Description
Description
Are you looking for an entry level winter backcountry skiing experience but are not ready to go by yourself? Make your way to Kittilä airport or Kolari train station in Finnish Lapland and we’ll take care of the rest. The 4-day skiing trek starts from Hetta in the north part of Finnish Lapland and finishes at Pallas fells, 55-60 km southwards. Sometimes we ski the route the other way around. Hetta-Pallas route is one of the oldest hiking trails in Finland. It’s a classic for a good reason – the sights along the long line of fells are stunning. The winter route takes you through old forests and up on fells. The versatility makes it interesting and beautiful – there is something different around every corner. Finnish Lapland is perfect for ski trekking as there are no glaciers and no polar bear, but very stunning old forests and open tundra. It is safe but challenging!
How demanding is Lapland Forest & Fells Winter Tour? Depends on the timing: in January-February we qualify this adventure as moderate, but later in the spring, in March and April it is easy, good for an entry level skier and adventurer. In springtime there are groomed tracks on many parts of our route which makes it easier to go forward with pulkas. Also there is more sunlight in the spring and temperatures are usually higher than in mid winter.
We sleep in reserved huts (dorm) with no running water or electricity. Drinking water comes from melted snow. One of the huts has a sauna which is quite luxury, as you get a chance to experience an authentic Finnish sauna with a guide! All meals are provided during the trek, you just need your own favourite snacks. We also provide all the gear needed such as skis, sleds and sleeping bags – plus, if you need, a warm down jacket. You bring your personal clothing for skiing and warm shoes for the evening. We will send a detailed gear & clothing list. During day time, we hardly see other people. There is total silence and nature is still very pure and untouched here, high above the arctic circle.
Instead of carrying heavy backpacks we are pulling sledges or “pulkas”. Physical condition must be fairly good for this hike. We will ski 10-17 km per day. We ski with “fell skis”, made for this kind of terrain. They are more robust than classic cross-country skis but lighter than alpine skis.
We only organise tours for small groups, so book your spot soon! You can either choose a guaranteed date for departure or book a totally private tour for you and your group only. Our local certified wilderness guide will make sure you are in good hands. Weather can be anything from -20 degrees Celsius or pure whiteout snowstorm or beautiful warm sunshine. This unpredictability makes the whole adventure so interesting and demanding. The reward of experiencing it all is so worth it.
Itinerary
Day 1. Arrival in Ylläs from Kittilä airport or Kolari train station, both only 35 km from Ylläsjärvi village. Settling in accommodation (2 ppl/room unless requested otherwise). In the evening the guide will meet everybody and have dinner together. The guide will check everybody’s gear and clothing for the tour and hand out sleds and sleeping bags for packing. We will go through the safety plan together.
Day 2. Transport to Hetta from Ylläs, the drive takes about 2 hrs. We start the ski hike to Sioskuru wilderness hut, about 17 km up towards the open tundra on top of the fells, small ancient mountains. In the evening we are at the hut, warm it by fire and enjoy nice comfy beds for the night. There is no electricity or running water at the huts and the toilet is outside.
Day 3. Skiing from Sioskuru to Hannukuru, about 13 km. This is the easiest day as the path is mostly downhill. We end up in forest level again, by a little lake. At Hannukuru hut you have a chance to go to a traditional Finnish sauna, warmed by wood and with water carried in from the lake. First you have to make a hole in the ice to get to the water though! Sleeping in dorm.
Day 4. The guide will decide today’s route depending on weather and snow conditions. This leg is around 16 km from Hannukuru up to the mountains again to the most scenic of all huts on this tour, Nammalakuru. In the evening we enjoy an especially nice dinner together. If the sky is clear there is a chance to see the northern lights every night.
Day 5. After breakfast, we pack the sleds again and head towards Pallas, our final destination. The 15 km day is mostly downhill or flat terrain and will show you once again a different side of nature in Lapland. After arriving in Pallas, we drive back to Ylläs to the accommodation. After joint dinner, you will sleep like a newborn baby.
Day 6. We will have our last breakfast and say our goodbyes till next time. Only breakfast is provided on this day.
Includes:
- Pihka Outdoors professional wilderness guide
- Video meeting with the group, Whatsapp group chat, help with packing
- Safety briefing
- Sleeping equipment: tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads
- Ski equipment: fell skis, poles, boots, pulka for gear
- Accommodation before and after the hike
- Dinner & breakfast at accommodation upon arrival and after the hike
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for each day on trail
- Gear list
Excludes:
- Flights/train/bus
- Transportation to the accommodation
- Backpacks
- Outdoor clothing (gear list will be provided)
- Own travel and accident insurance (mandatory on this trek)
Price
2099 € / person
Departures for 2024
February 29th – March 5th (FULL)
March 14th – 19th (few spots left)
You can also contact us for private departure for your own group.
