Finland Arctic Challenge

Hotels

• The Lapland Hotels Saaga in Ylläs is the host hotel before the event
   

• The Sokos Hotel Break in Levi is where you will be staying the night after the event
   

Both hotels are located less than an hour drive from the Kittilä airport with shuttle services provided. 

Weather

Expected temperature in early February is between -15°C / 5°F to -25°C / -13°F but it could get colder than -30°C / -22°F!

The Polar Night season will have just ended and you will start seeing the first rays of sun. You can expect both snow as well as clear cold days. The event route and starting times may be modified for weather reasons.

Season

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

Meeting point

Kittilä International Airport
Levintie 259
Kittilä
99100
Finland

Arrival airport & flights

• The Pallas-Ylläs National Park is located approx. 170km/100 miles above the Arctic Circle in Lapland, Finland.
• The arrival town of the event is Ylläs and the event finishes in the ski resort town of Levi.

• Both towns are less than one hour drive from the Kittilä airport and Kolari train station, with frequent shuttle buses before and after each flight/train.
• Finnair flies the shortcut between Europe and Asia and has good connections from all over the world, all the way to Kittilä.
• Flights to Kittilä go generally via Helsinki, the capital of Finland but there are also direct flights to Kittilä from London Gatwick and Manchester (EasyJet), Düsseldorf (Eurowings), Munich (Lufthansa), Paris (Air France), Riga (Air Baltic), Vienna (Austrian Airlines) and Zurich (Edelweiss).
• For those flying from Asia, Finnair has a direct evening flight from Hong Kong to Helsinki, with a connecting flight to Kittilä in the morning. Book your flights early to ensure the best rates.
• You can also arrive by train by taking an overnight train from Helsinki to Kolari, Lapland.

Itinerary

• Sunday

  Arrival at the Lapland Hotels Saaga by the afternoon.
  16:00 | Event briefing (mandatory) and gear check. (Hotel stay included)

• Monday | Stage 1

  Fat tyre biking from Äkäslompolo village takes you through Pallas-Ylläs National Park, around Kesänki Fell, then through Lainio and Kukas Fells to Kukaslompolo, ending at Elämänluukku, one of the oldest lumberjack cabins in the Seven Fells area. (Hotel stay included)

• Tuesday | Stage 2

  Back-country skiing from Kukaslompolo, via Äkässaivo, a holy place for Sámi, the indigenous people of Lapland, to the foot of the Äkäskero Fell. The base for the night is the picturesque Peurakaltio lumberjack cabin. (Cabin stay included)

• Wednesday | Stage 3

  Snowshoe climb to the top of the Äkäskero Fell. The route circles the fell, offering majestic views of Western Lapland and even Sweden on clear days. (Evening accommodation included)

• Thursday | Stage 4

  Half marathon on snow trails and the remote Aakenus road to the Aakenus River. Depending on the temperature, you may need to pace yourself and wear a buff or a mask to make breathing easier in the cold air. The final base is the Aakenus Cabin. (Cabin stay included)

• Friday | Stage 5

  The final stage will be completed with huskies. The route leads to the foothills of the majestic Pallas Fells, through frozen forests and wetlands, offering some of the most beautiful scenery in the wilderness and fairytale landscapes. Afterwards, the group will head to Levi for a festive dinner and celebrations! (Hotel stay included)

• Saturday

  You can depart or continue your stay in Lapland.

Route overview

The route takes participants through the most epic scenery: frozen forests and wetlands, stunning fells (peaks) for vast views of the wilderness and fairytale landscapes.

The total distance is approximately 100km/65 miles. Each day participants are expected to traverse in the wilderness and powdery snow for approx. 5-7 hours. There are checkpoints along the way.

Map

Terrain

The terrain is powdery snow, medium to hard-packed snow trails and remote roads that can be icy in places. Don’t underestimate soft snow that makes moving slow. The course is undulating but the majority of it goes between 200 and 600 meters above sea level.

Included

Your event fee includes all essentials in Lapland – you just need to get your flights and travel insurance, train, and show up!

• Accommodation

  Lumberjack cabins and heated shelters during the expedition; luxury hotel accommodation one night before and luxury hotel accommodation after the event (twin share).

• All transfers

  Transport from the airport; transportation to the start line and from the finish line back to the host town.

• Meals

  Hearty meals throughout the week.

• Route support & guides

  The team will mostly follow a waymarked course independently with guiding when needed.

• Safety

  Operational support and safety throughout the event.

• Evening experiences

  Complete evening programme of authentic Finnish activities.

• Sporting equipment

  For all stages plus warm winter boots for activities and a winter suit for the evenings.

• Celebration party

  End-of-week celebrations with your teammates.

• Finland Arctic Challenge souvenir jacket

  For you to keep and show off plus a traditional kuksa cup too.

• Official photographs

  Quality mementos of each stage of your challenge.

• Information sessions

  Pre-event online information sessions, tips on preparation from the local team, get-togethers and regular updates.

Not Included

• Flights
• Travel insurance

• £3395 until 31 May 2025 (early bird)
• £3820 after 31 May 2025
• Fees are payable in Euros

Costs

The 2025 edition brought together an incredible group of participants from across the globe, representing four continents and twelve nationalities! This challenge is not just an opportunity to learn about the Arctic and push your limits, but also a chance to connect with remarkable individuals from all walks of life—even during the preparation phase.

Will you be on the participant list for 2026?

Why choose this challenge?

The organiser has over a decade of experience in organising and overseeing sporting events, including global ultramarathons, stage races, and winter expeditions. They are 100% local from Finland.