Mountain Adventure Holidays
Lapland is a land of myth and legend, and on this 'classic' style track skiing trip you will explore a frozen landscape, where the reindeer roam freely. Here in Finland beyond the Arctic Circle the snowy mountains are bathed in a wonderful light which gives the landscape an ethereal quality. We are based in the world famous cross-country ski village of Äkäslompolo, where a total of 330 km (206 miles) of prepared trails are available. Perfect for 'classic' style track skiing. Äkäslompolo, which is often referred to as Ylläs, is Finland’s most comprehensive network of tracks offering endless alternatives for a day out with many of the trails taking us inside the Pallas-Ylläs National Park into pristine nature.
Lapland is Finland’s northernmost region, a sparsely populated area bordering Sweden, Norway, Russia and the Baltic Sea. It’s known for its vast subarctic wilderness, ski resorts and natural phenomena including the midnight sun and the Northern Lights. We point out there is no guarantee you will witness the Lights, but you are in a very good place if the forecast is good for the Aurore Borealis.
Cross-country skiing is very much a national sport in Finland and part of the culture. Nearly every Finn learns to cross-country soon after taking their first steps. Decades ago, it was an important means of transport in the winter, and skiing across forests and lakes on the way to work or school was commonplace. In smaller communities, the children still ski to school when there’s snow on the ground.
The area is rich in the history of the Sami people, known also as Lapps or Laplanders. Sami are the only indigenous people in Scandinavia that are recognized and protected under the international conventions of indigenous peoples. Traditionally, they have pursued a variety of livelihoods, including coastal fishing and fur trapping. They are however, perhaps best for their semi- nomadic reindeerherding.The animals provide them with meat, fur and transportation. In some Nordic countries reindeer herding is legally reserved for the Sami people. In the forests around Äkäslompolo there are many wild reindeer and it is common to either see them or their tracks.
During the winter months there is the chance of seeing the stunning northern lights and many people travel to Äkäslompolo just for the ‘Lights’. They are actually collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun that enter the earth's atmosphere. Auroral displays appear in many colours although pale green and pink are the most common. They appear in many forms from patches or scattered clouds of light to streamers, arcs, rippling curtains or shooting rays that light up the sky with an eerie glow. It is a very special moment when you see what is truly one of our planet’s most magical light shows.
Today we meet you at your luxury hotel by the shores of Lake Äkäslompolo and approximately 1830 hrs. Most likely you will have flown to the capital Helsinki, and then taken an internal flight to Kittila. It is then a 40 minute transfer to Äkäslompolo. We find that many guests have enjoyed a night in Helsinki either before or after their ski trip. It is to be recommended.
Each morning, after a leisurely breakfast, which is served Finnish buffet style, which means as much as you can eat, we will then head for the ski room to prepare for our day. Each day you have the benefit of a professional Nordic Ski Instructor who will guide the days, and provide coaching along the way. If you have particular areas of your technique which you wish to work on then simply share your goals with your Instructor and they will help you to achieve them.
We will spend the next 6 days exploring the 330 km (206 miles) which make up the huge network of cross country ski tracks around Äkäslompolo. The community of Äkäslompolo sits on the western side of the mountain of Yllas, and the community of Yllasjarvi sit on the eastern side of the mountain. One of the features of the area are the lake tracks which allow some great skiing on Lake Äkäslompolo. On Intermediate graded trips we aim to be out on our skis for 5-6 hours per day covering approximately 15-25 km (9.4-15.6 miles) per day with an occasional longer day.
We love the ski days at Äkäslompolo as they can involve local circuits which visit the many cafes and kotas where an open fire will give us the chance to warm up and do lunch 'local style' by cooking sausages on the fire. The kotas are traditional Lapp huts, or tents which in the past would have been dismantelled and carried by reindeer whenever the Sami people decided to move to a new location.
Other options include taking a taxi or bus to the start of the trails on the outer edges of the ski area and then enjoying a journey skiing back towards our hotel.
Today you will make your way back to Kittila airport and onwards to your destination.
It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment.
We always aim to accommodate our guests in well-situated, clean, characterful, family run accommodation. All of our trips are based on two people sharing a bedroom, what we call a 'twin' means two single beds in one bedroom. If you are booking as a single traveller you will share with someone of the same gender. In many cases a single room is available for a supplementary fee, but these can be in short supply and require early booking. Note that it is very rare to have air conditioning in European mountain areas, and most bedrooms do not have this facility. If you have any questions about the accommodation please contact us.
Our accommodation is rather special. We use the Hotel Ylläshumina which is built in traditional wooden log cabin style and dates from 1945. It was then that Aapi Äkäslompolo founded the first of Ylläs' hotels here. The hotel is now owned and run by Toivo Qvist who used to be a member of the Finnish cross country ski team.
