, with snow on the ground and a clear sky

Day eight / departure

There are no activities planned today so you are free to depart anytime from basecamp.

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What’s included

  • Six days of backcountry Nordic skiing.

  • 1 night in a remote wilderness cabin, and 4 nights in tents and open shelters

  • Two nights at our cosy Finnish basecamp (including breakfast).

  • Nordic ski, ski boots and sled hire.

  • Expert guiding throughout the trip.

  • All expedition meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner whilst on the trail).

  • Traditional Finnish sauna experience.

  • Small-group adventure with like-minded travellers.

What’s not included

  • International flights and travel to our basecamp in Kiilopää.

  • Evening meal on the final night of the trip.

  • Personal travel insurance.

Travelling to Finnish Lapland

We're always happy to help you plan your journey to our basecamp. Wherever possible, we encourage guests to travel by public transport to help minimise the environmental impact of our trips.

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Equipment & Clothes

We'll send you a detailed packing list as part of your booking documentation, including clothing recommendations and everything you'll need for a comfortable week in the Arctic.

Looking for a little inspiration? Check out our winter packing guide below.

View our packing guide

Terms & Conditions

Please take a moment to read our booking terms and conditions before securing your place on the trip.

View our T&C's
A person dressed in winter gear, including a blue jacket, orange vest, and gray beanie, stands among snow-covered trees while holding trekking poles in a snowy forest.
A man outdoors in snowy conditions, pouring a beverage from a thermos into clay cups on a metal tray, wearing winter clothing and gloves, with snow-covered trees in the background.
A blue tent set up in a snowy landscape during sunset, with snow-covered trees and horizon in the background.
Person in winter gear pouring hot beverage into a mug inside a tent.
A winter landscape with a snow-covered plain and a few tents set up, with snowmobiles nearby and a person standing outside. The sky has a gradient of pink, purple, and blue as the sun sets or rises.
People having breakfast in a cozy cabin kitchen with sunlight streaming through a window, using bowls and mugs on a wooden table.
A nighttime scene of the northern lights (aurora borealis) illuminating the sky in green hues, with silhouetted tall pine trees around a small wooden cabin. The cabin emits a warm light from a window, contrasting with the cold, dark surroundings and
A person wearing winter gear and a furry hat, sitting inside a wooden shelter labeled 'SALONLAMP,' with outdoor gear around, and another person partially visible beside them.
A man in winter outdoor gear smiling while standing on snow, holding ski poles, with a large backpack, wearing a helmet and goggles, in a snowy landscape.
A blue camping tent set up in the snow with a backpack nearby and a red sled or kayak in the foreground, amid a snowy landscape.
A man in a blue jacket, black pants, and a gray beanie is cross-country skiing in a snowy forest, pulling a sled behind him.
A snow-covered landscape with numerous small, leafless trees scattered across a hilly area. In the foreground, there is a small house with a snow-covered roof and four chimney pipes.
A person wearing a black beanie, red mirrored ski goggles, a beige jacket, and carrying an orange backpack, standing in a snowy landscape with snowmobiles in the background.
Skis and poles standing in snow at sunset or sunrise in a snowy landscape.
Person in a red jacket and yellow gloves crossing skis on snow, arms raised, with camping tents and gear nearby in a snowy landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • This isn't the right trip if you've never skied before. We'd recommend joining our Intro to Nordic Skiing adventure first, where you'll learn the skills and techniques needed for Nordic backcountry skiing in a supportive environment. Or if you have a good level of fitness and some alpine experience then you can join our shorter Hut-to-Hut trip.

  • This is a challenging winter adventure, so a good level of fitness is essential. You'll be skiing for around 6-7 hours a day, covering between 8 and 20 km depending on the terrain and snow conditions.

    You'll also take turns pulling a shared expedition sled weighing approximately 30-40 kg. Some days will feel tougher than others, but if you enjoy being active and are up for pushing yourself a little, you'll find this adventure incredibly rewarding.

  • Absolutely. Most of our guests join our trips solo and quickly become part of the group. Our small-group adventures are a brilliant way to meet like-minded people.

  • We'll spend the first and final nights at our cosy Finnish basecamp cabin in Kiilopaa which is a modern cabin before heading into the wilderness. The remaining nights are spent in remote wilderness huts, Finnish laves (open wooden shelters) and expedition tents within the national park. The huts are simple but comfortable, with bunk beds, wood-burning stoves and outdoor dry toilets. There is no electricity or Wi-Fi, just beautiful surroundings and good company.

  • Expect hearty, home-cooked vegetarian meals designed to keep you fuelled for long days in the Arctic. We'll introduce you to some of our favourite Finnish flavours and use simple, wholesome ingredients wherever possible.

    On camping nights, we'll enjoy high-quality dehydrated expedition meals. Dietary requirements can usually be catered for, just let us know when booking.

  • We recommend flying into Ivalo Airport, which is just a 35-minute bus ride from our meeting point in Kiilopää. Alternatively, you can fly into Rovaniemi and take a 3.5-hour bus journey just make sure to check the bus times as they only run a couple of times a day. We're always happy to help you plan your travel arrangements.

  • Please plan to arrive at our basecamp cabin in Kiilopää by 6 pm on the first day of the trip. You can arrive a bit later but aim to be with us before 8pm and we'll have a group briefing, go through the plan for the week and pack our sleds ready to head into the wilderness the following morning.

  • Yes. Travel insurance is mandatory for all of our trips and should cover cancellation, medical expenses and adventure activities included within your itinerary.

  • We'd love to hear from you! If you're unsure whether this trip is right for you or have any questions at all, just drop us a message, we're always happy to chat adventures.

Still have questions?

Not sure if this adventure is right for you?

We'd love to help. Drop us a message and we'll happily chat through the itinerary, fitness requirements or anything else you're unsure about.