Snowshoe Tours

Guided Boreal Forest Snowshoe Hikes Close to the Homestead

This activity starts and ends at the husky homestead (so you are welcome to add a farmstead visit at either end). After testing snowshoes and poles, we head straight from the yard into the northern Boreal forests.

There are two track options depending on snow conditions and group fitness. The shorter takes a little-used trail along a low ridge to the edge of the open marshes, where we may encounter reindeer. The longer, more technical option climbs to a higher ridge with tantalising views over the surrounding area — the village church in the distance and the fells of the Pallas-Yllas National Park behind.

Price per adult: €55; per child: €45; family group (max 2 adults and 3 children, age 12 or under): €200. Min. participation: 2 people. Duration: c. 2 hours.

Aurora Chasing by Snowshoe

Our 2-hour northern lights snowshoe tour is operated out of our farm where, at the edge of the village, there is minimal light pollution. After donning snowshoes, we head out across the wilderness marshes around the farm and either aim for the wide expanses of the Ounasjärvi lake or one of the vantage points on the hills around the farm.

Price per adult: €75; per child: €55; family group (max 2 adults and 3 children, age 12 or under): €275. Min. participation: 4 people. Duration: c. 2 hours. Headtorches can be supplied if needed but please bring your own if you have them.

Snowshoe Trek to the Summit of the Jyppyrä Nature Reserve

Several skiing, snowshoeing and hiking routes start from the Skierri in Hetta — the Sami museum, nature centre and tourist information centre. One ascends c. 130m to the summit of Jyppyrä, a hill of ancient importance to local people as a site of offerings to pagan gods. At the summit, a Ministry of Forestry open shelter is a great place to make a fire and enjoy a hot drink and snacks over a panoramic view.

Behind you the Arctic tundra stretches towards Norway and Nordkapp. To the West lie Sweden and the longest undammed river in Europe (now frozen over); to the East, the wilderness border between Russia and Finland; to the South, the Northern fells of the Pallas-Yllas National Park. Price per adult: €65 (daytime) / €80 (aurora-chasing evening); per child: €55 / €60; family group: €300 / €325. Duration: c. 2 hours. Normal group size: 2–8 pax.

NEW Snow Bubble Sleigh Ride & Snowshoe Hike

This product includes a snow bubble sleigh transfer to the base of the hill below the aurora camp. At that point we put on our snowshoes and set off to hike to the hilltop camp, which has a traditional circular log cabin (kota) for warming up and having drinks and snacks. The c. 0.5km climb ascends c. 50m vertically and takes most groups c. 30 mins up and c. 15 mins down. The 8km sleigh ride takes c. 20 minutes each way.

All in all, this wilderness journey lasts c. 2.5 hours. Price per person: €80. Maximum group size: 6 adults & 3 small children. Includes drinks & snacks, snow bubble sleigh ride, guide, snowshoes and poles.

Snowmobile Transfer to Pyhäkero hut and Guided Snowshoe Hike to the Summit

This product includes a snowmobile-sleigh transfer to the wilderness coffee shop and cabins at the base of Pyhäkero and then a guided snowshoeing excursion to the top. The snowshoeing itself takes c. 2.5 hours (depending on the fitness of the group) and the transfer to the wilderness cabin by snowmobile sleigh takes c. half an hour each way (c. 7km) from the centre of town.

Price per adult: €115; per child (age 4–11): €85; family group: €425. Group size: 3–8 pax (up to 16 on enquiry). Includes drinks & snacks, snowmobile transfer, guide, snowshoes and poles. Duration: c. 4 hours.