Winter Extreme 2010
Quite aside from the popular pastimes of downhill skiing and snowboarding there are lots of other adventurous activities that come into their own during the winter and which can be enjoyed as a group activity with like-minded travellers.
Polar Exploration Special in Arctic Finland
with Mike Parsons and Pasi Ikonen
A special interest trip for polar aficionados, combining illustrative talks and museum visits, with 6 days of dog sled travel. Overnighting in Oslo en route to the Arctic, we will learn about such innovative Norwegian explorers as Nansen, Amundsen and Sverdrup, whose achievements are not well documented outside of their homeland. Mike Parsons will give the group the benefit of his polar experience and enthusiasm throughout the trip and we will also get a valuable modern perspective from Pasi Ikonen. A modern- day polar explorer, Pasi has recently skied across Greenland and to the South Pole. He and his British wife, Anna, will be our hosts in Finland and will introduce us to their huskies and to the basics of sled dog travel. Our exploration of the snow-bound Finnish landscape promises to be the experience of a lifetime, as we travel hut to hut through a polar wilderness. Taking place toward the end of April in 2010, we anticipate long days, warmer temperatures and perfect snow conditions.
>> View Mike's online slideshow here
>> View Polar Exploration Special in Artic Finland
Ski Touring
Our ski-based trips range from the tough ski mountaineering to easier centre-based cross-country skiing. Each of our ski holidays is led by a professionally qualified ski guide, includes all accommodation and transport and usually includes all meals. Ski equipment hire is available locally for most of the trips. Whilst some of these trips are suitable for competent piste skiers with little free-heel or backcountry experience, you should carefully check the trip description and the trip dossier to see what the actual requirements are.
Snowshoeing
Another great way to enjoy the winter world is snowshoeing and we have a choice of fully-guided, 1-week European adventures, each of which will provide a brilliant introduction to this sport. Following snow-clad trails that are otherwise completely inaccessibly, snowshoes allow us to explore forested ridges and climb to high mountain viewpoints. Well away from the ski crowds, but with the option to join them in the evenings for a drink or two, this is the best of both worlds!
Multi-Activity
We also run a couple of special multi-activity trips in the winter season. The Finland - Arctic Wilderness Week combines, dog-sledding, skiing, snowmobiling and icefishing under the Northern Lights. A little further afield, our Lake Baikal in Winter trip offers the chance to visit this remarkable corner of Siberia at a time of year when the lake is frozen to a depth of 2 metres and transformed into a veritable 'winter wonderland'.
>> View 'Artic Wilderness Week'
>> View 'Lake Baikal in Winter'
