Ski Touring and Winter Camping on the Finnmark Plateau (Norway)

A wilderness expedition suitable for ski beginners

Ski Touring and Winter Camping on the Finnmark plateau is an adventure and a challenge - you will be skiing and wild camping in a very remote area and bringing everything with you on the expedition (tents, sleeping bags, cooking equipment, spare clothing, safety equipment and food) in "pulks" (sleds).

Participants should have a good level of physical fitness and be used to multi-day hiking in summerime, and also have experience of summer camping. However, while previous ski experience (downhill or cross country) will be an advantage, this experience is also accessible to ski novices, as the skiing is not technical. You will be "trekking" on skis as you move through the Finnmark wilderness entirely under your own power.

The tour also offers a wonderful opportunity to develop your knowledge of mountaincraft and the skills required for camping in the Arctic winter.

The element of winter camping is an exciting and challenging feature of the tour. Photo: Maurice Strubel.

Flexibility to offer the best experience

As a winter camping tour where there are a number of options for suitable overnight locations, there is no fixed route for the expedition. The area in which the tour will take place and the daily distances covered will be adapted to offer the best experience. Daily distances are flexible depending on conditions and the ability of the group, but will typically be around 10-20km day.

You will be skiing across the majestic wilderness of the Finnmark Plateau in a landscape of rolling mountains, fjords and tundra. If conditions are suitable on the coast, your tour will take you north, and will normally include one of the five nights of camping in static "Gamme" tents.

Huskies accompany you on the trip

With you on your ski expedition across Finnmmarksvidda will be 1-2 huskies, who not only provide their affection and companionship, but may also assist where appropriate in pulling the pulks with some of the bulkier equipment.

Huskies will join you on the trip to add an extra dimension to the experience. Photo: PIR.

For private tours, please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Included

Accommodation:

• Two nights in 2-person or 4-person rooms in Lodge (a converted schoolhouse) near the kennels. Solo travellers will share 2-person room with another solo participant in the group or have own room at no extra charge in odd-numbered group. Rooms are simple but comfortable standard, with shared WC/shower facilities. Sauna is available at the Lodge on Day 7.
• Five nights wild winter camping: 2-person expedition tents will normally be used for 4 nights during the tour and a larger "Gamme" tent for 1 night (arrangements may vary depending on itinerary). There is no running water or toilet facilities when camping - you will collect water from frozen lakes or open areas or rivers, or melt snow if appropriate. A simple outside toilet area is constructed at each camp location. Campfires will used where possible on camping nights - some wood will be carried in the pulks for this purpose, supplemented with natural firewood if appropriate.

Example of Lodge accommodation (Day 1 and Day 7). Photo: PIR.

Example of expedition tent (left) and "Gamme" tent used during the tour. Photo: PIR.

Equipment:

• Tents (shared 2-person expedition tents with normally one night in larger "Gamme" tent.)
• Warm winter sleeping bag, liner and foam sleeping mat/reindeer skin.
• Cooking and eating equipment (please bring own insulated water bottle or thermos).
• Pulks (normally one per person): All heavy items such as camping equipment and food will be carried in the pulks. Guests may also wish to have a daypack to carry personal items (such as lunch, water and spare clothing for the day) for easy access when skiing. If appropriate, the huskies may also assist with some of the pulling required.

Meals:

All meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8. You should bring additional snacks for energy between meals when skiing. Please let us know in advance if you have any special dietary requirements.

Dehyrdated expedition meals will usually be used during the tour, with a "celebratory" dinner at the Lodge on return on Day 7.

Guide:

• Services of local guide during the tour.
• Instruction in backcountry ski technique and winter camping skills as appropriate.

Transfers:

• Return transfer between Lakselv airport or local accommodation and the Lodge in connection with start/end of the tour.

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 (skis, skins, boots and poles): Available to hire as optional extra.
• Alcoholic drinks.

Required

Health requirements/experience:

Minimum age 18 (or 16 if accompanied by adult). You should have a general good-high level of fitness and stamina for this tour and have previous experience of multi-day hiking and also camping in summertime.

Previous ski experience (downhill and/or cross country) and also experience of winter camping will be an advantage but is not essential. This experience is also suitable for novice skiers. The skis are stable and easy to use and the terrain is relatively flat or undulating.

Accommodation is in shared tents during the expedition and you should be used to living in close proximity with others.

What makes this "Medium-Hard"?

This tour takes place in a remote wilderness landscape with exposed terrain and features wild winter camping on all expedition nights of the tour.

The group will bring everything needed for the expedition using pulks. 1-2 huskies will also accompany the group on the tour and may assist with pulling some of the weight.

Daily distances are flexible depending on conditions and to offer the best experience for the level of the group, but will typically be 10-20km per day.

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:

Total minimum 2 persons are required for tours to be confirmed to run. You are of course welcome to book as a solo traveller.

Groups

Maximum group size 6 persons for public tours.

For private tours, slightly larger groups may be possible by arrangement. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Eco Info

This provider is a very small-scale, family-owned local operator.