Ice, Snow and Saunas in Finnish Lapland
Enjoy a truly Finnish experience with a weekend of outdoor adventure, aurora watching, and a fire-and-ice sauna. 2 days off work.
Head north beyond the Arctic Circle to experience the best of winter in Finnish Lapland. Snowshoe across Pyhä-Luosto National Park and learn to ice climb one of the most magnificent ice falls in Finland. In the evenings you’ll watch for auroras, learn how to photograph them, and relax in a traditional sauna. If you’re feeling brave you can even take a dip in the adjacent frozen lake through a hole in the ice! Your ultimate Finnish experience includes:
- 2 ice climbing trips
- 1 snowshoeing trip
- 3 nights of accommodation in a comfortable cabin
- All meals
- Professional, certified, English-speaking guides
- 2 saunas (ice hole dipping optional)
- Aurora photography lesson with tripods provided
- All snowshoeing and ice climbing equipment
- Activity transfers
- Airport shuttle
- Hot drinks throughout the day
Perfect for:
This is the perfect weekend getaway if you’re looking to really shake up your winter. No ice climbing experience required—all you need is an adventurous attitude.
Need To Know
The following are not included in the trip price:
- Flights to/from Finland
- Snacks
- Alcoholic drinks
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance that covers ice climbing
- Upgrade to a private airport transfer (GBP 54 additional)
- Tips for your guide (optional)
Sure can! A lot of people do, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Our Epic Weekends are very social in nature and we’ve seen lots of new friendships born out of them. Expect a mix of solo travelers and very small groups of 2 or 3, all with a shared appreciation of escaping the city for the great outdoors to try something new and meet new people.
Ice climbing is the sport of climbing up ice walls with the aid of equipment like ice axes and crampons. Like rock climbing, you have a harness, rope and belayer to prevent you from falling. Unlike rock climbing, however, you can use your tools to carve hand and footholds wherever you need them. Also, ice climbing is not as arm-intensive at it looks. Your guides will show you how to do most of the climbing with your legs.
The climbing will keep you warm on the wall, and while you’re down at the base your guides will provide you with puffy down jackets and hot drinks to keep warm.
A basic level of fitness is needed to enjoy the snowshoeing and ice climbing. No previous experience is needed.
Your hosts are true winter adventure pros. They have been guides and leaders on trips around the world, and have gone on expeditions to Antarctica and Nepal. Their guides all have a minimum of Rope Activity Instructor certification, and many are also certified Ice Climbing Instructors.
Finnish cuisine blends traditional and modern continental foods for delicious and varied dining opportunities. Dishes commonly include fish, pork, beef or reindeer, but also involve lots of vegetables and mushrooms.
The hotel restaurant serves American style foods like burgers, chicken, ribs and nachos, as well as Lappish specialties like salmon, reindeer stew and reindeer steak.
Absolutely! Just let us know at booking.
Winters in northern Finland are very cold, so you’ll have a truly arctic experience! In January and February temperatures range from -18 to -8 °C. In March and April is warms up a bit, ranging from -13 to 3 °C. It snows about half the days each month. Days are very short, but that just increases your chances of seeing the Northern Lights!
Layers are essential for the cold climate, especially since you’ll be alternating between activity and rest while ice climbing.
- Waterproof and windproof top and bottom
- Down or other insulated jacket
- Warm fleece or sweater
- Thermal top and bottom
- 2 pairs of gloves
- Warm hat and/or balaclava
- Neck gaiter or scarf
- Multiple pairs of wool or synthetic socks
- Warm, waterproof boots
- Swimsuit
Round-trip airport transfers on the SkiBus are included in your costs, or you can upgrade to a private transfer for an additional GBP 54.
SkiBus: The Skibus travels between the airport and Pyhä several times a day. Check the updated timetable. Catch the 18:05 bus at the latest. Travel time: 2 hours.
To find the bus, exit the airport through the main doors; the bus stop is 30m away. The bus driver will already have your reservation. Show your passport and you’re good to go. The 5th and final stop is right in front of your hotel.
We will contact you before you leave to check your arrival and departure plans.
We’ve teamed up with the guys at World Nomads to offer insurance designed for adventurous travellers across 140 countries that includes overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities. To get yours sorted, click here.
Got a question not covered here? Contact the host.
Location
Pyhä (pronounced poo-haa) is a small town in north-central Finnish Lapland. The town is based around a ski mountain and is home to a handful of restaurants, chalets and saunas. Where Pyhä excels is in its easy access to the surrounding wilderness.
Just 300m from Hotel Pyhätunturi is Pyhä-Luosto National Park. The park preserves a unique landscape of 12 tunturis, the remnants of 2-billion-year-old mountains. The mountains were once comparable to the Alps, but now they rise to just over 500m.
Between the chain of tunturis the landscape ranges from deep ravines to gentle valleys and scattered evergreen forests. The park is home to otters, bears, moose, reindeer, jays, buzzards and more.
Start point
Rovaniemi Airport by 17:30
Your adventure begins at Rovaniemi Airport (RHV). You should aim to get a flight arriving no later than this time so you can get to Pyhä by 20:00 on Friday evening to meet you guides and enjoy the evening activities.
