Sweden

Backcountry Ski Adventure FAQs

Travel

  • The Navar valley and our remote wilderness lodge is located northwest of Mora in the Dalarna region. This is the land of boreal forests, mountains, lakes, mires and folklore. Our rustic wilderness lodge is an hour's drive through deep forests from Mora train station, close to Lake Orsa in the lowlands, Rännkölen and Anjosvarden nature reserve at semi-high altitudes and the alpine plateau of Fulufjället national park. We choose where to head for the day depending on weather and snow conditions.

  • Whilst we want to give you as much information as possible to make this a simple and stress-free process, you are responsible for your travel arrangements to Mora train station, where we will collect you and take you to the first night's accommodation.

    You’re welcome to book any flights that work with the transfer times.

    Transfers run on a fixed schedule and can’t be delayed, even if your flight is listed. You’re responsible for arriving on time.

    We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers delays, cancellations, and missed connections.

    On arrival, you will need to take a train from the airport (Arlanda Central) to Mora for a 17:40 pick-up. The train takes 3 hrs 27 mins and can be booked here: sj.se.

    The best train to take leaves Arlanda at 14:05 and arrives in Mora at 17:32, direct. There are other options involving changes - you can find all the information at sj.se.

    On the last day, you'll be dropped off at Mora station at 10am.

    The best train to take for an evening flight out of Stockholm leaves Mora at 10:28 and arrives at Arlanda (airport) at 13:54. There is a later option which you can find at sj.se.

    Not sure if your flight works? Just ask — we’re happy to help.

  • Yes — a group transfer is included on both the arrival and departure days. This is a shared transfer, running at fixed times to and from a designated location (usually an airport or train station).

    There is one transfer each way, and your flight must match the timing. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to make your own arrangements.

    • Pickup Point: Mora train station at 17:40

    • Drop-off Point: Mora train station at 10:00

    The group transfer is included in your trip package. There is no discount if you choose not to use it.

  • Missed transfers are rare, but we want to be upfront so you can plan with confidence.

    If your flight is delayed or cancelled, you’ll need to arrange your own transport to meet the group. We’ll support you as best we can — your host will be your main contact on the day and can help coordinate locally. You can also contact our bookings team, available Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm UK time, though replies may be delayed outside of these hours.

    Even if you booked a flight from our Suggested Flights, group transfers run on schedule and cannot wait for late arrivals.

    In some locations, arranging a private transfer is straightforward — but in more remote areas, it can be limited and expensive. That’s why comprehensive travel insurance is essential, not only for delays and cancellations, but also in case you need to cancel your trip before departure.

    Make sure your insurance covers travel delays and missed connections — it could save you a significant amount if things don’t go to plan.

  • You should buy comprehensive travel insurance as soon as you book your trip — not just before you travel. This ensures you’re covered in case you need to cancel before departure, as well as for any unexpected issues while you’re away.

    Your policy should include cover for:

    • Travel delays and missed connections

    • Trip cancellation

    • Medical emergencies and evacuation

    • Baggage and equipment loss

    • All activities included in your itinerary

    Travel insurance is a requirement for joining any Gutsy Girls trip, and it’s your responsibility to check that your policy includes the kind of adventure you've signed up for — especially outdoor or sporting activities.

    Booking your insurance early gives you peace of mind and protects your trip from the very start.

  • Information on ticket release dates is on the sj.se website.

  • We will connect you with others on the trip via WhatsApp, so you may be able to arrange to travel together. 

Accommodation

  • For four nights we stay in a remote rustic off-grid wilderness lodge that will act as a base for our excursions. Rooms are shared between two people.

    The Navardalen Wilderness Lodge is a really special place, located deep in the forest on the shores of Lake Navar. We have the whole lodge area to ourselves. As it’s off-grid, wood-fired heaters will keep us warm and lanterns and candles will provide light. There are no showers, instead we’ll use the sauna and melted snow (and icy dips in the lake if you dare) to keep us fresh! There are five rooms in the grand cabin, a large kitchen, hang-out area and a little cottage.

    Please note that the toilets are in shared outhouses. There is no electricity or running water and no bathroom (except for the sauna.) Single rooms are not available.

    For two nights on this tour - we’ll head up the Fulufjället mountain plateau for a winter camping expedition!

