Ski traverse, winter camping & wilderness huts in Urho Kekkonen National Park
March 2026 | Limited recce departure
This March, we’re heading deep into the Arctic wilderness to recce a brand-new Sidetracked expedition — a multi-day backcountry ski journey through the vast, silent landscapes of Urho Kekkonen National Park.
This is not a cabin-based trip. This is a moving expedition.
Over six days, we’ll start at our basecamp and teach you all the basic skills for skiing and prepping gear ready for a mini Arctic expedition. We will sleep in traditional lavvus, wilderness huts, and setup our dreamy winter camps, carrying what we need and moving slowly through one of Europe’s last true wildernesses.
This recce is about exploration — testing a new route, refining an itinerary, and experiencing the park in its purest form. You’ll be part of that process.
Expect frozen rivers, endless birch forests, open fells stretching to the horizon, and the deep quiet that only exists in the Arctic winter.
The Journey
This expedition is designed as a progressive traverse, building skills and confidence as we move deeper into the wilderness.
We begin with a snowshoe day to settle into the environment, refine layering systems, and prepare for the journey ahead. Then we transition onto backcountry Nordic skis, learning the basics before heading out for a mini 3-day expedition.
Each night we’ll stay in a mix of:
Off grid wilderness huts
Traditional Finnish lavvus (open wooden shelters) with a campfire
and a carefully chosen winter camp location
Evenings are spent melting snow, cooking together, sharing stories, and watching the Arctic sky shift above us.
This is slow, intentional travel - deeply immersive, deeply rewarding.
Trips Date
25th March - 1st April 2026 - 3 spots left
Special recce price £995 - Includes all accommodation, food, gear and guide (Normal price would be be £2350)
Why this is a recce trip?
This expedition is part of developing a brand-new Sidetracked route launching next winter. By joining, you’ll:
Experience a completely new itinerary before anyone else
Help shape the future of this expedition
Travel with a small, committed team
Access this trip at a significantly reduced recce price
The route, camp locations, and daily distances may adapt depending on snow, weather, and what we learn along the way.
This flexibility is part of the experience.
What’s included
Professional Sidetracked expedition guide
All accommodation (cabin, huts, lavvus, camps)
All meals during the expedition
Backcountry Nordic ski hire
Ski boots hire
Snowshoe equipment
Expedition safety equipment and communications
Route planning and logistics
What’s Not Included
Flights and travel to Finland
Winter Sleeping bag (can be rented)
Personal insurance
Personal clothing and equipment (full kit list provided)
Accommodation
This expedition includes a mix of cosy Finnish cabin (4 nights) a remote wilderness hut (1 night) a traditional Finnish lavvu (1 night) and winter camping (1 night)
These are simple, functional, and deeply atmospheric places that connect you directly to the environment.
Expedition Level & Fitness
You do not need previous expedition experience.
You should:
be comfortable being active outdoors for 4–7 hours per day
have a positive, resilient mindset
be open to learning and adapting
be excited by wilderness and simplicity
We move at a steady, manageable pace and fully support you throughout.
Reserve your place
TRIP DEPOSIT
Secure your place on this trip with a £300 deposit. The full amount will then be due 2 weeks before the trip departs.
EQUIPMENT & CLOTHES
A detailed recommended packing list for personal items to bring will be sent with your booking documentation.
For some handy tips on what you might want to pack click here
FULL T&CS
For full booking terms and conditions please click here.
Any other questions? (FAQ)
WHAT SHOULD I PACK?
For some handy tips on what you might want to pack click here
WHERE DO I FLY TO?
Ivalo airport is a short bus journey from the starting point of our trip or Rovaniemi airport is around 3.5hrs from the starting point. Always check the bus times before you book your flights as buses do not run after every flight.
How do I get to the cabin?
If you fly into Ivalo airport there is a local transfer bus after every flight that can drop you off 10 minutes away from the cabin. The busses are less frequent from Rovaniemi so it’s worth checking before you book.
What time do we need to arrive?
We meet at 5pm in our cabin on the first day of the trip and you are free to leave anytime on the final day of the trip as there are no activities planned.
WHAT SHOULD MY SKIING/SNOWSHOE ABILITY BE?
You don’t need any previous experience we will teach you everything you need to know but you will need a good level of fitness to enjoy the trip. If you have skied before it will help with the basics but the skiing style is quite different so it will be a new experience for you.
WHAT WILL THE GROUP SIZE BE?
We keep our groups nice and small, so we run the trips with a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 8.
DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE?
Yes, travel insurance is a must. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the appropriate insurance to cover you for all aspects of this trip, including cancellation.
CAN I COME ON MY OWN?
Yes of course - most people that join us do! It’s a great trip to meet new like-minded friendly people.
HOW FIT DO I HAVE TO BE?
You need to have a good level of fitness and be happy to be outdoors for 6-7 hours in the day. The conditions can be very testing so you need to be able to manage your layers in the cold too.
Any more questions?
Feel free to send us an email or a message if you want to know any more about our trips.
