Finnish Wilderness Holiday - Winter Activities: X-Country Skiing, Dogsledding, Snowshoeing And More

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 86 reviews.

Mandy Kingham

FINNISH WILDERNESS WEEK

Written March 2010
Unfortunately I was taken ill during my holiday so did not do everything that was arranged. However what I did do was fantastic I had a brilliant time. During my illness I was looked after amazingly well. Nothing was too much trouble for them. Many thanks to all concerned for their kindness.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
As I have said I didn't do everything on the itinerary but loved the cross country skiing and the walks with snow shoes. However the nights were clear, quiet and beautiful, the stars seemed so close and bright it was great to see, it was just a shame that we didn't get to see the Northern Lights.
A must do is the kick sledge. Great fun and a real laugh.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader was fabulous, so much fun and very considerate.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take any medication you feel may be useful with you. You really are out in the sticks and getting into the village is not easy or cheap.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I will definitely be going back to do all the things I missed due to my illness. Great people, great food and a fantastic opportunity for loads of fun amongst some amazing scenery.
Len Richardson

FINNISH WILDERNESS WEEK

Written March 2010
I thought that this would be a good holiday because I have wanted to drive a dog sled for a long time. What I did not realise how great all the activites would be and what a special place I was visiting.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The dog sled was wonderfull. What made it so good was the nice people who ran the trip. It was very clear how attached they were to their dogs. The dogs were the best natured happy bunch of well cared for huskys I could imagine. Of course you very quickly realise that the all have there own personalitys.
I have to also say that the snowmobile drive was great fun and the halfway point was an amazing place, high on a hill thick with snow with views for miles across Finland.
In contrast it was great to be able to just head off down a trail on skis or snow shoes in small groups to experiance the wildness of the location.
What did you think of your group leader?
Lovely people, all of them. Just listen to their advise and you will be fine.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take thermal underware, good hat and gloves and very warm coat. Walking boots are also a boon because of the grip and warmth. They do supply lots of gear but of course you have to get there and back for one. It's also handy to have a change of bits that can dry and air. For the evening jeans and a thick jumper was fine. After a couple of days you get used to walking around the camp in the cold. Keep moving and the air is so dry you forget how cold it is. Chapstic for the lips, a few sweets for the dry throut. PJ's in case you need to get up in the night, the rooms are warm, but you never know if the northen lights are going to be spotted. But top tip from me is a buff or simular for the face.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Don't be scared of the cold. Yes it is very cold but because it is dry you don't feal it like a cold damp day in the UK. I was amazed at how quick we adapted. I loved making snow clouds, take a cup of water and throw it into the air and it never comes down. It turns to an ice crystal cloud and drifts off. How cool is that.
Harvey Reynolds

FINNISH WILDERNESS WEEK

Written March 2010
A great adventure. There was something new happening every day.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Going off for a snow shoe walk and cross country ski by ourselves after we had been given instruction.
Driving a huski sled one day and a ski mobile another.
What did you think of your group leader?
Teemo was friendly, sociable and knowledgeable - As were all the staff we dealt with at camp Oulanka.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I did not realise our flight was no frills. Either have something to eat at the airport before you go or buy / make sandwiches for the plane. There is a complementary 'meal', but ours consisted of a short bread biscuit, an apple and some water! There was also some salt and pepper and a plastic knife and fork - Not sure what they were for! ;)
As you will read elsewhere, all your clothes will be provided for you at Camp Oulanka. You might want a jumper just for the airport, but it is not really necessary.
Unlike other Exodus trips, you will be mostly based at the camp - There is not much travelling involved. This means long evenings after dinner and some lie-ins. There are one or two board games at Camp Oulanka, but you might consider bringing one or two of your own to keep you occupied in the evening.
When you have being trained in how to use snowshoes, you can do 'The little bear trail' on one of your free days. This trail is about 8-10km. You don't need to buy a map to follow it - It is simply a case of following trees with green markers sprayed on them.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This holiday is one of those which offers you the chance to do activities you would not get to do anywhere else.
At Camp Oulanka, you will learn to snow shoe, cross country ski, build a quinzee, climb an ice wall and bathe in a hot tub.
Unbelievably, all the snow melts in the summer and it gets quite warm. If you like it enough, you can come back in the summer and do activities like white water rafting, canoeing and practice on the climbing wall.
Anna Cheer