    You’ll pull a sled with everything needed to stay warm while winter camping. A lightweight yurt gives us a sheltered place to cook and hang out, protected from the elements.

  • Staying warm while winter camping is all about equipment and knowledge. We use Hilleberg Staika free-standing tents (one tent shared between two people), Exped’s inflatable Downmats and Fjällräven Polar down sleeping bags, which are all made for way colder temperatures than you will experience on this trip.

    Our wilderness chef will prepare an array of hearty soups and stews for us to reheat.

  • We will provide bed linen.

    Hairdryers and towels are not provided!

  • No - you could bring some soap flakes / travel wash to wash your base layers if you think this will be necessary!

Food

  • All your meals are provided.

    You’ll enjoy delicious food on this trip. We cook some items ourselves in the lodge. We might grill toasties over the fire while we're out, but we also bring hearty soups and stews prepared in advance by our wilderness chef. In sub-zero temperatures, it’s nice to mostly be able to keep your gloves on and it’s a great way to still enjoy filling great tasting meals.

    Swedish products are always our first choice.

    Please bring your own snacks (energy / muesli bars, nuts, raisins etc) if you might need these during the week.

    We can cater for most dietary requirements. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements at the time of booking.

  • We can cater for most dietary requirements and we will request information prior to your arrival.

    Please check in advance though if you have any queries about catering for your requirements.

Activities

  • No! It’s definitely a bonus, but this trip is designed for complete beginners. . We’ll start out on simple tracks near our base to get comfortable on skis and build confidence. Once you’ve got the basics, we’ll leave the trails behind and head into the wild, making our own way through the snow.

    The terrain is low altitude and well suited for beginners, but this is still a physical adventure. You’ll be pulling a pulka (a small sled with your kit) and helping to set up camp each evening. You’ll need good balance, a decent level of fitness, and a can-do attitude, but no technical skills or ski background.

  • Have a read of our blog post here for why we have chosen cross country skiing!

    For cross country skiing we use light-weight skis and boots. There are no ski lifts and instead we glide across the snow, powered by our own effort. The terrain is gently rolling, for the most part. We will teach you the techniques you need to travel across the snow, and up and down gentle gradients.

    This trip will mostly be away from prepared tracks, exploring the wilderness at a gentle and appropriate pace, to suit the group. Some of the time we will be carrying our equipment with us on sleds (pulks) which we drag behind us.

    Cross country skiing is a great way to explore and take in the winter landscape away from the crowds, whilst also being  an exciting sport that combines learning ski technique with great exercise.

  • In classic cross country skiing, we ski on pressed tracks which make for a faster and more technical, sporty type of skiing, like "running on skis".

    In comparison, most of our skiing on this trip will be backcountry skiing - which means off the tracks and more in the wilderness. The skis are likely to be wider and more stable, and the going will be slower - as we will be breaking trail and on some days, pulling a sled with everything we need to stay warm while winter camping. The skis have built-in “skins”, which gives them a good grip when going uphill and it’s surprisingly easy to make progress, but strenuous. It is still cross country skiing, but this variant is often called backcountry skiing and can be more compared to "hiking on skis".

  • If you’d like to learn a new sport and explore winter wilderness with no prior ski experience, cross country skiing could be for you. It’s like hiking on skis and ideal for anyone who hikes or runs long distances, who has good coordination and balance. It’s also a lot of fun!

    The Movement & Terrain

    Cross country skiing is a gliding and sliding motion. If you do not like the sensation of sliding or are nervous about falling, this winter sport might not be for you.

    Cross country skiing does have downhill sections, they aren’t super steep, but you will learn to go down them and control your speed. If you do not like the sensation of going downhill, maybe from previous skiing experiences, then you may not enjoy cross country skiing. 

    You need to be prepared to fall over a bit while learning! Usually, the soft snow makes these falls relatively painless.

    Fitness

    Cross country skiing is a physically demanding sport at times! It does get described as ‘running or hiking with skis on’. As far as cardio fitness goes, this is true - it can be hard work! We do recommend you have a good base fitness level to get the most out of the experience. 

    If you do physical activity that gets your heart rate up a minimum of 3 times a week for at least 45 minutes, you’ll have a great time on skis!

    We encourage you to be kind to yourself when deciding if this is the sport for you.

