Join a women-only cross-country ski expedition in Finland's Arctic Circle with Gutsy Girls
Explore the Käsivarsi wilderness, Finland's most mountainous and scenic region
Embark on a self-sufficient journey, skiing and pulling sledges with supplies
Learn backcountry skiing techniques from experts, suitable for all skill levels
Experience the adventure of hut-to-hut skiing in pristine wilderness
Enjoy a supportive and fun environment, ideal for beginners
Connect with nature and like-minded adventurers in a remote, breathtaking setting
Embrace the challenge and reward of exploring the Arctic Circle on skis.
Witness the magical Northern Lights in the clear Arctic skies.
What to Expect
Explore the Arctic Circle in Finland on an exclusive women-only backcountry cross-country ski expedition with Gutsy Girls. Our journey takes us to the Käsivarsi wilderness area, Finland's most mountainous region, that borders Norway.
In this pristine wilderness, we'll embark on a self-sufficient expedition, making our own tracks in the snow and carrying all our supplies on sledges.
Over the course of 5 days, we'll ski and cover between 10 and 18 km each day, immersing ourselves in the vast snow-covered tundra and stunning Arctic landscapes. Whether you're an experienced backcountry skier or have never tried it before, we'll learn valuable skills from our expert guide. They'll teach us everything we need to know, from backcountry cross-country skiing techniques to pulling pulkas (sledges) filled with gear.
We'll ski from hut to hut, experiencing breathtaking scenery and true wilderness exploration. This expedition is specially designed for beginners who want to challenge themselves in a supportive and fun environment within a beautiful and remote backcountry setting.
Don't miss out on this challenging and rewarding opportunity to explore the Arctic Circle in Finland!
BACKCOUNTRY SKI TOURING
Do you love hiking and yearn to explore the serene beauty of remote, untouched landscapes? Backcountry ski touring offers the perfect opportunity to discover the elusive charm of places inaccessible by other means.
Backcountry ski touring is easy to learn, making it an ideal choice for those seeking to glide atop pristine, untracked snow surfaces, far from established trails. Known as 'sliding snowshoes' in Finnish, backcountry skis come equipped with skins, allowing you to both ascend uphill and descend downhill.
No prior ski experience is required for this adventure! Our expert guide will teach you all the basics on your first day, ensuring that you'll soon be gliding along and immersing yourself in the mesmerising snowy wilderness.
LOCATION
Our adventure will start in Kilpisjärvi, a tiny village in the north western arm of Finland, right on the border with Norway. With a population of approximately 150 people, this will be our first taste of the silence and wilderness of home for the week.
We will venture deep into the Käsivarsi Wilderness Area, Finland’s second largest wilderness area. With Finland's highest fells, including Halti Fell, Finland’s highest peak (1,345 m).
The terrain is an open tundra, with ever changing conditions. There are no roads so it’s a real adventure in a remote and beautiful location!
Will I see the northern lights?
Kilpisjärvi has become increasingly popular with those chasing the northern lights, it’s right on the edge of the aurora oval at 68º latitude. The micro climate of the mountain range means there’s less chance of cloudy days than in Tromsø, with 3 out of 4 nights having a good chance of seeing the northern lights. Obviously we cannot guarantee that we will see them, but with 7 nights we have everything crossed that we will!
ACCOMMODATION and FOOD
We will begin and end the expedition with nights in a simple cabin with electricity, restaurant, bar, sauna, inside toilets and showers.
As we delve deeper into the wilderness, our accommodations will shift to rustic wilderness cabins with no electricity or running water. These remote cabins do not have electricity or showers, and the toilets are in a shared outhouse, adding to the true wilderness experience. They are lit by candles and heated by wood burning stoves, which will keep us toasty after a day of adventuring in the wilds.
The Adventure
How will each day of this adventure play out? Here’s a little taster!
See it as a rough guide as we may make changes to suit the weather conditions, snow and trail conditions.
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Arrive at Tromsø airport and transfer to Kilpisjärvi, a picturesque village nestled in the midst of stunning Arctic landscapes.
In the evening, gather for a trip briefing, followed by a delicious buffet dinner. Then, we’ll immerse ourselves in the authentic Finnish sauna experience.
We’ll spend the night in a cosy mountain cabin.
