Highlights:
- Guided ski tour between guest houses
- Tours for novice and experienced skiers
- Welcoming traditional accommodation
- Luggage transfers included
- Home-cooked, local Karelian cuisine
- Sauna each night
Description »
Wonderful cross country skiing with a choice of two challenge levels
Cross Country Skiing in Eastern Finland is a multi-day ski tour led by local guide, giving you the chance to experience the warm hospitality and good food of traditional Karelian guest houses along the route as well as the tranquility of the winter world in between.
The region of North Karelia, in the east of Finland, offers a winter landscape of frozen lakes, rural tracks and forests perfect for cross country ski tours.
The tour makes an ideal cross country skiing holiday for solo travellers, couples or groups of friends, and also for families with older children (min. age 16) with suitable experience/ability.
Graded itineraries make this tour suitable for both more and less experienced skiers. Photo: AKA.
Standard Tours
Daily distances vary between 6-25km (up to around 5 hours' skiing depending conditions, not including breaks) with some days offering the option to extend the minimum distance if you wish.
This experience is ideal for those with some experience of cross country skiing and in good physical condition, but who appreciate the little luxuries at the end of a day on the trail and who prefer to ski without a full pack.
Your main luggage is transferred for you each day and you will ski with only a day pack, though note that the skiing on the tour can be physically challenging.
Along the way, you will stop for packed lunch, hot drinks and berry juice - the forests are rich in wildlife and you may see tracks of hare or moose crossing your path.
During the tour you will be skiing a combination of point-to-point days to reach new guest houses and day tours returning to the accommodation, giving you the chance to really explore the area and get to know your hosts and the local culture.
At each guest house, you have the chance to relax with a traditional Finnish sauna (the Finns love their sauna!) and, for a brave, perhaps a roll in the snow afterwards!
Your hosts will serve typical Karelian cuisine, with a strong focus on locally-produced and wild ingredients including fish and game, berries and foraged plants from the forest, before you retire to recharge your batteries for the coming day.
Locally-sourced, home-made Karelian cuisine is also a real feature of the tour. Photo: AKA.
Discover Tours - special introductory-level tour dates
Standard tour dates are complemented by two introductory-level dates, making the tour accessible to participants without previous cross country skiing experience. It is, however, recommended for these tours that guests have at least some previous experience on skis, whether from downhill skiing or limited previous experience of cross country skiing.
These tours begin with short instruction on Day 1 and then there's no better way to learn cross country skiing than by doing - so once everyone has grasped the basics, you start your first day tour in the local area.
You begin on a frozen lake, which helps to improve your basic technique, but the real learning beings when you arrive in the forest and start practising how to negotiate hills!
As when learning most outdoor activities, you should expect to fall over and get a few bumps and bruises on the way as you develop your skills.
The first few days of the tour are at fixed guest house base, giving you the chance to gain confidence and improve your fitness and technique. Your tour culminates in a 3-day/2-night trip staying at two additional overnight locations - by the end of the week, you should be able to ski up to around 25km!
The Discover tours also gives you the chance to try different types of sauna during the tour, as well as having strong focus on local food traditions as for standard tours. For Discover tours, ski equipment is included as standard.
Itinerary »
Arrival - Standard and Discover Tours
For guests arriving by flight, there will be a transfer from Kuopio airport at 18.00 (meeting flight arriving 17.50), from where it is approx. 110-150km (depending on tour itinerary chosen) to your guest house accommodation for the night.
Guests arriving by train to Nurmes will be collected from train arriving 20.06 (transfer time approx. 30 mins). Check-in and dinner at the guest house and a chance to get to know the other participants in your group.
Following Days - Standard Tours
NB: The tracks on which you will be skiing are nature tracks prepared in advance by snowmobile. During windy conditions, track quality may vary. On days where distances are shorter, in some cases these distances can be extended if you wish with extra loops.
Day 2:
Issuing of equipment and a chance to become accustomed to your gear on a day skiing tour around Paalajanvaara in the afternoon, distance around 7km, before returning to the guest house for dinner and overnight accommodation.
Day 3:
The main tour begins! Today takes you 22km through snow-covered forests, over fields and across frozen lakes. You stop to grill sausages by the campfire before reaching Laitalan Lomat guest house for the evening.
Day 4:
This day features a 15km tour on the Lomat ski track, returning to your accommodation for overnight.
Day 5:
Today's skiing offers varying terrain as you cover 25km towards Pihlajapuu, your goal for the day, pausing along the way at a farmhouse to meet some real locals! You reach Pihlajapuu later in the day, where you will stay for the rest of the tour.
Day 6:
A day's cross country skiing tour (distance variable 12-20km) from Pihlajapuu.
Day 7:
A short day tour to Nälkömäki, distance approx. 10km. In the evening, you can experience a "smoke sauna" at Minna's followed by a dinner of glow-fried salmon.