  • Most people find learning to cross country ski much easier than alpine skiing. If you are active in daily life, have a reasonable fitness level and good balance, then you'll be making great progress over the snow in no time!

    Cross country skiing does have downhill sections; they aren’t super steep, but you will learn to go down them and control your speed. If you do not like the sensation of going downhill, maybe from previous skiing experiences, then you may not enjoy cross country skiing. 

    You do need to be prepared to fall over a bit while you’re learning! Usually the soft snow makes these falls fairly painless.

  • This style of skiing is slightly different from our Norway trips. In Norway, we are skiing on pressed tracks which make for a faster and more technical, sporty type of skiing, like "running on skis".

    In comparison, most of our skiing on this trip will be off the tracks and more in the wilderness. The skis are likely to be wider and more stable, and our speed will be slower - as we will be breaking trail and on some days, pulling a sled with everything we need to stay warm while winter camping. The skis have built-in “skins”, which gives them a good grip when going uphill and it’s surprisingly easy to make progress, but strenuous. This can be compared to "hiking on skis".

  • For the first few days we will be learning to ski and working towards our winter camping expedition. We ski around 3.5 to 5 hours each day with breaks.

    On the expedition to the Fulufjället mountain plateau we ski for a max of about 10km, with a 3km ascent, to an expansive plateau of wind-swept snowy plains. The skis have built-in “skins”, which gives them a good grip when going uphill and it’s surprisingly easy to make progress, but strenuous. 

    Coming back down is the tricky part but we’re not expecting you to master any fancy manoeuvres. We take our time and move as slow as we need to, zigzagging down to the valleys below.

  • For the first few days, you will just need a daypack that has plenty of space for a water bottle, snacks and layers that you need to peel off and put away. We recommend a backpack of about 25 litres. 

    For our wilderness camping expedition, each of us will pull a sled with everything we need to stay warm while winter camping. This will include more than just your own luggage as we will have to carry tents, warm sleeping mats, down sleeping bags and a group yurt. Your sled will weigh between 10 - 15 kg.

  • This holiday is rated moderate to challenging.

    This trip is designed for beginners. No previous ski or winter sports experience is required, but a good to high fitness level and a positive mindset are essential.

    This trip would be ideal for those who’ve completed short hut-to-hut or hiking treks or taken part in any trip where you’re away from home comforts for a few consecutive days.

    It would also be a great place to start for anyone who’d like to try an expedition or know they’d thrive in the more basic conditions, but have never had an opportunity to give it a go. 

    Fitness Requirements

    You take part in medium to high-intensity cardio exercise 3 times a week, for around 45 minutes each time.

    What That Might Look Like

    Your weekly routine regularly includes activities like running, HIIT sessions, crossfit, cycling, or spin classes. While you don’t need to be a world-class athlete or breaking records, you're accustomed to 45 minute workouts that raise your heart rate and leave you breathing heavily.. Engaging in low-intensity activities, like walking, yoga, and pilates will be beneficial, especially for balance and coordination, but these alone won't be enough to meet the cardio demands of this trip.

    What to Expect

    Duration: Each day you’ll be active for around 5 hours.

    Distance: We'll cover around 8 - 12 km daily. Consider if you can comfortably walk these distances on consecutive days.

    Intensity: Backcountry cross country skiing feels like hiking with skis on. The day we pull the sledges behind us will be more demanding.

    Balance: You’ll be skiing off track, the wide skis with hard metal edges will give you stability. You’ll need some balance to stay upright though!

    Downhill: The trails are not overly steep, but you will need to be comfortable gaining speed on a slope.

    Sliding Motion: Being comfortable with a gliding sensation is essential.

  • Working on your cardiovascular fitness will help you with endurance and stamina. Walking at a good pace (where you feel slightly out of breath) is really useful, or of course, running or cycling or performing other higher intensity exercise.

    Improving your strength, core stability and balance really helps with cross country skiing too. Good balance is essential for weight transfer from one ski to the next. We will be balancing on one ski as it glides – so if standing one one leg is a challenge then practising will help! You could stand on one leg every time you clean your teeth! 

    Activities and sports that challenge balance can also help to develop it, such as Pilates, yoga and dancing.

