Join Antti Autti for a unique backcountry tour in Finland’s oldest national park
Spend a week snowboarding above the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland with expert local backcountry guide and Finnish pro snowboarder Antti Autti. You’ll get to explore the resort and backcountry zones in Pyhä-Luosto which is Antti’s home, while enjoying breathtaking views and the Arctic winter atmosphere. This region has some of the most versatile backcountry terrain that Finland has to offer.
Throughout the tour, Antti will be showing you why this region is one of his favourite places to ride and film and give you tips and insights along the way. You’ll also have our local Mint Finnish guide on-hand to show you some of Pyha’s best kept secret spots. Together they both have a lifetime of experience riding in these areas as well as reading the conditions and terrain. One of the most unique experiences is night-time riding in the backcountry. You will get to experience beautiful sunsets and the amazing feeling of riding during the Arctic night with your head-torch lighting the way.
Our base for this tour is situated on the shores of the frozen Lake Pyhäjärvi. From here you can easily access the surrounding zones. We keep the itinerary flexible so we can find the best conditions and terrain on the day. Being off the beaten track you will also experience real Finnish cuisine and hospitality and have the opportunity to enjoy the local traditions like Pow surfing on binding-less snowboards, relaxing in a traditional Finnish wood-heated sauna and ice-hole swimming in the frozen lake.
Dates
10 - 17 February, 2024
Duration
7 nights / 6 days guiding
Price
EUR 2,050 per person
ABILITY LEVEL
Intermediate to advanced
Why Travel With Mint
In a rapidly changing travel industry it’s important to know that your travel provider is accredited, accountable and responsible. We are a registered member of AFTA and IATA and conduct 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 are able to take care of your flights, insurance, stopovers and pre or post tour arrangements.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Get in touch for a detailed tour itinerary and more info
WHO IS THIS TOUR FOR?
This tour is perfect for anyone who is interested in having a true shred experience in Finland. We do most of our days human-powered but you don’t need to be experienced in the discipline. In fact, we encourage people who want to learn about touring and splitboarding to join this tour because during the trip you will learn new skills and can take this knowledge with you for your next adventure!
A TYPICAL DAY
The tours in the backcountry are in between 3hrs - 7hrs depending on the conditions and how everyone is feeling. The guides will safely recommend the route down to ensure you score the best run possible. On average, you can expect to ski and snowboard a mix of dry powder in the trees and soft snow in the gullies at the top of the fells.
OUR LODGING
Our base is the Lucky Ranch, a family-owned business located in Pyhätunturi, in Lapland. Here you can experience a true Finnish smoke sauna, ice swimming, horse riding, snow igloos and a traditional Lapland dinner with locally sourced produce including salmon and reindeer. Accommodation is based on shared rooms.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
Like any destination, you've got to know where and when to go. In Lapland, it's vital to have mission-ready guides who know the region and to have transport on hand. Antti and his guides will put you in the right zones each day according to weather and snowfall and send you home STOKED. Antti has a lifetime of experience snowboarding in this region and will monitor storm cycles to ensure you’re scoring the best snow.
SNOW & CONDITIONS
This tour is running at one of the best times to experience Finnish pow. Also, the days are getting longer and with the extra hours of sunlight, it's the perfect time of the season to spend more time outdoors. You can still expect to get regular snowfall, with temperatures rarely getting above 0 degrees Celsius. Even if we don’t get fresh snow overnight, the cold temperatures and our local knowledge will ensure you’ll still find cold, dry snow to ride.
SMALL GROUPS
We offer one of the smallest client to guide ratio’s in the industry which ultimately leads to a better experience for everyone. Our small groups allow greater manoeuvrability and ease of access to the best areas a destination can offer. This also makes for a more personal experience between our guests and guides.
ESSENTIAL INFO
INCLUSIONS
✔ 7 nights shared accommodation, Pyhä (single room supplement upon request)
✔ Breakfast daily
✔ Welcome dinner on the first night
✔ 6 days backcountry guiding
✔ 3 days with a professional photographer providing photos in the backcountry
✔ Pow Surf session at Pyhä- Luosto National Park
✔ Avalanche safety briefing
✔ A traditional Finnish smoke sauna and ice-swimming hole swimming experience
✔ 3 course traditional Lappish dinner with drinks at a private cabin in Pyhäjarvi
✔ Scheduled arrival day pick-up from Hostel Koti or Rovaniemi Airport
✔ Scheduled departure day transfer to Hostel Koti or Rovaniemi Airport
✔ Private transport throughout the tour in 4WD vehicles
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
✘ Flights
✘ Travel insurance
✘ Single ride lift tickets if needed – expect pay approx 8/eur per ride
✘ Rental equipment. If required please visit – https://www.getarctic.fi/rental-english/
✘ Any activities, meals, drinks, snacks not listed here
Guided Backcountry touring in the 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 the week exploring the Pyhä-Luosto backcountry with Antti and Keso who will take you to the right zones to ride the best 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.
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. After this unique Finnish Spa experience, it’s time to get back to our little wooden cabin to enjoy delicious 3 course Lappish dinner by the fireplace. Included in this experience is a sauna guide, slippers and towels, shampoo and body care products, and transfers from our hotel.
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 guides 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, followed by berry pie and vanilla sauce. (all dietary requirements can be catered for)
Pyhätunturi SnowSurf 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. We will reach the backcountry with snowmobiles, and then use snowshoes for short ascents after each run. Included is guiding and instruction, Ilahu snow surf boards, backpack, snowshoes, warm drinks and snacks.
Optional activities
Sleep in an Arctic snow igloo
Private deep snow snowmobile tour
DATES
10 February – 17 February, 2024
PRO-TIP – GO PRIVATE!
Book this tour as a private departure – with your own guide and all the benefits of a Mint group tour – for any group, big or small (even just one traveller). Get in touch to discuss.
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 flights, 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 travelling 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 travelling 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?
We will have a maximum of 8 clients with two guides.
IS THIS TOUR RIGHT FOR ME?
This tour is best suited for confident snowboarders who have backcountry touring and powder riding experience. If you’re not sure, give us a call. Weather and snow conditions are impossible to predict so guests must be prepared to ride anything. 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 in the trees.
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.
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?
No. We can either use single ride lift tickets (approx 8/eur) or access by foot / splitboard. It all depends on the terrain our guides choose on the day. Note that none of the areas 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 – 30 per meal
- Dinners – expect to pay EUR 30 – 50 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
Whether you’re a snowboarding veteran or have just booked your first tour, the best thing you can do to get the most out of your Mint experience 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 ride for 6 consecutive days. Your muscles should be up to this task, and your cardio fitness means you can sustain a consistent pace.
CAN I RENT EQUIPMENT?
No, you will need to bring your equipment with you. We can connect you with a local rental store.
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. All guests will need to bring their own splitboarding /snowboarding and avalanche safety equipment for the tour.
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.
PRICE
EUR 2,050 per person
DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS
To secure your spot on tour 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