Ice, Snow and Saunas in Arctic Finland
Head to Finnish Lapland to ice-climb a frozen waterfall, seek the northern lights and trek across untouched powder – eyes open for reindeer
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with expert, friendly, English-speaking guidesCabin
3 nights in a warm and cosy Lapland cabinMeals
Delicious and filling Finnish meals are included throughoutTransfers
To and from the airport (via the SkiBus) and everything in betweenEquipment
All the snowshoeing and ice climbing equipment you'll needSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 12 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
…
What's it like?
Head beyond the Arctic Circle and into the frosty landscape of Lapland's Pyhä-Luosto National Park
Don your crampons and ice axes and climb the Korouoma Canyon, the highest ice wall in Finland
Chase and learn how to photograph the aurora borealis – it's wildfire in the sky
Key Information
Day 1
The adventure begins
Hiking
Head into the Finnish wilderness and settle into a cabin in the woods, where your guide will lay out the plan for the next few days. After a welcome dinner with your fellow adventurers, wrap up well and head outside in search of the spectacular aurora borealis. Your guides will bring tripods along and teach you how to successfully photograph the Northern Lights in all their glory.
Day 2
Trek and snowshoe the Pyhä-Luosto National Park
Snowshoeing
Ice Climbing
Clip on your snowshoes and hike out into the Pyhä-Luosto National Park - a snowy wilderness of frozen valleys, ravines and tunturis, the remnants of 2 billion-year-old mountains. Take a break around midday for a campfire lunch and then return to the cabin to warm up. In the afternoon, you’ll try your hand at ice climbing and learn how to use axes and crampons to successfully ascend a frozen waterfall. Back at the cabin, you’ll pack for tomorrow’s adventure before unwinding in a steaming hot sauna. Don’t forget to check outside for the aurora.
Day 3
Ice climb the Korouoma Canyon
Ice Climbing
Wake up early and drive to the Korouoma Canyon, one of the top climbing destinations in Lapland, where you’ll face off against the highest ice wall in the country. Spend the day honing your skills on the high quality ice at Charlie Brown and Mammoth until you’re climbing like a natural. In the afternoon you’ll hike across a landscape of frozen creeks and thick evergreen forest searching for animal tracks in the fresh snow. You’ll learn tips on how to build a fire in the arctic and then undertake a truly Finnish experience, as your guide cuts a hole through the lake ice so you can take a ‘refreshing’ dip before heating up in the nearby sauna!
Day 4
Time to go home
After a last breakfast in your cabin, catch the Skibus back to the airport and return home with some incredible stories and pictures to share with your friends.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Last Skibus stop in Pyhä
No later than 20:15 on Day 1
Ends
Skibus stop in Pyhä
Any time on Day 4
Transfers
Round-trip airport transfers on the SkiBus are included (or you can upgrade to a private transfer, see Optional Extras below). From Rovaniemi Airport (RVN), board the SkiBus to its last stop in Pyhä where your guides will meet you. The SkiBus travels between the airport and Pyhä several times a day and the journey takes around two hours. Check the current timetable – you'll need to catch the 18:05 bus at the latest on Day 1.
Travel options
There are regular flights to Rovaniemi Airport (RVN) from major airports across the UK and Europe. There may not always be direct flights on all departure start/end dates, but if you can spare an extra day, it's worth checking for direct flight schedules a day on either side. Should you wish to book additional nights' accommodation at your host's lodge in Pyhä before or after the trip, please request this via your booking: see Optional Extras for prices.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Finnish food is delicious, blending traditional and modern continental cuisine. Dishes commonly include fish, pork, beef or reindeer, but also involve lots of vegetables and mushrooms. The restaurant in Pyhä also serves American-style food like burgers, chicken, ribs and nachos, as well as Lappish specialities like salmon, reindeer stew and reindeer steak.
Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for – please just request this on your passenger info form.
What is the accommodation like?
Pyhä
You'll spend three nights in a rustic wooden lodge in the woods – the genuine Lapland way! Located in the heart of Pyhä, it's close to a shop, restaurants and the bus stop, yet the Pyhä-Luosto National Park trailheads are just 350m away. After a day of Arctic adventures, it is blissful to step into the cosy ambience and enjoy a roaring fire and relax in the sauna. The spacious lodge has seven bedrooms which you'll stay in on a twin-share basis (these can be set up as double rooms on request). The lodge is equipped with several drying cabinets, heating, TV, and WiFi. The kitchen facilities include a stove, fridge, freezer, microwave, coffee maker, toaster, water boiler, tableware and utensils. A nutritious buffet breakfast will be available to keep you fuelled. With its classic cabin design, the lodge has shared bathroom facilities with four toilets and three showers available to use, as well as its own sauna and changing room. There is also a communal lounge area to relax in, with comfy sofas to sink into after a day of adventure.
On occasion, a different lodge of a similar standard may be used depending on availability.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).
This trip has been rated as Moderate
To enjoy the snowshoeing and ice climbing a basic level of fitness is needed, however no previous experience is required.
