Finland

Snowshoeing Adventure

7 nights from £1500 • €1825 • $2080

Activities

6 days guided adventures

Accommodation

7 nights cabin - shared rooms only

Level

Beginner friendly

Food

Simple and hearty

Difficulty

Group Size

Moderate

Transfers

12 new friends

Dates

December
January
March

Dec & Jan: Fly into Kuusamo
March: Fly into Rovaniemi

  • Snowshoeing

    Join us on this beginner friendly, women only snowshoeing expedition!

  • Icebathing

    Try ice-bathing in a frozen lake!

  • Explore the Wilderness

    Explore pristine coniferous forests and frozen lakes of eastern Finland

  • Remote Off-Grid Cabin

    Stay in wilderness cabins and log cabins!

  • Outdoor Cooking

    Cook and share delicious meals over an open fire

  • Sauna

    End each day with a traditional Finnish Sauna

  • Northern Lights

    An amazing chance to see the Northern Lights!

Join up with a small group of fellow Gutsy Girls and head off on a guided snowshoeing holiday, deep into the pristine Hossa National Park. We’ve partnered with local, expert wilderness guides to create a unique winter adventure, taking you into the peace and tranquility of the forest trails and over the ridges and frozen lakes of eastern Finland.

This trip is the perfect active escape. During the week-long retreat you will snowshoe, ice swim (if you dare!), devour fire-cooked meals, wind down in the sauna, share each other's company by the woodburning stove and bed down in traditional log cabins and wilderness huts.

After a short introductory session on snowshoeing equipment and technique, you will be equipped to access the incredible snow-covered landscape with your guide. No previous experience is necessary, but you will need to be fit and comfortable being out for 6 hours per day, adventuring over variable snowy terrain. There will be many short ups and downs to challenge and exhilarate!

We can’t wait to share the sport of snowshoeing and the remote Finnish wilderness with you.

Location

We’ll be heading to Hossa, Finland’s 40th National Park, which stretches over 11,000 hectares of pristine coniferous forest and sparkling lakes. Reindeer, elk, hares, wolves, wolverines and bears (safely in hibernation at this time of year!) roam freely through the birch, spruce and pine.

This beautiful area has been inhabited since the Stone Age - and some of Finland’s most important rock paintings can be found at Värikallio, dating back over 4,000 years. And with over 90kms of trails, it is the perfect location for a snowshoeing adventure with new friends.

Activities

  • Snowshoeing

    Do you like to hike? Snowshoeing is the winter extension, making remote snowy terrain accessible! Snowshoes are worn over footwear and their wide frame allows bodyweight to be distributed over a larger area. This stops you from sinking into the snow and helps to achieve ‘flotation’ - on top of the white stuff rather than thigh deep in it!

    It’s a great sport for beginners because it doesn’t need the same level of technical skill and experience as skiing or snowboarding, yet gets you out into the wide open, snowy backcountry. It’s great exercise too because it works your whole body, improves balance, proprioception and muscle condition and is fast to learn.

  • Icebathing and Sauna

    Snowshoeing is a great winter activity, it requires no previous experience or technical skills, it's simply hiking! Snowshoes are worn over hiking boots and their wide frame spreads your weight across the snow surface preventing you from sinking in to deep snow. It's a great way to access snow covered terrains and explore during winter.

  • Snowshoeing

    Wilderness Cabin Expedition

    Hike deep into the Finnish wilderness for an unforgettable two-night stay in an off-grid cabin. With no electricity, we’ll light the evenings with candles and keep warm by the crackling wood stove. Enjoy the rustic charm of a wood-fired sauna, and for the ultimate adventure, take an invigorating ice bath in the frozen lake just outside your door.

  • Northern Lights

    Snowshoeing is a great winter activity, it requires no previous experience or technical skills, it's simply hiking! Snowshoes are worn over hiking boots and their wide frame spreads your weight across the snow surface preventing you from sinking in to deep snow. It's a great way to access snow covered terrains and explore during winter.

