No Min | Max 8 Places
Backcountry Ski Tour
£1295 per person, excl flights
30 Jan – 5 Feb 2027
BACKCOUNTRY SKI TOUR, FINLAND
A backcountry hut-to-hut ski tour (no pulks) | Max 8 places
What Is Backcountry Skiing In Finland?
Backcountry skiing is off-trail cross-country skiing exploring the vast Arctic wilderness that Finland has to offer. In general terms, you make your own trails, occasionally using groomed trails. There are no pulks to pull, this is not an expedition.
Because Finland’s terrain is primarily flat or gentle rolling hills, the experience is uniquely focused on the wilderness. It is unlike backcountry skiing in the Alps or Rockies, where they focus on steep descents.
Finland uses traditional wide and long backcountry skis, as opposed to the thinner and much lighter recreational cross-country skis.
Image by Hannu Huttu
IMPORTANT – Fixed Airport Transfers
Kuusamo (airport code KAO) is a regional airport. With the small number of arrival/departures, combined with the distance of the activity from the airport, airport transfers (which are included in the price) are on a single-timed pickup and drop-off. If the transfer is missed, private transfers will be at the client’s own expense (several hundred Euros). Clients will need to fly into Helsinki (airport code HEL) and then connect to specific flights to Kuusamo. Finnair is the best airline for this schedule.
The following flights are required:
30 Jan 2027 – AY487 arriving KAO @ 1755 hrs
5 Feb 2027 – AY486 departing KAO @ 1050 hrs
If the timings you see on websites are slightly different, don’t worry, the FLIGHT Nos are the important bit.
When connecting in Helsinki, try to avoid very short connection times to avoid missing the flight to Kuusamo. It can sometimes be more convenient, cheaper, and easier to stay overnight in Helsinki.
Finland Notes
Essential information (generic) on clothing and equipment, such as waterproofs, boots, sleeping bags, daysacks and more, can be found in our dedicated Essential Information section. It also includes information on the Arctic, travel health, and travel insurance.
Generic information such as group numbers, tailor-made trips can be found on our General Information section.
Finland is a vast, lightly populated country with plenty of remote natural areas and parks to use for adventures.
Our winter activities (snowshoeing, ski touring, husky sledding, multi-activity, and family) are based in the remote Hossa National park (or very close by), on the eastern Finnish border. The ski expedition take place further north in eastern Lapland. During the winter months, these areas become a winter wonderland with a deep blanket of snow on the ground, dozens of frozen lakes, and forests probably hosting more Reindeer than people.
Download the appropriate kit list:
Snowshoeing
Backcountry Ski Tour
Ski touring (hut-to-hut, 100km & 150km)
Multi-activity holidays (including families)
Husky Safari
Passport – Please refer to the UK’s FCDO entry requirements for Finland webpage.
Visa – No visa is required for Finland for visits up to 90 days.
International & Domestic Flights – We do not include, or sell international/domestic flights. We can assist you with advice on the best flights based on our extensive experience in such matters in order to get you to, and from your destination based on your own travel plans.
If your trip flys into Kuusamo airport, it will work on a fixed single transfer. The respective trip webpage will confirm the travel details.
Fixed Airport Transfers – Due to the distance of the activity from the airport(s), and the infrequent flights, airport transfers (which are included in the price) are on a single-timed pickup and drop-off. If you miss this transfer, private transfers will be at your own expense (several hundred Euros).
You will need to fly into Helsinki and then connect to the right flights, usually to Kuusamo. Finnair is the best airline for this schedule.
Other airports are used too, such as Ivalo and Oulu.
Please check with us to confirm the flights for your trip before booking flights.
** Short connections – try to avoid very short connection times in Helsinki to avoid missing the flight to Kuusamo. Even 90 mins can be short if your previous flight departs late. It can sometimes be more convenient, cheaper, and easier to stay overnight in Helsinki between flights. **
Transfer time from Kuusamo = approx 1hr, from Oulu is = approx 3.5hr (used rarely), to Ivalo = approx 40 mins (generally only used with the Arctic Ski Expedition).
For all of our trips in Finland, the only restriction on taking baggage is that of the airline.
For trips that involve using more than one wilderness hut/cabin, you carry your daysack with you during the day with a reduced amount of overnight kit being transported for you by vehicle. There is no requirement to take all of your kit with you to the wilderness cabins. A small bag for this is useful, or share with another group member.
Return airport transfers are included on standard itineraries UNLESS otherwise stated (Finland Arctic Ski Expedition is a notable exception). Most are based on fixed specific arrival and departure flights (see the International & Domestic flight section above). The transport will be either a minibus or bus, depending on numbers.
