Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The magic of the wonderland of the Oulanka national park. Husky sledding  - the amazing snow scene - stunning sculpture-like landscape - the beautiful dogs.Cross country skiing - an achievement that I learned a few basics and managed to keep upright!   

Thoughts on Group Leader

Martti gave clear instructions for all the activities and shared his knowledge and enthusiasm of the country with us throughout the week. He was well supported by all the centre staff team.All the staff provided over and above service to fit in everyone's needs and preferences eg for extra activities and timings.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It does work out quite expensive with the additional activities.However, if you want a special winter holiday, this is the one! 

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many although the memory of trekking through the forest at night to make and throw a snowball of " wishes" into the rapids will stay with me for some time.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marti was great - passionate about the Park and ensuring that everyone enjoyed themselves in a non competitive environment.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Took me a full week to recover in return to the UK!!! I was shattered but it is really up to you how much activity you do on free days and afternoons. Extra activities are a tad expensive so be prepared.

Most Inspirational Moment

 Hearing the cry 'Northern Lights! Northern Lights!' at about 1230 a.m., scrambling into our clothes to run down to the lake and watching the Aurora was fantastic.The brilliant blue sky against the almost lunar landscape of the Riisintunturi National Park on our dog-sledding trip. Cross-country skiing through the woodsThe Little Bear trail - a great morning of walking with some of the other members of the group: beautiful scenery, lovely companyThe guided trek to Castle Rock - the guide's knowledge really added to our enjoyment 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Teddy/Bjorn was brilliant: good fun, knowledgeable, great teaching manner. All the staff should be commended for their work - always smiling, ever helpful.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

You really don't need to take very much luggage at all - we used our own thermals, socks and hats but everything else we used belonged to Basecamp. Do take a belt. If you want to take photos of the Northern Lights, you'll need a camera that you can set to an exposure of 30 seconds to a minute.  

Most Inspirational Moment

The optional full-day dogsledding into the National Park for a feeling of true wilderness. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Teddy was a very relaxed and helpful group leader - ably assisted by the other staff at the lodge.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to pick from. I loved the variety of activities and the scenery and surroundings were just out of this world. It really is a magical location, whether you're walking through the forest on snow shoes, x-country skiing over the lake or hanging on as the huskies or reindeer take you on an adventure.I didn't expect to have so much fun shovelling snow all day to build a quinzee, but it was great fun.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Teddy/Bjorn was an excellent group leader, very enthusiastic about his job and all the activities. He was always friendly and helpful, as were all the staff at Basecamp. You couldn't ask for better.

Advice for Potential Travellers

After spending a whole day building your quinzee you really should stay the night in it - when will you get another chance to sleep in a snow cave? Be prepared to spend some money on the optional activities - it might seem expensive but it's worth it. And make use of all the equipment in your free afternoons. The 'Little Bear Trail' is a lovely walk to do on snow-shoes with some great views. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Husky sledging through blanket of white snow and all you can hear is the dogs sprinting is breathtaking, feels like your in a dream and you don't want to wake up from it. Whereas snowmobiling over a frozen lake is different speeding up and down hills and just feeling the adrenaline of your in control of this machine is amazing!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bjorne aka Teddy is very good at his job, knew so much information about the surrounding areas, history of the country and the activities participating in. He became one of the group rather than a leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared to spend money, a lot of extras but so worth it!! Also even though they give you thermals I would advise brining some of your own stuff as well.

Most Inspirational Moment

It is impossible to pick one thing. The sense of achievement that came from mastering (in even the loosest sense of the word) a wide range of new activities was addictive, the fresh clean air was exhilerating and the sense of peace in the surroundings as well as the complete lack of light pollution was completely relaxing. The perfect package.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Friendly, helpful, fun. Outstanding

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't pack too many clothes, for the daytime activities everything is provided.

Most Inspirational Moment

Waking through the Finnish landscape in snow shoes, making minimal noise. It's a great way to get about and if the uk winters were more snowy I may invest in a pair. You went through areas that would normally be inaccessible in other weathers. The dog sledding was amazing. The pack of dogs were noisy and I'm sure one of them was barking "come on, run" as they were so eager to get started. Once off and running they were silent, concentrating on the task of whizzing through the snowladen trees with you guiding them along the track. It was breathtaking. The snowmobile safari (optional activity) was great fun on especially along the section with moguls, it was like a roller coaster with you in charge of the speed.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Henri is a first class group leader. You can tell he loves his job and wants to share his knowledge with the guests. He embraces the outdoor lifestyle. His expert practical help and mythological stories, made for a fascinating and educational time. Henri and the rest of the team were patient, helpful and great fun. They certainly add to the experience!

Advice for Potential Travellers

As all of the clothing required for the activities is provided, you do only need to pack the clothes for evening. It is easy to overpack layers as the temperature can be cold. However the accommodation is warm and the main block, with reception and dining facilities is suitable, if lacking some sofas for reclining after strenous activities. Make use of the sauna and hot tub, it's great for those aching muscles. If the flights are to Oulo, this involves a four hour bus trip to the base camp and you lose some time. make sure the flights are to kuusamo. If this had been made clear I may have cancelled. Due to delays there were a few sprints to catch connecting flights.

Most Inspirational Moment

Stood on the crisp snow covered riverbank, gazing into the break of white water cascading past 'The Mill' as I placed my snowball and thoughts in a secret position to be remembered upon my return to 'the real world'.Standing back to admire the 5 hours worth of hard work from our group of four quincee builders, before creating a 'Benny Hill' style sketch around them! Thanks girls - such fun!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Superb! Very approachable, chatty and knowledgeable of the local area. All staff gave every effort to their jobs but also created a relaxed atmosphere whilst efficiently going about their work - from the cook to the group leaders, excellent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You really don't need to take much with you to wear, other than personal items such as underwear and thermals. A holiday where you could almost get away with hand luggage!

Most Inspirational Moment

The enthusiasm and strength of the husky teams was awesome. I'll never forget the quiet whisper of the sledge and the sense of wonder as we sailed along the trails in the remote forest under the pink skies.