Description
Description
Looking for a physical challenge in the arctic whilst enjoying spectacular views of open tundra, fells and mountains? If yes, this adventure is for you.
On this seven-day backcountry ski trek we take you to the northwesternmost point of Finland, high above the Arctic Circle, next to Norway. This area, called Käsivarsi wilderness, is situated on highland and is marked by majestic fells and open tundra. This area is heaven for backcountry skiing if you know what you’re doing.
The Arctic winter is harsh and unpredictable but can be enjoyed safely in our professional guidance. It might be snowstorms and -20 degrees Celsius, or it might be 0 C and pure sunshine, or something between the extremes. In any case, we offer an exclusive experience to remember for a lifetime.
After a night at a nice hotel with good breakfast we start the journey to the wilderness. You pull your own gear in a pulka with backcountry skis for 15-20 km per day. We sleep in huts with no electricity or running water so it’s all about getting back to basics. Drinking water is melted from snow and fire place will keep the hut warm. After sunset you have good chances of seeing a spectacular dance in the sky – aurora borealis aka northern lights. As climax of the ski trek, we ascent the highest point of Finland, fell Halti. However, this is only if weather permits. We finish the journey back in Kilpisjärvi, enjoying the comfort of a hotel room once again before returning home.
The 7-day ski trek is physically demanding, but you don’t need previous skiing experience. Ski trekking is slow as everyone is pulling their own sleds, or pulkas as we call them. You will learn to ski with our fell skis in a couple of hours. On downhills it is possible to take skis off and walk down. Going uphill we have skins on the bottom of skis to make ascends easy.
Itinerary
Day 1. Arriving in Kilpisjärvi, night at an accomodation (twin/single room). We enjoy dinner together and conduct a safety briefing. Chance to do last minute shopping.
Day 2. After a big breakfast we start skiing with pulkas. The first skiing day includes a fair amount of slow ascending to the open arctic tundra, crossing frozen lakes and passing beautiful fells. We stay the night at Saarijärvi reserved wilderness hut, without electricity or running water. Sleeping is in a dorm in bunk beds. Distance: about 12 km.
Day 3. We pack our sleds and continue our adventure after breakfast. Today is a bit longer, around 18 km of skiing, in open arctic terrain. We stop along the way for lunch and continue to Meeko reserved wilderness hut for the night.
Day 4. Continuing our journey through snow and ice in remote wilderness. After 16-18 km of skiing we get a well earned rest at Halti reserved hut.
Day 5. Today we leave pulkas at the hut and ski to the summit of the highest point in Finland, fell Halti! Admire the mountain views in every direction with nothing but wilderness in sight. In case the weather is very bad we have to skip the summit, instead we relax in the hut for half of the day. In the afternoon we pack the sleds again and ski around 10 km to wilderness hut Pitsus.
Day 6. After breakfast we prepare ourselves for a lovely long day of skiing, 16 – 19 km to spend the night at Kuonjar wilderness hut.
Day 7. Today is nice and short, with time to explore the surroundings of Saarijärvi hut after the day leg of 7-10 km.
Day 8. Last day of skiing adventure! We head back to civilisation in Kilpisjärvi. After 12 km we reach our starting point and head for a good wash, sauna and possibly an icy dip in the frozen Lake Kilpisjärvi. We have a good well earned dinner together at a restaurant and plan the next expedition together.
Day 9. Breakfast & Check-out. End of adventure.
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, goggles
- 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
2450€ / person
