Wilderness Skiing in Pyhä-Luosto: Altai Skis, Arctic Forest

Altai skis let you glide across deep snow without the learning curve of traditional skiing.

Wilderness skiing in Pyhä-Luosto National Park on Altai skis (short, wide, agile skis designed for thick snowfields) with a guide who shares Arctic nature knowledge and Lappish beliefs. The tour lasts four hours and includes hot berry drinks and a light meal cooked over a bonfire in the forest. No skiing experience is required. The skis' climbing skin and maneuverable design handle variable terrain and dense woods. A live guide speaks English or Finnish.

The experience

Altai skis are a cross between a snowshoe and a backcountry ski: short and wide enough to stay on top of deep snow, with a partial climbing skin built into the base so you can ascend without removing them. The design makes them slower and easier to control than traditional skis, and their maneuverability works in thick forest and uneven ground where longer skis would catch. You don't need any prior skiing experience to move across the puffy snowfields. The guide tailors the route based on what the group wants to do and how they're moving.

The four-hour tour takes you into the Arctic forest with a guide who explains the landscape and the old Lappish beliefs tied to it. Midway through, you stop at a bonfire in the trees for hot berry beverages, a regional staple, and a light, warming meal. The combination of movement, forest, and the guide's storytelling is what separates this from a solo hike. You're learning the place as you travel through it.

What’s included

• Guiding and storytelling about Arctic nature and Lappish traditions.
• Altai skis and ski poles for the full tour.
• hot berry beverages and a light meal cooked over a bonfire in the forest.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 10:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

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.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Bliss Adventure

Is this one for you?Four hours means you can fit this into a morning or afternoon without losing the rest of your day in the park. Bring winter clothing suited to the Arctic. The operator provides the skis and the food, not the outerwear.

Traveler reviews

4.75★★★★★★★★★★

4 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Finnish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Do I need to know how to ski to do this tour?

No. Altai skis are designed so you can glide across snowfields without prior experience. The guide adjusts the pace and terrain to match the group's comfort level.

What are Altai skis and how are they different from regular skis?

Altai skis are short, wide, and agile, with a climbing skin built into the base. They stay on top of deep snow like a snowshoe but let you glide like a ski, and they're easier to control and maneuver in dense forest than traditional backcountry skis.

What does the guide talk about during the tour?

The guide gives a knowledgeable presentation about Arctic nature and old Lappish beliefs, sharing the cultural and natural history of the landscape as you move through it.

What's included in the meal during the tour?

You get hot berry beverages, a regional favorite, and a light yet nutritious meal cooked over a bonfire in the forest, eaten during a break in the skiing.

How fit do I need to be for this activity?

The operator recommends at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The four-hour tour involves continuous movement across snowfields, though the pace and terrain are adjusted to the group.