BEGINNER SNOWSHOEING & SKI TOUR ADVENTURE-FINLAND

Join Galz Gone Wild on our very first beginner snowshoeing and ski tour where you will get to explore the wild taiga of eastern Finland. Far from the tourist crowds!

I have specifically curated this trip for beginners new to snow, snowshoeing and cross country skiing. A perfect opportunity to give it a go, have fun and learn something new with the support of our wonderful GGW Community:) - Mel GGW Founder

This wild and remote region offers the perfect setting to experience the tranquility of nature. Our journey takes us through the pristine landscapes of Hossa National Park where snow-covered forests, scenic ridges, and frozen lakes create a true winter wonderland. The week includes four days of snowshoeing, complemented by two days of cross- country skiing—one of Finland’s most beloved winter activities and a lake-side sauna with ice-swimming experience. You'll stay in cozy apartments near the Hossa National Park Visitor Centre before setting off on an overnight excursion to wilderness cabins.

[No prior experience is needed in snowshoeing or skiing. This is a beginner friendly trip but a reasonable level of fitness will ensure you make the most of this adventure]

DATES & AVAILABILITY 

• 25 Jan 2026- 1 Feb 2026

• 22 Feb- 1 Mar 2025

Availability: Limited to 12 spots. Early booking is recommended

TRIP PRICE AND PAYMENT

PEAK MEMBERS: €1799

NON PEAK MEMBER: €1899

A €349 deposit* is required to secure your booking.

ITINERARY (Sample)

25 Jan Travel Day/ Arrival

Arrival at Kuusamo airport where you will be met by our team member. Transfer (1 hour) to Hossa where you check-into cosy forest houses located just outside Hossa national park. Check-in, dinner and briefing about the week’s programme by your local guide.

26 Jan Snowshoeing to rock paintings

The first active day takes us back in time. We’ll begin with a short car transfer, followed by a brief session on

snowshoeing techniques. Then, we’ll hike to Colour Rock to view the rock paintings, which date back 4,000 years.

A picnic lunch will be served near the painting site, with hot soup, sandwiches, and coffee brewed in a large pot

over an open fire.

In the evening, you’ll have your first opportunity to enjoy a relaxing sauna session in your apartment’s traditional

Finnish sauna.

27 Jan Cross-country skiing

Today we learn cross-country skiing which is a traditional Finnish pastime and method of transport for centuries.

It’s not as easy as snowshoeing but once you get the hang of it, you’ll enjoy it. You'll be guided through the

essential techniques before testing your skills on trails on the frozen lake. We’ll return to the accommodation by

lunch time. In the afternoon we will ski another loop on an easy forest trail.

28 Jan Cross-country skiing

Another day of cross-country skiing awaits. With some experience under our belts, we’ll explore new tracks and

challenge ourselves with a slightly longer route that includes some hills. Today the lunch will be take outdoors

along the route.

Before dinner the lake-side sauna will be heated. Those who wish can also try ice swimming – breathe slowly and dip into the hole in the ice! It may sound freezing and strange, but it leaves you with a wonderful, warm feeling afterward.

29 Jan Snow white forests, Hossa apartments

This morning we leave our basecamp and begin our two-night snowshoeing expedition to the wilderness. The route goes along the top of a ridge between two frozen lakes and through the beautiful snow covered pine, spruce and birch forests. In the afternoon we will arrive at the wilderness cabins. The rustic cabins, without electricity or modern comforts, offer an authentic back-to-nature experience. A wood-burning stove provides warmth, while candlelight adds to the cozy atmosphere.

30 Jan Ridges and lakes, circle route

After breakfast we will snowshoe along the ridges and on the lakes. Reindeer are a common sight in the area, so keep an eye out for them and their tracks along the way. Halfway we will enjoy the picnic lunch around an open fire at a lean-to-shelter situated near a rapid. We’ll return to the wilderness cabins for the second night.

31 Jan Back to the basecamp, Hossa apartments

Today we follow a slightly different route back to our base camp. Our two-day wilderness tour will end upon our return to base camp just in time for lunch.

In the afternoon, we’ll take a 10-minute transfer to a local reindeer farm. We’ll learn about the reindeer’s life and their adaptation to the Arctic climate, and have the chance to feed them. Afterward, we’ll enjoy a hot drinks around an open fire in a tipi. After the visit, you will transfer back to your base camp for the farewell dinner.

1 Feb Departure Day

Breakfast and transfer to Kuusamo airport.