The hotel, in typical Finnish style, is a cluster of log cabins spread around the edge of the lake. All rooms are en suite with shower, and toilet. Single rooms may be available on request for a supplementary payment. However, these are limited in number and we recommend that you book early if you wish to be sure of a single room. Please contact us for details. We are sure you will find it very comfortable, and cosy. To start our ski day we only have to walk about 100 metres to the tracks, perfect! As we choose to use Hotel Ylläshumina we rely on early bookings to secure our rooms. If we find that bookings for this trip arrive very late/last minute then we may with your agreement use alternative accommodation.
The closest airport to Äkäslompolo is at Kittila. Kittila is reached by an internal flight via the capital of Finland, Helsinki, which is served by many international airlines. If you source flights to Kittila we recommend that you book these directly with the airline and not through a third party provider. For example, Finnair offers a direct flight from London Heathrow to Kittila. If your international flights are not convenient for the internal flights to Kittila, then we recommend spending a night either before or after your trip to explore Helsinki.
Once you arrive at Kittila you can reach Äkäslompolo via the regular shuttle buses. The transfer time is approximately 40 minutes. Buses run daily to and from the airport at Kittila to Äkäslompolo and the timetables are adapted to suit the flight times. Reservations must be made at least one day before the flight. Reservations: yllaskutsuliikenne@hotmail.com. You can check out the airport bus timetable here.
The Rundgrenky bus is the least expensive transfer option. Online booking is available on the website from two weeks in advance. You should book a ticket to/from the end point of the service (Karila th) for the Humina bus stop. The bus from the airport leaves from the stop marked Yllas immediately outside the Terminal building and waits until everyone has collected their baggage.
The bus to Akaslompolo will normally drop you at the Hotel Reception if you make it clear you are going to the Hotel Ylläshumia. On your return journey the bus stop is directly across the road opposite the Hotel Ylläshumina.
You can also use another bus service from the airport, and book via the online system at Ylläs Express. The online system is closed in summer, and normally re-opens for booking in August.
Our Hotel Ylläshumina provides transfers for arrival/departure from Kittila airport. Around 33 Euros one way for 2024, and around 39 Euros one way for late arrivals/departures from 2000 hrs - 1000hrs.
Activity, Injury and Mountain Rescue
It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical expenses, injury, illness, death, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. For all of our trips your insurance must also cover mountain rescue. The exception to this is if the trip is being held in the United Kingdom or Norway where mountain rescue is free of charge. Please ensure that your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude for any trip can be checked on the 'At A Glance' box on each trip page.
Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance
You should also have insurance to cover trip cancellation and curtailment. Insurance should be booked as soon as we have confirmed that your trip is going ahead. Note that your deposit and balance payments are non-refundable unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the required minimum numbers. In this case we will offer you a refund or the option of transferring to another trip if one is available. We also advise that you should have insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage as Tracks and Trails will not be held responsible for loss/damage to baggage/equipment.
All of the above insurances are detailed in our Terms and Conditions. For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.
We use 'classic' style cross-country 'track' skis for this trip. You can choose to bring your own, however, do check with us first to ensure they are the correct type of ski and boot.
At Äkäslompolo we usually hire 'skintec' skis which do not require grip waxes, and are smoother and faster than 'fish scales', however, it depends on availability at the time of booking. If you have your own 'waxing' skis and wish to bring those and understand how to use a 'waxing' ski then you are welcome to do so.
Your instructor will help with organising the ski rental on the morning of your first ski day. The cost of your ski hire, if you require to hire, is approximately 110 Euros for 6 days for winter 2025. To ensure we get the correct sizes equipment hire is arranged in advance. Please make a note of your equipment hire on our Booking Form. We will need to know your height, weight, normal shoe size (you must give us your everyday shoe size and not your personal adjustment for wearing boots) and the measurement of your height up to your armpits for ski pole hire.
In Finland it is not necessary to purchase a ski pass as there is no charge to use the tracks.
Your safety while skiing is our top priority. All skiers are requested to adhere to the Code of Conduct published by the International Ski Federation, or FIS. The aim is to make you, the skier, aware of how to avoid risks, take responsibility and act thoughtfully while on the cross-country ski tracks.
When packing for a trip in the mountains it is important to have appropriate equipment and clothing. This kit list features items we believe are necessary for the weather you will encounter and accommodation you will be staying in.
