Client reviews our Lapland Adventure & the Icehotel trip

22nd August 2008

Helen Reynolds tells us about her winter activity holiday to Sweden.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Mushing my own team of dogs across a frozen lake into the pink-tinged sunset, with only the sound of the dogs' panting and the sled runners across the crisp snow interrupting the snowy silence.

And an unlikely highlight was a 3am trip to the loo in the Ice Hotel. As I stumbled out through the ice hall, all soaring blues and greens and white, without another soul around I felt like I was on another planet!

What did you think of your group leader?

Sabina was brilliant - very direct, but helpful with a great dry sense of humour and obviously passionate about her life in Sweden. She gave us all an incredibly insight about day-to-day living in such an extreme environment.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

The accommodation was a pleasant surprise. The base camp of the Mushers Lodge was just like a normal warm house, with added sauna. The Wilderness Lodge 8 miles away in the forest was amazingly picturesque, with a fantastic wood-heated sauna and a roaring woodstove.

Don't bother taking hiking boots or full-on ski gear as insulated boots, cosy mittens, fur-lined hats and really warm overalls are provided. You just need something for the airport transfer in a heated minibus. You don't need to lug a huge rucksack, as your stuff stays permanently at the Mushers Lodge. Take a suitcase and then a daysack for your toothbrush for the overnight stays in the Wilderness Lodge. You'll wear the same clothes two days in a row, so won't need to pack much. Everyone should use moisturiser as the air is VERY dry and your skin will suffer. If you take alcohol, pack it in your hold luggage if you're transferring at Stockholm because of the liquids ban. Transporting it to the Wilderness Lodge in a day pack is a pain, so probably best to take individual beer cans or a hip flask.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

This is the perfect way to get a taste of winter sports. I learnt that cross-country skiing and snowmobiling weren't for me without having to endure a whole week of just one activity. But I fell in love with dog sledding and hope to make it back to Lapland one day.

Read more reviews for the Lapland Adventure & The Icehotel, or view the holiday page