Experience life above the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland
This isn’t your average snowboard trip. If you’re ready to explore the real Arctic—the kind of places you won’t find in a guidebook—this is the tour for you. Led by an experienced local guide who lives and rides in the far north, this road trip offers an insider’s perspective on one of the most remote and magical regions in Europe: Finnish Lapland.
Our Arctic Circle Road Trip takes you deep into Europe’s last great wilderness, where you’ll ride the northernmost ski areas in Finland—including Pyhä, Luosto, Saariselkä, Levi and Ylläs. Expect uncrowded slopes, frozen forests, and wide-open Arctic fells, all dusted in reliable mid-winter snow.
But this trip isn’t just about the riding. You’ll live the Arctic life—snow-surfing binding-free boards in the backcountry, chasing the northern lights, snowmobiling through silent forests, sledding with huskies, and soaking in a smoke sauna before plunging into an ice hole carved into a frozen lake. You’ll connect with Lapland’s culture through traditional Lappish meals, stories around the fire, and insight into Sami heritage.
It’s the ultimate way to ride, explore, and experience life above the Arctic Circle.
Dates & Price
18 March - 27 March, 2026
USD $4950 per person
Duration
9 Nights / 10 days & 5 ski areas
Availability
4 spots left
Ability Level
Intermediate to Advanced
Why Travel With Mint
In today’s fast-changing travel landscape, it’s important to know you’re booking with a trusted and accredited operator. Mint is a registered member of AFTA and IATA, and we operate in accordance with the ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct—giving you confidence that your trip is in experienced, accountable hands. With over 20 years of expertise, we’re a full-service travel agency that can handle every detail of your journey, from insurance to stopovers and pre or post-tour arrangements. When you travel with Mint, you’re backed by industry credentials and real-world experience.
RESORTS AND INFO
Get in touch for a detailed tour itinerary and more info
ABOUT PYHÄ
Idyllic Pyhä is our first stop of the tour. Pyhä has easily accessible freeriding right next to the lifts and the Pyhä ski area has 9 lifts including a high-speed 6 seater and is easily accessible from our modern on-mountain hotel. There's many different backcountry touring options throughout Pyhä-Luosto National Park, which is where our local guides take us snowsurfing for the day followed by a traditional smoke sauna and Lappish dinner.
ABOUT SAARISELKÄ
Saariselkä is located in the far north of Lapland and is the centre of local Sami culture and tradition. The ski area offers a wide range of terrain with 15 slopes spanning two fells suitable for all ski and snowboard ability levels. Saariselkä is also our base for exploring the beautiful Urho Kekkonen National Park by snow mobile and husky sleds and due to the lack of artificial light in the evenings our best chance to see the Northern Lights.
ABOUT LEVI
Levi is home to world class skiing and snowboarding in Finland, and the mother of all apres-ski. Levi offers something for everyone, and the exceptional quality of the in-bound runs and parks make Levi one of the best resorts in Finland. Being within the Arctic Circle, Levi gets hit with a good amount of Finnish powder and is renowned for perfect terrain for all skiing and snowboarding abilities. Our day on-mountain ends with experiencing Levi's legendary après-ski bars.
ABOUT YLLÄS
Ylläs is the largest and highest ski resort in Lapland – and the whole of Finland. It has 63 slopes with 29 lifts, as well as the longest ski runs in the country. The Ylläs area is actually made up of seven fells and two villages, Ylläsjärvi and Äkäslompolo, situated on two different sides of the 718 m high main Ylläs fell. Ylläs consistently scores the best powder snow in Lapland due to it's exposure to the winter storms.
SNOW & CONDITIONS
This tour runs during one of the best times to experience the Arctic Circle. With longer daylight hours and plenty of time to explore the outdoors, it’s an ideal window to enjoy the snow-covered landscape. Regular snowfall is still common, and even without overnight snow, the consistently cold temperatures keep the snow light and dry. Thanks to local knowledge and the right timing, you’ll make the most of every run.
SMALL GROUPS
We keep our group sizes small, offering one of the lowest client-to-guide ratios in the industry. This means more flexibility on the mountain, easier access to the best terrain, and a more personal connection between guests and guides—resulting in a smoother, more rewarding experience for everyone.
