Finnish Winter Adventure Family Holiday

Most Inspirational Moment

So many things. The scenery was mind blowing - we had gorgeous sunny days for the first half of the week, very cold (-30 at some points) but the kit we were given had us snuggly warm. It was a real experience to have your eye lashes freeze! The second part of the week snowed, and that was lovely too. The dog sledding was an obvious highlight, and sitting by the frozen lake with the group, around a campfire at night watching (short & v subtle) northern lights. Snow shoeing to explore the beautiful national park was amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Elina took our group and was fabulous! On top of everything, happy and energetic, fun and great with the kids. Couldnt have asked for more.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The kit they give you is great - trust that you won't want much more! Bring thermals for everyday, and lots of warm socks. I had my own fleece and used it, but didnt need it. If any of the kids clothing got soaked from sledging, they were very happy to swap it for dry kit - including the walking boots. The food it great - and there is tons of it. I took a load of cereal bars for my kids for snacks, they werent needed (and thats for 2 14 yr olds!). You WILL end up booking extras to do, there really isnt much planned for the fri and sat so we paid to do the saturday snow shoe walk, which was lovely. Our whole group ended up doing it. By the end of the week, we were one big happy group and organised some of our own activities using the sites equipment to entertain ourselves. There really isnt much to do in Ruka if you don't pay to go ice karting or skiing - my daughter and I had decided to mooch around the town, which took about 10 mins! You can take the cable car over to the other side, which we did, but again not much there apart from a cafe and nursery ski slopes. My husband and son did ice karting and it was good fun. My son did the ice climbing which he really enjoyed (v hard on the arms!). The kids all spent hours of our free time sledging - until bedtime using head torches!! They had a wonderful time and made great friends from the trip.

Suggestions

This was an amazing trip - so many new experiences, such great people. Its a stunning location. Can't recommend it enough!

Most Inspirational Moment

Husky trip Dinner outside by camp fire

Thoughts on Group Leader

Local Basecamp team absolutely superb!

Advice for Potential Travellers

No

Most Inspirational Moment

Running through the forest at -15 in snow fall and winter sun

Thoughts on Group Leader

Good guy

Advice for Potential Travellers

You only need the clothes you arrive in and some underwear and socks, and sweatpants If you like running, bring trainers (no need for special off road ones) Bring plenty of evening entertainment!

Suggestions

Pillows weren’t good enough, better quality and more of them would be good

Most Inspirational Moment

Meeting huskies and reindeer, and snow-shoeing through some truly breath-taking forests.

Thoughts on Group Leader

James catered well to the group and kept us informed at all times.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take hand/foot warmers - the supplied equipment is suitable, but sometimes you just need a little extra.

Suggestions

Trip of a lifetime - do it!

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlights of the holiday were the huskie dogs; the snowmobile optional trip; sleeping out on the frozen lake in a Quinzee; the Basecamp food; and the Basecamp staff

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our Basecamp leader was Anna, who was very good. All the staff were friendly and helpful. Our Exodus leader was James, who was very good. Great communicator, very knowledgeable, and genuinely interested in making sure we had a good time. He couldn't have done more to help us have a great holiday, other than provide a clear sky to see the lights!

Advice for Potential Travellers

You truly only need to take a base layer, top and bottom. The Basecamp provide boots, two pairs of gloves, a fleece layer, top and bottom, and a waterproof/windproof layer, top and bottom. You just need a hot and buff. My wife and daughter found ski goggles useful for crosscountry skiing and snow shoe hiking, really just to keep the wind off their eyes. I found a balaclava useful too. Other than that, just layer up with long sleeve t-shirts and jumpers.

Suggestions

The actual itinerary was slightly different to the advertised one. There's a bar where you can buy drinks for the meals, but it is expensive - E7 for a beer and E30 for a bottle of wine.

Most Inspirational Moment

We walked the Little Bear trial which was stunning as the season was on the turn between winter and spring gave a beautiful insight into both. And, of course, the Husky day was simply awesome.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was friendly, funny, knowledgeable and went above and beyond to cater for all of us. He made our trip even more enjoyable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Visit :)

Most Inspirational Moment

The campfire meals at the husky sledge and the reindeer farm, and the last night evening meal under the stars. Very low-key and relaxed, with no rush to get through anything - the leaders looked as if they were having as much fun as the guests.

Thoughts on Group Leader

There is a high ratio of staff to guests, which makes for great service on the trip and meals too. They were all excellent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As mentioned by others, you don't need to bring much gear! The clothing and gear they provide is excellent and warm (though you need a scarf/neck warmer). But it all looks the same, so a handy hint if you want to spot your child among 8 identical children milling around a reindeer is to bring your own hat!

Suggestions

So if it was so good, why just 4 stars? It's because of the price of the extras and the overall cost. Yes, it's expensive and I knew that before booking. The programme is actually quite limited - just a few outings spread over the week, with most of the time at the lodge. That was fine for us - we enjoyed just snow shoe walking, sledging and cross-country skiing from the lodge (all that equipment is freely available at any time) - but given the limited outings the price is high. But the snow was great, food great, and service great, so that's fine, really. However, if you don't want to just stay at the lodge then the price of the optional extras is incredible - a family of five for an extra husky day would have been well over £1,000, and other outings just like guided walks were very pricey. I guess it's a pricey country, so be prepared for that or - as I say - it is actually OK to keep yourself occupied at the lodge. Also, as a family of 5 we were split into two rooms that weren't connected and were in separate areas of the lodge. Again, no problem for us, due to the age of our children, but just something else to be aware of.

Most Inspirational Moment

Dog sledding through the most amazing forests in the wilderness. Beautiful pink sunsets. The hazy mists on the lake at sunset. And of course, seeing the northern lights swirling in the skies.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Solja was lovely and always at hand to help and advice. She was very patient. The other leader Anna was also brilliant even though our interaction was not as much.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The quality of equipment is top class and the Arctic boots and mittens are fab. Your own baselayers are a must. I would recommend snow/ ski goggles as the sun Was strong on the horizon and dog sledding can make your face very cold. Do consider a balaclava for children and if you want to go snowmobiling. A few hand warmers in my mittens while dog sledding kept thumbs warm. The prices on the exodus trip notes for the optional activities were very different to the base camp prices. The optional all day dog sledding was the most expensive at 270 euros per person. Snowmobiling was around 89 Euro’s and don’t forget to bring your driving licence.

Suggestions

Enjoy the experience. You can do as much or as little as you want. We enjoyed the drum making activity as it’s not something you can buy in souvenir shops and its a reindeer skin drum with traditional Sami designs you can draw yourself or make your own designs based on your experience. Anna has a folder in her office with pages of information and designs you can use.

Most Inspirational Moment

Out in -27 stood on the back of sledge being pulled by 6 dogs through such an amazing landscape, as the sun just managed to break the horizon.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent - the whole team at Basecamp were excellent

Advice for Potential Travellers

No need to bring much at all - provided equipment was excellent and we only had to return it a few hours before we left. There was plenty of food at meal times - so no real need to take extra. On the free day we did the little bear walk - trail lunch was enough to get us round - no real need for extras. Kit dries out quickly on the heated floors. The walk from the airport gate to the plane was cold so don't forget to wrap up for that bit. Stop and listen often - and see how quiet things can be.

Most Inspirational Moment

The area is beautiful

Thoughts on Group Leader

She was lovely and so helpful

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a scarf, it does not say to but you will need one

Suggestions

Just that I would highly recommend this trip to people with families, especially with little boys of about 7