Following Days - Discover Tours (introductory level)
NB: The tracks on which you will be skiing are nature tracks prepared in advance by snowmobile. During windy conditions, track quality may vary.
Days 2-4:
Over three days, you will begin to develop your cross country skiing technique and fitness with lessons and day tours in the surrounding forest. Day 2 covers approx. 5-8km of skiing, with a short Finnish course to get you speaking a little Finnish and sauna in the evening to soothe tired muscles! Day 3 increases the level of challenge a little, covering approx. 10-12km and ending with another relaxing sauna in the evening, while Day 4 brings the distance up to around 10-15km, rounding off the day with a smoke sauna!
Accommodation for the first four nights of the tour is at Pihlajappu, the location of the guesthouse normally used for Day 5 and Day 6 of standard tours.
Day 5:
You should by now feel more confident and capable of covering longer distances. Today you leave for the first point-to-point component of the trip, skiing approx. 25km towards Laitalan Lomat (the accommodation normally used for Day 3 of standard tours), where you overnight.
Day 6:
As Day 4 for standard tours, this day features a 15km tour on the Lomat ski track, returning to your accommodation for overnight.
Day 7:
Your last day of skiing, changing location to cover approx. 22km to end your tour at Puukarin Pysäkki, the location normally used for Day 1 and Day 2 of standard tours. Your experience ends with a special Karelian buffet in the evening to congratulate each other on your new skills!
Departure - Standard and Discover Tours
Breakfast and transfer at 12.00 to Kuopio airport for flight departure 14.30.
Guests departing by train will be transferred to Nurmes (for train departing 15.40 - depending on arrangements, guests may be transferred to Nurmes earlier to spend time there before train departure).
Dates»
Dates 2023
- Standard tours: 25.02-04.03.23, 04.03-11.03.23, 11.03-18.02.23, 18.03-25.03.23
- Discover tours (novice level, some experience required): 04.02-11.02.23, 11.02-18.02.23
Private tours for groups are also possible on other dates by arrangement. Standard per person prices apply for groups of min. 6 persons. Smaller groups are also possible. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
Prices»
Prices 2023
| Standard Prices (per person) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Standard Tours | GBP | |
| Discover Tours | GBP | |
| Single occupancy supplement | GBP |
NB: Prices based on two persons sharing. Supplement applies for single occupancy.
Hire of ski equipment is not included for Standard tours. For Discover tours, ski equipment is included.
| Optional extras (see description below) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ski equipment/person | GBP | |
| Extra night in guest house/person | GBP | |
| Airport transfer (if staying extra night(s)) | GBP |
- Ski equipment: NB: For Discover tours, ski equipment is included as standard. Skis, boots and poles. Please advise height, weight and shoe size in advance. Ski equipment provided are normally waxed Madshus skis. Depending on requirements/sizes, skis may also be Finnish designs such as Karhu or Peltonen. If you wish to bring your own boots but hire skis and poles (this does not affect the price), please let us know what type of boots you have and whether you require Salomon SNS or Rottefella NNN fittings. Guests bringing own skis should ensure that ski width does not exceed 45mm, which is the width of the prepared track.
- Extra night in guest house/Airport transfer: You are welcome to add additional days before and/or after your tour if you wish, for example if you would like to do some self-guided skiing in the area before the tour begins. However, please note that airport transfer is not included in connection with these extra days (guests arriving/departing by train can be transferred at no additional charge). Includes accommodation, full board and ski equipment hire. Airport transfer price applies per group for up to 8 persons.
What's Included »
Included
Accommodation:
Double/twin rooms in guest houses along the route. Single occupancy supplement applies for solo travellers. All guest houses have shared WC/shower facilities. Wood-fired sauna is available each night. Bedding and towels are provided. To reduce environmental impact, bed linen is transported between overnight locations with the luggage transfer. Fresh towels are provided at each new overnight location.
Guest House Accommodation
Meals:
All meals from dinner Day 1 to breakfast Day 8. There is a particular focus on local produce. Please let us know any dietary requirements on booking.
Equipment (Discover tours only):
Ski equipment (skis, boots and poles) is included. Please provide height, weight and shoe size in advance. NB: For standard tours, ski equipment is available to hire as an optional extra.
Guide:
Experienced and knowledgeable local guide.
Transfers:
Group transfer from Kuopio airport at 18.00 and Nurmes train station at 20.00 on Day 1. Transfer to Kuopio airport for flight departure 12.00 and to Nurmes train station for train departure 15.30 on Day 8. Please note that airport transfer for guests adding extra days is not included (see under "Optional extras").
Not Included
- Travel: We do not arrange flights or domestic travel, but are happy to advise on suitable connections and assist you with any aspect of planning your journey. See under "Getting There" for general travel information.
