Pyhä: Ice Climbing Tour with Local Guide & Gear

Summary

Ice climbing in Lapland with gear included and warm drinks

You’ll hike into snowy Lapland woods near Pyhä with a local guide, gear up for two real ice climbs at Tajukangas Ice Fall, and warm up by a bonfire with hot berry drinks between turns. Expect laughter, shaky legs, and views you’ll remember long after your fingers thaw out.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the crunch of snow under my boots as we followed our guide from Hotel Pyhätunturi — just ten minutes into the woods but it felt like another world. The air in Pyhä is sharper than I expected, almost sweet, and you can smell pine even through the cold. Our guide, Sanni, handed out helmets and axes with this easy confidence that made me feel less nervous about the whole “ice climbing” part. She joked about how everyone looks like a penguin their first time on crampons. She wasn’t wrong.

Standing at the base of Tajukangas Ice Fall, I actually hesitated — the wall looked taller than twenty meters from down here. There was a small group of us, swapping nervous glances while Sanni showed us how to swing the axes (not too hard or you’ll get stuck). When it was my turn, I whacked the ice and honestly thought I’d barely make it up halfway. But something clicks after a few moves — your breath fogs up your visor, your hands ache a bit, but you start trusting your feet. The view halfway up is wild: blue shadows on snow, silent except for someone laughing below when I nearly lost my grip (don’t look down if you’re wobbly).

Between climbs we circled around a bonfire Sanni had going — she poured hot berry juice into little cups that steamed in the cold air. It tasted tart and sweet at once; maybe it’s just being outside that makes everything better? Someone tried to pronounce “kiitos” properly and Sanni grinned — apparently we all butchered it. My arms were shaking by the second climb but somehow that made reaching the top feel even better. The silence up there sticks with me more than anything else.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Ice Climbing Adventure in Pyhä

• Meet guide at Hotel Pyhätunturi reception
• Get equipped for ice climbing
• Hike 10 minutes to Tajukangas Ice Fall
• Ice climbing instruction by guides
• Climb two ice walls over 20 meters
• Enjoy bonfire and hot berry beverages

Top questions

Is prior ice climbing experience required for this tour?

No previous climbing experience is needed; beginners are welcome.

Where does the ice climbing activity in Pyhä start?

You meet your guide at Hotel Pyhätunturi's reception in Pyhä.

How long is the walk to Tajukangas Ice Fall?

The hike to the ice fall takes about 10 minutes through the wilderness.

What equipment is provided for ice climbing?

You get all necessary gear: helmet with visor or goggles, harness, crampons, ice axes, and boots.

Are hot drinks included during the activity?

Yes, hot berry beverages are served by a bonfire during breaks.

How many times do participants climb during the tour?

Each climber gets two proper climbs up the 20-meter ice wall.

Is this activity suitable for people without high fitness levels?

If you can enjoy a brisk walk, you should be able to join; moderate fitness is enough.

Are service animals allowed on this tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed on this activity.

What’s included

Your day includes meeting your local guide at Hotel Pyhätunturi’s reception in Pyhä, all necessary ice climbing equipment (helmet with visor or goggles, harness, crampons, axes and boots), guiding to Tajukangas Ice Fall through snowy woods, two full climbs per person on the ice wall plus breaks around a bonfire with hot berry drinks and stories before heading back out of Lapland’s winter silence.