WHATS INCLUDED 

• 6 nights accommodation

  Days 1-4 and 7: Apartments with private sauna, maximum 4 persons sharing an apartment

  Days 5 and 6 in wilderness huts with saunas, (mostly dormitory type, without electricity)

  • 6 x breakfast, 4 x outdoor lunch, 2 x lunch, 6 x dinner (evening snack on late arrivals)

  • English speaking guide

  • One Single-timed group airport transfers from/to Kuusamo airport

  • Local transfers according to the program

  • Luggage transportation between the accommodations

  • Hire of snowshoes and poles (4 days)*

  • Hire of cross-country skiing equipment (2 days)*

  • Reindeer farm visit on day 7

  • 1 x lake-side sauna with ice-swimming

  • Bed linen and bath towels

  • Sleeping bags and mummy liners (2 nights)

• A Galz Gone Wild Host for the trip

• A Galz Gone Wild group training hiking weekend and information session in Laragh, Wicklow, Ireland. Held over a Saturday and a Sunday.

• An opening and closing circle

• Whats app group chat- Where we will facilitate flight and accommodation recommendations as a group.

• All that amazing Galz Gone Wild love, support, friendship, community, connection and fun that will fill your cup :)

WHATS NOT INCLUDED 

• Flights

• Travel Insurance

• Hire of winter boots and mittens 25 €*

• Lunch on arrival / departure day 12 €*

NOTES

1. Daily excursions last approx. 5–7 hours, including breaks, except for the snowshoeing on day 7, which is a morning-only session.

2. We reserve the right to change the itinerary (route, accommodation) if necessary due to snow or ice conditions or organisational reasons.

3. To avail of arriving transfer. Departing flight 25 Jan Finn Air: Dublin Airport 9:45am- Arriving 5:30pm Kuusamo Airport. 1 stop over in Helsinki. Please do not book flights until the WhatsApp group is created towards the end of the Summer. 

4. To avail of departing transfer. There are multiple options so we will decide as a group in the WhatsApp. The WhatsApp group will be created towards the end of the Summer. Please do not book flights until then. 

5. Flights for 22 Feb- 1 March not available yet. We will confirm recommended flights with all participants. Please do not book flights until then. 

6. *Does not include winter boots and mittens

7. Training weekend for both dates 27th Sept-28th September Laragh Wicklow.

IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? ABILITY/FITNESS

This trip was curated with beginners to snow, snowshoeing and skiing in mind. On this tour, the daily snowshoeing treks take approximately 5–6 hours, with an average speed of about 1 km per hour. From late January to late March, the snow depth is typically 50–100 cm, and you will usually walk on soft snow, which makes the walking slow and strenuous. If the track is firmer, it is possible to cover 3–4 km per hour. The total duration includes a lunch break of 1–1.5 hours. The terrain is quite varied, with many short uphill and downhill sections, but there are no long climbs. The route passes through forests, along ridges, and across lakes. The difficulty of the tour is easy to moderate, depending largely on the snow conditions. No previous experience with snowshoeing or skiing is required, but a moderate level of physical fitness is necessary, as walking/skiing in soft snow can be demanding across multiple days

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE ACCOMMODATION

Days 1–4 and 7: Hossa apartments

Twin houses consist of two similar apartments. On the first floor there is a bedroom with twin beds and a convertible sofa in the living room. On the loft there are beds for three people. Each apartment has a private sauna.

Facilities: electric heating, fireplace, electric stove, dishwasher, microwave, coffee maker, refrigerator, TV and central vacuum cleaner. Free wi-fi.

Apartments are located approximately 500 m from Hossa national park visitor centre where meals are served.

http://www.nationalparks.fi/en/hossavisitorcentre

Days 5–6: Wilderness Cabins

We have two log cabins. One is situated on the shore of a beautiful Lake. The cabin has a “living room” and two alcoves with a total of 8 dormitory beds. The sauna is in a separate building, with no showers. There is no electricity, and the cabin is heated by a wood stove. The other cabin is situated about 200 meters from the first cabin, on the shore of Rapids. The cabin has one room for 2 people and dormitory beds for 4 people. The sauna is in the same building, with no showers. There is no electricity, and the cabin is heated by a wood stove. Outhouse.

WHAT INSURANCE DO I NEED?

Let’s face it, these types of trips don’t come risk free. We’re putting ourselves in amazing environments but also environments that carry an element of risk with them. In order to protect yourself adequately you will need a specialist travel insurance that caters for the types of activities you will be undertaking. It is a condition of our agreement that you are covered by adequate travel insurance for your arrangements. Click here to understand which one is for you. We recommend True Traveller for your insurance.

REFUND POLICY

• A non refundable deposit of €349 is required to secure your spot.

• Your final balance of €1550 for non Peak Members and €1450 for Peak Members is due 120 days before the trip takes place.

• Any cancellation made will incur the loss of your €349 deposit.

• Any cancellation made 104 days or less before departure will incur the loss of 100% of your payment.

• Deposits are non refundable or transferable onto another trip/date.

• In the event you cancel your booking and you/GGW can fill your spot, a cancellation and administrative fee of €150 will be applied. Please note, it is not GGW’s responsibility to fill your spot.