ESSENTIAL INFO
INCLUSIONS
✔ 4 nights twin share accommodation, Pyhä
✔ 2 nights twin share accommodation, Saariselkä
✔ 3 nights twin share accommodation, Levi
✔ All lift tickets
✔ Guiding at Pyhä Ski Area
✔ Guiding at Luosto Ski Area
✔ Guiding at Saariselkä Ski Area
✔ Guiding at Levi Ski Area
✔ Guiding at Ylläs or Pallas Ski Areas
✔ Ilahu Snow Surf session with guiding and Ilahu Snow surf boards
✔ Guided backcountry day in Pyhä-Luosto National Park
✔ Avalanche safety equipment, snow shoes and poles for Pyhä backcountry day
✔ A traditional Finnish smoke sauna and ice-swimming hole swimming experience
✔ Daily breakfasts
✔ 1 x Welcome night traditional Lappish dinner at a private cabin in Pyhäjarvi
✔ 1 x Farewell traditional Lappish dinner in a Kota in Levi (drinks not included)
✔ Husky safari sledding adventure
✔ Ice fishing experience
✔ Wilderness snowmobile safari (1 snowmobile per person)
✔ A visit, tour and talk at the Ilahu SnowSurf Workshop
✔ Visit to the village of Inari, the heart of Sámi culture
✔ Entry to the Sámi Culture Museum
✔ Visit with a traditional Sámi reindeer herder
✔ Scheduled arrival day pick-up from Hostel Koti or Rovaniemi Airport
✔ Scheduled departure day transfer to Hostel Kittilä Airport
✔ Private transport throughout the tour in 4WD vehicle
✔ Local Finnish Mint snowboard guide
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
✘ Flights
✘ Travel insurance
✘ All lunches – expect to pay EUR 15 – 25 per meal
✘ Most dinners – expect to pay EUR 25 – 40 per meal
✘ Any activities, meals, drinks, snacks not listed
✘ Guide gratuities
Guiding at Pyhä, Luosto, Saariselkä, Levi, Ylläs/Pallas Ski Resorts
Mint’s local Lapland snowboard guide will show you the best resorts above the Arctic Circle. The Finnish ski resorts, due to their northern location are practically guaranteed to have snow for the whole season and at this time of year you’ll have plenty of opportunity to ride powder with temperatures sitting well below zero. Most of the terrain we ride ranges from mellow groomers, to fun tree runs and open off-piste areas.
Pyhätunturi Snow Surf Session
We’ll spend a half day snow surfing in powder on hand crafted binding-less boards. Snow surfing represents a return to the timeless pleasure of gliding, propelled only by gravity. The experience is simple yet infinitely enjoyable. It conveys the spirit and original stoke of snowboarding and gives the rider a connection with nature. It opens up the backcountry and backyard hills to new forms of riding and exploration. We will choose the spot according to the current weather and snow conditions and try to find untouched powder. We use Ilahu boards that are designed and made in Finnish Lapland. The boards are carefully finished by hand to ensure the highest quality. This adventure is suitable for everyone.
Guided Backcountry Day in Pyhä-Luosto National Park
There are many different freeride areas within the Pyhä-Luosto National Park, which offers a wide range of terrain which is suited for intermediate and above ability riders. You’ll spend a day exploring the Pyhä-Luosto backcountry with our local backcountry guide who will take you to the best zones to ride powder. When it’s lunch time out here, it’s time to get out of the elements and escape the cold into a Kota. These Kota’s are traditional Finnish timber huts in the woods, where visitors can cook food over the fire. We’ll break for lunch in a Kota, get warm and grill some food over the fire. This adventure is suitable for advanced snowboarders and skiers who can comfortably ride off-piste and in the trees and who have a sense of adventure.
Snowmobiling on the Pyhä Fell
Experience the thrill of snowmobiling across the stunning Pyhä Fell, where vast Arctic forests and frozen landscapes stretch as far as the eye can see. Ride your own snowmobile along scenic trails that wind through pristine Lapland wilderness. Along the way, we’ll pause for a peaceful break in nature—perfect for soaking in the silence and beauty of the snowy surroundings. It’s an unforgettable way to explore the raw, untouched terrain of northern Finland.
Traditional Lappish Smoke Sauna and Ice-Swimming
Experience a traditional Lappish smoke sauna in a cozy cottage and take a dip in an Arctic lake! A traditional wood-heated Finnish smoke sauna is a uniquely Lappish experience that takes place by Lake Pyhäjärvi. To start, we’ll tell you about Finnish sauna culture and how to prepare the bathing water (there is no shower in Finnish style smoke sauna). Then you are ready to enjoy the soft heat of the sauna which is a very relaxing experience. Let the heat purify your body as the wintery magic of Lapland purifies your soul. It is a place for cleansing and tranquility. While we do our best to prepare you for an evening in the wilderness, it’s up to you decide how you want to spend your time. The classic Lappish way is to spend 5-10 minutes in the sauna and then jump into ice cold water, or even a pile of snow. Switching back and forth between the hot and cold is a ritual with its own raw appeal. Our sauna is located on the shore of Lake Pyhäjärvi, so swimming to cool off goes hand in hand with sitting in the heat. We have a hole cut in the ice and you can take a dip in the freezing cold water. A cold plunge after a steamy session increases your blood flow, relieves stress and boosts your endorphin levels.
