Snowshoeing holiday in Finland

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION
The joining point of the trip is Kuusamo, which is the closest airport to the destination. From Kuusamo, we organize a scheduled group transfer to Hossa. At the end of the tour a group transfer takes guests back to the airport or Kuusamo bus station for those continuing their journey to Helsinki by bus and train. Our tour materials provide information on travelling to and from Kuusamo by train and bus. Transfers are often shared between participants from different groups, reducing the number of kilometres driven compared with separate group transfers. For each transfer, we choose a vehicle suitable for the group size.

Direct flights to Kuusamo are available from a few European destinations during the winter season. When possible, we encourage guests to use direct connections. On selected arrival days during the high season, we organise an additional shared transfer to meet direct flights.

Human-powered travel is a central part of the holiday. We walk on snowshoes through deep snow, mostly off trail, so no trails need to be prepared or maintained. During the snowshoeing days, only one relatively short car transfer is needed. Luggage is transported between accommodations by car, but the distances involved are short.

Two nights are spent in wood-heated wilderness huts without electricity or running water. Drinking water is brought to the cabins in canisters. On the other days, guests can drink Finnish tap water, which is safe and of high quality, and bottled water is not provided during the tour.

Lunches are served outdoors during snowshoeing days. Disposable plates, cups and cutlery are not used. Coffee grounds and used tea bags are composted. Other waste is taken back to the accommodation, where it is sorted and recycled as far as possible. Guests are instructed not to leave any waste in the wilderness. Vegetarian meals are available throughout the tour on request.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE
The tour takes place in Hossa National Park during the snowy winter season. We make our own way through the wilderness on snowshoes, while lunch breaks are taken at designated campfire sites maintained by Metsähallitus, Parks & Wildlife Finland. We pay a fee for the use of these services, contributing to the maintenance of facilities in the national park.

We have prepared sustainability tips for our customers, including advice on preparing for the tour and reducing their environmental impact during their holiday. The tips are available on our website and are also included in the pre-tour materials.

We offer snowshoeing equipment and winter boots for rent, allowing guests to use suitable equipment without having to purchase equipment that they may otherwise rarely use.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY
We aim to ensure that tourism income benefits local businesses and communities. Our company does not own any cabins, hotels, restaurants or buses. Instead, our operations are based entirely on cooperation with a local network of partners. We work with small, mostly family-owned accommodation providers, restaurants, transport companies and other service providers in the countryside. We use local guides whenever possible. We maintain fair and reliable partnerships with our suppliers. We honour our agreements and pay our partners according to the agreed terms.

Our main local partner on this tour is a family-owned company. During the winter season, international groups are an important additional source of business for them. Tourism therefore provides income and employment in an area where the population and number of local businesses are relatively small. We have worked with this partner since 2000, when our company was founded.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY
Our employees and guides are paid in accordance with Finnish legislation and applicable collective labour agreements. We expect our operating partners and service providers to comply with the same legal requirements.

Recruitment and employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience and the skills required for the job. Age, gender, sexual orientation, nationality or other personal characteristics do not affect our decisions when recruiting guides or other staff. Our responsible tourism policy prohibits all forms of discrimination and promotes equal treatment and opportunities in employment.