Rovaniemi Airport (RVN) is served by regular, inexpensive flights, including direct flights from London on Norwegian Air Shuttle. You can get any flights that suit you, but please arrive at RVN by 17:30 on Friday. You can always fly through Helsinki before of after the trip to give yourself more flight options as well as a chance to explore the capital.
SkiBus: Round-trip airport transfers on the SkiBus are included in your costs. The Skibus travels between the airport and Pyhä several times a day. Catch the 18:05 bus at the latest. Travel time: 2 hours.
To find the bus, exit the airport through the main doors; the bus stop is 30m away. The bus driver will already have your reservation. Show your passport and you’re good to go. The 5th and final stop is right in front of your hotel.
Private transfer: You can chose to add a private transfer for an additional £54. Your host will meet you in the arrivals area with a sign. Travel time: 1.5 hours.
Finish point
Rovaniemi Airport - 11:00
Your guides will drop you off at the Skibus stop in Pyhä for your return trip, or, if you chose a private transfer, you’ll be dropped off directly at Rovaniemi Airport (RVN). Check with your host for the best return flight options.
What to Expect
Friday: Arrival and aurora photography
Arrive at Rovaniemi Airport and either meet up with your optional private transfer or hop on the Skibus to Pyhä. Your guide will be waiting for you at the last bus stop and take you to Cabin.
You’ll then have dinner together with your fellow adventurers, and your Guide will explain the plans for the weekend.
In the evening you’ll head outside to hunt auroras. Your guides will bring tripods and teach you how to photograph the Northern Lights so you can show your friends back home just how amazing it was.
Saturday: Snowshoeing and ice climbing
Enjoy breakfast at the Cabin, then clip on your snowshoes and head into Pyhä-Luosto National Park.
You’ll walk across a frozen landscape of ravines, meadows, valleys and tunturis, the remnants of 2 billion-year-old mountains.
Break around midday for a campfire lunch, then return to your hotel to warm up and change gears.
In the afternoon you’ll walk just 10 minutes away to a local ice fall to try your hand at ice climbing. Under the expert instruction of your guides you’ll learn to use axes and crampons to ascend a frozen waterfall safely and with ease.
Back at the cabin, you’ll pack up for tomorrow’s adventure before unwinding in the sauna. Don’t forget to check outside for auroras.
5 hours snowshoeing, 3 hours ice climbing
Sunday: Korouma Canyon ice climbing
Wake up early for a 2-hour drive to Korouma Canyon, one of the top ice climbing destinations in Lapland.
From the trailhead you’ll hike down into the canyon where you’ll be faced with the highest ice wall in the country.
Spend the day climbing the high quality ice at the Charlie Brown and Mammoth areas.
You’ll hone the skills you learned the previous day until you’re climbing ice like a natural, and all the while you’ll be surrounded by the gorgeous winter wilderness. It’s an experience like no other.
In the afternoon you’ll hike along the canyon bottom back to the car. You’ll pass unique ice features, cross a frozen creek, and look for animal tracks in the fresh snow.
Stop to cook a hot lunch and learn tips for building a fire in the arctic, then finish the hike to the car.
Back in town you can enjoy the sauna with a truly Finnish twist: your guides will cut a hole through the lake ice so you can take a refreshing dip before heating up in the sauna!
4 – 5 hours ice climbing
Monday: Departure
Enjoy your last breakfast in Finland, then take your private transfer or catch the Skibus back to the airport.
Return home with incredible stories and pictures to share with your friends.
Note: This itinerary and the duration of the activities are subject to change due to group abilities and preferences, weather conditions and forecasts, special events, etc.
Accommodation
Guests stay together in a cabin in Pyhä – the genuine Lapland way! After a day of Arctic adventures it is blissful to step in the warm ambiance of a cabin in the woods, and enjoy roaring fires and a sauna.
The cabins are equipped with clothes dryers, a shared kitchen with facilities such as filter coffee maker, electric kettle, microwave oven, 24/7 complimentary WiFi, WCs and a shower.
They are located a 5 minute walk for the holiday resort’s reception, where also a nutritious buffet breakfast will be available to keep explorers fuelled. There is also a bar and relaxing lounge area for evenings.
You will typically stay in twin or triple rooms (with a shared bathroom). Double or triple rooms are available on request.
If you are a solo traveller and would like to have a private room, this is available for a charge of €50 per night, subject to availability. Please ask when booking.
Dates & Prices
Prices include
Accommodation · Airport Transfers · Equipment · Guide · Local Transport · Meals As Described · Happiness Guaranteed · 100% Financial Protection
Please note: Flights are NOT included and must be purchased separately.
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Optional Extras
Make your life easy. Once you have reserved your space, your host can help you arrange the extras you’ll need. Here are some guide prices which can be confirmed with you during booking.
| 1 Night - Double Room Hotel Pyhätunturi | Payable Before Departure |
|---|---|
| 1 Night - Double Room Hotel Pyhätunturi (sleeps 2) | · · · Per Night |
| Private Airport Transfer (min of 4) | Payable Before Departure |
|---|---|
| Private Airport Transfer Retour (p.p.) | · · · |