Traditional Lappish dinner
Join us for a night at our lake-side cabin for a traditional 3 course Lappish dinner. Surrounded by your new friends you can relax by the fire in our cozy Lapland log cabin. Our local guide will prepare a delicious Finnish dinner made with the freshest local ingredients. A typical Lappish meals consists of Lappish bread, cheese and cloudberry jam, Lake Pyhä fish soup or creamy sweet potato soup, sautéed reindeer stew with smashed potatoes, lingonberries and cucumber, salmon baked over the open fire, followed by dessert. (all dietary requirements can be catered for)
Husky Safari in Luosto
A husky safari is a truly thrilling experience, especially when you have the chance to be a musher in control of your own team of dogs. Experience the excitement of the dogs as they eagerly wait to pull you at a speedy pace through the breath taking Lappish scenery. Before departing on the safari, you’ll be instructed how to control the sleds, which you get to ride in pairs. When sharing the husky sleigh on the safari, one person is standing behind the sleigh as a controller and one is sitting on the sleigh as a passenger. Once you return to the farm, relax by having a chat with the head musher about these amazing northern animals.
Northern Lights hunting in Saariselkä
Saariselkä is not only the northernmost ski resort in Finland, but also the northernmost ski resort in Europe. At 270km north of the Arctic Circle, this is THE BEST PLACE to witness the northern lights. If the conditions are right, we’ll drive to a the best place to view the Northern Lights and to experience the exoticism of an arctic night. Leaving the illuminated village behind, the dark wilderness will soon envelop you. The snow, glittering under the moonlight, paints the scenery with its magical shine. Your guide leads you towards the best spots to find the Northern Lights. With a little luck, you can witness the sky dancing in the fiery shades of green.
Visit the village of Inari, the heart of the Sámi culture
Inari is the homeland of the Sámi, Europe’s only recognized indigenous people. The village of Inari is the heart of the Sámi culture in Finland. The Sámi Museum, Sámi Cultural centre and Sámi parliament are all located in Inari. The Sámi have their own languages and culture, which differ from those of ethnic Finns. We’ll stop in Inari enroute to Levi Ski Resort. Here you can find out more about Sámi culture with our visit to the museum.
Ice fishing
Try your hand at the traditional Finnish pastime of ice fishing on a frozen lake in the heart of Lapland. Guided by the ever-knowledgeable (and always entertaining) Antti, you’ll drill a hole through the thick ice using an auger, bait your line, and wait patiently for a bite. With a bit of luck, you might reel in a perch or whitefish—just like the locals have done for generations. It’s a peaceful, authentic Arctic experience unlike any other.
Traditional Lappish dinner
On your final night, settle in for a memorable evening of authentic Lappish cuisine in a cozy underground hut restaurant, where the glow of an open fire sets the scene. You’ll enjoy traditional dishes like hearty fish soup, a variety of reindeer specialties, fire-baked salmon, and a classic Lappish dessert—all prepared with local ingredients and time-honored methods. As you dine, soak up the atmosphere with joikha singing and stories from Lapland’s rich cultural heritage—an unforgettable way to close out your Arctic adventure.
Dates and Price
Dates – 18 March – 27 March, 2026
Price – USD $4,950 per person
Private Groups
Make this adventure yours alone. Get in touch to explore the possibilities of booking this tour privately for your group, with the flexibility to customize aspects to suit your needs. Reach out to us at [email protected] or +1 503 994 1919
WHY TRAVEL WITH MINT?
In a rapidly changing travel industry it’s important to know that your travel provider is accredited, accountable and responsible. Mint is a registered member of AFTA and IATA and conducts business in accordance with the ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct. When you travel with Mint you can have peace of mind that you are booking with a qualified and established travel operator with over 20 years of expertise. And as a full-service travel agent, we can take care of your insurance, stopovers and pre-or post tour arrangements.
WHAT HAPPENS ON ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DAY?
Once you’ve signed up for the tour we will send you through a comprehensive guide with details about the tour including the arrival and departure day process, a map of where we meet, recommended arrival and departure times, flight options, Visa requirements and transportation information.
WHAT IF I’M TRAVELLING SOLO?
About 99% of our guests are traveling solo, so you’ll be in good company. Our groups generally mix well due to a shared interest in snow sports and an eagerness to explore all that a destination has to offer. If you are traveling solo, you will be paired with another guest to room with. The accommodation for this tour is twin share i.e. 2 beds per room.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ON THIS TOUR?
There is a maximum of 6 guests on this tour. By offering one of the smallest client to guide ratio in the industry allows you to ski or snowboard at your preferred pace, and ultimately leads to a better experience for everyone. This ensures you get the most out of your time with us, and keeping the groups small means less time waiting and more time riding.
