Arctic Expedition Experience 2025

You will be accompanied throughout the challenge by a instructor, who (with his team) will provide full instruction for all the activities undertaken.

Lead Guide is Ronan Mullen, an Earth and Ocean Sciences graduate who has worked professionally in the outdoors for over 25 years. Ronan is a level II Arctic Expedition Guide, an extreme weather expert and a UIMLA certified International Mountain Leader. He is also a European Expert in Mountain Rescue, having volunteered in MR for a quarter of a century, including serving as Training Officer and Team Leader of one of Ireland’s busiest Mountain Rescue Teams. Ronan will be assisted by another experienced and suitably qualified guide.

You will also be accompanied by a Different Travel UK tour manager.

Between the months of January and April, temperatures vary from 0°C during the day to –30°C overnight. You can expect the temperatures during the survival experience to be colder than the Tromso so please do not rely on weather forecast websites for an accurate view of the conditions but an approximate guideline. Based on historical averages you can expect a maximum daytime temperature of -1°C and a minimum night temperature of –26°C.

At this time of year the sun rises between 10am-10.30am and sets between 3pm-3.30pm, but there is light between 9am and 4.30pm.

Despite the extremely cold temperatures, due to the dry atmosphere, the air is crisp and energising, quite unlike cold days in UK where you can feel very cold in relatively warm temperatures. The weather is variable so you should be prepared for a mixture of overcast days, bright sunshine and some snowfall.

Meals are provided as stated in the itinerary. Please ensure that you notify us of any dietary requirements at the time of booking. As part of the challenge there are chores to complete each day – collecting firewood, cleaning and assisting with food prep.

Dietary requests cannot be catered for without advance arrangement. The majority of special diets, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc., can be catered for but please note that we cannot guarantee that food preparation will have taken place in a contamination free environment.

Our base is in a cosy cabin heated by wood stoves and underfloor heating. It is located in a small village with a population of 2000 people. It’s got a frontier town vibe.

The accommodation itself has shared rooms with 2 to 3 people per room. The cabins are very comfortable and are a welcome retreat from the extremes outside.

You will stay at a very basic remote log cabin but will spend one night in the outdoors – utilising the skills you have learned during the week; this may be in tented accommodation or in an off-grid hut & is subject to weather conditions.

You must be aged at least 18 to participate unaccompanied. It may be possible for you to participate if you are aged 16 or 17 years old if you are accompanied by a parent or guardian – please contact us for advice. There is no upper age limit. An ideal candidate for the trip would be someone who enjoys being out of their comfort zone and trying something new.

The trip is rated ‘challenging’ for a person who leads an active lifestyle (e.g. someone who enjoys getting outdoors, taking part in sports, hill walking, running etc.). For someone who does not lead an active lifestyle this trip may feel even more of a challenge.

No experience is necessary, we work on the assumption that you are outdoorsy but haven’t done this type of thing before. A good level of fitness is important though.

Back-country skiing is different to downhill/alpine. It’s similar to cross country skiing where the skis are much narrower. It’s more about technique and efficiency than speed. you will be taught how you how to move on snow shoes and all the other skills you will need. Full tuition will be provided over the first 4 days on your Arctic Circle Expedition.

You must take personal responsibility to ensure you arrive in Northern Scandinavia fit enough to participate fully in all of these activities and be willing to be a proactive, positive, hands-on and supportive team member. In addition to a good level of fitness, you must also be physiologically and psychologically well enough to cope with the extremely cold and basic conditions (temperatures can drop as low as -30°C). Please speak to your doctor for advice specific to your medical circumstances.

It is also very important that you are someone with excellent personal management skills such as knowing when to add and remove clothing layers to cope with the climate, knowing when to eat and drink if you are hungry or thirsty, ensuring your kit is organised so you know where everything you need is, being comfortable about informing your guide staff if you’re having difficulties with an activity or not feeling well, and so on.

This trip is not suitable for people unwilling to be part of a team or seeking a solo experience.

It is essential, and a condition of booking, that all participants take out additional insurance for the expedition. It is recommended that you do this at the time of booking. This should cover repatriation to your home country and rescue fees. Your policy must cover Europe and have ‘guided cross-country skiing’ listed as an activity.

Participants must be aware that there is a risk of activity related and cold related injury.

Included in your expedition fees is the hire of specialist cold-weather clothing and sleeping bags.

You’ll need to bring thermal clothing, warm fleeces, a hat and gloves, boots etc. More details will be provided on our training sessions and a kit list will be provided upon request.

If you hike or have ever been skiing, you’ll probably have most of it. It’s important you have the correct type of hiking boot, we’ll advise further.