Description
Women Only Nordic Backcountry Ski Tour
Women only nordic backcountry ski tour from hut-to-hut. A beginner friendly cross-country skiing adventure:
Step away from everyday hussle into the quietness of Lapland’s winter wilderness. This women only nordic backcountry ski tour in Lapland lasts six days in total, including two nights in comfortable accommodation at the beginning and end, and four days of skiing from hut-to-hut while pulling your own pulka.
No previous cross-country skiing experience is required. The pace on this crosss-country ski tour is calm and steady, and our professional guides teach you everything step by step. Daily distances of 9 to 17 km are completed steadily skiing, with time for proper breaks, good conversation and simply taking in the pure fresh air. You are never left behind, and there is no pressure to perform.
This women only journey is not about pushing limits. It is about sharing a great experience with like minded women, moving through open Arctic tundra landscapes and allowing space for clarity and reflection. Many clients leave home with renewed confidence, deeper connection to Lapland nature and meaningful new friendships. There is one small risk with this tour – you might get completely hooked to ski expeditions. After this tour you are more than welcome to join our longer expeditions.
Key facts about this hut-to-hut nordic backcountry ski tour:
- 6 days total, 4 in the wild
- Two nights in an accommodation in Ylläsjärvi (two persons/room), three nights in wilderness huts (dorm)
- All meals, accommodation, and expedition gear are included
- Capacity: min 4 – max 10
- Daily distances 9–17 km with pulkas, basic stamina required
This ski tour is suitable for:
- Women who would like to try backcountry ski trekking with a pulka for the first time. No previous skiing experience is required and everything is taught step by step
- Those who want a safe Arctic experience. There are no glaciers, no hard technical terrain, no scary wild life
- Women who are curious about simple wilderness living and are comfortable spending three nights in heated huts without electricity or running water
- Those seeking space to think, breathe and reset in vast open landscapes
- Solo travellers who prefer to join a small group of like minded women rather than travel alone
- Travellers who dream of seeing the Northern Lights
- Women who value easy travel logistics. Nearest Airport is Kittilä Airport – we help you with the rest
What to expect on this Women only nordic backcountry ski tour?
This women only nordic backcountry ski tour from hut-to-hut takes you into the open fell landscape of the Käsivarsi Wilderness Area near Kilpisjärvi in northern Lapland. The environment is vast, almost treeless and truly Arctic.
You will ski appx. 10 to 17 km per day while pulling your personal gear in own pulka. This gives you a realistic introduction to multi day winter expedition, but in a calm and structured setting. No previous cross-country skiing experience is required. Everything is taught step by step, and the pace is steady and adjusted to the group.
We use stable fell skis, a combination of traditional cross-country and downhill skis, suitable for ski expedition. Comfortable leather boots and climbing skins in the bottom of the ski makes pulka pulling easier and help on uphill sections. We move through partly marked routes and partly untracked snow, creating our own paths.
Nights are spent in simple wilderness huts without electricity or running water. We sleep in shared dorm style rooms in warm sleeping bags, with the stove heating the space. Evenings are quiet, peaceful and unhurried, often shared over meals, conversation and candlelight. If the sky is clear at night time, there is a strong chance of seeing the Northern Lights.
This tour is well suited for active women who want to challenge themselves a bit in a supportive group, without competition or pressure. It is an empowering introduction to Arctic winter travel and often a first step toward longer and more demanding adventures.
Huts on the way
We spend three nights at reserved wilderness huts. One hut accommodates 10-12 people in one room with dorm-style bunk beds. There is no electricity or running water. Drinking water comes from melted snow or a nearby river. Pihka Outdoors provides sleeping bags with liners and there are blankets, pillows and mattresses on each bed. Heating is by wood-burning stoves. There are dry toilets outside and no showers. There is no phone reception at some of the cabins.
Basic physical fitness level is enough
This women only Arctic experience is designed to be beginner friendly, and no previous backcountry skiing experience is required.
A good basic level of fitness is still important. The daily effort is roughly comparable to hiking around 10 km with a 15 kg backpack. The terrain is not technically steep, but snow conditions can vary. On hard packed snow the skiing feels smooth and steady, while deep fresh snow can make pulling the pulka slower and more physically demanding.
On average we ski around six hours per day, including regular breaks. The pace is calm and adapted to the group, and the focus is on steady progress rather than speed or performance. You do not need to be an athlete, but you should feel comfortable being active outdoors for several hours each day.
Weather conditions in the Arctic
Winter weather in the open fell landscape can change quickly. Wind is a natural and very usual part of Arctic conditions, and stronger winds are possible, especially above the treeline. On the other hand, you may also experience calm, bright sunshine or gently falling snow that transforms the landscape completely.
Temperatures typically range from around 0°C down to –20°C. With proper clothing and guidance, these conditions are manageable and part of the authentic winter experience. We will send you a proper gear list after your booking.
High quality, warm and weatherproof gear is essential. Pihka Outdoors provides all technical equipment and can also lend warm down jackets if needed. We support you well in advance with detailed clothing guidance to ensure you feel prepared and comfortable.
Your safety is our priority. Before the trek, we hold a thorough safety briefing and continuously adapt plans according to weather and group conditions.
Ski adventure Includes:
- Ski equipment: fell skis, poles, boots, pulka for gear, goggles, down jacket if needed
- Accommodation before and after the hike (comfortable hotel, cabin or B&B), nights in twin rooms, extra charge for single room
- Accommodation during ski adventure in dorm style wilderness cabins
- Dinner & breakfast at accommodation upon arrival and after the hike
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for each day on trail
- Clothing & Gear list
- Pihka Outdoors professional wilderness guide
- Video meeting with the group, Whatsapp group chat, help with packing
- Transport to the starting point
Ski adventure Excludes:
- Flights/train/bus to Ylläs, Finnish Lapland (nearest airport Kittilä only 35 km away)
- Transportation to the accommodation (there is a direct bus from Kittilä airport to Ylläs)
- Outdoor clothing (gear list will be provided)
- Own travel and accident insurance (mandatory on this trek)