Equipment
This trip uses ‘classic’ cross country skis and if you are hiring they will usually come with a NNN binding. If you are considering bringing your own, it is acceptable to use ‘fishscales’ or ‘skintec skis’ on this trip, but they must fit in the tracks, so should be a maximum of 66mm at their widest point. The skis you will hire will not be ‘fishscales’, but are more likely to be ‘skintec’ or ‘waxing’ skis. Your Ski Instructor will give you daily advice on how to ‘wax’ your skis if this is necessary. If in doubt about the suitability of your own skis please contact us.
Skis, boots, and poles - can be hired at the start of the trip. The cost of hire is indicated in 'Trip Information'. If you are intending to hire you must inform us as soon as possible as equipment must be booked in advance. The type of ski supplied by the hire shop is provided in the 'Ski Rental' section of the Trip Information page.
Clothing
Comfort
Personal First Aid
Documentation
Additional Items
**Supplementary snacks if you follow a gluten free or coeliac diet**
Leaders are all first aid trained and carry their own first aid kit
On many of our trips there will be an element of 'group kit' which will be shared amongst our guests. As mountain people you will be used to team work and working together to the mutual benefit and safety of the group.
The 'group kit' will be minimal and usually just a case of sharing a few lightweight 'survival shelters'. For example on a week-long trip you may carry a small shelter for just one day before passing it on to the next person.
If you are booking a trip in winter there will be a few additional safety items. These will be distributed in such a way that no one is over burdened.
Other group items necessary for safety and comfort will be carried by your guide/instructor.
For each of our trips a minimum number of guests is required before we can confirm that your trip will go-ahead. The minimum and maximum number of guests on your trip is displayed in the 'At a Glance' box on the righthand side of the trip page.
We strongly advise you do not book travel until we have confirmed your trip is 'guaranteed' to run. If you book travel before we have confirmed it is 'guaranteed' we cannot be held responsible for any financial loss if the trip does not go ahead.
When booking a holiday as a solo traveller a twin bedded room comprising of two single beds, is booked as standard. This will be with someone of the same gender unless you request to pay extra for your own room. Single rooms are often limited in supply so if you would like to pay a supplement for a single room we urge you to get in touch as soon as possible. The single supplement for winter is £575. If you wish a single room please indicate this on your Booking Form.
We go to great lengths to work with first class ski instructors who are passionate about their work.
Your ski instructor will be a BASI qualified, or equivalent, Nordic Ski Instructor. BASI is the British Association of Snowsport Instructors and is one of Europe's leading examining boards for those choosing a career in snow sports. For some countries your ski instructor will hold the national qualification required for the country you are visiting. All are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation.
In the majority of cases your instructor will also be a fully qualified and experienced International Mountain Leader. International Mountain Leaders are not only qualified to ensure the safe management of the group, but are also a source of knowledge about the local flora and fauna, and traditions of the area which you are visiting.
Please note your instructor has complete discretion to make a daily decision on whether or not to take the advertised route based on the weather and the ability of the members of the group. They have our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment.
You can learn more about our guides and instructors on the About Us page.
For this trip where you are centre-based, in other words where you are staying in the same accommodation all week, you are welcome to bring whatever luggage you require. However, please note that not all the hotels we use have elevators. This means you may need to carry your luggage to your bedroom and this might involve climbing several flights of stairs. We would suggest that luggage with wheels is generally a good idea.
We do not include lunches in the trip fee as we find that our guests prefer to choose their own lunch. In Finland there are many cafes beside the ski trails as well as 'kota' which are traditional wigwam style structures where there will be BBQ already fired up! All the trail side cafes take a credit card, but having some local currencies is advised. Many people stop to cook sausages and other items on the fire. Otherwise you can stock up at the local supermarket on lunch items. Your guide will advise you of the options each day.
On your itinerary you will find an indication of the amount of ascent and descent you can expect each day. This offers a guideline to how much effort might be expended each day and allows you to decide, based on previous experience, if your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip.
We make every attempt to ensure these statistics are as accurate as possible, but ask you to note that the most modern of technology used to record these details can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance. In other words no two people using GPS devices on the same route will have exactly the same details recorded at the end of the day.
The statistics given should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required.
Winter temperatures are 'according to the locals' warmer in recent years than previously which is why we now run trips in the months of January, and February, as well as March and April. Even in January when the daylight hours are short we find that we have more than enough time for skiing. We have never yet had guests feeling they were losing out in terms of ski hours by booking in January or February. There is a special pleasure to starting your ski day in the sunrise, and skiing back with the sunset.
Historically temperatures in December have averaged -8°Celsius (17.4°F), in January -9.7°Celsius (14.5°F), in February -9.2°Celsius (15.4°F), in March -6.6°Celsius (20.1°F), and in April -2.3°Celsius (27.9°). Clearly it is possible for temperatures to be much lower.
