Pyhä-Luosto wilderness skiing: Altai skis, no experience needed

Glide through thick snowfields on short, wide skis built for forest terrain

Wilderness skiing in Pyhä-Luosto National Park uses Altai skis (short, wide, agile skis that combine snowshoe and ski features), so you travel across snow and through Arctic forest without prior skiing experience. A guide teaches the safe, effortless technique, shares stories of Lappish beliefs and Arctic nature, and provides all gear plus hot berry drinks. The tour lasts two and a half hours and suits all fitness levels. Minimum age is 12.

The experience

Altai skis are not traditional backcountry skis or snowshoes, but a hybrid that does both jobs well. The short, wide design makes them maneuverable through thick woods and variable terrain, and a partial climbing skin built into the base lets you climb uphill with ease. The same skin also keeps you slower and easier to control than traditional skis would be. You glide across puffy snowfields without the balance and technique demands of regular skiing, so absolute beginners move through the landscape as fluidly as locals do.

The guide teaches you the wilderness skiing technique and tailors the route based on what you want to explore. Along the way, you'll hear about Arctic nature and old Lappish beliefs. The storytelling is woven into the movement, not a separate lecture. The two-and-a-half-hour outing covers enough ground to feel like a real journey through the forest, and the guide brings hot berry beverages to warm you during a stop.

Gear is included: Altai skis, poles, gaiters and everything else you need to stay warm and dry. Public transportation options run to the area, so you don't need a rental car to reach the trailhead. The activity suits all fitness levels because the skis do the work. The terrain and the pace are yours to set with the guide's help.

What’s included

• Altai skis, poles and gaiters.
• guiding in English or Finnish with instruction in wilderness skiing technique.
• storytelling about Arctic nature and Lappish beliefs.
• hot berry beverages.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDepartures at 11:30 and 14:30Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 to 77 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish and Finnish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Bliss Adventure

Is this one for you?Two and a half hours leaves room for other activities in your day: morning or afternoon departure fits easily around meals and other Lapland plans. The fixed duration and guided pace mean you're not managing navigation or deciding how far to push. You're just moving through the forest at a speed the guide sets for the group.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Finnish.

What makes Altai skis different from regular cross-country skis?

Altai skis are short and wide with a partial climbing skin on the base, combining the best features of both snowshoes and skis. The design makes them easy to control, maneuverable through thick woods, and simple to climb uphill with. You don't need traditional skiing technique or balance to move smoothly across snow.

Do I need skiing experience to do this tour?

No previous skiing experience is required. The Altai skis and the guide's instruction in wilderness skiing technique make it accessible to absolute beginners. The short, wide design and climbing skin do most of the work for you.

How long is the wilderness skiing tour?

The tour lasts two and a half hours. The guide will tailor the route based on your preferences and what you want to explore in the Arctic forest.

What's included in the tour?

The tour includes Altai skis, ski poles, gaiters and other necessary gear; guiding and storytelling about Arctic nature and Lappish beliefs; and hot berry beverages during a stop.

What's the minimum age for this tour?

The minimum age is 12 years old. The activity suits all physical fitness levels.