Transfer time from Kuusamo = approx 1hr, from Oulu is = approx 3.5hr (used rarely), to Ivalo = approx 40 mins (only used at the end of the Finland Arctic Ski Expedition).
On most of our trips, the traditional Finnish sauna is available as part of the trip, some with ice dips too!
Finnish people traditionally don’t go in mixed groups or wear swimming suits. The sauna is considered to be a holy place where both body and soul are washed. Your guide will organise sauna shifts, usually ladies go first, stay about one hour, and then it’s the men’s turn. Saunas are not compulsory. If a group is small, it may be possible to have a sauna in smaller groups and an own shift for a couple.
If you do not want to have a sauna together with other people, a private washing possibility (sauna or shower), can usually be organized. Modern saunas have separate bathrooms with showers. In saunas without running water (wilderness cabins) you can wash yourself in the sauna – there is hot water, buckets, and scoops available.
The sauna at the Snowshoe and Backcountry skiing base is located on the shore of a lake and there’s a possibility for ice-swimming (dipping into the hole in the ice).
Accommodation
Snowshoeing:
On nights 1, 2, 3, and 6 we use the ‘main lodge’ with 2 – 4 person rooms, communal facilities.
Nights 4 and 5 are in dormitory-style wilderness cabins. They are basic cabins with no electricity, or running water. The group will be expected to assist in the collection of water, and the collection of wood/chopping wood (for the wood burner). Facilities are communal.
Saunas and ice swims are available in the main lodge.
Sole occupation is not possible.
100km Ski Tour:
We use a number of guesthouses with 2 – 4 person rooms with shared facilities. Sole occupation is not possible.
Multi-activity:
You will be staying in log cabins that generally sleep up to 4 people. How many people will be in them will depend on how you book. A group of 4 people can reserve a cabin to themselves, or a group of 3 can do the same. If you are travelling alone, you will be placed into a cabin with others members of the group on similar bookings status. The prices will differ for each type of booking. Single cabins are possible. The exception is night 3, it is dormitory-style (overnight with snowshoes).
Winter Families:
There are 2 options; Apartment, or a log cabin.
Apartments (58 m²). Each apartment has 5 beds over 2 floors + a convertible sofa in the living room, a bathroom (+ electric sauna (free to use)) and kitchen facilities: electric heating, fireplace, electric stove, dishwasher, microwave, coffee maker, refrigerator, TV and drying cabinet for clothes. Free wi-fi. The minimum number is 2 people in an apartment. Sole occupation is not possible.
Log Cabins (35 m²). Each cabin has two bunk beds (4 beds in total) + a convertible sofa in the living room, a bathroom (with shower), and kitchen facilities: electric heating, wood-burning stove, electric stove, dishwasher, microwave, coffee maker, refrigerator, drying cabinet for clothes, and TV. A sauna is available in a separate building on the area. No Wi-Fi is provided.
Meals are taken in a central location, 400 – 600 m from the accommodation.
Husky Sled Adventure:
You will be staying at the Husky Farm, a guesthouse with twin/triple rooms and communal facilities, including a sauna. The overnight wilderness cabin has no modern facilities but is heated by a wood fire so it’s quite cozy!
Arctic Ski Expedition:
Nights 1 and 8 are in rooms between 2 – 3 people, with shared facilities. Nights 2 – 7 are in wilderness cabins/huts. There are saunas available on a good number of night (see the webpage). Sole occupation is not possible.
Backcountry Skiing:
There are 3 Cabins.
Main cabin has 12 beds, with a living room and kitchen. There are 2 toilets and showers. It has electricity and a sauna by the lake.
Wilderness Cabin 1. 8 beds in 2 alcoves. It has a wood heated stove, no electricity or running water. Outhouse toilet. Sauna by a river.
Wilderness Cabin 2. 8 beds in the loft. Solar powered electricity. A living area and composting toilet. Wood heated sauna.
Single cabins are only available on the multi-activity trip. See the accommodation tab for more detail.
Meals are generally supplied from the evening of the day of arrival (dinner) through to breakfast on the day of departure.
The full itinerary of each trip will confirm it.
- Breakfasts, buffet-style; mainly cereals (including porridge), fruit, continental b’fast meats and cheeses, breads. Coffee/tea.
- Lunches are mainly soup served with bread, etc… Picnic-style lunches around an open fire are typically sandwiches, sausages, coffee/tea , and chocolate biscuits.
- Evening meals – meat/fish, fresh salad/vegetables, and a dessert.
Most dietary requirements can be catered for, please let us know when booking.
Please bring your own energy/snack bars.
Unlimited supply of freshwater. You can drink tap water.
Finland’s currency is the Euro, widely available prior to departure.
Once you arrive in Kuusamo, there will be few opportunities to spend your money such as the remoteness of this area. All food (Day 1 dinner/snack to b’fast on the day of departure) is provided. If you have a preference for any specific snacks such as energy bars, you are advised to take them with you.
