Description
Lapland Snowshoe Escape to Remote Wilderness is an all-inclusive 3-day-snowshoe adventure for beginners eager to explore the Lapland wilderness in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. With snowshoes and your own pulka in tow, you’ll trek across snowy fells and spend two nights in a true wilderness hut and two nights at a hotel – best of both worlds. Guided by certified local scandinavian experts, this is the perfect first step into true Arctic expedition life. Nearest airport is Kittilä, Finland, only 35 km away.
Price:
1500€ / person (including accommodation for 4 nights, transports to the Ylläs-Pallastunturi National Park, all meals, all gear, premeetings and guide services).
If you have your own accommodation before and after the tour, ask for discounted price.
Key Points:
- Easy entry-level wilderness trek in Lapland, 3 days on trail
- No skills needed – snowshoes are easy to use
- Explore remote landscapes of Lapland above the treeline
- Experience wilderness hut without electricity or running water
- Chance to learn winter survival skills in safe environment
- Great chances of seeing the Northern Lights
- For sporty first-time Arctic travellers
- People wishing a soft but authentic multi-day introduction to Lapland’s wilderness
Facts in short:
- All-inclusive
- 5 days total, 3 in the wild
- 2 nights in a hotel (twin room, single room for extra fee), 2 nights in a reserved wilderness hut (dorm)
- Capacity: min 4 – max 12
- Daily distances 3–10 km
- Fitness level easy/moderate
3-day Lapland Snowshoe Escape to Remote Wilderness in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
Do you wish to experience the true wilderness of Lapland on a multiday tour for the first time? This one is for you. You snowshoe with your only pulka 3-10 km/day in the stunning Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, only less than one hour away from Kittilä international airport. You have everything you need packed in the sled, pulka, all meals, sleeping bags and necessary equipment sorted for you with no hassle. You only need to pack your own clothing according to a specific list of items sent to you well in advance.
The Lapland Snowshoe Escape to Remote Wilderness is an entry-level tour, an introduction to expedition life in arctic conditions. The adventure starts at a nice hotel in Ylläsjärvi, where we all meet up for dinner and briefing. After a good night sleep we drive one hour to the starting point of the 3-day snowshoe trek.
First day of the trek we pull our own pulkas all the way up to the open hills, where a love wilderness cabin awaits us. We spend a night there and enjoy the second day exploring the area with snowshoes, without the pulkas. You get a good idea of the area as we manage to see the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park and the vast forest areas surrounding it from up the fells, from different angles. We set our pace and exact route according to the weather and fitness level of the group. No need to get sweaty, we can concentrate on enjoying ourselves in the wilderness. The local wildlife includes various bird species, foxes, reindeers and wolverines.
After the beginner friendly multi-day trek we spend another night at the same cabin (Nammalakuru reserved wilderness hut), enjoy the light and warmth of the fire and chill, awaiting for the northern lights to show up. Next morning we have breakfast, pack our pulkas and start snowshoeing back down to the starting point. We drive back to Ylläsjärvi to the same hotel, where you can enjoy the spa and restaurant facilities. The wilderness often makes an impact, something may shift in your mind that will make you want to return for more. It’s the magic of Lapland!
What is the wilderness hut like on the Lapland Snowshoe Escape to Remote Wilderness?
At the reserved wilderness hut of Nammalakuru, there is no electricity or running water. The hut accommodates 12 people, sleeping in the same room, in dorm-style bunk beds. Pihka Outdoors provides a sleeping bag for each participant and there are blankets, pillows and mattresses in huts. Drinking water is melted from snow or taken from the well. Warmth is provided by wood-burning stoves. There are only dry toilets outside the hut. No showers. We spend two nights at the same hut.
Physical level needs to be fairly good
No prior snowshoeing experience is required, but a fairly good physical fitness and stamina is needed. Your fitness level should be comparable to carrying a 15 kg backpack for 10 km per day. The pulka is not that heavy to pull but the first day is all about ascending to the fells, way above the treeline, which will make your heart pound a bit. The second day is a lot easier, and the third day is more about goind down than up.
Weather Conditions in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
The weather can be highly unpredictable in winter time in the open tundra. Since the area is treeless, strong winds are pretty common (15m/s – 25m/s). You may also experience extremely bright sunshine or intense snowstorms. Temperatures can range anywhere from 0°C to -30°C, so high-quality, warm and weatherproof gear is essential. Pihka Outdoors have some warm down jackets to borrow if you need, we also happily help out with other essential clothing.
Before the Expedition:
Before the arctic expedition, a WhatsApp group will be created, including all participants and guides. This allows you to get to know other adventurers and ask any questions related to the expedition or gear.
After booking you will also receive a detailed gear list via email to help you prepare for thissnowshoe hiking tour. We will also arrange a video call well in advance of the expedition to go over all key details.
Feel free to ask more about this and join us on this arctic expedition into the wild!