- Ski equipment (Standard tours only - available to hire as optional extra). NB: For Discover tours, ski equipment is included.
- Alcoholic drinks
Good To Know »
Required
Health requirements/experience:
Tours are suitable for adults (or families with older children aged 15+) with good level of fitness and suitable previous ski experience for the tour chosen.
"Standard" tours are suitable for participants with an intermediate or higher level of previous cross country skiing experience. You will be skiing around 11-25km per day with light pack. The skiing on this tour can be physically challenging.
"Discover" tours are ideal for guests who have at least a little previous experience on skis (e.g. from downhill skiing or limited cross country experience). You will be skiing around 5-25km per day with light pack. In general, Discover tours are not suitable for guests for whom the tour will be their first time on skis of any kind. These tours can also be physically challenging and guests should have a general good level of fitness for this option also. You should be prepared for some falls, bumps and bruises as you're learning!
What makes this "Medium"?
Accommodation is in comfortable guesthouses and, as luggage transfer is included, you will need to ski only with a daypack during the day. However, trail/snow/weather conditions as well as the efficiency of your skiing technique can significantly affect the actual level of challenge.
NB: Perception of difficulty is very subjective. What is hard to one person may be easy for another and vice versa, depending on factors including level of fitness, age and previous experience. Weather conditions/temperatures can also dramatically affect the actual level of challenge encountered.
Equipment/clothes needed:
For information on any equipment and/or clothing included as standard for this experience, please see under "What's Included".
A detailed recommended packing list for personal items to bring will be sent with your booking documentation.
NB: We advise you not to buy equipment or clothes for your trip or to incur other non-refundable expenses such as flights until you have received confirmation of your booking from us in writing. Note of course that the most appropriate clothing to use as well as the level of challenge experienced during any outdoor activity may vary significantly depending on factors such as the time of year and the particular weather/temperature conditions during your trip.
Preparing for your trip:
For further reading, we also have a number of general information articles to get you ready for your trip, covering a wide variety of topics from what to do on a city break before/after your tour, advice on packing, eyewear for winter and considerations for female travellers.
Minimum number:
The Standard and Discover tours have no minimum and are guaranteed to run from the first booking.
Groups
Maximum 12 participants. Groups may be made up of participants from a number of countries - English and German are the languages used for guiding.
Private groups can book this experience on other dates by arrangement. Standard per person prices apply for private groups of min. 6 persons. Smaller groups are also possible. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
Eco Info
All accommodation for this tour is small-scale and locally-owned. The great majority of food served on the tour is home-made using locally sourced ingredients.
This provider has a written ecotourism policy.
Getting There »
Getting There
See below for a summary of travel options. To learn more about how to travel to this experience, please get in touch!
Detailed information on travel will be provided in response to your enquiry. We are happy to advise on suitable connections and assist you with any aspect of planning your journey.
NB: Please ensure that you make a booking with us first and wait for confirmation that your spaces are reserved before making any travel arrangements.
Travel Summary:
By Air:
Fly to Helsinki for onward travel to Kuopio by domestic flight (1 hour) or day train to Nurmes (just under 7 hours). Transfers at fixed times between Kuopio airport (2 hours) and Nurmes train station (30 mins) and the start/end guest houses are included.
Without Flying:
Train from UK to Stockholm (Sweden) for ferry to Helsinki and onward train to Nurmes.
Gallery & Reviews »
"We had a great trip to Finland in all. I really liked that the guide explained the route and then let us ski at our own speed. The personal touch - from carrying candles to light our way across the frozen lake to Finnish lessons and songs - Minna was a very thoughtful hostess." Avril
Further Reading
- Compare our range of ski touring and cross country experiences.
- Read a trip report from Niki on the Nature Travels blog.
Did You Know...?
- This experience was voted "Finland's Best Food Tourism Product" in the 2015 Hungry For Finland competition from 77 entrants!
Where Is It...?
"The trip to Eastern Finland was excellent in every way (though the skiing was, to say the least, challenging as the tracks were very icy). Minna was a brilliant leader and host. Nothing was too much trouble for her. I felt truly immersed in Karelian culture. The food and accommodation were great at all three places we stayed. I have fond memories of skiing a long way on Finland's fifth largest lake in the sunshine, past two big boats moored in the ice, to enjoy a feast of Karelian pies. The itinerary was varied and always interesting. We tried snowshoeing, and plunging in the ice hole in the lake at the smoke sauna." Ros, March 2022.
"The best parts were the group of people, the places we stayed and the people we met, as well as the wilderness skiing." Jane, March 2022
"It was a wonderful trip. Liked that there was optional extra skiing on most days so that days could be shorter for those that wanted to relax and longer for those who wanted more exertion. Great guides. The smoke sauna, including walk across the lake, ice hole and fish cooking, was a very magical experience." Kiri, February 2022
Read more reviews »