Snowshoeing

Do you like to hike? Snowshoeing is the winter extension, making remote snowy terrain accessible! Snowshoes are worn over footwear and their wide frame allows bodyweight to be distributed over a larger area. This stops you from sinking into the snow and helps to achieve ‘flotation’ - on top of the white stuff rather than thigh deep in it!

It’s a great sport for beginners because it doesn’t need the same level of technical skill and experience as skiing or snowboarding, yet gets you out into the wide open, snowy backcountry. It’s great exercise too because it works your whole body, improves balance, proprioception and muscle condition and is fast to learn.

Ice Bathing and Saunas

In Finland, where there are more saunas than people, the sauna is a vital part of the culture and a truly immersive experience. On this expedition, you’ll have the chance to relax in a traditional wood-fired sauna, soaking in the warmth after an active day in the wilderness. For the adventurous, take the plunge into the Finnish tradition of ice bathing by dipping into a hole in the frozen lake—it’s an exhilarating way to refresh both body and mind!

Wilderness Expedition

Hike deep into the Finnish wilderness for an unforgettable two-night stay in an off-grid cabin. With no electricity, we’ll light the evenings with candles and keep warm by the crackling wood stove. Enjoy the rustic charm of a wood-fired sauna, and for the ultimate adventure, take an invigorating ice bath in the frozen lake just outside your door.

Northern Lights

With seven nights in Finland’s pristine wilderness, we’ll have plenty of chances to catch sight of the northern lights. Each evening, we’ll keep our fingers crossed for clear skies and scan the horizon for this mesmerising display. While we can’t guarantee a sighting, this remote location offers the ideal conditions to witness the auroras dancing across the sky in all their breathtaking beauty.

Fitness and Experience Level

  • This trip is rated as Moderate.

  • During this adventure, we’ll snowshoe between 6 and 11 kilometres each day, typically spending around 5 to 6 hours outdoors. The pace is relaxed, with plenty of time for snack breaks, soaking in the stunning scenery, and enjoying a long, leisurely lunch.

    The terrain is varied, featuring many short ups and downs but no sustained climbs. Our route takes us through breathtaking landscapes—winding through silent forests, across ridges, and over frozen lakes.

    By late January, snow depth is usually around 60–70cm of soft powder, which can slow our pace to 1–2 km per hour. On firmer tracks, we’ll move faster and may even add extra kilometres for those keen to go further.

    This tour is rated moderate in difficulty, but snow conditions can make it more physically demanding. No previous snowshoeing experience is necessary, but a good level of fitness will ensure you get the most out of the trip. If you enjoy hiking and do some form of heart-rate-raising physical activity 2–3 times a week, you’ll be well prepared to enjoy the adventure!

  • For 7 nights, you’ll be staying in the heart of the National Park.

    5 Nights in Basecamp Cabin

    We’ll stay in a simple yet spacious cabin located on the edge of a frozen lake. The cabin includes a shared lounge area with a cosy wood-burning stove and features a private sauna with additional shower facilities.

    Room Setup:

    • Twin room shared with one other person

    • Shared bathrooms among guests

    • Private rooms are not available

    2 Nights in Wilderness Cabin

    During our 2-night expedition, we’ll stay in smaller, rustic wilderness cabins that provide a truly back-to-nature experience. These cabins have no electricity, are heated by wood stoves, and include a traditional wood-fired sauna for an authentic experience.

    Room Setup:

    • Bunk rooms accommodating up to 4 people

    • Toilets located in a separate building

    • No showers available; washing can be done in the sauna using water fetched directly from the well.

  • Each day, we’ll enjoy a delicious and nutritious breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a focus on Finnish products.

    Breakfast: Served at the cabin around 8am, featuring a variety of options like bread, cheese, ham, porridge, muesli, yoghurt, coffee, and tea.

    Lunch: Prepared over an open fire along the route around midday, including hot soup, sandwiches, and coffee or tea with chocolate and biscuits.

    Dinner: A hearty buffet with typical Finnish dishes, served between 7-8pm. A main course (meat/fish, potatoes/rice), fresh salad or warm vegetables, and dessert.

    Dietary requirements can be accommodated with prior notice!