FINNISH WILDERNESS WEEK

Written February 2010
We have made virtually everyone we know acutely envious. Dogsledding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and not only building a quinzee but also sleeping in it. All in a fantasy winter wonderland. From a warm, comfortable base. And we will not shut up about it. It sounded too good to be true before we went, but it was even better than we dared hope so they are absolutely right to be jealous!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I am crying with happiness. I should stop, not only because it's soppy but also, and probably more crucially, because I can feel the tears freezing on my face. This is probably not good at this unbelievably cold temperature. My team of dogs is pulling me, on my sled, through this completely white, beautiful, silent landscape. Every bit of the trees is coated with snow; I have never seen anything like it. There is a glorious swishing noise from the sled runners and my two lead dogs have been running with their tails curled together all day. I am completely and utterly happy.
What did you think of your group leader?
Hanna was fantastic. She really put herself out to give us a wonderful week. Endlessly cheerful and enthusiastic, she was utterly professional and an excellent teacher. If you can get her to teach you to make a Sami drum, grab the chance for an absorbing and satisfying evening or two.
Believe her when she tells you not to put water-based moisturiser on just before going out - it really does freeze on your face in a mildly unpleasant way!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Others have said it, and we did not believe them, but you REALLY don't need to take much. The clothes you arrive in, some round-necked teeshirts and underwear, a book, an alarm clock, camera, wash kit and swimsuit/trunks for the sauna/hot-tub (if you are modest) would, genuinely, be enough if you are happy to spend the evenings in fleecy trousers! You are provided with huge amounts of high-quality kit.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Sleeping in a quinzee is surprisingly comfortable! Honestly! We actually overslept. Allow approximately one hour if you need to go up to the base for a wee during the night, to wriggle all your kit on, wriggle out of the quinzee and eventually wriggle back, gratefully, into your lovely warm sleeping bag - don't put it off until you're desperate!
Louisa Gonzalez

FINNISH WILDERNESS WEEK

Written February 2010
A great variety of different activities set in a winter wonderland. Good fun, total de-stress, you set the level you are comfortable with, the slightly aching muscles you woke up with each morning dissipated immediately upon starting the next day's activities.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There was no one moment, as there were quite a number. Running vertically down a steep hill with snow shoes (who'd have imagined 'extreme snowshoeing' was possible?), husky dog sledging through a setting as if from Narnia, downhill skiing on powder snow, skidooing through pristine winter beauty with the sun on the horizon on one side and the moon on the other, star gazing hoping to catch sight of the Northern Lights, hand-making and decorating my own raindeer skin drum, hanging off the icewall held on by mere crampons and ice axes (well, ignoring the harness!), attempting to sleep out in the quinzee in minus 30 degrees, and finally rolling in the snow between sauna and jacuzzi sessions!
What did you think of your group leader?
Teemu was one of the most charming people I've met, with lots of interesting stories. Very relaxed and friendly individual, you felt almost like he was just another member of the group, but still showing us the ropes.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
As mentioned by previous reviewers (whose advice I followed), the clothes the base camp lend you for the week are great quality and really do the job of keeping you snug. Take some additional t-shirts/thermals to add more layers, and then jeans and top for the evening more than suffice. You do not need to buy a new wardrobe just to do this holiday. As you are active all the time you are outside, the cold is not disabling. There was more than enough day light from 9am to 3pm in mid-January, so don't think you'd be in darkness. And just try it all - that's the beauty of this holiday! In order to do some of the optional extras a minimum number of peope (eg, 4) are needed. As it is not likely that everyone in the group will want to do the same as you, a larger group is probably more advantageous if you want to do the extras as there is greater chance the minimum numbers can be made up.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This was one of the most fun holidays I've been on. I thoroughly recommend it. Don't be put off by the cold, and take advantage of the variety of activities.
Janet Lingley

FINNISH WILDERNESS WEEK

Written January 2010
A brilliant week of snow, fun and falling over, but most of all, of laughter. I forgot that I am middle-aged and acted like a ten year old for a whole week!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
A white woodland landscape, brilliant red sun rise, clean air and perfect quiet - the scenery has to be seen to be believed as the views are just breathtaking. Add to this the huskies in front of you racing along the path.... You just had to be there, as words can never be enough.
What did you think of your group leader?
Teemu was great - very much part of the group and joining in all the fun. Always ready and willing with a smile, whatever was asked of him.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Eat before you travel with Jet2 as we had not realised that we would only be given an apple and a slice of cake on board the flight!
Wear all the clothing that Basecamp offer - it was unbelievably cold, on our trip it was below minus 36C one day.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
For the first time ever I have bored my friends to death talking about how great my holiday was - and I holiday often. Just thinking about it makes me smile, even on the dullest day.
Graham Lingley

FINNISH WILDERNESS WEEK

Written January 2010
A really, really good holiday. Have not laughed so much for a long time.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Where to start? Two of us went off on the Pieni Karhunkierros Trail one day, plenty of advice from the people at Basecamp and armed with a map - it was a brilliant day. The dog sledding was exhilarating and would like to do more. Possibly the most bizarre - sledging at midnight on New Years Eve and acting like a ten year old.
What did you think of your group leader?
Excellent, need not say anymore.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
There is no hot food at Kuusamo airport so be prepared on the return journey. Make sure you are ready to laugh and be laughed at, it really is a fun trip. Can get very cold so much sure you use all the equipment and clothing provided.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Customer services at Exodus could do with improving. Complete lack of response to enquiries made just prior to trip!