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 climbs you'll be tackling are graded as 'Water Ice' grades WI2 to WI4.
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.
What will I need to carry?
You'll only need to carry a small daypack containing personal items during the hiking and snowshoeing activities.
Winter in northern Finland is very cold, so be prepared for a truly arctic experience! In January and February temperatures range from -18°C to -8°C. In March and April it warms up a bit, ranging from -13°C to 3°C, with snowy days around half the time. Days are very short, but that just increases your chances of seeing the Northern Lights!
Second MBA trip
This was our second trip with MBA, after hiking in Jordan in 2023.
Equally impressed this time around. Incredible guides, well organised and lucky to have another great group.
Finland didn’t disappoint either, beautiful place with plenty of activities.
Will 100% be booking another trip with MBA soon.
The most magical few days of adventure!
I had the most incredible few days, with the most gorgeous bunch or people, of hiking, ice climbing, and trying out a Finnish sauna for the first time! Inessa and Yeppa (Juan) are delightful balls of energy and never stopped looking after us! They made the trip so much fun and went above and beyond their call of duties. The lodge was stunning and the food super tasty. Would highly recommend for solo travellers like me or indeed couples. Thank you! :)
awesome ice adventure
Belter of a trip. Amazing guides, beautiful cosy lodge, delicious food, perfect itinerary. The walking and climbing was as expected, but a real bonus was learning so much about Finnish culture and outdoors life, as well as survival and how to keep warms at -25 skills!! Hard recommend, you won't regret it and will be bussing afterwards.
Brilliant!
Expertly organised trip with breathtaking scenery and unique activities. Lots of experiences packed into three days. Inessa and Jeppe are inspiring, professional instructors with considerable patience and enthusiasm, generously sharing their expertise and knowledge throughout the trip. Highly recommend.
You must try ice climbing!
What an amazing 3 days - it felt like a week of adventure and exploration. From the moment we left the airport everything was taken care of, with an easy bus ride, pick up by the wonderful Tina, and being shown around the stunning, brand new lodge before the first night. Every meal was incredible; hearty, filling and delicious, with amazing vegan options each time. The team made the trip unforgettable, with endless energy, enthusiasm, and expertise. They adapted the trip when needed due to snow conditions, providing a fantastic alternative of fat biking. The gear provided was high quality, with extra layers available when needed. The ice climbing tuition was clear and easy to follow, and everyone made huge leaps in ability by the second day, all thanks to Tiina, Max, Jeppe and Inessa. A truly memorable experience. Shout out to Niika.
Amazing trip with incredible activites and the best guides!!
Our recent trip to Finland was incredible. From the moment we arrived, we were amazed by the stunning scenery of Phya! I loved our fat biking adventure but the highlight of the trip was the ice climbing day. And it was topped off my an authentic Finnish sauna experience, followed by a plunge into the lake water. Tiina, Max, and Jeppe were incredible guides. Their knowledge of the region, their passion for the outdoors, and their dedication to ensuring our safety and enjoyment made this trip truly unforgettable. We highly recommend this trip!!
The best experience
Tiina, Max and Jeppe was amazing, helpful and made every moment of the trip unforgettable. I enjoyed everything and the organization of the program was perfect. I really wish to be maybe one more extra day. But if you want to experience the real wild North, then this is the right choice. And trust me the team there will make you want to go back for sure 💯💯✅
Amazing Finnish experience
Great team and experience, thanks to Tina, Thomas and co, snowshoeing through the national park was great and the ice climbing was definitely a unique experience! Loved the Finnish sauna and sauna in the cabin.
Amazing! You have to book it…go on then!!!!
What an amazing location!
Ice Climing was brill…you HAVE to try it, and the great thing is, anyone can! :)
Snowshoeing was good for seeing some of the sights.
Thomas, Tiina and Katarina were great guides, very knowledgeable.
Cabins that we stayed in were of a good standard.
Food that was provided was very good…we got to try reindeer and Moose, but don’t let that put you off, there are alternatives.
Incredible Arctic and Finnish Adventure
The Ice Snow and Saunas experience is incredible, there's a great mix of hiking in the snow, ice climbing, meeting new people, physical activities but also relaxation and being in nature.
The ice climb is great as it is challenging but caters to all level and the team and our guides went above and beyond throughout to make us feel looked after and safe - they did an incredible job.
The class is also a real mix of people so it's great to be in a group where you can meet people and the environment was always really friendly and positive.
Accommodation is an alpine cabin which has it's own Sauna so great to relax in at the end of the day after the activities
The location is also based at Pyhä ski resort so you can partake in other activities outside of the itinerary if you stay for longer like skiing, snowbiking.
Would highly recommend!
Would definitely recommend! A brilliant trip.
Such an amazing time with great people! We were completely looked after from start to finish and the staff were amazing. The ice climbing was a challenge but an incredible experience. We saw lots of nature and felt like we had a very authentic Lapland experience.