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We’ll begin our day with a ski lesson against the backdrop of breathtaking natural beauty. Afterward, set out on a 15 km skiing adventure, gliding across the frozen expanse of a pristine lake. Our destination is the three nations border, a unique location where Finland, Sweden, and Norway converge. Tonight, we’ll stay in a remote wilderness cabin, surrounded by the untouched wilderness of the Arctic.
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Today's adventure takes us on a 13 km skiing expedition along a picturesque trail that takes us past stunning waterfalls.
The untouched wilderness envelops us in its natural beauty as we make our way to the simple yet cosy Retkeilykeskus cabins. While the amenities are basic, we’ll appreciate the opportunity to unwind in this rustic setting, with the chance to enjoy a hot shower.
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Prepare for a more challenging day of skiing as we cover a distance of 16 km with a significant uphill climb. Our determination will be rewarded as we reach the Saarijärvi wilderness hut, nestled in the heart of the wilderness.
The cosy cabin becomes your haven for the night, offering a sense of accomplishment and the chance to immerse oursevles in the serenity of the surrounding nature.
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Prepare for a day of exhilarating skiing as we journey 10 km uphill, ascending to a stunning mountain plateau. The effort is well worth it as we'll be rewarded with magnificent panoramic views. Tonight, immerse ourselves in the wilderness experience as we stay in a remote cabin.
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Enjoy an exhilarating 18 km downhill ski adventure, following our own trails as we make our way to the Termisjärvi wilderness hut.
It's a day of effortless gliding through pristine snowscapes. As evening falls, settle into your wilderness cabin for a serene overnight stay.
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On this final day of our adventure, we'll ski back to Kilpisjärvi, completing our incredible journey. Tonight, we'll have a well-deserved stay at the Haltinmaa inn. Enjoy saunas, hot showers, and the comforts of civilization, reflecting on our remarkable arctic ski expedition.
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Breakfast and our last taste of the snowy wilderness before our transfer back to Tromsø airport.
FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
This trip is rated moderate to challenging, given its physical demands and the environment involved. While you don't need any prior skiing or wilderness experience to join, a good to high fitness level is essential.
What to Expect
Duration: Prepare for extended days in the Arctic circle, with daily outings lasting up to 6-7 hours, including around 5 hours dedicated to skiing.
Distance: Expect to ski between 10 km-18 km daily. Note, skiing these distances can feel more challenging than hiking equivalent lengths.
Intensity: While no prior skiing experience is required, backcountry skiing is more than just sliding on snow. As we navigate diverse terrains, having good stamina is essential for the journey.
Towing and Carrying: With sledges for our gear and backpacks to carry, the weight adds an extra challenge, comparable to carrying a loaded backpack.
Terrain: From icy expanses to deep snowy trails and thick forests, Finnish Lapland's diverse landscapes await.
Sub Zero Living: Over 5 nights, anticipate rustic living with no running water or electricity, relying on log burning stoves for warmth.
Communal Living: Embrace the camaraderie! There are no private quarters; you'll bunk with fellow Gutsy Girls.
Consecutive Activity: Five continuous days of skiing in such conditions can be taxing. Gear up for intense, rewarding adventure days.
Mindset: A proactive and positive approach will enhance the experience. When challenges arise, dig deep and lean on the group spirit.
PRICE £1600
DATES
Sat 16 March - Sar 23 March
Sat 23 March - Sat 30 March ⚡️ 2 SPOTS LEFT
WHAT'S INCLUDED
6 day guided backcountry ski expedition
7 nights accommodation:
2 nights shared hotel room
5 nights wilderness huts / camping
Experienced and qualified wilderness guide
Gutsy Girls Host
All expedition equipment - skis, ski boots, poles, winter sleeping bag, sleeping mat, tent
All meals - including 2 restaurant dinners and breakfasts
Airport transfers from Tromsø airport*
*one single timed transfer per direction
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Flights
Drinks
Travel Insurance
Personal clothing
Check out our packing list below our FAQs here
PAYMENT
Secure your spot with a 30% deposit, your remaining balance is due 45 days before your trip start date.
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Airport: Tromsø
We provide a single timed airport transfer from and to Tromsø, Norway. The transfer from Tromsø to our start point in Finland takes 2.5 hours.
