Programme description

This ski tour takes you to the forests of far northeast Finland. The surrounding nature lays under a thick covering of snow making it a place of peace and spectacular beauty. The route passes through the extensive nature reserve of Kalevala Park whose geography is dominated by forests, mires, low hills, lakes and rivers. The accommodation is in cosy, small, family-run lodges. Each night you get to enjoy a Finnish sauna, delicious dinners, as well as the hospitality of the local people. Daily stages of the tour average 30 km, covering 150 km in five days.  Participants need to be reasonably fit and have previous experience of cross-country skiing. 

Tour highlights:
• Km after km in complete wilderness
• Snowy landscapes
• Silence
• Picnics around an open fire
• Evening saunas and ice-swimming

Detailed programme

Day 1. Arrival

Arrival at Kuusamo airport and approx. 2 hours transfer to Martinselkonen Wilds Centre, which is a former guard station renovated into a guest house. Check-in, dinner and briefing about the week’s programme by your guide. (On late arrival an evening snack will be served and briefing will take place in the morning.)  

Day 2. Day tour from Martinselkonen 23 km

After breakfast it’s time to jump on skis! We start our expedition heading east until we reach our furthest point. We stop for lunch, after which we will ski a few more kilometres. The picnic lunch will be served at one of the wilderness huts operated by Finnish Forest and Park Service. On arrival at the accommodation we will relax in the traditional wood-heated sauna and appreciate its soothing heat on tired muscles and warm through after several hours skiing in the cold air. 

Day 3. Martinselkonen-Arola 28 km

Today´s route passes on Martinselkonen nature reserve through the network of swamps and spruce forests. These ancient forests are home to a brown bear population, however in winter they are hibernating. Also, other Finnish large carnivores - wolves, lynxes and wolverines - inhabit the area but they are extremely elusive, and we may only spot their tracks in the snow. In the afternoon we’ll arrive at Arola guest house, famous for its’ delicious food made from local ingredients. Dinner will be served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional log house.

Day 4. Day tour from Arola 27 km

Today’s tour takes us to Teerilampi wilderness hut where our assistance guide has been preparing lunch for us while we have been skiing. We will enjoy hot soup and a selection of sandwiches around an open fire. In the afternoon, we return to Arola for the second night to enjoy the warmth and hospitality of our hosts. 

Day 5. Arola–Rajakartano 43 km

The longest skiing day of the week takes us north. We will ski through different types of forests, lakes and numerous wetlands - the landscape is very typical for this area. Lunch is enjoyed roughly halfway through the tour. Our accommodation for the last two nights will be Rajakartano another former guard station. The guest house is located on the shore of Lake Hossanjärvi just outside Hossa national park. Again, there is a chance to relax in a traditional Finnish sauna and this time, the more adventurous amongst us, can try ice swimming – dip yourself into the hole in the ice! 

Day 6. Day tour in Hossa national park 20–35 km

The last skiing day will be on the tracks of Hossa national park which was inaugurated in 2017 to celebrate Finland’s 100 years of independence. The nature in Hossa is dominated by ridges, small lakes and ponds and beautiful pine heathlands. The previous days skiing has been pretty flat but today we are challenged by some steep but mainly short uphill sections. Lunch will be at Hossa Visitor Centre, where it’s possible to pick up a gift in the souvenir shop. After lunch we can choose a shorter or longer route back to the accommodation where once again a hot sauna is waiting for us. If we are lucky, the magical Northern Lights might top off our skiing week, but it is the nature who decides if it is show time tonight!

Day 7. Return

Breakfast and transport to Kuusamo airport (1 hour).

Included in this programme

• 6 nights accommodation in rooms for 2–4 persons with shared facilities (on days 1 and 2 most rooms with private facilities available)
• 6 x breakfast, 4 x outdoor lunch and 1 x lunch, 6 x dinner (on late arrivals snack on arrival night), 5 x afternoon coffee/tea with snack
• English speaking skiing guide 
• Snowmobile guide who makes the track on days 2–5 (exclusively for this group) and prepares outdoor lunches
• Single-timed group airport transfers from/to Kuusamo airport
• Luggage transportation between accommodations 
• 5 x sauna, 2 x possibility for ice-swimming
• Bedlinen and bath towels
• Ski waxes

You will need

• outdoor equipment
• leisure time clothing
• rucksack (15-20 l)
• thermos flask
• head lamp / torch
• ski equipment 

The full gear list will be sent after booking.  

Good to know

DURATION
7 days / 6 nights

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES
22.02.–28.02.2025
01.03.–07.03.2025
08.03.–14.03.2025
Other departures for groups on request. Season 01.02.-05.04.

PRICE
1200 €
Ski equipment hire (skis, boots, poles) 70 €

GROUP SIZE
The tour is guaranteed to run without minimum number of participants. Max. 12 persons.

SOME BASIC FACTS ABOUT THE TOUR
-This is a cross-country skiing tour on tracks, not going “off the trails”.
-This tour is for experienced cross-country skiers and require a good fitness.
-Daily skiing distances are 25–42 km. Daily skiing time including breaks is 5–8 hours.
-The track is made by snowmobile especially for the group, it’s not a maintained track.
- The terrain is fairly easy and there are no big hills on route, however there are some ups and downs especially during the last skiing day. The route goes in forests, crosses lakes and swamps.
- Only classical technique can be used on this tour.
- Cross-country skis (width approx. 44 mm) for classical style are the correct choice for this tour.
- See a rough route map here.

ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is mostly on twin and triple sharing basis, quadruple rooms may be used in few cases. Solo travellers will be placed with 1-2 fellow travellers of the same gender. For couples a private twin room will be booked. Single rooms are not available. Toilets and showers are located on the corridor except on days 1 and 2 most rooms have private facilities.

TRAVEL
Flights are not included in the tour price. If you have anything unclear regarding flights or transfers, please do check with us before booking flights!

Notes for arrival
The joining point for this trip is Kuusamo airport. Single-timed group transfer from Kuusamo airport to the first accommodation is organized to coincide with this Finnair flight from Helsinki:
HEL-KAO AY487 (arrival at 21.00-22.00)

Notes for return
On last day the single-timed group transfer is organized back to Kuusamo airport to coincide with this Finnair flight to Helsinki:
KAO-HEL AY486 (departure at 10.30.-11.30)
If you take a later flight or stay extra nights in Kuusamo, the drop off at Kuusamo town centre is available on prior request.  

Travel by bus/train
On arrival it is possible take a train (or bus) from Helsinki to Oulu and then a bus from Oulu to Kuusamo. The same applies to the way back to Helsinki. The schedule must coincide with above mentioned transfer schedule. Note: No pick up available from the bus station.  

PAYMENT
Deposit: 15 % of total amount will be charged at the time of booking.
Full payment: Due 14 days before the departure. The invoice for full payment will be sent by email. 

NOTES
It is essential that a passenger is covered by adequate travel insurance.
The tour is not suitable for persons with reduced mobility.    
We reserve all the rights to change the itinerary (route, accommodation) if necessary due to snow or weather conditions and in case the group size is max. 3 persons.

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