Itinerary

  • Day 1

    Your adventure begins with your arrival at the airport! We’ll connect you with fellow Gutsy Girls on the trip, so there’s a good chance you’ll already have company on the journey. A transfer will bring you to our base camp at the traditional Jatkonsalmi cabin, nestled in a remote spot on the shore of Lake Jatkonjärvi in the heart of Hossa National Park.

    This charming log cabin offers a cozy, rustic experience. It features shared indoor toilets and showers, as well as a kitchen, dining room, central heating, and of course, a sauna. There’s even a spot for ice-swimming, if you’re feeling brave…

  • Day 2

    After a hearty breakfast and an introduction to the week’s programme, we’ll begin with a short session on snowshoeing techniques to get everyone confidently geared up. Then we’re off on our first day trip to the historic Lounatkoski rapids.

    This area once harnessed the hydropower of the fastest-flowing rapids in Hossa and still features an old grain mill and timber-floating structures. After exploring, we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch around an open fire before snowshoeing back to the cabin via Jatkonvaara Hill.

    Relax in the lakeside sauna this evening and, if you're feeling courageous, try dipping into the ice hole for a true Finnish experience!

    Snowshoeing: 7 km, approx. 6 hours

  • Day 3

    Today we’ll take a short transfer before snowshoeing to the incredible Colour Rock, where we’ll discover 4,000-year-old rock paintings left by early inhabitants of the region. Our guide will share the fascinating stories behind these prehistoric artworks.

    We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch around an open fire, complete with hot soup, sandwiches, and traditional fire-brewed coffee. Afterward, we return to our cabin to rest up for the wilderness ahead.

    Snowshoeing: 7 km, approx. 6 hours

  • Day 4

    After breakfast, we bid farewell to our base camp and venture deeper into the wilderness. Today’s trail takes us along a stunning ridge between frozen lakes and through serene pine, spruce, and birch forests. Don’t be surprised if we cross paths with some reindeer!

    By the afternoon, we’ll reach the peaceful cabins on the northern shore of Lake Iso-Valkeinen. These rustic wilderness cabins are heated by wood-burning stoves and feature a sauna. There is no electricity or showers, and toilets are in shared outhouses—embrace the simplicity!

    Snowshoeing: 7 km, approx. 6 hours

  • Day 5

    We continue our snowshoeing journey through peaceful, snowy landscapes of ridges and frozen lakes. The forest is home to elusive wildlife such as elk, lynx, hares, and wolves (bears are hibernating, don’t worry!).

    We’ll stop for lunch at a lean-to shelter near a beautiful rapid, enjoying food by the fire. In the afternoon, we’ll arrive at our final wilderness stop: the cozy Huosiusjärvi and Iikoski cabins, located just 200 metres apart.

    Snowshoeing: 8 km, approx. 6.5 hours

  • Day 6

    Today we journey back to where it all started. Following scenic ridges, we reach the Hossa Visitor Centre, where we’ll stop for lunch and a chance to browse a small souvenir shop. We finish our snowshoeing adventure back at our lakeside cabin.

    Time to enjoy a well-earned sauna, one last ice swim (if you’ve been working up the courage!), and a celebratory dinner.

    Snowshoeing: 5 km, approx. 4 hours

  • Day 7

    After breakfast, the day is yours to explore further. Choose from optional activities such as tobogganing, ice-fishing, or a short snowshoe hike. Or stay cozy by the fire and learn how to build an igloo!

    In the evening, we’ll gather for our final sauna session, and celebrate the week with a heartfelt Gutsy Girls farewell dinner.

  • Day 8

    After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to this snowy wonderland. A transfer will take you to the airport for your journey home, full of memories and new friendships made in the frozen forests of Finland.

    • Sun 28 December - Sun 4 January

    • Sun 4 January - Sun 11 January

    • Sun 18 January - Sun 25 January

    • Sun 15 March - Sun 22 March

Dates

Price

December Shared Room: £1650 (approx. €1944 / $2215)

January Shared Room: £1550 (approx. €1825 / $2080)

March Shared Room: £1650 (approx. €1944 / $2215)

  • Gutsy Girls is a UK-based adventure company welcoming women worldwide. Prices are in pounds (£) with estimates in euros (€) and US dollars ($). The final amount depends on your card provider’s conversion rate at payment time and may fluctuate.

