Three countries ski expedition takes you across frozen tundra, lakes and mountains of northernmost Scandinavia. The expedition starts and ends in Kilpisjärvi, Finland. Landscape is dominated by open tundra and mighty mountaintops. During the expedition we find our way through rugged valleys and over ice-covered lakes, and visit Øvre Dividal National park. Most of the time we stay between 600-1000 meters above sea level. The final route will be adapted according conditions.

 

Distance in total will be around 100 km and we use 8 days to cover this. We will face many up and down hills, variable snow conditions and cold temperatures. This is a challenging ski expedition and you need to have some experience from winter camping and traveling with skis and pulka. All the nights are slept in tents. Last night of the tour we can build and sleep in a snow cave if the schedule allows.

 

March is still true winter month above Arctic Circle. We have to be well prepared for demanding weather. Temperatures can drop below -30 ºC. High winds and heavy snowfalls might slow us down. We will adapt our daily distances according to the weather conditions. In March there will be more and more sunlight every day. However, the nights are still long and dark enough for spotting Aurora Borealis. This is truly wonderful time to be out in the Arctic wilderness!

 

Daily itinerary

 

Day 1

We meet in Kilpisjärvi village in the morning. We will pack, go through the plans of the following weeks and buy the last supplies if needed. We also go quickly through principals of putting up winter camp and using the stove. After everything is ready, we start skiing towards the wilderness. First afternoon we will cross the Lake Kilpis and camp in the Swedish side of the border.

 

Day 2-7 

We will ski daily 10-20 km and camp in different locations according to our progression and weather conditions. We will prepare breakfast and dinner in the camp. During the day we enjoy a warm lunch outside. All the food and equipment is carried by ourselves in our pulkas. Day by day our pulkas will get lighter, and we get used to the expedition-life.  

 

Day 8

In the late afternoon we will arrive to Kilpisjärvi, where our expedition ends. You can stay overnight in one of the many nice accommodation options in the village.

 

Food package 

If you are not sure what kind of food you should bring, we will make it easy for you. We are offering food package for additional cost. It will be 300 nok per day including breakfast, lunch and dinner. You only need to take care of bringing enough snacks and sweets with you.

 

If you want to bring your own food, and just need some advice and ideas – we are happy to help out!

 

How to get there

 

Kilpisjärvi: The nearest airports are Kittilä and Tromsø. There are daily bus connections from Kittilä to Kilpisjärvi, and from Tromsø to Kilpisjärvi. There is also a taxi operating from Kilpisjärvi to the nearest airports. 

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If you choose to travel by train, there is train station in Rovaniemi with bus connection to Kilpisjärvi.

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Bus routes and rates:

https://www.thearcticroute.com/book/

https://www.matkahuolto.fi/en/