Arctic Survival Challenge | Royal British Legion

Dates

• 11-18 February 2024
• 25 February - 3 March 2024

Teams

Groups are welcome to sign up; there is a maximum of 15 participants per trip.

No experience needed

You will be given full instruction by the professional team of leaders on the trip in all activities during the challenge and all activities are undertaken at the pace of the group.

Scandinavian accommodation

The base will be a lovely rustic log cabin for four nights in total, three before the survival phase, and the last night of the challenge week. The cabin has no electricity, just a wood burner, basic kitchen, dining table and beds.

Three nights of the week, during the survival phase, will be spent outside in shelters which you will build as a group. These include: a Scandinavian tent, a forest shelter and a snow hole. In each of the outdoor shelters, watch will be kept during the night to stoke fires and keep warmth and to check candles lit during the night you stay in the snow hole.

Kit

You’ll receive a full kit list once you have registered and you may hire kit for the survival stage including bivvy bag, roll mat and sleeping bag.

Season

• Jan
• Feb
• Mar
• Apr
• May
• Jun
• Jul
• Aug
• Sep
• Oct
• Nov
• Dec

Meeting point

Åre Östersund Airport
Frösön
832 96
Sweden

Itinerary

• Day 1 London to Sweden

  Travel from a UK airport direct to Northern Sweden (Ostersund in Jamtland). Upon arrival at Ostersund meet the friendly Swedish team, before travelling for one hour by minibus to a cosy log cabin near Raftlaven. The cabin is wonderfully rustic with no electricity; just a wood burner, a basic kitchen, dining table and beds. Spend the evening settling in ready for tomorrow’s activities.

• Day 2 Cross-country skiing

  After a warm breakfast you'll be allocated a buddy for the week, before venturing out to explore the surroundings on cross country skis and snow shoes, following tracks through the forest and along by the frozen river. Later that evening it's back to the cabin for dinner before heading out again to start building the snow hole which will be your home for one night later in the week. No experience is needed for cross-country skiing or snow shoes - you'll learn how to use them on the day!

• Day 3 Husky sledding

  After breakfast, the husky dogs arrive at the cabin and the team creates a track for you to race the dogs through. After a short briefing, each person takes control of their own dog team for a magical ride through the frozen forest. A delicious hot lunch and coffee is served up Swedish style over an open fire outside which has fabulous views across the landscape. Then it's back to the cabin for dinner as you would have built up an appetite before heading out to add more snow to the snow hole.

  

• Day 4 Snowmobile safari

  Get ready for an exhilarating and challenging ride! After an early breakfast, the group will take the minibus for one hour to the start of the snowmobile safari. In pairs you'll set off to a nearby frozen lake to practice handling these powerful machines then head off through the forest and up into the mountains for a 70km ride! Enjoy some breath-taking views from the mountain top - on a clear day there is a magnificent view all the way out to Norway.

  Stop for lunch on the way back down, either out in the wilds or at a mountain hotel. After lunch, swap drivers for the journey back. The safari lasts approximately six hours.

  Back at the cabin, preparations will begin for the survival phase! Pack your bags with all the essentials for the following three days and nights, before heading out on skis into the darkness. Erect a traditional Scandinavian tent complete with a log burner before cooking up the first night's rations. During the night, take it in turns with your buddy to stoke up the log burner.

  

• Day 5 Shelter building

  Today it's shelter building using the surrounding trees to construct a framework and thatch the roof. Inside the shelter, dig a shallow trench in the centre for a fire. Once building has been finished it'll be time to light the fire and move in before settling down for dinner. During the night take it in turns with your buddy to keep watch over the fire as with the previous night.

• Day 6 Snow hole

  Today the group will continue to construct and finish the snow hole, tunnelling into it with spades and ice axes to carefully carve a domed ceiling. Two to three entrances will be made, along with a ski pole in the roof for ventilation. Inside the snow hole, it's a cosy, relatively warm 0 degrees Celsius. Spend the night taking turns with your buddy, but this time for candle watch. Placing candles in the snow hole not only gives light, but also indicates that sufficient oxygen is present inside.

• Day 7 Final day

  This morning you'll have breakfast in the snow hole before skiing back to the cabin. With the survival phase complete, it's time for some relaxation! Spend the morning skiing or ice fishing before hopping into the hot tub in the afternoon. There is also a traditional sauna heated with a log burner to help you relax and unwind after your survival challenge. Finish the experience with a celebratory dinner in the cabin, cooked by the group's Swedish colleagues. 

• Day 8 Time to head home

  Depart from the challenging week and head back to the UK.

This trip is as all-inclusive as possible.

Included

• Meals and refreshments

  All meals and refreshments during the event challenge are included, apart from the three-day survival phase where you will need to bring 12 x freeze dried ration packs.

  

• Activities and instructions

  All activities and instructions for snowshoeing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, husky sledding, cross-country skiing and local guides.

• Accommodation and travel

  Accommodation in a log cabin, plus Scandinavian tepee, snow hole and shelter during the three-day survival phase are also included, as well as outward travel flights to Ostersund, return flights to London and all transport within Sweden.

• Online information evening

  There is a free pre-arctic online information evening before your trip. This training is optional and will cover important skills and advice on the best kit required during your time in Sweden.

• Facebook group

  You’ll have access to the exclusive social group where other participants have shared tips and advice.

Not Included

• UK travel and accommodation

  Any travel costs to and from an airport in the UK and any accommodation before the trip begins.

• Insurance

  Holiday winter sports travel insurance.

• Ration packs

  Ration packs for the survival phase.

• Personal expenses

  Spending money, personal kit and clothing etc. Bivvy bag, roll mat and sleeping bag can be hired for you to use for the three-day survival phase during the Arctic Challenge.

Royal British Legion

The UK's leading charity providing financial, social and emotional support to millions who have served and are currently serving in the British Armed Forces and their dependents.

Fundraising support

Once you’ve signed up, you’ll receive a welcome email containing lots of information and advice about raising money for the Royal British Legion. Posters to publicise your participation in the event and collection pots are also available on request. In addition, the RBL team are on hand to support you every step of the way!

Charity place

• Pay deposit £199
• Minimum sponsorship £2500

Royal British Legion will be in touch with more information on fundraising so that you can help ensure the Armed Forces community are able to lead safe, secure and fulfilling lives.

If you have a charity place, you'll need to fundraise £2,500. At least £1,250 sponsorship needs to be into the charity by 1 August 2023 as this is when we need to confirm trip numbers and £2,000 needs to be raised by 1st November 2023 as this is when we need to pay the balance of your place with the supplier. The remaining £500 sponsorship should be fundraised by the challenge date and paid into the charity within 8 weeks after the event.

Self fund

• Pay deposit £199
• Pay balance £1200
• Minimum sponsorship £1300

If you have a charity self-fund place, you’ll need to fundraise £1,300 sponsorship. At least £650 needs to be fundraised by 1 August 2023. The remaining £650 sponsorship should to be fundraised by the challenge date and paid into the charity within 8 weeks after the event.

Age

Participants over 65 must provide a medical certificate from their doctor stating they are medically able to take part in the event.

Costs

Wayne Owers, a former Major in the Royal Logistic Corps’ specialist bomb disposal unit, took part in Arctic Survival Challenge in January 2022:

It’s absolutely worth every effort. It’s the chance of a lifetime and you have multiple experiences that you’ll never have again.