Glide North - Classic Skiing Improver Week, Finland

The main meeting point for your holiday is Rovaniemi Airport, Finland, one of the principal gateways to Finnish Lapland, with direct seasonal connections from the UK and convenient year-round connections via Helsinki.

We are pleased to offer a bespoke transfer service, with your guide for the trip meeting you in the arrivals hall. We will operate one scheduled transfer from Rovaniemi Airport, departing at 18:00. The journey to the Ylläs region takes approximately two hours.

For departure, the transfer will leave the hotel at approximately 05:00, arriving at Rovaniemi Airport at approximately 07:00 for onward flights.

Kittilä Airport is also available as a flexible arrival and departure option. Due to its close proximity to Ylläs, we are able to offer greater flexibility with Kittilä transfer times wherever possible. If flights to or from Kittilä are more convenient for your journey, please contact us before booking so we can coordinate your transfer.

Please ensure your flights are compatible with the scheduled Rovaniemi transfer times before booking and contact your guide as soon as possible if your flight is delayed.The meeting point for your holiday is Kittilä Airport, Finland, the main gateway to Finnish Lapland and the closest airport for accessing the Ylläs region. We are pleased to offer a group transfer service, with your guide for the week meeting you in the arrivals hall upon arrival. 

Please contact your guide as soon as possible if your flight is delayed. 

From January to April, the Ylläs region experiences classic Arctic winter conditions with cold temperatures, reliable snowfall and a long snow season, creating exceptional conditions for cross-country skiing. January is typically the coldest month, with average temperatures ranging from approximately -16°C to -9°C (3°F to 16°F) and regular snowfall creating a true winter wilderness atmosphere.

February and March remain consistently snowy, with cold, crisp days and increasing daylight hours providing ideal skiing conditions across the forests and fells surrounding Ylläs.

By April, longer days and the first signs of spring arrive, with temperatures typically ranging between -7°C and 4°C (19°F to 39°F), while snow conditions often remain excellent for late-season skiing. 

Dining celebrates fresh Lappish ingredients and regional flavours, creating a relaxed experience inspired by the traditions and landscapes of Finnish Lapland. Seasonal produce and Nordic influences sit at the heart of the dining experience, creating menus that feel authentic and reflective of the surrounding region. 

Guests are exceptionally well catered for throughout their stay on a full-board basis. Breakfast is served each morning with a generous selection of options to prepare you for a day on the trails. Lunches are hearty and satisfying, while evening meals are served as a carefully prepared three-course experience, providing a welcoming and rewarding end to each day of skiing and Arctic adventure.

Vegetarian and vegan options are available, and most dietary requirements can be catered for, including gluten-free, dairy-free, nut allergies, shellfish allergies and egg-free diets. Please advise us at the time of booking so arrangements can be made with the hotel. Drinks are not included and can be purchased separately. Any additional snacks or refreshments during the day are at your own expense. 

The welcoming restaurant atmosphere creates the perfect setting to relax and refuel after rewarding days exploring the Arctic landscape. 

Activity level: Moderate

A good level of sustained activity with varied terrain.

Moderate holidays are suited to guests with a reasonable level of fitness who are comfortable being active for extended periods. Expect longer days on snow, greater daily distances and more varied terrain, balanced with expert coaching and time to appreciate the destination. Guests should arrive prepared for several consecutive days of enjoyable physical activity.

Skiing experience: Improver

Build confidence and develop your technique.

Improver holidays are designed for cross-country skiers who have already learned the fundamentals and are comfortable skiing independently on gentle terrain. Coaching focuses on improving technique, building confidence, increasing efficiency and developing your ability across a wider variety of trails and snow conditions.

You should already be able to control your speed, climb and descend gentle hills, and ski comfortably for several hours with regular breaks

Luggage 

We kindly ask that you travel with a maximum of 1 piece of hold luggage and 2 pieces of hand luggage, as storage space in the transfer vehicle is limited. When packing for a winter holiday in the mountains, it is important to bring suitable clothing and equipment to ensure you remain comfortable in changing weather and snow conditions. 

Ski Equipment 

We will provide skis, boots and poles selected according to your height, weight, shoe size and technical ability, ensuring equipment is matched appropriately for comfort, performance and enjoyment throughout your holiday. 

Personal Equipment to Bring 

Please ensure you bring the following items for comfort during your holiday: 

• Rucksack – A 15–20 litre day pack with waist and chest straps, suitable for carrying water, snacks and additional warm or waterproof clothing while out on the trails. 
• 1 litre water container – Please note that hydration system tubes can often freeze in winter conditions, so a standard water bottle or insulated container is recommended. 

Additional items 

Sunscreen, sunglasses, small thermos for hot drinks, head torch and footwear suitable for icy conditions 

General Clothing 

We recommend bringing suitable winter clothing to ensure you remain comfortable in changing mountain and skiing conditions: 

• Jackets: Waterproof jacket, fleece or windproof gilet/waistcoat, and a down or insulated jacket (or an additional warm outer layer). 
• Trousers: Nordic ski trousers that are lightweight, windproof, warm and ideally form fitting. Waterproof trousers are optional for additional protection. 
• Tops: Long-sleeved thermal base layer and a lightweight long-sleeved fleece or mid-layer. 
• Accessories: Two pairs of gloves (one lightweight and one insulated), over-mittens for colder days if desired, a warm hat, headband or buff/scarf, and medium-thickness socks. 

Your insurance responsibilities

These are described in detail within the Insurance Information. As an overview you must have adequate insurance that covers you for:

• Medical expenses and repatriation in the event of medical need 

• Mountain Rescue, apart from Norway where it is free 

• Cancellation or curtailment of arrangements as a result of circumstances outside of your control (including accident or illness and inability to travel for other reasons) 

• Personal accident risks, covering injury, illness or death

• Personal liability 

• Personal effects and money 

You must provide us with the name of your travel insurer, policy number and insurer’s emergency contact number 6 weeks before your holiday by updating the information in your account, which can be accessed via the members area of the website.

You should purchase insurance at the time of booking to protect payments made towards a trip that does not take place for any reason.

Our insurance responsibilities

Should Wildtrack Nordic become insolvent or cease to trade, your initial deposit and any other monies paid towards your trip are fully protected. Details of the policy and underwriter are included in the Insurance Information document.

Wildtrack Nordic does not have any responsibility to insure:

• Your flights and any other travel apart from the free shuttle from and to the airport as part of your trip

• Your belongings

• Your equipment, if you are using your own

The requirements for your official documentation can be found at Clause 16 of our Booking Terms and Conditions, but in summary: 

• Passports: you will need a valid passport; many countries require 6+ months’ validity beyond your return date 

• Visas: you will need to confirm the requirements early and ensure you have at least one blank page in your passport 

If you are a guest travelling to one of our European holidays we recommend that you check for updates on the new ETIAS website.

What is Included 
• Professionally qualified guides 
• Accommodation and meals throughout your stay 
• One group airport transfer on arrival and departure 
• Technical ski equipment (skis, boots and poles) 
• Access to the villa facilities and amenities 

What is not Included 
• Flights 
• Personal travel insurance 
• Drinks, snacks and food outside of planned meals 
• Additional transport not specified within the itinerary 
• Spa treatments and additional wellness services