Winter guide
You don't have to go far to find true winter wilderness, where reality matches the fantasy.
Cross country skiing in Finland
Cross country skiing is deeply ingrained in Finnish culture, with most Finnish children learning to take to skis soon after taking their first steps. Decades ago, it was the way to get around in the winter, and people would glide across forests and lakes on the way to work or school. In smaller communities, kids still make their way to school on skis when the snow sets in.
If you’re a beginner, Finland is a great country to start your cross country skiing journey as there are no massive peaks to contend with. It’s also perfect for those who like to take it easy and get to know the local people; after all, gliding through peaceful fells, fjords and valleys, and staying in small, locally run accommodation is the very essence of slow travel.
If you’re a beginner, Finland is a great country to start your cross country skiing journey as there are no massive peaks to contend with. It’s also perfect for those who like to take it easy and get to know the local people; after all, gliding through peaceful fells, fjords and valleys, and staying in small, locally run accommodation is the very essence of slow travel.
Our Cross country skiing Holidays
Cross-country skiing holiday in Finland's eastern wilderness
Guided country skiing holiday through remote eastern Finland
From
€1140
7 days
ex flights
Cross-country skiing holiday in Finland
Fun, relaxing cross-country skiing for beginners and pros.
From
€1190
8 days
ex flights
What do cross country skiing
holidays in Finland involve?
Our Finland cross country skiing holidays are a week long, and you’ll spend up to seven hours a day out on your skis, following tracks (known as loipes) through a wintry wonderland of ancient forest and frozen lakes. You’ll have picnic lunches around an open fire or in local wilderness huts to break up the day, and will be unencumbered by baggage, with only a small rucksack with a thermos and some personal items to carry. At the end of the day, you’ll get to soothe body and soul in a traditional Finnish sauna, as well as sample some hearty home cooking. You may get a rest day half way through your trip allowing you to either chill out round the fire back at your lodge, or check out some other winter activities.
Our Finnish cross country ski holidays are small group in style, meaning that you’ll have a band of between four and 16 fellow travellers with whom to share laughs along the trail. If you’re a beginner, there are tours that’ll show you the practical basics and give you briefings about what to expect when skiing in the wilderness.
You can either choose a point to point tour, during which that you’ll make your way further across the wilderness every day, staying in remote huts but with your luggage transferred for you, or a centre based tour, where you’ll spend most of your nights in well equipped log cabins, with a couple of nights in a basic hostel near the Russian border thrown in, too.
One of the joys of our cross country holidays in Finland is their remote location; you’re unlikely to come across many other skiers in this pristine part of the world. But you are likely to come across elk. And if you’re lucky, you could spot wolverines or golden eagles.
You can either choose a point to point tour, during which that you’ll make your way further across the wilderness every day, staying in remote huts but with your luggage transferred for you, or a centre based tour, where you’ll spend most of your nights in well equipped log cabins, with a couple of nights in a basic hostel near the Russian border thrown in, too.
One of the joys of our cross country holidays in Finland is their remote location; you’re unlikely to come across many other skiers in this pristine part of the world. But you are likely to come across elk. And if you’re lucky, you could spot wolverines or golden eagles.
Our top Cross country skiing Holiday
Cross-country skiing holiday in Finland's eastern wilderness
Guided country skiing holiday through remote eastern Finland
From
€1140
7 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2024: 18 Feb, 25 Feb, 3 Mar, 10 Mar, 17 Mar, 24 Mar
2024: 18 Feb, 25 Feb, 3 Mar, 10 Mar, 17 Mar, 24 Mar
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Cross country skiing or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
01273 823 700
Call us until 5pm
Calling from outside the UK
Where to cross country ski in Finland
Our cross country skiing holidays take in the Kainuu Region. Close to the Russian border, it’s an ancient wilderness that feels remote and untouched. Here, highlights include the frozen wetlands and snow covered ancient forests in Hossa National Park, Martinselkonen Nature Reserve and the renowned Oulanka National Park.
Where will I sleep?
You’ll either stay in comfortable, en suite rooms in a log cabin hotel, or in simple wilderness huts with shared facilities, where you could have the chance to experience a Finnish shower or get involved in cutting river ice. In either case, they’ll have fireplaces and saunas to ensure that you stay toasty warm. There’ll also be plenty of time to explore the local food culture, with fresh fish, berries and elk all on the menu.What else can I do?
As well as visiting a reindeer farm, our tours also allow you the free time to try out some non-ski related activities. These could include snowshoeing, a husky safari or fat biking – where you get stuck into the terrain on special bicycles with super wide tires. You’ll also have the chance to sample local produce and craftwork, supporting practices that have endured here for hundreds of years – things to return home with include Karhunkynsi tableware and traditional smoked elk.This being the north of Finland there’s a good chance of viewing the Northern Lights as you revel in the snowy landscapes. They can be seen from autumn to Easter but it’s anyone’s guess as to when they’ll appear.
When to go cross country
skiing in Finland
The best time to go cross country skiing in Finland is between mid January and the beginning of March. At this time the snow is soft, the trails are at their best, the landscape still Christmas card pretty and the days are getting a little longer.
More about Cross country skiing
The cross country skiing season is sometimes different from that of downhill, because it doesn’t rely on snow cannons and resort openings.
One of the aims of this cross country skiing holiday guide is to show people who love the mountains and wilderness in summer that they can also revel in them in winter.
If you want to find the best places to go cross country skiing, think downhill and then close that box of clichés and think again.
Ski touring holidays differ from cross country in that they are more hard core.
Cross country skiing holidays in Austria are a true celebration of the outdoors and mountain culture.
Cross country skiing holidays in Germany take you to that most magical of landscapes – the Black Forest.
What better way to get acquainted with a Norwegian winter than strapping on some skis and making your way across the frozen countryside – taking it slowly and eschewing faster-paced downhill shenanigans? Read on to find out the ins and outs and the dos and don’ts of cross country skiing holidays in Norway.
This 365 sq km region of mountainous terrain in northeastern Italy offers perfect fodder for winter sports, and all with a pretty spectacular backdrop, too.
From being safe on the mountains, what to pack to reminders on the importance of having an expert leader or guide, these cross country skiing holiday tips are invaluable.
Responsible ski holidays are ones that don’t wreck the landscape and also tie in with local communities in a positive way.
More relevant guides
.jpg){kind=link}