FINLAND ARCTIC CHALLENGE
MULTI-SPORT EXPEDITION IN LAPLAND
12-16 Feb 2024
- 5 STAGES, BASED OUT OF WILDERNESS CABINS
- SNOWSHOE ->SKI ->BIKE ->RUN ->HUSKY RIDE
- PALLAS-YLLÄS NATIONAL PARK, FINLAND
Join us to push your limits in the Finland Arctic Challenge! Stages include snowshoeing, back-country skiing, fat-biking, and a half-marathon on snowy trails, plus husky-dog sledding. Based out of wilderness cabins, you will experience Lapland in the most authentic way! Hearty meals, traditional Finnish sauna and ice dips, fireside chats, and Northern lights spotting are part of recovery in the evenings. Your event fee includes everything in Lapland – all you need to do is train and show up! Previous skills are not required, stamina is. Watch the trailer to see the event in a nutshell. How did this event start, the first people taking part were Sir Richard Branson and the Big Change team – read the full story.
Places are limited – register below to book your spot.
EVENT DATES
12-16 Feb, 2024 (Travel 11 & 17 Feb). See the full itinerary below.
INFORMATION SESSIONS
The next Arctic Insights information session takes place in Hong Kong on Tuesday, 5 December, 18:30-20:00. If you would like to join this session, or receive recordings from the past information sessions Finland Arctic Challenge & Arctic Lapland and Arctic Insights: Tips for Rookies and Advanced, please contact us at info@arcticescapades.com.
DISTANCE AND FORMAT
Lapland is the last wilderness of Europe, where winter is spectacular. The Finland Arctic Challenge takes place at the Pallas-Ylläs National Park, around the 7 Fells area. The course takes participants through the most epic arctic scenery, frozen forests, fairytale landscapes, and up to stunning fells (peaks) for vast views of the wilderness. This 5-day multi-sports expedition includes snowshoeing, back-country skiing, fat-biking, and a half-marathon on snowy trails, plus husky-dog sledding. Each day you will traverse in the wilderness and powdery snow for approx. 5-6 hours. The distance over five stages is approximately 100 km / 65 miles but don’t underestimate the soft snow and extreme arctic weather that could get colder than -25°C / -13°F! Download more information about the course below. A course map and more details will be given to registered participants closer to the event.
PARTICIPANT LIST
There’s a fantastic group of people from all around the world, who have registered for the challenge, ranging from 35 to 70 years. Once registered, you will see the list of participants at the Runner Reg website. The list is also updated here biweekly:
LOCATION
The Pallas-Ylläs National Park is located approx. 170 km / 100 miles above the Arctic Circle in Lapland, Finland. The host town of the event is Levi, which is located a 15-minute drive from the Kittilä airport.
ARRIVAL AIRPORT & FLIGHTS
The arrival airport is Kittilä, Finland (KTT). Finnair flies the shortcut between Europe and Asia and has good connections from all over the world, all the way to Kittilä. Flights to Kittilä go generally via Helsinki, the capital of Finland but there are also direct flights to Kittilä from London Gatwick and Manchester (EasyJet), Düsseldorf (Eurowings), Munich (Lufthansa), Paris (Air France), Riga (Air Baltic), Vienna (Austrian Airlines) and Zurich (Edelweiss). For those flying from Asia, Finnair has a direct evening flight from Hong Kong to Helsinki, with a connecting flight to Kittilä in the morning. Book your flights early to ensure the best rates.
EVENT HOTEL
The charming Sokos Hotel Break in Levi is where we will be staying the night before and after the event. The nights of 11-12 and 16-17 February are included in your event fee. The hotel is located less than a 20-minute drive from the Kittilä airport.
REGISTRATION FEES
This is an All-inclusive-event. Places are limited. We recommend applying soon in order to secure your place.
Speedy 25-Aug to 14-Oct 2023:
US$ 4,300 / € 3,940
Regular 15-Oct to 30-Nov 2023:
US$ 4,900 / € 4,490
- Reservation fee of US$ 1,000 / € 920 secures your place. The reservation fee is refundable until 30 November. Cancellations must be done in writing to info@runnerreg.com.
- Maximum participants: 30
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
Your event fee includes all essentials in Lapland – you just need to get your flights and travel insurance, train, and show up! See the full details below:
- Pre-event online information sessions and tips on preparation from the local team
- Transportation to the start line and from the finish line back to the host town
- Sporting equipment for all stages
- Husky sledding
- Accommodation: wilderness cabins and heated shelters during the expedition, luxury hotel accommodation one night before and after the event (twin share)
- Main meals throughout the week
- Additional evening program: sauna, ice dips, Northern Lights spotting etc.
- Warm winter boots for activities and a winter suit for the evenings
- Celebration party
- Finland Arctic Challenge souvenir jacket
- Photos from the event
ITINERARY
Sunday, 11 Feb 2024
- Arrival at the host town of Levi by evening
- Event briefing (mandatory) takes place on Sunday evening, at 19:00
Monday, 12 Feb – Friday, 16 Feb
- Stages 1-5
- Awards ceremony and celebrations on Friday evening, 16 Feb
Saturday, 17 February 2024
- You can depart, or continue your stay in Lapland. For additional travel ideas, contact us at info@arcticescapades.com
REGISTRATIONS AND INQUIRIES
Inquiries: info.runnerreg.com, info@arcticescapades.com
RULES & REGULATIONS
Safety is the utmost priority in the event. All registered participants receive essential updates before the event and must follow the event rules. The organiser reserves the right to modify the course or event schedule if needed. Participants are required to have insurance that covers them for medical evacuation and hospitalisation during the event.
CHARITY
Supporting a charity is not a must, but it can be a good, meaningful way of making most of your experience. The official charity partner of the event is RUN, which supports vulnerable refugees through sports and education in Hong Kong. You can choose to support RUN, or any charity of your choice. More details about RUN: introduction, donate, set up your own fundraiser.
ORGANISER
Riitta Hänninen / Arctic Escapades. The organiser has over a decade of experience in organising and overseeing sporting events, including global ultramarathons, stage races, and winter expeditions. More information: https://arcticescapades.com/story
PARTNERS
