Kalevala Ski Tour 

Detailed program

Day 1 Arrival

Arrival at Kuusamo airport and approx. 2 hours transfer to Martinselkonen Wilds Centre, which is a former guard station renovated into a guest house. Check-in, dinner and briefing about the week’s programme by your guide. (On late arrival an evening snack will be served and briefing will take place in the morning.)  

Day 2 Day tour from Martinselkonen 23 km

After breakfast it’s time to jump on skis! We start our expedition heading east until we reach our furthest point. We stop for lunch, after which we will ski a few more kilometres. The picnic lunch will be served at one of the wilderness huts operated by Finnish Forest and Park Service. On arrival at the accommodation we will relax in the traditional wood-heated sauna and appreciate its soothing heat on tired muscles and warm through after several hours skiing in the cold air. 

Day 3 Martinselkonen-Arola 28 km

Today´s route passes on Martinselkonen nature reserve through the network of swamps and spruce forests. These ancient forests are home to a brown bear population, however in winter they are hibernating. Also, other Finnish large carnivores - wolves, lynxes and wolverines - inhabit the area but they are extremely elusive, and we may only spot their tracks in the snow. In the afternoon we’ll arrive at Arola guest house, famous for its’ delicious food made from local ingredients. Dinner will be served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional log house.

Day 4 Day tour from Arola 27 km

Today’s tour takes us to Teerilampi wilderness hut where our assistance guide has been preparing lunch for us while we have been skiing. We will enjoy hot soup and a selection of sandwiches around an open fire. In the afternoon, we return to Arola for the second night to enjoy the warmth and hospitality of our hosts. 

Day 5 Arola–Rajakartano 43 km

The longest skiing day of the week takes us north. We will ski through different types of forests, lakes and numerous wetlands - the landscape is very typical for this area. Lunch is enjoyed roughly halfway through the tour. Our accommodation for the last two nights will be Rajakartano another former guard station. The guest house is located on the shore of Lake Hossanjärvi just outside Hossa national park. Again, there is a chance to relax in a traditional Finnish sauna and this time, the more adventurous amongst us, can try ice swimming – dip yourself into the hole in the ice! 

Day 6 Day tour in Hossa national park 20–35 km

The last skiing day will be on the tracks of Hossa national park which was inaugurated in 2017 to celebrate Finland’s 100 years of independence. The nature in Hossa is dominated by ridges, small lakes and ponds and beautiful pine heathlands. The previous days skiing has been pretty flat but today we are challenged by some steep but mainly short uphill sections. Lunch will be at Hossa Visitor Centre, where it’s possible to pick up a gift in the souvenir shop. After lunch we can choose a shorter or longer route back to the accommodation where once again a hot sauna is waiting for us. If we are lucky, the magical Northern Lights might top off our skiing week, but it is the nature who decides if it is show time tonight!

Day 7 Return

Breakfast and transport to Kuusamo airport (1 hour).

Good to know

DURATION
7 days / 6 nights

GUARANTEED DEPARTURES
22.02.–28.02.2025
01.03.–07.03.2025
08.03.–14.03.2025
Other departures for groups on request. Season 01.02.-05.04.

PRICE
1200 €
Ski equipment hire (skis, boots, poles) 70 €

GROUP SIZE
The tour is guaranteed to run without minimum number of participants. Max. 12 persons.

SOME BASIC FACTS ABOUT THE TOUR
-This is a cross-country skiing tour on tracks, not going “off the trails”.
-This tour is for experienced cross-country skiers and require a good fitness.
-Daily skiing distances are 25–42 km. Daily skiing time including breaks is 5–8 hours.
-The track is made by snowmobile especially for the group, it’s not a maintained track.
- The terrain is fairly easy and there are no big hills on route, however there are some ups and downs especially during the last skiing day. The route goes in forests, crosses lakes and swamps.
- Only classical technique can be used on this tour.
- Cross-country skis (width approx. 44 mm) for classical style are the correct choice for this tour.
- See a rough route map here.

ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is mostly on twin and triple sharing basis, quadruple rooms may be used in few cases. Solo travellers will be placed with 1-2 fellow travellers of the same gender. For couples a private twin room will be booked. Single rooms are not available. Toilets and showers are located on the corridor except on days 1 and 2 most rooms have private facilities.

TRAVEL
Flights are not included in the tour price. If you have anything unclear regarding flights or transfers, please do check with us before booking flights!

Notes for arrival
The joining point for this trip is Kuusamo airport. Single-timed group transfer from Kuusamo airport to the first accommodation is organized to coincide with this Finnair flight from Helsinki:
HEL-KAO AY487 (arrival at 21.00-22.00)

Notes for return
On last day the single-timed group transfer is organized back to Kuusamo airport to coincide with this Finnair flight to Helsinki:
KAO-HEL AY486 (departure at 10.30.-11.30)
If you take a later flight or stay extra nights in Kuusamo, the drop off at Kuusamo town centre is available on prior request.  

Travel by bus/train
On arrival it is possible take a train (or bus) from Helsinki to Oulu and then a bus from Oulu to Kuusamo. The same applies to the way back to Helsinki. The schedule must coincide with above mentioned transfer schedule. Note: No pick up available from the bus station.  

PAYMENT
Deposit: 15 % of total amount will be charged at the time of booking.
Full payment: Due 14 days before the departure. The invoice for full payment will be sent by email. 

NOTES
It is essential that a passenger is covered by adequate travel insurance.
The tour is not suitable for persons with reduced mobility.    
We reserve all the rights to change the itinerary (route, accommodation) if necessary due to snow or weather conditions and in case the group size is max. 3 persons.

What do I need to bring?

• outdoor equipment
• leisure time clothing
• rucksack (15-20 l)
• thermos flask
• head lamp / torch
• ski equipment 

The full gear list will be sent after booking.  

Reviews

2023
A wonderful experience. Fabulous scenery, food, guiding and company.

2020
This was a wonderful way to explore Finland. From the campfire lunches to history along the border, I learned a lot while getting to ski in wildlife areas. Guides Kassu&Jani were a lot of fun, very knowledgeable and provided great experience for all. We met wonderful people from Finland and other countries. The trip was a great value that I will remember for many years. Alison, Alaska

The landscape changing at all corners is always more than expected, alternating between forest, lakes, rivers, huge surfaces of powder snow. In addition pretty nice accommodations with traditional sauna is an amazing experience. A lot of cultural skills is brought to the group in the evening thanks to the guide and the owners of the accommodations. Bertrand, France

2017
I believe that if you want to understand the real nature of cross-country skiing you have to do this trip. What we do normally in our countries on our tracks is sport/training. Here it’s another thing. Stefano, Italy

It was so good I come back! Steffi

2016
If you want to spend one week surrounded by beautiful nature, glide along on your skis on prepared tracks, savour delicious Finnish food and relax in comfortable accommodations with a sauna – this is your trip. Female, Germany

Pour amateurs de grands espaces blancs, adeptes d’efforts solitaires. La Finlande tient toutes ses promesses: paysages merveilleux, accueil chaleureux, cuisine excellent… et le sauna apres le ski est une vraie revelation! Florence, France

-> 2015
An unforgettable experience. Highly recommended to see Finland and ski an awesome tour. Ramón, Spain

We enjoyed a really tough ski tour. We had all kinds of weather, very good food and accommodation. All of our group (from France, Spain, Germany and Japan) can recommend this beautiful ski experience. Many thanks to our guide Petri, very funny, friendly and experienced wilderness guide. Frank, Germany

The tour started for us with a trip. The distance was 45 km which we never had trained. So the first day was hard for us. Second day and the rest of the week was the distance good. We loved to ski without other people, just on your own with all the environment at that moment. It was a great experience. Thank you and your staff for this trip. Heino, Holland