“It is the beginning of the journey, we just finished to pack the sledges and organize the gear, it is time to move. I feel a bit cold with the minus temperature and as a beginner I am wondering: will I freeze in this adventure?

We start to move, slowly my attention goes from the cold to focus on my movement and balance with the skis and sledge. Sliding on the middle of the team and trying to keep up the pace I realize that the movements are not that difficult, in fact is very enjoyable … I am not cold anymore and instead of focusing on myself I let my eyes be lost in the amazing Finnish forest … Owww, it looks like Narnia.

The path is not completely flat, there are some ups and downs, but the good thing is that we don’t need to have unnecessary risks, when is to steep I quick change my skis for a good pair of snowshoes. Some parts of the way are a bit more challenge and we need some group work to overtake a few obstacles, that is great, I feel part of the team and I enjoy the fellowship that this challenge is creating with this group.

From time to time we stop to have some snacks and drink some water, it is very common for people to forget in this cold to drink water and suffer with headaches due to dehydration. Our running lunch is fast, but enough to provide all energy needed to the remaining portion of the day. I also take coffee and chocolate that I have in my snack package … the cold is gone and I am fully enjoying this trip.

We are moving now out of the forest and approaching the fells, the view is just stunning, specially with the afternoon colors shining at the sky. The wind start to increase, we no longer have the protection of the forest. I start to be a bit cold, but the guide just informed us that the cabin is just around the corner. We ski a little bit longer, the view just open up in our front with the huts surrounded by the hills. Great, it is time to organize the night and have some fire.

We arrive at the hut, it is simple, made of wood, but incredible cozy. Quickly our guide prepare the fire inside and start to make dinner while we organize our beds and change for dry and warm clothes.

I am dry, warm and proud for crossing part of the national park on skis for the first time. The smell of the food makes us a bit anxious to eat, but everything is getting ready and we take the time to share with our team mates the feelings of the day.

After dinner, our guide already give us instructions about the next day and it is clear what is coming ahead, but for now we just want to enjoy the fire place outside and wait for the northern lights before going to sleep … it is a beautiful night.

It is early in the morning and still dark outside, but we are already up and organising our gear while the breakfast has been prepared. We eat plenty of food and feel ready to start the next phase … we are moving for another great day and I heard that the next hut has also a sauna! Ahhh SAUNA … in the middle of the national park. 

A dream coming true … “