April 13, 2016 (Finland) – For cross-country ski aficionados who enjoy a new challenge and have some time on their hands, a 34-day, 1,800km trip from the south to the north of Finland might be just the ticket. A private company, Hiihtäen Halki Suomen (HHS), which in Finnish means “ski across Finland,” has been organizing such trips every second year since 2002, guiding up to 40 skiers at a time. The next guided trip is planned for early 2017.

The trips begin at Virolahti, near the Finnish capital of Helsinki. From there, the skiers move north, averaging 52km per day, much of it close to the Russian border. Partial trips are also offered with some skiers joining the group either on day 9 in Ilomantsi or on day 21 in Kuusamo. The skiers head towards the town of Nurogam on the Finnish/Norwegian border, and from there down the Tanna River to a fjord on the Barents Sea. Those who want to can bring a towel for a dip in the 1C (34F) water.

“We always have a snowmobile in front of us dragging the grooming sled and generally also have a following snowmobile,” explains Jeff Loss, an American participant. “On most days, our transportation vehicle can meet us along the way at a lunch/rest stop to pick up or drop off skiers. The skiers also can call the guides by cell phone if there are any problems. For the most part, skiers determine before the ski day begins which part they want to complete.

“There are reindeer all over Lapland. They roam freely except during roundups and can be seen along the road, in the forests and in corrals in town. We also eat reindeer jerky and reindeer soup! And yes, since we are in Lapland for the last part of the trip, we will see and meet Laplanders or, more precisely, the Sami people,” Loss continued.

Accommodation along the way consists of hotels, schools, church camps, abandoned Finnish border guard stations which have been converted to guest houses, and holiday cabins.

“Après-ski means sauna, probably a beer if you plan ahead, eat, wax, rest, chat, etc. Our typical day is determined at the nightly orientation given by organizers. They will announce the next day’s weather, distance, wax recommendations, meeting points, wind direction at various times of the day and starting time for the slowest skiers. And, most importantly, the sauna hours and locations for the males and females. In Finland, the sauna is really a focal point of the daily ski routine.”

This trip is the ultimate trek for a cross-country enthusiast, says Loss.  He compares it to the perhaps better-known Rajalta Rajalle (RR) trek in Finland that is only 25% of the HHS distance. “Although the majority of skiers are Finnish, I’ve skied with Swedes, Norwegians, Spanish, French, Germans and Slovenians. The group spends 33 days together skiing, eating and becoming immersed in the varying Finnish landscapes.  It can be an easy day (50km or less) or a tough day (65km or more), but there is only one way to get to the next sleeping accommodation and that is skiing to it.”

The HHS organization provides a cost for the entire trip and for separate sections, which includes all meals, transportation, etc. once the skier arrives at the Helsinki airport or the two other starting points. Once the trip ends, transportation is provided back to a point where the skier can travel to the Helsinki airport.

While the 2017 prices have not been established yet, in 2015 the full trip (34 days) cost €4,900 (US$5,335/C$7,550) while the 14-day trip cost €2,300 (US$2,500/C$3,525).

For more information visit here or email info@hhs-ski.net.