Nammalakuru Wilderness Base Camp

You don't need previous backcountry ski touring experience, but you should be comfortable on skis or happy to spend time on snowshoes. We'll spend the first days around Ylläs getting familiar with the equipment and travelling on backcountry skis before heading into Nammalakuru. Once at the hut, you can choose to ski, snowshoe, or simply stay close to the fire.

This is a moderately demanding trip and you should be comfortable spending several hours outdoors each day. You'll travel through winter conditions, sometimes over uneven or deep snow, and spend two nights in a remote wilderness hut. You don't need to be an athlete, but good general fitness and some preparation before the trip are important.

The skiing distance varies depending on the day and the conditions. The journey to and from Nammalakuru involves several hours on backcountry skis (30 km round trip), while the full day around the hut is more flexible. You can choose to explore further on skis, head out on snowshoes or simply enjoy a slower day around the hut.

Nammalakuru is a simple but surprisingly cozy wilderness hut, a traditional shelter designed for travellers in the national park. It has sleeping platforms with mattresses, blankets and pillows, as well as a wood-burning stove that keeps the hut warm and comfortable even when it's freezing outside. There is no electricity or running water, but fresh water can be collected from nearby. In the evening, we gather around the fire to cook, dry our gear and settle into the quiet. It's simple, comfortable and very much part of the experience. The rest of the week is spent in a cozy chalet around Ylläs.

On the approach to Nammalakuru, you'll carry your own personal equipment in a backpack, including your clothing and other essentials. Group equipment is shared between two people in one pulka, and your guide will help organise the packing so that everything is distributed sensibly between the group. Around the hut, day outings are done with a lighter daypack.

We provide the backcountry skis, poles, winter boots and all the essential equipment needed for the expedition. You won't need to bring a sleeping bag, as the hut is equipped with mattresses, blankets and pillows. Before the trip, we'll send you a detailed packing list covering the personal clothing and other items you'll need to bring.

The itinerary is always subject to the conditions. If the weather, snow or visibility makes the planned route unsuitable, your guide may adjust the route, distances or timing to keep the group safe and comfortable. A day at Nammalakuru can also stay close to the hut when the landscape tells us to slow down. In Lapland, conditions are part of the journey, we don't try to force a fixed itinerary when the landscape tells us otherwise.