IS THIS TOUR RIGHT FOR ME?
This tour is best suited for confident skiers and snowboarders who can link turns in powder snow, can make a variety of turn shapes and can traverse and hold speed. You will need to be able to ride a T-Bar for this tour.
If you have never ridden in powder or shy away from it at your local resort, this is not the tour to learn. Lapland has glades and trees – please be prepared to ride and ski in the trees.
If you’re not sure, give us a call. Weather and ski conditions are impossible to predict so guests must be prepared to ride or ski anything.
CAN I ARRIVE EARLY OR STAY ON AFTER THE TOUR?
For most tours you can arrive earlier or stay later. We can tailor the trip to suit your travel plans. Speak with one of our tour specialists when you are booking and they will be more than happy to assist.
WHO ARE THE GUIDES?
All of our tours are guided by friendly, knowledgeable and expertly trained guides who are passionate about the mountains. Most of our guides work for us season after season.
ARE FLIGHTS INCLUDED?
No, flights are not included. If you need assistance booking flights, we can book you the best flight options for the tour, with no booking fees.
DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE?
Yes. All guests on tour need to be covered be comprehensive travel insurance. Once you have booked on the tour, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance. We offer all of our tour guests discounted snow specific travel insurance.
WHAT HAPPENS ONCE I’VE BOOKED?
Once you’ve booked your spot on tour, we will send you through a booking confirmation and provide updates about the tour including the arrival and departure day process, a map of where we meet, recommended arrival and departure times, flight options, Visa requirements and transportation information. We will send out a Pre Departure Guide 30 days prior to departure. Prior to the tour commencing we will invite you to a group chat which is managed by your guides.
HOW DO I CHECK MY ABILITY LEVEL?
The best way to check if a tour is suited to your ability is by speaking with one of our tour specialists. They will be able to determine if the tour you have selected is a good fit for your ability, as well as suggesting other tour options.
HOW DO I GET TO FINLAND?
We’ll provide you with a guide with options to get to our meeting point. If it’s your fist time to to Europe or if you’re unsure about travel arrangements, often we can link you up with other tour guests to travel with.
HOW DO I CHECK AVAILABILITY?
Speak with one of our tour specialists. As this is a small group tour with limited availability, it’s best to get in touch early to avoid disappointment.
ARE LIFT TICKETS INCLUDED?
Yes, all lift tickets are included for this tour. Please note that none of the resorts that we visit on this tour are on the Ikon or Epic Pass.
BUDGETING FOR THE TOUR
An estimate of spending money for the week is around EUR 500 – 700 to cover lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks. Here’s an indication of what you can expect to pay for meals :
- Lunches – expect to pay EUR 15 – 25 per meal
- Dinners – expect to pay EUR 25 – 40 per meal
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE DO I NEED TO BOOK?
It’s hard to estimate when the tour will fill up. That being said, this is our most popular tour, so our advice is to book as soon as you’ve made the decision to travel. That way you can secure your preferred travel dates and you won’t be disappointed. Bookings close 90 days before a trip departs, however most tours typically fill up well before this.
FITNESS
The best thing you can do to get the most out of your tour is to start a pre-trip fitness regime. We’re not looking for you to be an Olympic athlete, but you do need some fitness endurance. You’ll spend every day being active, so you should be physically fit enough to comfortably ski/ride for consecutive days. Your muscles should be up to this task, and your cardio fitness means you can sustain a consistent pace.
DO YOU TAKE SKIERS & SNOWBOARDERS?
Yes! We are ski and snowboard friendly. Please note that the majority of our tours are led by snowboard guides.
CAN I RENT EQUIPMENT?
No, you will need to bring your equipment with you.
WHAT EQUIPMENT SHOULD I BRING?
Temps will be cold, with temperatures ranging from -10 to -30°C / 14 to -22°F. We strongly recommend that guests dress in clothing specific for traveling in backcountry areas. We recommend that guests have a good quality waterproof jacket and pants, lightweight insulated layer, merino base layers, merino gloves and waterproof gloves, goggles with low light & high light lenses, sunglasses, balaclava, beanie, and helmet. We recommend that all guests bring their own ski or snowboarding equipment for the tour (board, boots, bindings & outerwear).
WHO WILL BE ON MY TOUR?
Your group will be made up of travellers from diverse backgrounds and will be varied in age. Our groups generally mix well due to a shared interest in snow sports and an eagerness to explore all that each destination has to offer.
HOW TO BOOK
To reserve your spot, email [email protected] with your preferred dates and one of our travel managers will send you a quote, availability and further information for the tour.
DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS
A 50% deposit is payable to secure your booking. The balance is due 90 days prior to tour departure.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
View our terms and conditions HERE