T&C’s

1. For group holidays the price per person given at the time of booking is based on a particular number of participants. If the group size changes at any time prior to departure (including where confirmed participants cancel without being substituted and pay less than 100% cancellation charges) we reserve the right to re-cost the trip per person. Any increase in the price will be payable by the remaining participants. The increase will not be a surcharge and accordingly will not be subject to the surcharge provision set out in this clause. We can usually fill all cancelled spots so this will hopefully not adjust the cost of your trip.

2. While we try and stick to the tried and tested itinerary below, the park and the weather sometimes has other ideas. We will always remain as flexible as possible, which is why we only work with experienced and knowledgeable guides, to make sure we can change any plans if required. This is a proposed itinerary and where you stay is subject to change based on how far in advance you book your trip.

3. Should you wish to make any changes to your confirmed tour, you must notify us in writing as soon as possible. Whilst we will endeavour to assist, we cannot guarantee we will be able to meet any such request. Where we can, an amendment fee of €100 per amendment will be payable together with any costs or charges incurred or imposed by any of our suppliers. A change of tour dates will normally be treated as a cancellation of the original booking and rebooking in which case cancellation charges will apply. Changes may result in the recalculation of the tour price where, for example, the basis on which the price of the original tour was calculated has changed.

4. You may transfer your booking or your place on the booking to someone else (introduced by you) without payment of our cancellation charges providing the request for the transfer is made in writing not less than 7 days before departure. The person(s) to whom you wish to make the transfer must also satisfy all conditions which form part of your contract with us. Requests for transfer must be accompanied by the name and other applicable details of the replacement person(s). Where a transfer to a person of your choice can be made, all costs and charges incurred or imposed by any of our suppliers, together with an amendment fee of €100 per amendment, must be paid before the transfer can be effected.

5. As certain arrangements (such as flights) cannot be changed after a reservation has been made, name changes, other alterations and cancellation affecting these services are likely to incur a 100% cancellation charge and the applicable cost of rebooking the service.

6. Cancellation by you

1. You may cancel your confirmed booking at any time before departure. You may also transfer your booking as referred to in clause 6. If you want to cancel your booking after we have confirmed it, you must do so by e-mail at hello@galzgonewild.com

   If you are unwilling to travel for any reason, or you are unable to travel due to medical reasons, cancellation charges will apply.

   We will ask you to pay cancellation charges on the scale shown below based on your original booking departure date. In calculating these cancellation charges, we have taken account of possible cost savings and the generation of income from other bookings which may be able to utilise cancelled services to the extent this is likely to be achievable. Cancellation charges are calculated on the basis of the total cost payable by the person(s) cancelling, excluding insurance premiums and any amendment charges (which are not refundable in the event of cancellation).

   Period before departure within which written Cancellation charge per notification of cancellation is received by us person cancelling

   104 days or less before departure 100% loss of total cost of trip

   For certain travel arrangements (such as, but not limited to, tours including flights which are not refundable after booking) the cancellation charge may be higher than those shown above. You will be advised of different cancellation charges at time of booking, or at the time flights are booked where applicable.

   Depending on the reason for cancellation, you may be able to reclaim these cancellation charges (less any applicable excess) from your travel insurer. Claims must be made directly to the insurance company concerned after you have paid the applicable cancellation charge to us.

   Where any cancellation reduces the number of full paying participants below the number on which the price and/or any concessions agreed for your booking were based, we will recalculate these items and re-invoice you accordingly.

   We will not make any refunds in respect of any unused element of your tour, including but not restricted to, accommodation, guiding or transport arrangements.

If you have had to cancel your booking due to experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 you are not entitled to a refund, exchange or transfer.

We reserve the right to cancel any of our Hikes/Getaways/Mountain Skills Training/Events/Challenges/Trips at any time without notice.

All of our Hikes/Getaways/Mountain Skills Training/Events/Challenges/Trips are subject to change and cancellation including date/time/location/length.

Failure to make final payments within 30 days of requested payment will result in the loss of your deposit, instalments and place.

We accept no responsibility if your flight/boat/train/car or other transport is delayed, cancelled,missed or transferred. You will not be entitled to a refund or exchange of your ticket or deposit.

All meals are vegetarian however the production facilities are not allergen free and cross contamination may occur. We cannot guarantee that traces of the food that you are allergic to are not present in the foods that you are served. This may include but not limited to nuts,gluten,eggs,dairy,meat,fish etc If this presents medical issues for yourself then you need to make an informed decision on whether to consume our food and meals.

During your trip, your itinerary, accommodation and its activities may be subject to alteration/cancellation/duration due to but not limited to bad weather, group/individual safety, timing, ability, delays. Refunds will not be issued in this case.

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