After arriving at Kajaani airport, we head directly to our base in Paljakka ski resort where we check into our hotel and enjoy an included dinner (driving time 1 hour, 59km). The hotel in Paljakka ski resort is surrounded by beautiful winter landscapes and is a short distance to the slopes. The family-run hotel which only has 24 en-suite rooms, offers family rooms that can take between 2 and 5 people plus it has a cafeteria for breakfast and restaurant for main meals. There is Wifi at the hotel and a sauna.

After breakfast, we head out for our first activity, a snowmobile adventure through the snow-covered forests (3-hour trip). During the trip, we see the Finnish countryside at its very best as we head into the wilds. With over 500 kilometers of well-maintained snowmobile trails, our base is an ideal launch pad to explore the pristine winter wonderland. The minimum age for a child to sit on a snowmobile is 8 years old (two people share a snowmobile) although children can be placed in a sledge that is pulled by the snowmobile which fits up to six kids. The minimum age to drive the snowmobile is 18 years old and a driving license is not needed as the route does not include public roads.

You may want to try out a husky safari along a 5 km trail. After a technical and safety briefing from your guides, we will meet our eager Huskie pack and head out amongst the trails. There is a feeling of peace and serenity as we escape the trappings of modern day life and head out into a winter wilderness through snow-covered birch forests, with only the sound of the breath of the Huskies around you. The minimum age of a person to drive is eighteen years old with children sit in the sledge. After the husky safari we head back to the farm where the dogs are housed and enjoy a hot drink to warm us up. We return to our hotel for dinner, there may well be time to try out alpine curling or alternatively head out sledging. Be sure to head outside after dark for the chance to see the northern lights, weather permitting.

Morning guided skiing on the slopes, then in the afternoon we try our hand at snowshoeing in the beautiful snow-white forests. The trail provides the opportunity to enjoy the tranquil splendour of the winter scenery and forests covered in layers of blanketing snow. Snowshoeing is fairly easily mastered and we should need just a few minutes to feel confident enough to head off on our afternoon's exploration which lasts for around 2 hours. Your Explore Leader will adjust the duration and distance to match the requirements of the group. Snowshoes and hiking poles are provided. After an action packed full day we return to the comfort of our hotel for a hearty evening meal and relax with a traditional Finnish sauna.

After breakfast we try our hand at building a Quinzee, otherwise known as an igloo. Using shovels and spades we make a big pile of snow which is then hollowed out. The rest of the day is left free to head to the slopes for downhill skiing, tobogganing or cross-country skiing. The Paljakka ski area has 10 ski lifts and has direct access to 12 individual pistes which allows for plenty of ski runs that are perfect for beginners and intermediate skiers. Alternatively depending on snow conditions, we can head to the Ukkohalla ski area that has 15 individual pistes and over 110km of cross country skiing. We recommend pre booking lessons before you travel to avoid disappointment, prices for liftpasses, lessons and equiptment hire can be found in the optional excursions section of the trip notes. The evening provides time to relax in a traditional Finnish smoke sauna before dinner (as there is no chimney in the sauna, the sauna fills with smoke when heated and the stones in the stove are heated by the fire) with the more adventurous among you even trying out ice swimming. Grilled sausages and some drinks are provided at the sauna.

After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Kajaani airport where the trip ends. The order of the activities or the content of the trip may alter based upon weather or snow conditions.