There is one shop/souvenir shop located within the Hossa Visitor center close to the initial accommodation that you may visit during your trip. Other than that, there are no other shops. The only funds you will therefore need are for potential souvenirs, any food/drinks at Kuusamo airport on departure, and a small tip for the Guide (if you wish, not compulsory).
Husky Sled Adventure – this is not located within the Hossa National Park and there is, therefore, nowhere to spend money! The Husky Farm is quite remote.
Euros are widely available from currency exchange outlets in the UK. A currency exchange kiosk within the airport is open when flights are due in and out.
You will unlikely see any ATMs while on the trip, except at the airport.
We recommend you carry a credit card for emergencies. Travel credit cards.
Fitness is very subjective and in simple terms, train for what you are going to do.
These are fun and enjoyable activities and there is no need to take part if you feel too tired (except for the committed expeditions!). Speak to your Guide and he/she will arrange something to assist.
The snowshoeing is graded as ‘moderate’. It entails moving cross country on snowshoes carrying a daysack weighing 5 – 6 kg. Daily distances are 6 – 8km, which may appear short but the terrain, the snowshoes, the underfoot conditions, and the rest stops will all slow you down. The snow depth is usually around 60 – 70cm (soft snow) and therefore the speed of walking is about 1km per hour, faster if the snow is compacted.
Snowshoes today are of slimline, lightweight construction with a front foot binding that allows the heel to lift up. It is therefore a normal walking action. The physical effort is slightly more than you would expect with walking. The terrain can be undulating but not severe. The routes follow ridges and lake shorelines generally speaking. This may be conducted in very cold temperatures.
No previous experience of snowshoeing is necessary.
Cross-country skiing (100km) is also graded as ‘moderate’. The pace is gentle and the terrain is relatively flat with minor undulations. The ability to cross-country ski and a moderate level of fitness is required for this trip. You can either hire the skis (waxless fish scale pattern), boots, and poles from us (in Finland) or take your own. If you are taking just your own boots, please check the binding with us. During skiing, if an emergency arises, there is snowmobile support available.
Arctic skiing expedition is considered challenging. A good level of fitness is required over the ability to cross-country ski, although the latter is clearly an advantage. Some experience on cross-country skis is required as the distances can be demanding if the weather is not good. Individuals are pulling a pulk (sled) packed with supplies and weighs approx 30kg. The pace is slow, effectively a shuffle along on skis. The skis have either ‘skins’ or a waxless fish scale pattern on the ski soles. Either one prevents the skis from going backward when trying to propel forwards. There is no speedy work or technical skiing involved. During skiing, if an emergency arises, there is snowmobile support available.
Backcountry Skiing. Previous cross-country skiing is required. Given the nature of the activity (forging your own tracks through deep snow), a good level of fitness is required.
Multi-activity and Family. You’ll be quite active on a daily basis so an average level of fitness is required. It’s a classic case of getting out of the activity as you wish to.
Husky Sled Adventure. There is no great cardiovascular activity but you do need to have a good sense of balance on the back of the sled. On the odd occasion, you may need to assist the Huskies with some footwork, like pushing for a short distance, they will appreciate it!
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Expect temperatures to be well below zero on a daily basis. Clients need to be equipped and prepared accordingly.
For any advice – call 01529 488159 or 07725 943108.
Finnish winters can be severe. The winter months will have plenty of snow on the ground!
The average temperature is around -5°C – -20°C (daytime) but can range from just above zero down to -35°C! In general, the temperature is highly unlikely to rise above 0°C even during the day. It gets very cold (outside) at night but warms up as soon as the sun rises. The positive side of such low temperatures is the crystal-white frozen forests, absolutely beautiful.
Please make sure your clothing is suitable, check the Kit List tab.
Should the temperature on any given day be too cold for you personally, you do not have to take part UNLESS there is no choice? Being out overnight and having to return to another location is an example but should this be the case, your guide will assist you. It will depend on the itinerary.
Medical – Vaccinations
Advice for vaccines is constantly developing. Visit your GP and the following UK travel advice website for the most up-to-date advice and information on where you will be travelling to. Don’t forget to include ALL travel if it includes a wider itinerary.
Your Guide will be a local and speak english. He will be First Aid trained and know the area extremely well as will any staff supporting you.
Finland has good general mobile coverage throughout.
Wifi is available at our main lodge in Hossa National Park but not in the wilderness cabins. Coverage is not guaranteed.
Finland has a standard European 230v, 50Hz supply. The round European 2 pin plugs are used. World power and plugs – see what works
All of our holidays can be tailor-made for YOU and we make it simple. It’s so easy to do.
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