LAPLAND WOMENS ADVENTURE
Snowshoe, northern lights, nordic ski & ice dip
Come and experience the true wonders of Finnish Lapland with a chance of spotting the majestic Northern Lights
Learn to Nordic backcountry ski and spend the week exploring fjells and forests on snowshoes and skis from a traditional log cabin with your Adventuress fam
- 8 days (5 days Leave)
- Moderate
- Finland
- Lapland Womens Adventure led by female International Wilderness Guides
- Snowshoeing over fjells and through forests in a true winter wonderland
- Cosy evenings in a traditional Finnish log cabin complete with fireplace and sauna
- Beginners Nordic backcountry ski tour to a wilderness cabin
- A private sauna and ice dip experience
- A chance to see the majestic Northern Lights in a brilliantly starry sky
- Campfire lunch in the snowy forest
- A free day to explore and try other activities
1-8 MARCH 2025
- Secure your spot with a £250 deposit
- Pay in instalments*
- Financial protection on your payments
ITINERARY
DAY 1
Upon arrival in Ivalo, you’ll ride a short 30 minute bus journey to the tiny village of Saariselka where your traditional (but modern) log cabin awaits
You’ll spend the rest of your day exploring your new base and getting to know your guide and Adventuress fam over dinner, brimming with excitement for your coming adventure
Meals included: Dinner
DAY 2
Saariselka sits on the edge of Urho Kekkonen National Park, one of Finland’s largest protected areas. Today you will venture into the National Park on snowshoes where you’ll explore fjells and forests. It is impossible not to be moved by the untouched vast wilderness that surrounds you, and silence like you’ve never experienced.
After working up an appetite you’ll stop in a beautiful spot in the forest for lunch cooked over a fire, and some hot tea. It’ll feel so magical that you might convince yourself that you’ve spotted a Keiju – a fairy from Finnish mythology!
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
DAY 3
Today you will journey to Kiilopaa to grab your skis ready for our Nordic skiing adventure.
Unlike traditional downhill skiing, Nordic skiing is typically on flat or only slightly inclined ground and involves travelling cross-country. Only the front of the boot is attached to the ski, making it easy to glide along with some momentum.
You’ll make your way through backcountry forest led by your expert Finnish guides who were practically born on skis! There will be plenty of laughs as you set a competition for who falls the most, but don’t worry as you’ll be tumbling into soft powdery snow. After a couple of hours you’ll feel like a pro.
Nordic skiing is a great way to cover a lot of ground quickly, so you’ll be seeing a lot of the National Park with it’s beautiful snow covered pines.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
DAY 4
Following another day of fun nordic ski, you will embark on your Northern Lights hunt. Viewing will depend on the Aurora forecast, but your guides will be watching everyday for the best opportunity.
Saariselka lies in the Arctic circle, with a high chance of seeing the lights on clear nights, so if the forecast is looking good you will journey to the top of the ski hill to see the lights dancing in the sky. On this trip we have also seen them from the door step of the cabin!
There is nothing quite like seeing the Northern Lights, making it a moment to remember forever.
*We choose a time of year when the lights are at their peak, however it is never guaranteed if there is heavy cloud coverage.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
DAY 5
Today is your day to spend how you like.
There is so much to do in the tiny town of Saariselka! Optional additional activities include snowmobiling, hurtling down the longest sled run in Finland (so much fun!), relaxing in a water park, skiing on the local hill, fat tyre biking, or spending a cheeky evening in local pub ‘Panimo’ warming up with some traditional Glühwein.
All activities on this day are paid optional extras. Let us know in advance if you’d like to book an experience.
Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 6
On this day you will take on Finland’s longest Toboggan run! Hurtle down the slopes high on adrenaline, this is the ultimate sledding experience. Not up for sledding? Maybe you’d prefer to give downhill skiing a go (Additional cost)
After all of that adventure our bodies will be in need of some TLC.
After a slow morning you’ll be taken to a private sauna where you’ll have the option to try a local Finnish tradition of sauna and ice dipping.