  • Secure your spot with a 30% deposit; the balance is due 45 days before the trip.

Included

  • 6 days of guided snowshoeing

  • 7 nights accommodation

    • 4 nights in a twin-share equipped cabin 2 nights in a rustic wilderness cabin with dorm-style lodging

  • Snowshoes, poles, snow boots, and mittens provided

  • Expert local guide and Gutsy Girls host

  • All meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

  • Relax with traditional saunas and experience ice swimming

  • Luggage transfers between accommodations

  • Single airport transfer for the recommended flight times

    • Flights

    • Drinks

    • Travel Insurance

    • Personal clothing

    Check out our packing list here

  • 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

Travel

The transfer times and airports are different for different dates.

  • Transfer times & recommended flights for December 2025

    Our recommended flights are to Kuusamo with Finnair from London Heathrow, via Helsinki and our airport transfers are designed to meet these flights. Kuusamo is approximately a 1 hour journey to our base cabin.

    We will do one transfer on arrival and departure at the following times:

    Arrival transfer: 10pm pick up from Kuusamo airport
    Departure transfer: Drop off at Kuusamo airport at 10:30am

    Our recommended flights are indirect flights with Finnair from London Heathrow (LHR) to Kuusamo (KAO) via Helsinki (HEL) as follows:

    Outbound:

    LHR 13:35 ✈ HEL 18:25 | Finnair AY1334

    Connect in airport

    HEL 19:50 ✈ KAO at 21:35 | Finnair AY415

    Return:

    KAO 12:30 ✈ HEL 14:15 | Finnair AY486

    Connect in airport

    HEL 16:00 ✈ LHR at 17:00 | Finnair AY1337

    We recommend booking your flights as soon as we have confirmed your trip is running.

    General

    You can get to Kuusamo however you like, as long as you are at the airport in time to meet our transfers. You may want to spend a night exploring Helsinki at the beginning or end of your trip.

    Other airlines which fly direct from the UK to Helsinki are Norwegian and Ryanair.

    Please note we can only do one transfer on arrival and departure. Due to long distances, private transfers are expensive to arrange.

  • Transfer times & recommended flights for January 2026

    Our recommended flights are direct to Kuusamo with TUI from either London Gatwick, Manchester or Birmingham and our airport transfers are designed to meet these flights. Kuusamo is approximately a 1 hour journey to our base cabin.

    We will do one transfer on arrival and departure at the following times:

    Arrival transfer: 13:30 pm pick up from Kuusamo airport
    Departure transfer: Drop off at Kuusamo airport at 10:45am

    Our recommended flights are charter flights with TUI from London Gatwick (LGW), Manchester (MAN) or Birmingham (BHX) to Kuusamo (KAO) as follows:

    London

    Outbound:
    LGW 06:00 ✈ KAO 11:35 | TUI

    Return:
    KAO 12:45 ✈ LGW 14:35 | TUI

    Manchester

    Outbound
    MAN 07:35 ✈ KAO at 13:00 | TUI

    Return
    KAO 14:10 ✈ BHX 15:35 | TUI

    Birmingham

    Outbound
    BHX 06:50 ✈ KAO at 12:10 | TUI

    Return
    KAO 13:20 ✈ BHX 14:45 | TUI

    You can book these directly on the TUI website. We recommend booking your flights as soon as we have confirmed your trip is running as there are not many alternative flight options!

    Alternatives

    You could also fly outbound with Finnair and spend a night in Helsinki on Saturday before the trip begins; the transfer time can usually accommodate a morning Finnair flight to Kuusamo from Helsinki. If you are flying back to the UK with Finnair, you may need to spend another night in Helsinki on the way home.

    General

    You can get to Kuusamo however you like, as long as you are at the airport in time to meet our transfers. You may want to spend a night exploring Helsinki at the beginning or end of your trip.

    Other airlines which fly direct from the UK to Helsinki are Norwegian and Ryanair.

