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Adventures / Adventure Tapas

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

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Adventures / Adventure Tapas

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
Feb, Mar
GROUP SIZE
Up to 7 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

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 20:00 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 for an additional £54. 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.

What about all the carbon?

We mitigate 4x the carbon generated by all our customer flights annually through our partnership with Cool Earth.

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 specialties like salmon, reindeer stew and reindeer steak.

Dietary needs can be accommodated - just let the hosts know on booking.

What is the accommodation like?

Pyhä

You'll be staying in a warm cabin in the woods - the genuine Lapland way!

Upgrades

For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room can be booked for €150 USD per person, subject to availability. Please request this when booking.

Day 1

The adventure begins

Hiking

2hrs

Head into the Finish 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, rug 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 its glory.

Day 2

Trek and snowshoe the Pyhä-Luosto National Park

Hiking

5hrs

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 (approx 3 hours). 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

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.

Please Note

All our adventures take place in wild places. Things can go wrong in wild places. Your perfectly planned itinerary may change a bit (or a lot) if the weather turns, someone gets hurt, or a volcano erupts. Usually though, changes make it all the better.

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, Runner's Need, and Cycle Surgery.

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)

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.

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.

We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book the trip, just to cover you for any last minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!

All of our group adventures are especially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded.

"I cannot recommend this highly enough! The people on the trip were amazing. Easily the best trip I've ever been on!" Charlotte, 2019, Trustpilot.

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