Learn how to breathe and harness the power of mind over matter as you enter, giving way to a huge endorphin rush and the feeling of total rejuvenation. Even the most nervous of Adventuresses will feel like they can’t resist when they see the energizing effect this experience has.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
DAY 7
After the first nordic ski session you may be dying to get back on your skis and see where else they can take you.
Now you feel a little braver, your guides will take you deeper into the forest for a true back country experience.
Depending on the weather you will stop for lunch in a cabin where you’ll chop your own fire wood and learn to whittle, or you’ll dig out your own snow table and bench to enjoy a bite to eat outside.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
DAY 8
On your final morning you will fill your bellies with your final Finnish breakfast before saying the reluctant goodbyes to your Adventuress family and Saariselka, a place you will never forget.
Meals included: Breakfast.
INCLUDED
- 7 nights in a modern Finnish log cabin
- Breakfast, lunch & Dinner*
- Equipment hire (snowshoes, skis etc)
- A possibility to see the northern lights
- Exploring the gigantic Urho Kekkosen National Park on snowshoes
- Beginner friendly Nordic backcountry ski days
- Fully qualified female International Wilderness Guides
- Traditional Finnish sauna experience & Ice dip
- Pre-trip group Whatsapp
- Photos of you on your adventure
- Financial Protection on your payments
- Small group adventure with other Adventuresses
- Trip logistics taken care of
- A lot of laughs
INCLUDED
- 7 nights in a modern Finnish log cabin
- Breakfast, lunch & Dinner*
- Equipment hire (snowshoes, skis etc)
- A possibility to see the northern lights
- Exploring the gigantic Urho Kekkosen National Park on snowshoes
- Beginner friendly Nordic backcountry ski days
- Fully qualified female International Wilderness Guides
- Traditional Finnish sauna experience & Ice dip
- Pre-trip group Whatsapp
- Photos of you on your adventure
- Financial Protection on your payments
- Small group adventure with the Adventuress community
- Trip logistics taken care of
- A lot of laughs
NOT INCLUDED
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- International flights to or from Finland or Ivalo
- Transport to and from Saariselka
- Travel Insurance (essential)
- Personal expenses
- Additional optional activities
NOT INCLUDED
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- International flights to and from Finland or Ivalo
- Transport to and from Saariselka
- Travel Insurance (essential)
- Personal expenses
- Additional optional activities
YOUR GUIDE
You’ll be embarking on this epic journey with Sidetracked Adventures, led by local expert Wilderness Guides. Sidetracked Adventures was born when the founder Sophie took a life changing trip to Lapland where she fell in love with the remote wilderness. That one trip inspired her to escape the rat race to endure a year of intense wilderness training in Finland, fending for herself in extreme conditions. Since 2018 Sophie has built up a team of incredible Finnish female Wilderness Guides who lead unforgettable adventures through Lapland and beyond.
LAPLAND
Lapland is like a secret portal to Narnia—minus the wardrobe. Imagine vast, snow-draped forests where reindeer roam freely, and the Northern Lights dance across the sky like celestial ballerinas. Cosy log cabins dot the landscape, their chimneys puffing out stories of warmth and adventure. You’ll find saunas that defy the chill, and icy frozen lakes. And when the sun dips below the horizon, making way for the polar night, you’ll realize: Lapland isn’t just a place; it’s a true Winter Wonderland.
THE IMPORTANT STUFF
Yes. At Adventuress in the Wild we work with tour operators who are providing trips for anybody who identifies as a woman. We have found that women are more likely to step out of their comfort zone and try new activities when they are surrounded by other supportive women. All of the tour operators we work with believe that adventure is for every woman no matter your background, ability, body type, or orientation.
A good level of fitness is required and you must and be comfortable with spending 5-6 hours a day outdoors. Our schedule is quite flexible as we’ll be based in the same cabin for the week so we can easily adapt to make some days longer/shorter or you’re able to opt out of any of the activities if you wish to take an extra rest day.
