Ice, Snow and Saunas in Finnish Lapland
Ice-climb a frozen waterfall, hunt for the northern lights and trek across untouched powder. Eyes open for reindeer, moose and bear
Ice, Snow and Saunas in Finnish Lapland
Ice-climb a frozen waterfall, hunt for the northern lights and trek across untouched powder. Eyes open for reindeer, moose and bear
DURATION
3 nights
LOCATION
Finland
ANNUAL LEAVE
2 days off work
SEASON
Dec-Mar
GROUP SIZE
Up to 12 people
MEETING POINT
Rovaniemi Airport, Finland
ACCOMMODATION
Cabin
DIFFICULTY
Moderate
There's a lot going on during this trip - snowshoeing, climbing, hiking - but a basic level of fitness will handle it all.
Head beyond the Arctic Circle and into the frosty landscape of the Pyhä-Luosto National Park
Don your crampons and ice axes and climb the Korouma Canyon, the highest ice wall in Finland
Chase and learn how to photograph the aurora borealis. It's wildfire in the sky
All our reviews are verified
We only invite travellers to leave a review if they have booked this trip with Much Better Adventures.
— Dalen, December 2021
Ice climbing - epic! Best way to spend a weekend. We did so much in a day - it’s amazing and hard to believe given it being winter and barely any sunlight. Loved that they had spare puffer jackets - so while there was breaks between ice climbing you could stay warm. We were able to appreciate and take it all in the surroundings while snowshoeing. And the views in the national parks were dreamy! Kai and Sampo were excellent guides very knowledgeable - always up for a laugh. Cannot stop raving about the amazingness of this adventure! One of the best holidays I’ve been on!
— Clare Louise, December 2021
Wonderful guides and experience! Saw the Northern Lights on new year's day, and had a really special time, from ice climbing, snow shoeing, enjoying a sauna and ice dip. Thanks for such a unique experience
— Ted, March 2022
Wouldn't change a thing. Really fantastic trip, would recommend to anyone!
— Anna, March 2022
Absolutely faultless; the itinerary is so well organised that you will do and experience so much, yet won't feel as though the trip is rushed. It feels like a week away rather than just a weekend. The activities are brilliant fun, and you'll feel very accomplished each evening whilst enjoying the warmth and comfort of your cabin, alongside great food and new friends. The guides are amazing; complete experts in their field; knowledgeable; and are very supportive. I would recommend this trip in a heartbeat to anyone after a magical, wintery adventure!
— Sarah, March 2022
What a trip - couldnt recommend enough!! The itinerary was packed with fantastic snow adventure activities but also enough time to relax and enjoy the atmosphere. To the high quality equipment used to delicious campfire lunches & comfy accommodation& restaurant this was a well thought out trip. A huge thank you to the guides Jukka & Arturri -professional, passionate & funny. Went above and beyond to make this trip special! Our group were constantly laughing (mainly at each other falling in deep snow!) Booking this ‘weekend’ trip was the best decision as felt like been away for a full weeks holiday. Thank you Muchbetteradventures!
— Elliot, February 2022
Had a fantastic time in Finland, got to see the northern lights a few times which was amazing! Take note of the kit list, gloves/layers are needed especially when ice climbing! If you thinking about doing this trip then my suggestion would be to just do it!!!
— Nicole, February 2022
We had an amazing time on this trip. Sampo and the team of guides were fantastic and packed so much into the weekend. This was truly the best activity holiday we have ever been on. Pyha and the canyon are both stunning areas that are just perfect. We also got to see the northern lights clearly on 2 of the nights and Wow!!
— David, March 2022
I joined this tour to mark my 60th birthday and had some reservations about being "too old" or perhaps not "cool" enough to join the broader group (average age @ 35) but I can state that I was made to feel very welcome and a core part of the team. Certainly fitness was not an issue and often my experience enabled me to be self sufficient and to enjoy the tour to the max.
— Elizabeth, February 2022
Fabulous trip! Snow shoeing, ice climbing and the sauna/ice dip were all amazing. Our guides were great and kept us all safe and warm. It was exhausting but 100% worth it. Top tip: Snacks, three pairs of gloves and foot/hand warmers! Your feet./hands get pretty cold when you're waiting for your turn to climb. And bring a sense of adventure - it is wild, remote and the weather is unpredictable. This is now in my top 3 trips and I've done a lot!
