Live like a local in Arctic Lakeland Winter by the frozen Lake Oulujärvi
8-Day Private Winter Holiday by Frozen Lake Oulujärvi, Finland
Step away from crowded resorts and experience Finnish winter as the locals know it. This private small-group holiday takes you to the peaceful shores of frozen Lake Oulujärvi in Finland’s Arctic Lakeland.
Stay in a modern lakeside villa, enjoy home-made Finnish meals and warm up in the sauna after memorable days in the snow. Build an igloo, learn Arctic survival skills, explore Ärjänsaari Island on snowshoes, float through winter rapids, go ice fishing and meet reindeer and huskies.
This is more than a winter holiday—it is an opportunity to slow down, connect with nature and discover the warmth of genuine Finnish hospitality.
- Destination: Lake Oulujärvi, Arctic Lakeland, Finland
- Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
- Group size: 2–6 persons
- Accommodation: Private lakeside Villa Hilla
- Arrival point: Kajaani airport or railway station
- Holiday type: Private small-group winter experience
Why Choose This Experience?
- Experience an authentic Finnish winter away from busy tourist resorts
- Stay directly beside frozen Lake Oulujärvi
- Travel privately with a group of only 2–6 guests
- Enjoy personal service from local hosts and guides
- Discover five unforgettable guided winter experiences
- Taste home-made Finnish food
- Relax in a traditional Finnish sauna every evening
- Enjoy convenient transfers from Kajaani airport or railway station
Your Winter Home – Villa Hilla
Villa Hilla is located directly on the shore of Lake Oulujärvi in the peaceful village of Vuoreslahti. The villa offers a comfortable and private base for your winter holiday.
The villa has three bedrooms: one bedroom with a double bed and two bedrooms with twin beds. It also features a spacious open-plan kitchen and living room, two toilets, a bathroom and a sauna.
- Breakfasts and dinners are served at the villa. The meals are home-made Finnish food, and non-alcoholic beverages are included.
- Depending on the evening, you can enjoy either Villa Hilla’s sauna or the Arctic Sauna on the frozen lake—with the possibility of an invigorating ice bath.
Programme
Day 1 – Welcome to Lake Oulujärvi
Arrive at Kajaani airport or Kajaani railway station, where your host welcomes you. A 30-minute minibus transfer takes you to Villa Hilla.
Settle into your winter home and enjoy dinner followed by a relaxed welcome briefing with your host-guide.
Day 2 – Snow Igloo and Arctic Survival Skills
After breakfast, head outdoors to build a traditional snow shelter. Pile the snow, allow it to settle and then hollow it out to create an igloo.
While the snow compacts, practise useful Arctic survival skills, including making a fire without matches and navigating with a compass. A picnic lunch is enjoyed outdoors.
Day 3 – Snowshoe Adventure on Ärjänsaari Island
Travel across the frozen lake in a snowmobile-pulled sleigh towards Ärjänsaari Island, located approximately four kilometres away.
Explore the island’s snowy landscapes and high sand dunes on snowshoes. Learn about its colourful history, search for animal tracks and stop to listen to the silence of the winter wilderness.
Warm up beside a campfire with a picnic lunch and hot drinks—and perhaps rediscover the joy of sledding down a snowy hill.
Day 4 – Rapid Floating in Kuhmo
Travel approximately 1.5 hours to Kuhmo for an unforgettable winter-water adventure.
After meeting your local guide, dress in thermal layers and a protective rescue suit.
Begin by practising floating and swimming in calm water before continuing to the Pajakkakoski rapids.
Join a guided descent and, if you feel comfortable, try a solo ride.
A safety professional follows the activity throughout. Finish the experience with hot chocolate beside an open fire.
Day 5 – Winter Fishing on Lake Oulujärvi
Ride onto the vast frozen lake in a sledge pulled by a snowmobile.
Drill holes through the ice and learn the secrets of traditional Finnish ice fishing from your guide.
Enjoy the silence, fresh winter air and a picnic lunch surrounded by the white landscape.
You will also learn about winter net fishing, a tradition with deep roots in Finland.
The plan is to prepare dinner from the day’s catch.
Day 6 – A Day at Your Own Pace
Slow down and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Villa Hilla and Lake Oulujärvi.
This flexible day gives you time to rest, admire the winter scenery and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the villa.
A transfer to Kajaani city centre can be arranged at an additional cost.
In the evening, warm up in the sauna.
Day 7 – Reindeer and Husky Encounters
Travel approximately 1.5 hours north for a day with two of the most iconic animals of the North.
At the reindeer farm, learn about reindeer and traditional husbandry, feed the animals and enjoy a sleigh ride.
Afterwards, meet an energetic husky team and set off on an exhilarating journey through a snow-covered forest.
Two guests share a traditional sled and can switch between driving and riding.
After the safari, learn about the huskies’ daily lives, care and training.
Day 8 – Farewell
Enjoy breakfast at Villa Hilla before your transfer to Kajaani airport or railway station.
Leave Arctic Lakeland with fresh winter memories—and a genuine glimpse of what it feels like to live like a local in Finland.
Prices | Prices are based on the final group size. The holiday is available as a private departure for 2–6 persons.
- 2 persons: €5736 per person
- 3–4 persons: €3828 per person
- 5–6 persons: €2988 per person
Package Includes
- Seven nights’ accommodation at Villa Hilla
- Breakfasts and dinners at the villa
- Non-alcoholic beverages with the included meals
- Arrival and departure transfers from Kajaani airport or railway station
- Snow igloo building and Arctic survival programme
- Guided snowshoe excursion to Ärjänsaari Island
- Snowmobile-sleigh transfer to Ärjänsaari
- Guided rapid-floating experience and specialist equipment
- Guided winter-fishing experience
- Reindeer-farm visit and sleigh ride
- Husky-sled experience
- Picnic lunches and warm drinks as mentioned in the programme
- Sauna experiences according to the programme
- Services of local hosts and guides as described
Not Included
- Travel to and from Kajaani
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Optional transfer to Kajaani city centre
- Services not specifically mentioned in the programme
Good to Know
The order and content of the activities may change due to weather, snow conditions or operational reasons.
Participants need suitable winter clothing for outdoor activities. Specialist safety equipment is provided for activities where it is required, as described in the programme.
