Quite superb. The setting, the activities, the accommodation, the food and especially the staff were all exceptional. The Arctic Circle in Finland is stunningly beautiful with vast expanses of pristine snow and silent forests. You really do feel a million miles from the rat race.
Just the best week ever! It certainly isn't a restful week, but it was great to learn new skills. There was down time in the evenings and we could enjoy the sauna and hot tub. Definitely try rolling in the snow after the sauna
Snow Shoeing and Much More Finland is beautiful and Oulanka Basecamp a superb place to spend an active week. The facilities, equipment, food, activities and above all the staff - for whom nothing was too much trouble and who all clearly loved their work - were first-rate. The room accommodation was comfortable and the communal lounge, bar, sauna, hot tub and dining area in a separate building a few seconds walk away. We wanted and expected cold weather - which we got - but were never cold because everywhere was well heated and the winter clothing and boots provided were of the best quality (and all in with the price). The Basecamp is in the middle of nowhere - again, wanted and expected - in an area of forest, lakes, rivers (aka Finland!) but also unexpected hills and, at times, steep climbs.
What I liked best? Pretty much everything and there were not enough hours in a day to do all I wanted. Also being wonderfully tired every evening after a hard day of snow shoe walking, cross-country skiing, snowmobile and/or dog sledding were a great aid to a good night/s sleep.
Highlights major and minor - in no particular order - were:
1. The food. Loads of it and delicious, including the packed lunches and special energy bars. (We burned a lot of calories).
2. Eating lunch around camp fires at wilderness shelters in a gentle snowfall.
3. My first time on skis. (We haven't laughed so much in ages).
4. Falling a lot. (Yes, I'm serious. I fell off everything - snow shoes, skis - level and downhill - snowmobile and dog sled), and once nearly ended up in a river, but only hurt myself a bit a couple of times.)
5. Dog sled day. A marvellous experience and enough to turn this dog-phobe into a husky fan.
6.The company of like-minded strangers to add to wife and two good friends.
Lowlights:
Not a thing, other than we didn't get the Northern Lights, but that's beyond the Basecamp's control, and I couldn't do everything. We'll have to go back!
The rooms are of two types. The upper rooms are a bit bigger, have a small mezzanine for storage or to sleep in and a balcony.
All heating and hot water comes from a wood pellet-burning boiler and a wood-burning fire in the lounge. All clothing and gear is provided to reduce luggage weight - a small detail ,but a nice idea - and almost all food provided sustainable and locally sourced.