Guided Skinbased Ski Tour, Wood-Heated Sauna & Ice Swimming at Lake Sortolampi
Approx. 3 hours | Hellaniemi & Lake Sortolampi, Kesälahti, Finland
A snowy forest, skinbased skis, a small wilderness lake and a traditional wood-heated Finnish sauna – followed, if you dare, by a refreshing dip through the ice!
This experience brings together some of the best elements of a Finnish winter.
Join us for a guided skinbased ski tour through the peaceful winter landscape around Hellaniemi and Lake Sortolampi. We travel through snowy forest and around the small wilderness lake, enjoying the silence of nature and stopping whenever we want to admire the scenery, take photos or simply enjoy the moment.
The route, distance and pace are adapted to the group, the day's snow and weather conditions and everyone's energy level. This experience is not about speed or performance – it is about enjoying Finnish winter nature and discovering a new way to move through the snow.
What are skinbased skis? Skinbased skis combine some of the best features of traditional Finnish forest skis and snowshoes. They are shorter and wider than regular cross-country skis, and the integrated climbing skin underneath provides grip on the snow.
Going uphill, they behave almost like snowshoes: the skin grips the snow and helps prevent the skis from sliding backwards.
And then comes the downhill part – where you have a choice!
You can simply walk downhill, taking small controlled steps just as you would on snowshoes. Or, when you feel ready for a little more adventure, adjust your position and balance and let the skis glide.
You decide how much you want to glide and how fast you want to go.
No previous skiing experience is required. Our guides will show you how to use the equipment, climb, descend and move safely in the winter terrain.
After the tour – a traditional Finnish sauna. After our outdoor adventure, we return to Hellaniemi, where a small and authentic Finnish sauna awaits by Lake Sortolampi.
There are no electric switches here. The sauna is heated with firewood and the washing water is heated traditionally in a large pot. Simple, traditional and wonderfully atmospheric.
Once you are warm, you can take the ultimate Finnish winter challenge: walk down the steps and take a refreshing dip through the ice into Lake Sortolampi.
Ice swimming is, of course, completely optional. You are equally welcome to stay in the warmth of the sauna and simply enjoy the peaceful winter atmosphere by the lake.
The total duration of the experience, including the sauna, is approximately 3 hours.
Departure: Saturdays at 12:00 noon
Meeting point: Hellaniemi, Hellaniementie 21, 59800 Kesälahti, Kitee, Finland
Please arrive approximately 15 minutes before departure to allow time for fitting and preparing the equipment.
Other departure times can also be arranged on request. Please contact us and we will find a suitable time.
What's included? The price includes skinbased skis, necessary safety equipment, professional guiding and the guides' liability insurance, use of the traditional wood-heated sauna.
What should I bring? Dress warmly according to the weather and choose flexible clothing that allows you to move comfortably. We recommend layers and windproof outdoor clothing, a warm hat, gloves or mittens and warm footwear suitable for winter activities.
Please also bring:
your own drinking water
your own snacks, if you wish
swimsuit
towel
personal toiletries
warm, dry clothes for after the sauna and ice swimming.
You can enjoy your own snacks during the tour or after the sauna.
Group size: The tour operates with a minimum of 3 participants and a maximum of 5 participants per departure.
Larger groups can be accommodated on request – please contact us and we will be happy to plan a suitable experience for your group.
Booking and payment: Please reserve your place in advance so that we can prepare suitable equipment for everyone and have the sauna ready for your visit.
In our online shop, you can choose either online payment, where you book and pay immediately, or a booking request, where you reserve your place and pay at the meeting point.
You can also book by phone or WhatsApp:
Taina +358 400 418 933
Sisko +358 40 750 2921
Payment can be made in advance through our online shop or at the meeting point by card, MobilePay or cash.
Bookings and cancellations must be made by 6:00 pm on the day before the tour.
Cancellations made at least 7 days before the tour receive a 100% refund.
For cancellations made at least one day before the tour, 90% of the payment will be refunded.
Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure and no-shows are non-refundable.
Safety and weather conditions always come first. If snow, ice or weather conditions do not allow us to operate the experience safely, we will first try to arrange another suitable date. If this is not possible, you will receive a full refund.
Experience Finnish winter with all your senses – explore the snowy forest on skinbased skis, warm up in a wood-heated sauna and, if you dare, finish your adventure with a refreshing dip through the ice of Lake Sortolampi.
