Intro to Nordic Skiing
Spend a week exploring the Arctic wilderness, learning the skills of Nordic backcountry skiing and experiencing the simple joys of life in the north.
Location: Finnish Lapland
Difficulty: Level 2 ▲ ▲ △ △
Duration: 8 days
Group Size: 6-8 Guests
Groups: Mixed & Women Only
Price: £2,200pp
Dates: January - April
Best for: Those wanting to learn a new skill in a beautiful place, enjoying a lovely cabin for the week and finishing with an overnight trip to a wilderness cabin for a night off-grid.
Trip Overview
Ever wanted to spend a week skiing through snow-covered forests, cooking lunch over an open fire and warming up in a traditional Finnish sauna? This trip is the perfect introduction to Nordic backcountry skiing and life in the Arctic.
Designed for complete beginners, you'll spend the week building your confidence on skis while exploring the beautiful landscapes of Finnish Lapland alongside a small group of like-minded adventurers. Finishing the week skiing to a remote wilderness cabin for a night off-grid. Hoping for the northern lights to appear above us.
Why you’ll love this trip
Learn a new skill
Master the basics of Nordic backcountry skiing in a supportive environment. Gaining confidence on the ski’s each day.
The best way to explore the Arctic wilderness
Spend your days skiing through snow-covered forests and frozen landscapes. Up and over fells experiencing the best of Finland.
Chance to see the Northern Lights
Fingers crossed you will get to watch the Arctic sky dance overhead above us.
No experience needed
You don't need to be an athlete or outdoor expert - just curious, happy to be moving everyday and up for trying something new.
Small-group adventure
Share the week with an experienced wilderness guide and a small group of like-minded people and make friends for life.
Sleep in an off-grid wilderness hut
We finish the week with a trip to a remote wilderness hut in the National park.
Trip Dates 2027
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
Arrive at our cabin in Kilopää and meet your guide and fellow adventurers. We will then go through the plan for the week and enjoy dinner together.
Day six & seven / overnight trip
To finish off the week we will ski 12km out to a remote wilderness cabin where we will spend the night. Collecting our water from the stream and enjoying life off grid before returning back to our cabin the next day.
Day two-five / ski days
We will head out each day exploring a different part of the national park. Focusing on different terrains, and building up confidence on the skis. Mid-week you will have a day off to explore the local area.
Day eight / departure
There are no activities planned today so you are free to depart anytime from basecamp.
What’s included
Seven nights' accommodation in our cosy traditional Finnish log cabin (Shared rooms)
All breakfasts, lunches and dinners throughout the trip
Expert Sidetracked Adventures guide
Nordic backcountry ski hire and instruction
1 night in an off-grid wilderness cabin
Traditional Finnish sauna
What’s not included
International flights and travel to our basecamp in Kiilopää.
Evening meal on the half day off
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.
Accommodation
You'll spend the week staying in our cosy Finnish log cabin on the edge of Urho Kekkonen National Park. After a day on the trails, there's nowhere better to return to than a warming sauna, a hearty home-cooked meal and a hot drink by the fire.
For our overnight adventure, we'll spend a night in a remote off-grid wilderness cabin deep in the Arctic landscape. We'll collect water from the frozen lake, keep warm beside the wood-burning stove and experience the simple pleasures of life in the Finnish wilderness. Accommodation is in a traditional shared bunk room – basic, cosy and all part of the adventure.
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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No previous experience is needed. We'll teach you everything you need to know during the week. A good level of fitness is more important than any technical ability.
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You'll need a reasonable level of fitness and be happy spending 5-6 hours outdoors each day. Arctic conditions can be challenging at times, so being comfortable managing your clothing layers and embracing whatever the weather throws at us will help you get the most out of the trip.
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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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You'll spend most of the week staying in our cosy Finnish log cabin on the edge of the national park, complete with comfortable shared rooms and a traditional Finnish sauna.
For our overnight adventure, we'll stay in a remote off-grid wilderness cabin deep in the Arctic landscape, where we'll collect water from the frozen lake and keep warm beside a wood-burning stove.
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You'll be well fed throughout the week! One of your guides will prepare hearty, home-cooked vegetarian meals using local ingredients, including some traditional Finnish dishes. Lunches will be enjoyed outside or in a hut while breakfasts are served buffet-style at the cabin. You'll also have the opportunity to dine at a local restaurant on the mid-week half day off. Please inform us of any dietary requirements and we will do our best to cater for it.
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No problem at all. Everything is optional, and because we're based in the same cabin for the entire week, you're welcome to take a day off whenever you'd like. Whether you'd prefer to explore the local area, relax in the sauna or simply enjoy a quiet day at the cabin, the choice is yours. You do have a day off mid week planned into the schedule.
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If you fly into Ivalo Airport, there is a local airport transfer bus that stops just a short walk from the cabin after each flight. Buses from Rovaniemi are less frequent, so we recommend checking the timetable before booking. We're always happy to help if you need advice on travel arrangements.
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We meet at the cabin from 6pm on the first day of the trip. The final day is departure day, with no planned activities, so you're free to leave at a time that suits your onward travel plans.
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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.