To ensure the best value flights and the most convenient (and least tiring) flight times for each date, taking into account the 2.5 hour transfer, our recommended flights may vary by trip. Please make sure you are looking at the correct dates!
16 - 23 March 2024 AND 23 - 30 March 2024
Arrival day pickup: 2:00 PM
Departure day drop-off: 9:50
Recommended Flight Itinerary
Outbound Journey: London to Tromsø via Oslo
First Leg: London to Oslo
Airline: SAS Airlines
Flight Number: SK802
Departure: London Heathrow (LHR) at 6:40 AM
Arrival: Oslo (OSL) at 9:50 AM
Connection in Oslo
Second Leg: Oslo to Tromsø
Airline: SAS Airlines
Flight Number: SK4416
Departure: Oslo (OSL) at 11:20 AM
Arrival: Tromsø (TOS) at 1:20 PM
Inbound Journey: Tromsø to London via Oslo
First Leg: Tromsø to Oslo
Airline: SAS Airlines
Flight Number: SK4419
Departure: Tromsø (TOS) at 11:50 AM
Arrival: Oslo (OSL) at 1:45 PM
Connection in Oslo
Second Leg: Oslo to London
Airline: SAS Airlines
Flight Number: SK809
Departure: Oslo (OSL) at 3:00 PM
Arrival: London Heathrow (LHR) at 4:25 PM
Booking Tips:
For the best deals, consider using flight comparison websites like Skyscanner. Prices may be lower than booking directly with the airline.
Travel Flexibility:
You are free to choose your preferred route to Tromsø, but ensure you arrive in time for the scheduled transfers.
Important Note:
Due to the remote location of this trip, we are unable to arrange alternative transfer times. Please ensure your flights align with our scheduled transfer times.
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On this adventure we’ll stay in the following:
Night 1: Hotel - shared room
Night 2: Wilderness huts
Night 3: Wilderness huts
Night 4: Wilderness huts
Night 5: Wilderness huts
Night 6: Wilderness huts
Night 7: Hotel - shared room
Wilderness huts
These are basic huts with bathroom facilities or electricity. There will be a stove to the rooms heated.
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The majority of our meals on this trip will be expedition food. This is dehydrated food that we add boiling water too. It will provide all the energy we need for long days in the snow!
Please bring your own snacks (energy / muesli bars, nuts, raisins etc) if you might need these for snowshoeing during the week - though there is also a shop in the village for extra supplies!
We can cater for most dietary requirements. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements at the time of booking.
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This adventure is rated as moderate to challenging. While prior ski and wilderness experience isn’t necessary, a robust fitness level is a must.
What to Expect:
Duration: Expect days in the Arctic to span 6-7 hours, out of which around 5 hours are committed to skiing.
Distance: Daily skiing ranges between 10 km-17 km. This effort can be more demanding than similar distance hikes.
Intensity: New to skiing? That’s okay. However, navigating the diverse terrains requires a solid stamina.
Towing & Carrying: We’ll be using sledges for our equipment and also carrying backpacks. This means added physical exertion.
Terrain: Lapland offers a mix of icy terrains, deep snow trails, and dense forests that we’ll be traversing.
Sub Zero Living: For 5 nights, be prepared for basic conditions without running water or electricity, relying on log-burning stoves for warmth.
Communal Living: Team spirit is at the heart of this journey. We’ll be sharing accommodations and living closely with our group.
Consecutive Activity: The intensity continues with three back-to-back skiing days, demanding but rewarding.
Mindset: A proactive and positive approach will enhance the experience. When challenges arise, dig deep and lean on the group spirit.
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Our experiences are created with solo female travellers in mind, connecting like-minded women through sports, nature and adventure. The Gutsy Girls community is filled with bold and badass women from 18-65 years old, we never ask your age, just that you are up for an adventure!
As a rough guide, most Gutsy Girls guests are 24-60 years old, with around 60% in their 30s-40s.
After a day snowshoeing in the wild, age becomes irrelevant, as we are all connected by our experiences.
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You will need personal travel insurance that covers you for ski touring with a guide - this is a requirement.
We highly recommend you buy your travel insurance as soon as you book your spot to cover yourself should you fall ill or injure yourself before your trip.
