Self-guided nordic skiing adventure

The boreal forests of Hossa National Park are a real winter wonderland and, with a multitude of ski trails to explore, it is a nordic skiing paradise. This non-guided adventure includes infinite possibilities, enjoy different skiing adventures in the heart of the boreal forest daily and return each evening to our comfortable basecamp and warm sauna... A trip for those who want to connect with nature and experience the highlights and joys of a northern winter here in the snowy taiga.

Itinerary

  • Day 1 Welcome to Finland

    Welcome to Finland Transfer by bus or by car to Hossa (about 1 hour) and time to get settled in your log cottage or hotel room. We will meet you for a welcoming dinner.

    Accommodation: Cottage or lodge

  • Day 2 Nordic skiing in Hossa

    Nordic skiing in Hossa Discover a range of nordic skiing routes which depart directly from your hotel or cottage. Our basecamp is ideally located so that you can enjoy the highlights of Hossa National Park by cross-country skiing from your accommodation each day and returning each night to a hot meal, sauna and warm comfortable beds.

    Accommodation: Cottage or lodge

  • Day 3 Nordic skiing in Hossa

    Nordic skiing in Hossa If you would like to go for a longer skiing adventure and spend a night (or more) in trappers cabins deep in the woods this can be arranged for a small additional fee. These adorable huts are equipped with heating, running water and electricity.

    Accommodation: Cottage or lodge

  • Day 4 Nordic skiing in Hossa

    Nordic skiing in Hossa Each day brings a new trail and a new adventure in your boreal forest playground. Other optional activities include: snowmobiling, dogsledding, snowshoeing, winter walking with dogs, ice fishing…

    Accommodation: Cottage or lodge

  • Day 5 Nordic skiing in Hossa

    Nordic skiing in Hossa With more than 100 miles (+160km) of skiing slopes, Hossa really is a fantastic natural playground for all ski and nature lovers. Skiing is, in our opinion, the best way to discover the park in winter...

    Accommodation: Cottage or lodge

  • Day 6 Nordic skiing in Hossa

    Nordic skiing in Hossa Why not try skijoering today? A style of Nordic skiing where you are attached to a husky sled dog or a Greenlandic dog and together you explore the park the trapper way... with the contagious energy of your faithful companion you will be able to venture even further from your accommodation.

    Accommodation: Cottage or lodge

  • Day 7 Nordic skiing in Hossa

    Nordic skiing in Hossa Last day in Hossa! You can visit our kennels and our 160 adorable dogs or spend the day in the park enjoying a hot lunch at one of the many fireplace in the park...

    Accommodation: Cottage or lodge

  • Day 8 Farewell Finland

    Farewell Finland Breakfast and transfer to Kuusamo airport.

This itinerary, including walking distances and times, is indicative and fully flexible.

Other trips you may like

cute sled-dogs in the snow
Multi-activities in Hossa: This trip has been designed for those who want to discover the wonders of a Finnish winter in one of the most stunning and isolated parts of Europe. Get ready for a week of adventure...


cross country skiing expedition through the winter wilderness of Spitzbergen
Von Post Glacier: Join us on a real winter adventure as, accompanied by sled dogs, we venture into the heart of Svalbards untouched arctic world. Explore the stunning area of Tempelfjorden by ski/snowshoe and discover the thrills of the back to basics lifestyle where everything you need is in your pulk...

Period & budget

When to travel?

The best period for travelling is during the following months:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Price

One people: from €670

The budget is an indication of the price per person, subject to availability. Your local agent will send you a customized quote with the exact price. The price can vary according to availability, level of services, period of travel, number of participants, booking time frame and other items.

Included

  • Airport transfers from/to Kuusamo airport
  • Warm chalet accommodation with sauna access
  • Full board from D1 dinner to D8 breakfast

Not included

  • Flights
  • Insurance

Additional Options

  • Single room supplement:of 300€
  • Reindeer farm visit: €10 (+meal €40)
  • Skiing equipment and some cold weather clothing (see 'practical info', 'equipment' for more details)

Notes

Comfort: 4/5 Comfortable

Well-equipped accommodation options like basic hotels or charming guesthouses are rated 4/5 for comfort. Please note that depending on the destination this does not necessarily guarantee private bathroom and kitchen facilities. This trip uses chalet accommodation, you will have your own chalet with a private kitchen, bathroom and sauna.

