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Never having done snowshoeing before we were not sure how easy it would be but if you can walk you can snowshoe! It was a wonderful novel way of exploring the woodlands around the basecamp with plenty of time to chill in the sauna at the end of the afternoon.
There were no particular highlights but the scenary was lovely
Anton was a very good tour leader and gave us some interesting insights into the local nature and reindeer herders.
They really do provide all the clothes you need to snowshoe so it would be possible to travel on hand luggage only.
You really are in the middle of nowhere. The silence was deafening. The Northern Lights obligingly came out at least a couple of nights during the week – they look better through a lens I discovered. The rooms are basic and surprisingly warm – underfloor heating seems to work for the most part even though the temperature outside remained stubbornly well below zero for the majority of the week.
The scenery was breathtaking, not exactly mountainous but with so much snow around there were plenty of picture postcard moments. Winter clothing is provided, but the fashion conscious snowshoer (is there such a thing) might be disappointed. It works, that’s all you need to know. There are many prepared trails in the area and walking solely on them could have proven to be a bit boring, but thankfully our leader, let’s call him M, was happy to go ‘off piste’. The walks were a little shorter than I would have liked and the current itinerary is definitely aimed at the beginner. However the last walk of the week – along and around the Little Bear Trail was simply stunning. Sitting around a campfire at lunchtime slurping some piping hot soup from a flask definitely was a plus in my books.
There are optional activities on offer – snowmobiling is a definite must for any boy(or girl) racers out there. The visit to the reindeer farm lacked a certain something . . . speed. The reindeer ride was definitely underwhelming – if they’d gone any slower we’d have been travelling backwards. Just as well then that the course was very short indeed. Ruka is the closest urban centre which offers limited but floodlit downhill skiing and a host of winter activities including cross country skiing (it’s compulsory in Finland), ice karting and fat biking.
Back at basecamp the sauna and hot tub is a good place to unwind at the end of the day, and rub snow all over yourself in between – you’ll only do that once! Food in the evening is excellent and there’s plenty of it. Drinks are pricey, but this is Scandinavia.
Overall a relaxing week away from the hectic life back home. No masks (within basecamp) and if you can leave that phone or tablet alone you really can forget about all that ‘covid stuff’. Anybody can snowshoe – only your stamina dictates how far you’ll want to go. Enjoy.
I was looking for a trip that I could go on with my wife who is not happy with camping and wishes to have some degree of comfort. This trip seemed to tick all the boxes with a great balance of activity, plenty downtime and a relative degree of comfort compared to a freezing tent and basic toilet facilities at over 5000 metres up a mountain.
The area of Oulanka National Park is one of outstanding beauty, peace and cleanliness with zero pollution. The easy snowshoe walks mainly in pristine forests were enchanting and did not require much in terms of effort or bravery. All instruction and a safety briefing was given and we all felt very secure. Our group of 12 mixed well staying in the comfortable and well heated logging cabin after Exodus changed the accommodation due to an issue at Basecamp Oulanka.
Our guides Ismo and Mary Louise were absolutely fantastic. They conveyed their enthusiasm for the beautiful environment and we learnt so much from them in such a short space of time. There was much raucous laughter as our group got to know each other all encouraged by Ismo’s gentle humour. Everything to make us comfortable in the cold in the way of clothing and hot food and drink was provided and the food was tasty, plentiful and varied during the week. The cabin was really warm even when the outdoor temeperature dropped to -26C, hot water for showers was unending, the sauna and an outside roll in the snow was invigorating and the WiFi was good enough to catch up with the news back home and watch content on Netflix when relaxing in the room.
Snowshoeing requires no special skills and is a wonderful way to spend a fun week in this enchanting place. We also experienced other optional activities on the 2 free days, including a visit to a reindeer farm, snowmobiling and husky riding, however these are an expensive add on but worth trying. Everything was so well organised that we found our week both relaxing and refreshing. We even ventured out to walk at night on a number of occasions under the light of the moon, hearing the amazing forest sounds and saw the Northern Lights.
I can not recommend this trip highly enough…. really great fun!
Walking in such beautiful surroundings surrounded by nature.