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The cancellation will only be effective from the date that the cancellation is received in writing by email. Cancellation charges will be payable as follows:
• Cancellation fee of 100% is charged if cancelled 44 days or less before the trip
• Cancellation fee of 30% is charged if cancelled 45 days or more before the trip
BOOKINGS TERMS AND CONDITIONS
By paying your deposit you agree to the terms and conditions of Gutsy Girls
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Whenever possible we use female instructors and guides, however, we cannot always guarantee this, simply because there are fewer female instructors available!
Our first priority is to work with the most highly experienced and considerate instructors and guides, who are patient, friendly and as passionate as we are about building women’s confidence in the outdoors.
Simply due to the ratio of men to women in the outdoors industry, sometimes this means our guides and instructors are male.
We keep a close eye on the feedback our guides receive from our guests as we believe that overall this is more important than their gender. We sincerely hope that as more women are introduced to adventure sports and activities, the number of female guides and instructors in our industry will increase.
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This trip has a maximum of 6 spots, early booking is advised!
QUESTIONS
Bookings for this adventure are now open, you can secure your spot here.
If you have any questions, please check our FAQs as we’ve likely already answered them!
If not, or if you want to join the waitlist on a sold out date, drop us a message below and we’ll add you to the waitlist and / or get back to you within 48 hours (Monday-Friday) if you have questions!
Frequently Asked Questions + PACKING LIST
HUT TO HUT Packing List
The weather is likely to be cold and changeable. Of course we cannot predict the weather on any given week, but temperatures normally vary between -5 and -20 ° C, and we may sometimes have temperatures of more like -35°C. This sounds cold, however, for most of the winter in Finland it is a “dry” cold which tends to feel less cold than “damp” cold (which we have in the UK!).
You do need enough clothes to stay warm and comfortable though!
Each day, you will pack the pulkas (sleds) such that you do not need to access them during the day and all your daily items should be in a backpack. This includes your insulated jacket for breaks, lunch thermos (provided), drinking thermos, sunscreen and goggles/sunglasses. In general, two people share one pulka and one daypack with each taking turns in pulling the pulka or carrying the daypack, so the daypack should have room for two people’s gear. A lightweight daypack with a volume of 35l-60l works well.
Any luggage you don’t need on the expedition can be left in the first accommodation until you return. We advise packing your essentials such as your skiing clothes and spares in your hand luggage in case your bags are lost in transit (especially if you have a flight connection).
WE PROVIDE
Touring skis and poles
Ski boots
Sled
Sleeping bag
Insulated inflatable sleeping mat
Shovels
Tent
Sledge and expedition gear
YOU WILL NEED
Cross Country Skiing:
Daypack 35l - 60l volume (big enough to fit two people’s day gear as you will swap between pulling the sled and carrying the backpack with another Gutsy Girl)
Wicking sports underwear (preferably not cotton)
Base layer thermal tops (a selection) (synthetic, wool or silk)
Long johns (thermal) (synthetic, wool or silk)
Fleece / Midlayer
Warm sweater
Shell Jacket - windproof and waterproof
Soft shell trousers - windproof, water repellent, breathable (or ski salopettes unlined)
Waterproof trousers
A warm insulated / down jacket (for breaks)
A selection of warm socks of different thicknesses to help you get the best fit in your boots (wool is best)
Sunglasses and / or ski googles with UV protection
Warm hat
Buff (you might want two - one for your neck, one as a headband), scarf or balaclava
Thick mittens (2 pairs, ideally, in case one gets wet - normal ski gloves will do - warm mittens are best if you are prone to getting cold)
Glove liners and/or disposable hand warmers if you suffer from cold hands
Gaiters (optional)
Insulated over trousers (or salopettes) (optional - useful in camp when wild camping)
Off the skis:
Warm evening clothes
Nightwear
Toiletries
Swimwear for the sauna if you wish
Towel
Sleeping bag liner (optional)
Sunscreen (high factor) and lip salve
Any prescription medication
Other medication (paracetamol/ibuprofen) is significantly more expensive in Finland so bring some if you need to
Compeed or moleskin for blisters, just in case!
Slippers / shoes for the cabins
Earplugs and eye mask for sharing rooms / tents
Headtorch
Other Stuff:
Camera
Fully charged power banks (there is no electricity).
Dry bags for inside your day pack to keep stuff dry
Waterproof case for your phone might be handy
Snacks
Insulated water bottle - 1 litre
Thermos flask for warm drinks