Level: 2/5 Moderate

This is your adventure, you can choose how strenuous or how relaxing each day is. Please note that our difficulty ratings may vary depending on the weather. You should have a sense of adventure and a positive attitude.

This is a participative trip - you will be self-dependent during your skiing days. We will provide you with food and snacks for lunches and coffee-breaks but you will organize and manage your excursions as well as your breaks. There are lots of firepits so you can build warming fires and cook hot food at lunchtimes. Children are welcome but it is up to the parents to manage their daily activities accordingly.

International flights

Flights are not included, please contact us if you require transfers to/from destinations other than Kuusamo airport

Terms and conditions

Booking conditions

Booking a trip with Norwide implies acceptance of the terms and conditions of sale. Each customer is required to complete a registration form and, subject to availability at the time of registration, travellers are expected to pay a deposit of 30% of the total price to complete their booking. Payments can be made online or by bank transfer. You will receive an e-mail with your booking confirmation.

Invoice procedure

Once your booking is confirmed you will receive an invoice by e-mail. The full balance of the trip must be received at least 30 days before your departure date. Norwide reserve the right to cancel your booking, free of charge, if this deadline is not respected.

Cancellation policy

If for any reason you have to cancel your trip, Norwide require written confirmation of your decision. The money you have paid will then be refunded according to the following deductions:

  • Cancellation received more than 30 days prior to the departure date: a sum of €50 per person will be retained
  • Cancellation received 30 to 21 days before the departure date: your deposit, 30% of the total trip price will be retained
  • Cancellation received 20 to 14 days before the departure date: 50% of the total trip price will be retained
  • Cancellation received 13 to 7 days before the departure date: 75% of the total trip price will be retained
  • Cancellation received less than 7 days before the departure date: 100% of the total trip price will be retained

Special cases:
Please note that, regardless of the date of cancellation or modification if you have agreed to pay for services such as hotel reservations, flights or additional activities, these services are usually non-refundable so additional fees may apply.
  • Fixed airfares: if your airline ticket was issued in advance, often done to avoid significant surcharges, you will be charged 100% of any non-refundable fees if you wish to change or cancel your flight plan.
  • Fixed in-country costs: early charges for firm bookings will be charged if you cancel or modify your trip.
  • Insurance costs: if you have taken out comprehensive or cancellation insurance, the cost of insurance is due and cannot be refunded.


Please note that fees apply according to the date we receive your cancellation or modification request in writing.

If we have to cancel a departure due to an insufficient number of participants, you will be informed no later than 21 days before departure and a full refund will be issued, you will not be entitled to further compensation. We reserve the rights to cancel departures due to exceptional circumstances which may impact the safety of participants. Such circumstances include those amounting to 'force majeure' in which case participants will receive a full refund but they will not be entitled to any compensation.

Changes to travel contract

If you wish to make a change to your booking please contact us in writing; you will be expected to pay any fee which might arise from this change. In the event of unforeseen external events, Norwide may change some aspects of the travel contract. If any changes are necessary you will be informed as quickly as possible.

Pricing

The prices on our website are updated regularly and all of the prices we advertise are accurate when published. We reserve the rights to make changes to any of these prices. Before you make a booking we will give you the up-to-date price of your chosen holiday including any supplements, upgrades or additional activities you may have requested. If the number of travellers is fewer than the indicated number of participants on the website, a small group surcharge may be applied. For all of our trips we include details of services, prices and what is/is not included but please be aware that changes to the prices may be necessary in accordance with exchange rates or price changes of various components of the journey.

Contract transfer

If you are unable to travel for any reason, you can transfer your booking to another person in which case our modification conditions apply. Both the transferor and transferee will be jointly and severally liable for payment of the total holiday price and other associated expenses. Some airline carriers treat name changes as cancellations and you may be required to pay for the cost of a new ticket.

Insurance

Practical info

Staff

Armed with an abundance of experience and a wealth of knowledge our professional team know Finland inside out. We are here to ensure you have the best possible trip so ask us anything, we love sharing our local knowledge! Please note that this is a non-guided trip.

