With trails running through pine forests, around lakes, and the chance to encounter beautiful wildlife, Kylmäluoma is a location perfect for an outdoor adventure to experience Finland at its best. Find out more about Kylmäluoma
Finland is an outstanding destination for a winter adventure where groups can learn traditional skills and try activities like cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. This trip also offers a discovery of the country's geography, nature and traditional way of life.
Students can delve into the Finnish lifestyle by mastering essential skills such as fire making, igloo building and cross-country skiing - all pivotal survival skills in the wilderness during winter.
The main adventure of Finland in winter is the snowshoeing trip, travelling across the countryside between frozen lakes and through mesmerising forests. The group will then trek through one of the most pristine and untouched regions of Finland, before continuing to visit a reindeer farm and enjoy a husky sledge ride. Igloo building is the final challenge before returning home, and the last night of the trip is spent in the igloos with the chance of sighting the stunning northern lights.
Typical itinerary
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Day 1: Fly to Kuusamo & transfer to Kylmäluoma
Fly from the UK via Helsinki to Kuusamo, where you will be met by your guide and transferred (approximately 45 minutes' drive) to Kylmäluoma to check in at your log cabins. Dinner wil be at the restaurant.
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Day 2: Igloo building & wilderness skills
In the morning there will be an introduction to the area around Kylmäluoma, part of Hossa National Park, and the programme for your trip. The first activity will be to make big piles of snow, which will be used later in the week once the snow has compacted.
In the afternoon, students will learn some wilderness skills for survival in the arctic conditions, and can then practice making an open fire on which afternoon tea can be prepared.
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Day 3: Cross-country skiing
Today students will learn the basics of cross-country skiing, which is one of the most popular wintertime hobbies in Finland. The group's skiing skills will then be tested practically with a short tour through the flat pine forest and over the lakes. In the afternoon there will be an option for an extra circuit across a more demanding track.
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Days 4-5 : Snowshoeing
This morning, the group will set off on their snowshoeing trip. After a short introduction, the trail starts straight from the cabins. winding through the beautiful snow covered pine, spruce and birch forests. Halfway, there will be a stop for a picnic lunch around an open fire.
The following day, continue with another day snowshoeing across this beautiful part of Finland. This time, students will make the fire themselves and cook a meal to fully immerse themselves in the Finnish winter trekking experience.
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Day 6: Reindeer farm & husky safari
After breakfast, it is an hour's transfer to a reindeer farm, where students can learn about the life cycle of these animals, and how reindeer herding is a way of life for Finnish communities.
In the afternoon, the group will then visit a husky farm and be greeted by the owner who will explain about the life and training of the huskies. He will give a sledge driving lesson, and then it's time to heaad off into the wilderness on a ten kilometre husky ride!
The group will drive through snow-white forests and frozen lakes, enjoying the pure nature and silence of the wilderness. Two students will take it in turns to drive their own sledge with five dogs (unless they prefer to sit in the sledge and enjoy the scenery).
In the evening at the lodge, students will hollow out the igloos they began making at the start of the trip, and tonight will be spent in the hand-made igloos.
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Day 7: Day of winter adventure
Today there will be a choice of activities, such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or another activity chosen by the group (depending on conditions).
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Day 8: Fly back to the UK
This morning, after breakfast, the group will be transferred to Kuusamo airport to catch their return flight to the UK.
Key info
- Destination: Finland
- When to go: Feb to Mar
- Duration: 8 days
- Trip type: Adventure
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Itinerary highlights:
- Cross-country skiing
- Snowshoeing
- Wilderness training
- Husky sledging
- Reindeer farm visit
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Activities:
- Cross-country skiing
- Nature walk
- Snowshoeing
- Accommodation: Log cabins & igloos
- Ideal for: Ages 14 to 15
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Travellers will need:
- Good level of fitness
- Appreciation of the outdoor environment
Locations
Hossa is a location perfect for an outdoor adventure to experience Finland at its best, offering walking trails through pine forests and around lakes, plus ancient rock paintings. Find out more about Hossa National Park
Located in northern Finland, Hossa Reindeer Farm offers opportunities for pupils to learn more about these iconic animals, where they can help with feeding and see every-day reindeer handling. Find out more about Hossa Reindeer Farm