We have found over the years that these temperatures have not been unpleasant nor have any guests had problems dealing with the weather as it is generally a 'dry' cold, and of course this helps create great snow and therefore great ski tracks. If we do experience a cold snap where temperatures drop then we ensure that everyone is appropriately clothed and kitted out for the ski day. In this respect energy snacks and a thermos with a hot drink are a great comfort!
It is useful to arrive at your destination with some cash in the local currency, however, on most occasions it is relatively easy to visit a 'cash machine' after arrival and withdraw money on a credit or debit card. Some of our locations are an exception to this in particular Norway, where the accommodation will often have no facilities for withdrawing cash, but they will take a credit card.
On many of our trips we will visit remote cafes/farms where it is wonderful to enjoy a drink and a cake, at places such as these they will often only accept payment in the local currency in cash.
Food
On all of our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes.
If you are vegetarian catering for your diet is not generally a problem. If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy/intolerance we would ask that you make your needs clear on your booking form so we can discuss your requirements with the accommodation as soon as possible. A diet that is not related to an allergy/intolerance or beliefs cannot be catered for. It is simply not possible for mountain accommodation to deal with many variations in diet while providing meals for groups.
In addition, if you have an allergy/intolerance we would suggest you bring/purchase suitable snacks as a supplement to the picnic lunches. At times finding gluten free bread, for example, can be an issue. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet, gluten or lactose intolerance please contact us.
We request that you do not CHANGE your dietary requirements during the trip as we will have pre-ordered your meals.
Water
The countries we visit all have tap water which is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel or mountain hut is having a problem with a water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for the country you are visiting, paying attention to your citizenship. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.
New European Travel Regulations from mid 2025
If you are a guest travelling to one of our European holidays you may be impacted by a significant change to travel regulations expected to be in place from the middle of 2025. The new EITAS scheme will start operating this year and, whilst a start date is not yet confirmed, it is likely to affect our summer holidays in 2025 and any winter holiday thereafter. As your holiday approaches we recommend that you check for updates on the website HERE.
We ask that you carry a paper copy of your passport with you on your trip. We suggest keeping your passport in your rucksack, and a paper copy of your passport in any luggage you might have. If your trip is without luggage transfers then keep a paper copy somewhere in your rucksack, separate from your original document.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
Plug, Socket & Voltage by Country
Note that if your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut that electric sockets may be in short supply and for that night you may not be able to charge any items. Although the accommodation will have electricity this will often be supplied by solar panels or a generator and limited to use by the staff. For this reason we advise that carrying a small slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be very useful for recharging phones which many of you will also use as your camera.
If you fancy a change from cross country skiing, then there is plenty to do in the surrounding area:
Tracks and Trails pays guides/instructors a fair and appropriate fee for their professional service. However, if you feel your guide/instructor has provided an excellent service that went 'above and beyond' then it is at the discretion of each guest whether to tip or not. Guests will often give a tip of between 2 - 5 per cent of the total value of their trip. It is entirely up to you and any gesture will no doubt be appreciated no matter the size.
Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor.
For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.
If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.
You can read our full policy here.
Working across international boundaries, and with various currencies means that the price of our trips can change overnight. We have, however, undertaken to guarantee that once you have paid your deposit the price of your trip is fixed. In this respect we urge you to book early to ensure that you receive the price advertised on our website. The website price may increase due to currency fluctuations, but we guarantee that the price advertised on the date of your booking will be maintained in your individual case.
We believe in team work, and enjoy working with other small high quality companies. In this respect due to the specialised nature of our holidays, we co-sell a number of trips with 'partner' companies. All the trips being sold by Tracks and Trails are organised by Tracks and Trails, but you may find guests from other companies on your trip. Partners are carefully selected to ensure they reflect our ethos and standards. By encouraging other companies to sell our trips it means your chosen holiday may reach its 'minimum' number earlier, allowing us to guarantee the trip and to give you the go-ahead to book your travel arrangements. We guarantee that companies with whom we work will offer the same price package. If you have any questions about this policy contact us and we will be happy to discuss it with you.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| Dates | Price | |
|---|---|---|
|
Sun 02 Mar - Sun 09 Mar Code: AKS1 |
Price: £1925 | Full |
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sun 01 Mar - Sun 08 Mar Code: AKS1 |
Price: £1995 | Spaces available | Book |
| From Price | £1995 |
| Holiday Type | Cross Country Ski Instruction |
| Duration | 8 Days |
| Group Size | 4-8 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Maximum Altitude | 718m (2355ft) |
| Countries Visited | Finland |
| Meet In | Äkäslompolo, Finland |