You cabin will be nice and warm with central heating, but whilst out looking for the northern lights you can experience temperatures down to -10. During the activity days it will also be cold, but the movement will keep you warm. Being equipped with the right warm weather clothing is essential. (See kit list)
A minimum of 5 Adventuresses are required to run this trip. Please ensure prior to booking flights that these numbers have been met. It is requirement to have travel insurance for this trip.
Always ensure that your passport has at least 6 months validity and two blank pages.
British nationals currently don’t need a visa to enter Finland for the purpose of tourism for up to 90 days. If you are not a British national please be aware that it is your responsibility to check your country’s visa entry requirements for Finland.
Your passport must have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago.
When is the final payment date?
The final payment date is the 26th of November 2025.
Do I need insurance?
Due to the adventurous nature of our trips we consider travel insurance to be a pre-requisite. Cover should include personal injury, emergency medical cover, and cancellation cover. The insurance must cover the specific winter activities you’re taking part in. When taking out insurance please ensure that you make them aware of any pre-existing medical conditions.
How is the accommodation?
- Flying
The cabin is located in the village of Saariselka
- Ivalo Airport (Recommended)
Upon arrival at the Ivalo Airport, there’s a public bus, which does not require a reservation and leaves approximately half an hour after every flight landing time. From the bus stop it is a 7 minute walk to the cabin. You are able to pay for your bus ticket on the bus.
- Rovaniemi Airport
If flying into Rovaniemi you can catch a 3hr30m transfer by bus to Saariselka
- Helsinki
Direct flights run daily between Helsinki and Ivalo (1hr30m)
You will have free time during this trip to explore other activities, please note these are paid for extras. If you would like to know about extra activities below please let your Adventuress Travel Mentor know.
- Snowmobiling
- Skiing
- Fat tyre biking
- Finland’s longest sled run
- Water Park
Will the guides be female?
At Adventuress in the Wild our mission is to support women working in the adventure industry, as we realise the empowering impact they are making on the women that they lead.
Your guides for this trip will be qualified badass wilderness female guides who you cannot help feel inspired by.
Do I need to take part in every activity?
The beauty of this trip is that you will have a central base, so you are welcome to opt out of any activities. Please note that opting out does equate to a discount or reimbursement.
Food
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be included everyday other than your free day. These will either
be around a fire, a packed lunch or in a warm meal in a cabin.
There are a variety of small restaurants in Saariselka and we can recommend
the best ones to you.
There is also a small supermarket not
far from your cabin where you can stock up on things you like and snacks or a tipple!
Let us know if you have any dietary requirements before the trip.
Who is the guide for this trip?
The operator of this trip is Sidetracked Adventures
95% of our trips are made up of solo Adventuresses from all over the UK. Everybody admits to feeling nervous during their first adventure, but by the end of your trip you’ll feel like you’ve made friends for life. Bonds are formed very quickly, and every trip is introvert friendly!
The temperatures can vary from 10 degrees to -30 during winter so we will
have to be prepared to deal with these type of conditions. Even
if the temperature drops to -30 centigrade, don’t worry! The dry continental climate doesn’t feel as cold as you might think, and when
you are properly dressed you can be outside without a problem.
Daylight hours range from 12 hours (6.30
am–6.30 pm).
The weather can be sunny or cloudy and snow showers can also appear. The
weather can be windy as well. So the weather conditions can vary a lot,
but usually in winter in Finland the weather doesn’t change very rapidly.
The depth of snow is normally about
50–100 cm.
It can get pretty chilly in Lapland, there is a reason why Santa wears such a big jacket! So it is important to come well equipped for the temperatures.
It can range from +5 to -25 in winter so be prepared for these weather conditions.
