6 independent reviews for Cross-country skiing holiday in Finland
Reviews for Cross-country skiing holiday in Finland
Nicholas Howe review 26 Mar 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Being out in the silence of the forest as the snow fell.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Spend some time getting fit beforehand.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
In an area with limited employment opportunities local people were given work.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very enjoyable, with excellent food, kind and helpful staff, great accommodation, beautiful scenery and pleasing extras.Mike Lewis review 21 Feb 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
After lockdown, just getting back out onto skis and good snow conditions. Camaraderie of the group was good, despite different nationalities. Good to meet wider cultures as part of the travel experience.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Worth practising beforehand if possible. Be prepared for some long days, a degree of fitness (and x-c skill) is needed, but some great scenery and variety on the trails. Obviously be prepared for swings in weather conditions. I was only English person in a group of eight (others were from Germany), but Minna and the group did a great job of including me. Worth checking if in doubt. Logistics were excellent from start to finish from airport at Kuopio, transfers during the trip, and time at the guesthouses.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. Movement of bed linen from place to place was novel, but welcome. Meals were mostly from local sources, clearly at the heart of the guesthouse owner's philosophy. Trails are responsibility of locals and well prepared/ clearly marked.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very good, recommend consider this trip.Alix Boardman review 19 Feb 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Many! 1)The smoke sauna & cold water creek dip in Minna’s family sauna where she showed us all the local customs. Meanwhile she also smoked salmon in the next door hut where we could warm up round a fire pit & enjoy hot gloggi. 2) the fantastic healthy food 3) the language lesson on the first afternoon2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The fitter you are the more you will enjoy it; so strengthen hip extensors, gluteal & core muscles . I found doing some yoga stretching as soon as I finished the first few ski sessions really helped. The hosts were all very friendly & love to talk about their traditions , nature in the forests ,language & food. It’s great to try every experience they offer including g rolling in the snow after sauna. Coming from Scotland I found the accommodation very warm so I didn’t need pyjamas.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes; There was a strong focus on using local food resources, minimising unnecessary washing of bedding & coordinating transfers to & from the airport. Our ski coach had just graduated on his nature course, & was great fun. Minna was very knowledgable about the trees. The planning of the whole trip with visits to 3 guest houses & local cake / coffee4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Really fun holiday meeting interesting hosts & other travellers. Great to have chance of a massage on the 3rd afternoon. Everything so relaxed, fun & enjoyable with tasty local food. The ski scenery was beautiful, especially the forests & lichens, despite the lack of sunshine. I loved the cross country skiing & will definitely be back to do more in Finland.Pamela Fraser review 19 Feb 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Minna and her team were so fun and friendly. The food was great and the scenery was lovely.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Embrace the sauna experience and don't be afraid to fall.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Very much.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A wonderful introduction to cross country skiing and Finland.John Kelly review 10 Feb 2020
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The variety of skiing. The trip struck the right balance for an introductory course - there were short and long trips and plenty of breaks.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Nothing significant I can think of - perhaps do some cardio fitness preparation before travelling3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, definitely4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Ivan Fiser review 26 Mar 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Meeting our hosts was a particular pleasure. I did not expect such openness and warmth and to learn so much about Karelian culture and recent history through family stories that our hosts shared with us.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If you are not cross-country skiing throughout winter prepare yourself by exercising on a cross country trainer for several weeks before your trip. Even though you may be very physically fit you will be working a different set of muscles, especially your adductors, for which you can do special stretching exercises.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, as most food served by hosts was locally grown; very nice souvenirs produced locally; bed linen was carried by us from one to the next gesthouse, ect.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
After more than 40 years of traveling to Finland I had high expectations. However, Minna Murtonen and her entire team, provided a superb service, easy comfort, delicious food, and expert ski guidance that exceeded my wildest expectations. The holiday was an utter success and I would heartily recommend it to any cross country enthusiast.Holiday Reviews
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