Food

This trip includes full board from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 8. You will have the chance to try some traditional Finnish meals like smoked fish, salmon soup, reindeer stew and traditional cakes - please be aware that fresh fruit and vegetables are rare in our isolated northern location.
  • At the hotel/cottages/lodges: Generous buffet style breakfasts and dinners are served with hot drinks and lots of options
  • Lunches: Picnic lunches are provided for your activity days including hot food to be cooked on wood fires
Please let us know about any dietary requirements when you book the trip and we will work with you to cater for your needs.

Accommodation

Our basecamp is located in the heart of Hossa National Park, more than 60 miles (+100kms) away from a village or shop - no mass tourism hubs or Santa Claus Village here with us! There are 23 inhabitants in and around Hossa, most of them are reindeer farmers and yes, there are more bears here than people! We live here peacefully and we work closely with authorities to protect and preserve this stunning National Park. During your stay, you will not have many opportunities to meet local people since there are very few of them but you may cross paths with ice fishers or Nordic skiers and visit local reindeer farms.

This trip includes cottage accommodation the option to try trapper cabin accommodation. Bed linens and towels are provided by Norwide.

Our cottages:
  • The Classic Cottage option has a living room/kitchen area with twin or bunk beds plus a private bathroom and sauna

Trapper cabins: We love our back to basics no frills accommodation options which enable us to get close to nature - these traditional log cabins are just like mountain refuges, they are all equipped with Finnish saunas and are full of charm! The cabins normally have a single dormitory for 4 to 6 people with one main living room. There is no running water or electricity, dry toilets are found outside. Wood-stove heating warms the cabin quickly and efficiently even when it is cold outside.

Transportation

This trip includes transfer by coach / 4x4

Budget & exchange

The currency in Finland is the euro. Please budget for the following:
  • Personal expenses and extra drinks
  • Any additional activities/supplements
  • Deposits will be required for use of some of our technical equipment:
    • Deposit for snowmobile: 1500 / snowmobile / person (credit card)
    • Deposit for other supplied equipment: 50€ for the boots, 50€ for the jacket

Supplied equipment

We will provide you with the following equipment for the duration of your trip:
  • Warm snow boots (Sorel)
  • Bedding - linen for hotel/cottage accommodation and warm sleeping bags for the trappers huts/log cabins
  • A warm jacket for the cold
  • A warm protective oversuit
  • Waterproof over mittens
  • A balaclava
  • A durable waterproof bag
Snowmobiling:
  • A helmet
Please be aware that upon booking you may be asked your size, height and weight in order to reserve the appropriate equipment in advance.

Vital equipment

You must bring with you:
  • A ski mask
  • Sunglasses (minimum UV 400)
  • Any personal medication
  • Good thermals - top & long johns
  • Sun-cream (not water based)
  • A head torch and spare batteries
  • A thermos flask

Material

We prefer that you do not wear any cotton clothing, including underwear, when participating in activities. When cotton gets wet from water or sweat it ceases to insulate and it does not dry fast. The best materials for outdoor activities are fast drying materials like polyester or materials which are warm when wet like wool. The most powerful materials against the wind and rain are 'breathable' materials like Gore-Tex or Nikwax.

Our advice for keeping warm

Winter in Finland can be very cold, please think carefully about what clothes you bring, although we will provide warm outer layers, the layers you wear next to your skin make the biggest difference. We recommend:
  • No cotton
  • Bring dry spares of everything, including underwear and gloves
  • Wear multiple layers including:
    1. A warm breathable base layer
    2. A second thermal layer
    3. Wind and waterproof protective out layer (we provide a quality jacket and over trousers for activities)

Helpful equipment

We recommend packing:
  • Waterproof shoes, winter hiking shoes, sports shoes or snow boots (for evening wear)
  • Warm (wool) socks
  • A warm wind and waterproof jacket
  • Suitable warm  trousers - windproof ski style, soft shell or fleece lined mountaineering trousers are ideal
  • Warm jumper(s) and jacket(s)
  • Warm baselayer thermals - very important! (Thin technical fibers as Carline or Polartec are extremely efficient)
  • Gloves - multiple pairs for under and over
  • A warm hat
  • Appropriate neck wear like a warm buff
  • Swim suit (sauna)
  • Travel towel (sauna)

You may also consider packing:
  • Wetwipes
  • Blister plasters
  • A camera (and suitable protective case)
  • Plastic bags for wet/dirty clothing

Luggage

You may bring a hold bag (up to 20kg) as well as a cabin bag.