    Please note we can only do one transfer on arrival and departure. Due to long distances, private transfers are expensive to arrange.

  • There are no direct flights to Kuusamo (the closest airport) in March.

    Our recommended flights to Rovaniemi are from London Gatwick with Easyjet. Rovaniemi is approximately a 3.5 - 4 hour journey to our base cabin.

    We can do one transfer on arrival and departure at the following times:

    Arrival transfer: 12:30 pm pick up from Rovaniemi airport

    Departure transfer: Drop off at Rovaniemi airport at 10:45 am

    Easyjet from London Gatwick

    Outbound:
    LGW 06:25 ✈ RVN 11:55 | EZY8847

    Return:
    RVN 12:45 ✈ LGW 14:35 | EZY884

    Our transfer timings are aligned with these flights. No other direct flights to Rovaniemi are available on these dates.


    General

    You can get to Rovaniemi however you like, as long as you are at the airport in time to meet our transfers. You may want to spend a night exploring Helsinki at the beginning or end of your trip.

    Finnair, Norwegian and Ryanair fly direct to Helsinki from the UK.

    Finnair and Norwegian fly from Helsinki to Rovaniemi.

    Please note we can only do one transfer on arrival and departure. Due to long distances, private transfers are expensive to arrange.

Packing List

    • Snow shoes

    • Trekking poles

    • Snow boots (if required - free to rent)

    • Sleeping bag and mummy liner (2 nights in wilderness cabins)

    • Bath towel (if you want to have a separate hand towel, please bring your own)

  • Snowshoeing essentials:

    • Snow boots – Free rental available. No need to invest in specialist footwear – let us know at booking if you’d like to hire a pair.

    • Gaiters – Optional, but can be helpful in deep snow.

    • 20–30L day backpack

    • Base layers – Multiple thermal tops (synthetic, wool, or silk)

    • Thermal leggings/long johns (synthetic, wool, or silk)

    • Fleece or wool jumper

    • Shell jacket – Breathable, windproof, and water resistant.

    • Soft-shell trousers – Windproof, breathable, with room for thermals underneath.

    • Waterproof trousers – Optional but good for wind protection

    • Insulated/down jacket – Warm and packable

    • Warm socks – Several pairs in different thicknesses (wool is best)

    Hand & Face Protection

    • Ski gloves – Bring two pairs in case one gets wet

    • Warm mittens – Available to rent for free – especially recommended if you're prone to cold hands

    • Over-mittens – Large mittens to wear over gloves/mittens during stops

    • Glove liners or hand warmers

    • Warm hat

    • Ear muffs – Optional

    • Buffs (ideally two: one for neck, one as headband), scarf, or balaclava

    • Sunglasses – Ski goggles are optional for bad weather (can fog when warm)

    Off the Snow / Evenings

    • Casual warm clothes for evenings

    • Nightwear

    • Slippers or indoor shoes – Hard/waterproof soles are ideal

    • Pillowcase or camping pillow (optional; basic ones provided)

    • Earplugs & eye mask – Useful in shared cabins

    • Head torch & spare batteries

    • Toiletries

    • Swimwear & neoprene gloves/boots (for optional sauna & ice swimming – Finns often go nude!)

    • Sleeping bag liner (optional; we provide one)

    • Travel towel (optional; bath towels are provided)

    • 30 - 40l soft sided overnight bag for packing for the wilderness cabins (optional; these are provided if you don’t bring your own)

    Other Stuff

    • Sunscreen (high factor) and lip balm

    • Hand sanitiser

    • Prescription medication

    • Painkillers – e.g. paracetamol/ibuprofen (more expensive in Finland)

    • Compeed or moleskin – For potential blisters

    • Dry bags – To keep contents dry inside your backpack

    • Waterproof phone case – Optional but useful

    • Snacks – Bring a variety of your favourites

    • Medium-sized Tupperware – For packed lunches on the trail

    • Thermos flask – For hot drinks on the go

    • Water bottle – Avoid Camelbak-style bladders; they freeze

    • Soap flakes/wash – Optional for hand-washing thermals

Questions?

If you have any questions, check our FAQs or drop us a message below!