Technical thermal underwear
Mid-layers
Shell-layers (windproof without lining): jacket, long shell pants
Down jacket/extra layer
Mittens
Buff/scarf
Hat
Sunglasses/skiing goggles
Winter boots/warm hiking boots
Backpack
Personal Medication
Swim suit
Your guide will provide:
Snowshoes
Skis & boots
Poles
Eating utensils (cup, bowl, spork)
Layering
For backcountry skiing the best way to keep warm is to utilise synthetic layers with wicking properties. The idea of this is that the air between the layers keeps you warm and dry. The moisture that rises from the skin during activity will move through the layers away from the body assisting temperature regulation during the ski tour. You can easily adjust your temperature by adding or removing layers.
Thermal base layer
The layer closest to skin moves the humidity away from the skin. Merino wool acts as a great layer to keep us warm and dry.
Mid layers
The mid-layer assists in thermo-regulation, when it is colder the mid-layer should be warmer. This may be a warm synthetic fleece or synthetic down jacket.
Outer layer
The outer layer will be a waterproof shell, protecting against wind and snowfall.
Extra layer
You will need an extra layer to put on for breaks and lunch, such as a lightweight down jacket.
If you have any questions do not hesitate to send us a message.
Snacks
For the trip we will supply you with breakfast, lunch and dinner and you will provide your own snacks. It’s always best to have something stashed away in your pocket for when you need that energy boost.
Bring as many (or as little) snacks as you like. If you are someone that likes to eat little and often then pack quite a few as sometimes the gap between meals can depend on how our day is going. It’s always better to pack a few too many just incase.
March is one of the best months to view the light, so you you will have a
good chance at seeing the lights, it requires sufficient darkness and clear
skies so we’ll be in the best place for some Northern Lights spotting.
The best time to see auroras is between 10 pm-2 am. The display might last 20 seconds or go on for hours. If you have a good camera, it’s recommended to bring it with you (as well as a
tripod for the long exposure shots) as the camera always picks up much more than our naked eyes can.
But when dreaming about seeing the Northern Lights, you must remember
that you are at the complete mercy of nature. Even with today’s technical equipment, the Northern Lights’ appearance can never be forecast with
certainty. We always have our fingers crossed but that’s the best we can do!
For this particular trip there will be a Whatsapp group for the Adventuresses attending. This is where you can discuss travel options, and maybe even get together pre-trip! Your trip host will be in the Whatsapp group to answer any questions you may have, and closer to the date your guide will also be added.
The chat will be opened in the weeks leading up to the trip. Until then feel free to contact us with your questions.
There will be a maximum of 12 Adventuresses on the trip.
1 Adventuress host will be along for the fun
Let us know if you would like to pay for your trip in instalments. The first instalment will always be the required deposit amount. Instalments are only available if making payments before the trip’s final payment date. The entire balance must be paid on the final payment date.
Contact us at info@adventuressinthewild.com for more information.
This booking will be subject to The Operators Booking Conditions, and Adventuress in the Wild Booking Conditions.
1 - 8 MARCH 2025
- Secure your spot with a £250 deposit
- Pay in instalments*
- Financial protection on your payments
YOUR PERSONAL TRAVEL MENTOR
When booking with us you’ll receive your own personal Travel Mentor to help you book and prepare for your amazing adventures. We’ve helped hundreds of women get out there, and now can’t wait to share your excitement for your next trip.
WHY BOOK WITH ADVENTURESS?
Connect with a travel mentor
Receive speedy support before and during your trip with your personal travel mentor.
Pay in instalments
Can’t afford to pay all at once? Set up a payment plan for your trip. All money is secured in a PTS Trust account offering 100% financial protection.
Meet the community
Meet other like-minded souls in the Adventuress in the Wild digital community groups.
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Ready to dive into life beyond your comfort zone? We’ve got you!
Pack your bags and get ready to meet your inner Adventuress. You’ll explore new places and try things you never dreamed possible, returning home with boosted confidence and lot of amazing stories to tell.
Life’s short, make it an adventure!
Adventure for everyone
We recognise that some of you do not feel like you are represented in the world of outdoor adventure, so we are on a mission to change that by only partnering with guides that are advocate for total inclusivity.
Let’s show the world that adventure is for everybody.