For you hold luggage please bring a soft bag like a ruckack rather than a hard cased suitcase because it is more practical. We also recommend that you pack your clothes in plastic bags inside your rucksack so that they stay dry in the event of bad weather.

Do not forget to bring a small rucksack to use as a day bag (25/30L). You can bring this as hand luggage on the plane. You will carry your lunch, water, spare layers and any personal medication with you each day in this bag.

Passport

You will need a passport that is valid for at least three months after your return date.

Visa

UK passport holders do not require a VISA to visit Finland which part of the Schengen cooperation.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland lists the accepted travel documents and visa requirements for every country.

Mandatory vaccines

There are no specific health risks

Weather

Winter in Finland is cold and dry, temperatures in Hossa can drop as low as -25°C (-13°F) but warm clothing, good food and an active lifestyle will keep you warm.

A thick layer of snow covers Finland from December, when it settles, to the end of April, when it melts. The dry cold preserves the snow and makes temperatures feel warmer than you might imagine.

During the winter months daytime is relatively short in Finland but thanks to the snow and the occassional displays of the dancing Northern Lights it is never completely black even in the regions where the sun does not rise at all - winter brings a beautiful blue light with a feeling of permanent dusk. In mid-April, the sun stays above the horizon for 14-16 hours so during March and April you can enjoy long glorious days of winter sports under a bright sun. Other winter days include 4 to 5 hours of a light called gray light, usually 10am to 2pm, with local variations.

The Northern Lights

The beautiful dancing lights are most likely to appear on black nights in February-March and September-October in the North of Finland. Statistics show that most are observed in Lapland, in the region of Kilpisjärvi. When the night skies are clear, the Northern Lights can be observed three nights out of four in Kilpisjärvi, every other night in the Sodankylä region and one out of four nights near Oulu-Kuusamo.

Electricity

Finland uses the standard Europlug socket with two round prongs (50Hz/230 volts)

Local time

Finland uses Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)+2 and observes Daylight Saving Time making it GMT+3 during the summer months

Topography

Area:+130502 square miles (+338,000 km2) which consists of around 10% water, 69% forest and only 8% cultivated land
Size: It is the seventh largest country in Europe,+720 miles (1160km) North to South and +335 miles (540km) East to West
Borders: Sweden, Norway, Russia and the coast
There are said to be 187888 lakes here in Finland and 179584 islands including a concentration of islands off the South West coast which forms the largest archipelago in Europe.

Sustainable tourism

As adventure and wilderness travel experts who run trips to some of the most remote parts of the world, we take responsible tourism very seriously.

Here in Finland we work in partnership with Metsähallitus to protect Finnish waters and forests - an exclusive agreement which enables us to use the roads of Hossa National Park. Our kennel is cleaned daily and subject to regular veterinary and we work with MyClimate to offset all carbon emissions produced by snowmobiling activities and transfers.

We respect the ‘Leave No Trace’ outdoor ethical code and try to explore this beautiful location whilst causing minimal environmental damage.

The Leave No Trace policy can be summarized in 7 simple steps which we hope you will follow during ourtrip...
  1. Be prepared
  2. Stick to trails and camp overnight right
  3. Stash your trash and pick up waste
  4. Leave it as you find it
  5. Be careful with fire
  6. Respect wildlife
  7. Be considerate of other visitors

Over the years we have built up good relations with our local suppliers and we are keen to support local businesses as much as possible. We are a small company and we pay our local partners and suppliers directly insuring fair rates. Our small group sizes not only provide a more intimate adventure but also cause less impact on the environment and local communities.

We expect all who travel with us to support and uphold our Sustainable Tourism philosophies.
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Region
Hossa
Activity
Hiking Self-guided Skiing Snowshoeing Winter
Duration
8 days
Code
S3
Price
From €670
Level
2/5
Comfort
4/5

Strengths

  • An endless network of ski trails through the remote winter boreal forest
  • Our comfortable accommodation with private kitchens, bathrooms and saunas
  • Our high quality equipment and friendly staff who are at hand to help you out

Required level

This is your adventure, you can choose how strenuous or how relaxing each day is. Previous skiing experience is advised.
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