— J, February 2022
My partner and I had a brilliant time in Finland. It was such a relief to escape our busy worlds and be looked after from start to finish. Picked up promptly by smiling Sampo, and then taken seamlessly into our first day, enjoying a spectacular northern lights display, total unexpected! The snowshoeing and ice climbing the following day were at a relaxed pace so that everyone could enjoy it, and we learned how to ice climb with patient instructors. Accommodation in cabins in the woods included our own sauna! Food was an unlimited buffet each day except the last where we experienced true Finnish hospitality. I loved the ice climbing. It was challenging and stunning. Thank you to all the guides. Can't wait for my next trip!
Included
Guides
Expert, friendly, English-speaking guides
Accommodation
3 nights in a genuine Lapland cabin
Meals
Delicious and filling Finnish cooking
Transfers
To and from the airport and everything in between
Equipment
All the snowshoeing and ice climbing equipment you'll need
Not Included
Flights to and from the meeting point
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
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. Check the updated timetable. Catch the 18:05 bus at the latest on Day 1. Travel time: 2 hours.
Travel options
There are regular flights to Rovaniemi Airport (RVN) from major airports across the UK and Europe.
Day 1
Cabin · Twin or triple share
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 3
Cabin · Twin or triple share
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4
Departure day
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 hotel restaurant 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 on your passenger info form.
What is the accommodation like?
Pyhä
You'll be staying in a cabin in the woods – the genuine Lapland way! After a day of Arctic adventures, it is blissful to step in the warm ambience 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 from the 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 rooms are available on request.
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).
Day 1
The adventure begins
Hiking
2hrs · 1km · 70m up · 70m down
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
5hrs · 9km · 400m up · 400m down
Ice Climbing
2.5hrs · 600m
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 Korouma Canyon
Ice Climbing
4-5hrs · 600m
Wake up early and drive to the Korouma 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.
15% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 15% discount on us to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What's included?
All the snowshoeing and ice climbing equipment you'll need
What do I need to bring?
- Waterproof and windproof top and bottom
- Insulated/ Down 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 (seriously)
Double/Twin Room in Pyhä. Prices from:
Payable Before Departure
Double/Twin Room in Pyhä. Prices from:
… Per Night
Single Room in Pyhä. Prices from:
Payable Before Departure
Single Room in Pyhä. Prices from:
… Per Night
Optional Private Room Upgrade
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room Upgrade
…
Private Airport Transfer (min. 3 people)
Payable Before Departure
Private Airport Transfer (min. 3 people)
… Per Person
We've crunched the numbers to work out the total carbon footprint of this trip, and plant enough trees to suck 2x as much back out the atmosphere.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 69kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal for 2022 to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. For every person booked with us since 2016 we’re planting enough trees to suck at least 2x more carbon out the atmosphere than is emitted by their trips. All native trees, as part of amazing projects that are re-foresting degraded land, tackling the biodiversity crisis and supporting local communities at the same time. We go further than that too, also funding re-wilding projects worldwide to help protect important keystone species from extinction. See the reforestation and re-wilding schemes we support. See our carbon action plan.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
To enjoy the snowshoeing and ice climbing a basic level of fitness is needed, however no previous experience is required.
Sure can! Over 50% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
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!
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.
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.
Round-trip airport transfers on the SkiBus are included in your costs, or you can upgrade to a private transfer for an additional £54.
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.
Any excess luggage you bring with you can be safely left in your accommodation while you are out adventuring.
Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.
Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our adventures. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure.
Your insurance policy should also include specific Covid-19 cover, including cancellation and curtailment cover if you, your travel companion or a close relative are diagnosed with Covid-19.
We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're in good company. Our adventures are typically made up of a mix of solo travellers and small groups of two or three friends who simply love adventure, pushing themselves and meeting awesome like-minded people. See here for more info about our lovely bunch of Much Better Adventurers.
Want to book a private trip? Just tap ‘Private Group’ in the dates and prices tab.
Your trip is led by carefully curated local hosts and expert guides. See here for more info about the guides we work with.
Full Financial Protection
Your money is safe. Every booking is fully financially protected.
Pay In Installments
You can choose to pay for this trip in as many installments as you like, with no interest or fees.