Ismo was funny, helpful and worked tirelessly to ensure that we all had a great time. He was funny and interesting with a great sense of humour and it was such a pleasure to have spent a few days with him.
Yes.... just go without any preconceptions, appreciate the amazing environment and enjoy every minute. Oh, and be prepared to spend some more money on the optional activities.
5 days very easy snowshoeing over well walked trails.
The optional trips were good in particular the hire of a snowmobile in Ruka plus the short dog sledding experience at the Arctic Circle.
Accommodation was basic but found that the underfloor heating in the bedroom section was not up to it as the room temperature dropped to +10 with warmest being +14.
Would have rated it as Excellent if there had been more chance to walk in virgin snow instead of keeping to previously walked trails. Also lack of fresh fruit at Basecamp.
Seeing local men using fishing nets below ice on frozen lake...a rare chance to see them. The heavily snowed forests and the peace and quiet. Seeing the Aurora Borealis from the frozen lake a few minutes walk down from Basecamp locale
Else our Finnish guide was excellent throughout, friendly, informative, caring and thoughtful.
Ensure you hydrate sufficiently with warm drinks during outings. Basecamp food was good but is completely lacking in supply of fruit such as apples, oranges or bananas. I’d advise people to take dried fruit with them.
Snowshoeing follows well walked trails and does not deviate much in unwalked snow. If you like walking in new snow then you may be disappointed?
The remote forests of Finland are a very peaceful place, and tramping through them in snowshoes is an ideal way to immerse yourself in their tranquillity. The trees are laden with snow and you cannot hear a thing. It feels like a scene from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – you half expect to come across a lamppost and a fawn.
The centre is well run, and the guides are absolute enthusiasts and keen to pass one their passion for the trees and the wildlife. At night the stars are bright, and the Northern Lights make an eerie appearance.
All in all, a magical place. The UK seems very busy when you get home.
The completely monochromatic appearance of the trees, lakes and snow on cloudy days. Rolling in the snow after the sauna
Heli was lovely - she had real enthusiasm for the environment. I have never before hugged a tree, but now know we need to say thank you to them! She was also very organised and kept a subtle eye on all the party, to make sure no one got left behind or had difficulty.
Trust the gear provided - we did take our own base layers, socks and buff - but that was all you needed. Their gear was all fine - 3 layers for top and bottom / gloves and mitts / hat / backpack / torch etc.
This was an excellent holiday at the cosy and warm Oulanka Basecamp. We were provided with clothing that kept us toasty and boots that were very comfortable. The food was locally sourced as much as possible, tasty and filling.
Overall, I cannot fault this holiday.
There are many - lunch at a camp fire, the peace out on the fjell, dog sledding, and meeting a friendly group of people. All wonderful!
Tessa Kokkonen was a brilliant leader. She gave us info about Finland, it's history, and about the wildlife. Tessa was full of enthusiasm, helpful and had a great sense of humour. Nothing was too much trouble for her. Excellent!
The outdoor clothing provided is very good so save the space in your cases.
First winter activity holiday I have been on and it has given me the bug to do another.
Finland is beautiful and Oulanka Basecamp a superb place to spend an active week. The facilities, equipment, food, activities and above all the staff – for whom nothing was too much trouble and who all clearly loved their work – were first-rate. The room accommodation was comfortable and the communal lounge, bar, sauna, hot tub and dining area in a separate building a few seconds walk away. We wanted and expected cold weather – which we got – but were never cold because everywhere was well heated and the winter clothing and boots provided were of the best quality (and all in with the price). The Basecamp is in the middle of nowhere – again, wanted and expected – in an area of forest, lakes, rivers (aka Finland!) but also unexpected hills and, at times, steep climbs.
What I liked best? Pretty much everything and there were not enough hours in a day to do all I wanted. Also being wonderfully tired every evening after a hard day of snow shoe walking, cross-country skiing, snowmobile and/or dog sledding were a great aid to a good night/s sleep.
Highlights major and minor – in no particular order – were:
1. The food. Loads of it and delicious, including the packed lunches and special energy bars. (We burned a lot of calories).