  • There is a traditional sauna available at our wilderness lodge. Swedish people traditionally go to the sauna in single sex groups without wearing swimming costumes. Feel free to wear yours though if you prefer!
    You can wash yourself in the sauna – there is hot water, buckets and scoops available.

Packing

  • Please see our blog about cross country ski clothing here.

    In a nutshell, cross country skiing is a very active sport that can cause you to generate a lot of heat, despite the cold. 

    Cross country skiing does NOT require the same sort of clothing as downhill skiing. There are no long stretches sitting on chairlifts at the mercy of the weather! 

    Although  you can get hot and sweaty, when you stop during cross country skiing your body cools back down quickly. The mistake people often make is overdressing, causing them to get too hot and sweaty whilst moving. This means the moment they stop, they cool down quickly are then vulnerable to the cold and damp. In addition, when skiing with a group, you may stop more frequently or for longer than you would if you were alone. 

    We recommend a variety of wool or synthetic base layers, topped by a lightweight, windproof, breathable waterproof hiking jacket (shell) with a hood, with a warm, insulated jacket in a backpack to put on at rest stops. On your legs, we recommend windproof, water repellent, breathable soft shell type fitted trousers or leggings.

    We recommend avoiding cotton clothing as it gets wet and cold and doesn't dry fast.

    Other vital items are warm socks, sunglasses, sunscreen, waterproof and insulated gloves, a buff and hat.

    Winter clothing rental

    On this adventure, we offer winter clothing rental. You have the option to rent at the time of booking or up to two weeks prior to your trip. Rest assured, your attire will be ready and waiting for you in Sweden, and once your journey concludes, you can simply leave it with us. The clothes are maintained and cleaned between use.

    The gear we provide is sourced from Houdini Sportswear – a premium Swedish brand celebrated for its exceptional outdoor apparel quality.

    For more information, please see "Can I rent winter clothing for this adventure?"

  • Yes! The trip price includes the hire of touring skis, ski boots, gloves, goggles, sled, snowshoes and all camping gear.

  • Yes! For this adventure, we offer winter clothing rentals.

    You have the option to rent at the time of booking or up to two weeks before your trip start date. Rest assured, your attire will be ready and waiting for you in Sweden, and once your journey concludes, you can simply leave it with us. The clothes are maintained and cleaned between use.

    The gear we provide is sourced from Houdini Sportswear – a premium Swedish brand celebrated for its exceptional outdoor apparel quality.

    CLOTHING BUNDLE RENTAL £150

    • PowerHoudi – Polartec® fleece hoodie

    • Mrs. Dunfri – Primaloft® lightweight synthetic down (mid or lighter reinforcement layer)

    • RollerCoaster Jacket – Fully featured mountaineering shell jacket.

    • RollerCoaster Trousers – Waterproof and breathable 3-layer shell pants for skiing and mountaineering

    Extra Thick Reinforcement Jacket £65

    If you are a very cold person it might be worth getting this Houdini jacket for extra insulation when we are standing still, cooking or in the evenings.

    • Bouncer Jacket – Padded with Primaloft® synthetic insulation that provides incredible warmth.

  • Yes! You can find it here.

Other

  • 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 -30°C or even above zero. For most of the winter in Sweden it is a “dry” cold which tends to feel less cold than “damp” cold (which we have in the UK!).

    The weather can be cloudy or sunny and we can also see wind and snowfalls.

  • We won't be very far north so chances are lower on this trip than some of our trips closer to the arctic circle. Having said that, they do appear at this latitude and we will be in the wilderness where artificial light pollution will not interfere, so if they do appear it will be easy to observe them. However, just like the weather, the Northern Lights are completely unpredictable and their appearance can never be forecast with certainty, so we can never guarantee this!

  • The tour price includes full board but you may want some cash for drinks or snacks. Shopping possibilities are limited.

    ATMs are not available during the tour.

  • There is no upper age limit for our adventures - the Gutsy Girls community is filled with fun and friendly women from 18-70+. We just ask that you are up for the challenge, prepared enough and ready to dig in and get on with it.

  • You can definitely join alone! The vast majority of guests come along to our events and retreats solo.

    Our aim is to connect you with like-minded new friends! We are a very friendly bunch, so come as you are - we can’t wait to meet you!

  • Whenever possible, we use female instructors and guides on our day events and trips, 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 amount of female guides and instructors in our industry will increase.