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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
Day eight / departure
There are no activities planned today so you are free to depart anytime from basecamp.
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.
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.
Terms & Conditions
Please take a moment to read our booking terms and conditions before securing your place on the trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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This is our most 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.
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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.
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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 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.
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Expect hearty, homemade expedition meals designed to keep you fuelled throughout the week. Everything is vegetarian and we do our best to use local and natural ingredients wherever possible. If you have any dietary requirements, just let us know when booking and we will do our best to cater for them.
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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.
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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.
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Yes. Travel insurance is mandatory for all of our trips and should cover cancellation, medical expenses and adventure activities included within your itinerary.
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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.