2. Eating lunch around camp fires at wilderness shelters in a gentle snowfall.
3. My first time on skis. (We haven’t laughed so much in ages).
4. Falling a lot. (Yes, I’m serious. I fell off everything – snow shoes, skis – level and downhill – snowmobile and dog sled), and once nearly ended up in a river, but only hurt myself a bit a couple of times.)
5. Dog sled day. A marvellous experience and enough to turn this dog-phobe into a husky fan.
6.The company of like-minded strangers to add to wife and two good friends.
Lowlights:
Not a thing, other than we didn’t get the Northern Lights, but that’s beyond the Basecamp’s control, and I couldn’t do everything. We’ll have to go back!
The rooms are of two types. The upper rooms are a bit bigger, have a small mezzanine for storage or to sleep in and a balcony.
All heating and hot water comes from a wood pellet-burning boiler and a wood-burning fire in the lounge. All clothing and gear is provided to reduce luggage weight – a small detail ,but a nice idea – and almost all food provided sustainable and locally sourced.
There were so many. Probably the dog sled day, but sitting round a crackling fire outdoor in an light snowfall whilst toasting packed lunch sandwiches and drinking hot chocolate (laced with a shot of whisky) was hard to beat.
Our guide, Tessa Kokkonen, led us with confident knowledge and expertise, breaking up the long walks with frequent halts to talk about Finland and its wildlife, forest, history and folklore. She included traditional stories and identified the animal tracks we found in the snow.
Save your luggage space by not taking outdoor clothing, skis, boots, etc that you think you will need as everything is provided. On the other hand, if you think you might need to replace something you run out of or break, require medicines, another book, etc. take these as there is not much in the way of shops outside the airports.
Base Camp Oulanka was a superb experience and one to repeat. I am now a fan of winter holidays.
this was a great week in the finnish wilderness at a very comfortable lodge with great food, the clothing we got was great quality and kept us warm. there was a huge range of things to do dog sleding , night snow shoeing which was quite an experience and sauna yoga to mention a few.
going to the fairy land like riisitunturin kansallispuisto national park with the most amazing snowy trees and great lake views
one of the best i have had - effiencent , polite ,nothing was too much trouble and he was very enthusisatic
do go , it was a lovely trip
A fabulous week in a wonderful place. We were lucky enough to have sunshine and clear skies, so good views of the Northern Lights several nights running. The accommodation is warm and cosy and the food almost too good!
Two things stick in my mind - the realisation on the first evening that we were actually going to get to see the Northern Lights. That had almost everyone jumping up and down with excitement. And the optional husky sledding on the last day - swooshing along through the beautiful landscape with a team of enthusiastic and friendly dogs. Wonderful!
Martti is a great guy with an endearing sense of humour. He spent 15 minutes on the first day earnestly describing how we should behave if we came across a hibernating bear in the forest, only then to confess that he had never actually seen one himself. He also managed to get the whole group hugging trees...! I also felt by the end of the week that I had learned a lot about Finland.
As previous reviewers have mentioned, the physical activity side of this holiday was a little less intensive than we have previously experienced on snowshoeing holidays, so go prepared either to strike out on your own or just chill at Base Camp. Having said that, the walks undertaken were varied and very scenic, so well worthwhile. There are also a number of optional activities (see above re Husky Sledding) that can really be recommended, even though they are on the expensive side!
Don't worry about changing too much money in advance - you can pay for pretty much everything on a credit card at the end of the holiday.
A relaxing week spent in glorious Finland. If you like snow to feature in a holiday then you cannot beat Finland. The people are lovely, the venues calm and relaxing and the activities can be as full on as you want them to be. This trip can be very relaxing and had less guided walks than I had anticipated but you can participate in many optional extras or take as many unguided walks as you like. If that doesn’t appeal then sit and relax by the fire and eat plentiful and delicious food.
Seeing the northern lights four times in one week.
Martti was a charming host and a great advert for Finland. He clearly shares the ecological ethos of Basecamp Oulanka.
If you want a very active week be prepared to take unguided walks or optional extras. Don't forget your driving licence if you want to snowmobile.
Don't stress about buying special cold weather kit. They will provide everything and it is well laundered. If you realy want to take your own stuff, base layers are all you need.
