We are still in the peak of the solar maximum. The northern lights are predicted to cover the sky on a regular basis, allowing a great chance to see them. We will embark on an unforgettable trip in the far north of Sweden with 8 other travelers. For 5 days, you’ll be challenged by the elements and awed by the beauty of the northern sky. You’ll also make lifelong friends. You’ll change your relationship to the cold.

Together, we’ll learn skills of winter survival, honing techniques that today’s travelers rarely use. Alongside you, we’ll tackle team building challenges in this incredible landscape. This trip is about more than skills though. It’s about discovering a deeper connection with the wild and to the others on the trip.

WHAT WILL WE DO?

The goal of the activities is to give you a glimpse into arctic life and give you an array of incredibly useful survival skills that aren’t taught in school. By the time you leave, you’ll have the confidence to embark on more journeys or maybe team up with the others you meet on the trip.

The schedule changes a bit based on who is there and availability of other guides in the area day to day, but we’ll do the following main things: 

Part 1: The journey begins when you arrive in the rugged northern town of Kiruna. Here, you’ll meet your fellow explorers. We’ll then set our sights on the world-famous Ice Hotel, a breathtaking palace of frozen artistry rising from the snow, east of town.

Part 2: We set out snowshoeing through the pristine mountain birch forests, heading to a secluded spot where we’ll learn the essentials of winter survival. We’ll start mastering winter dress, handling knives, fire-building, and winter shelter construction. We’ll also cover basic knots and ropes, key tools for survival.

As night falls, we’ll ascend a nearby mountain to learn all the tricks of taking stunning Northern Lights photos as we hopefully witness the breathtaking Aurora, a shimmering display across the Arctic sky!

Part 3: At the edge of Lake Torneträsk, where the mountains embrace the frozen waters, the true spirit of the area awakens. Our 20-minute hike to the remote sauna leads us through another wild area. Here, we’ll all learn to take a polar plunge in waters that are just above freezing.

PART 4: Snow Shoeing and Reindeer : Stomp through the snow and walk the same trails of the Sami people. Experience their deep bond with the majestic reindeer, creatures that have roamed these lands for centuries.

As darkness falls, we return to the research station, where the Northern Lights will once again (if we’re lucky) set the sky ablaze and by the end we’ll all have some epic shots of the aurora to bring home. Bucket list, checked.

Part 5: We gather for a final morning debrief, warming our hands with traditional winter teas and reflecting on the natural history of the land. Before we part, you’ll collect your winter survival kit. This is a testament to the skills you’ve mastered and will include fire-starting materials, a knife, a handmade rope and fire-starters crafted with your own hands.

We then journey back to Kiruna, carrying with us both the skills we learned but also the conversations and relationships formed.

Professional Development

We are all professional guides and many of the people that come are professionals in helping coach others. If you are looking for professional development, this would be a great fit for you too.

When is the trip?

We have an incredible trip this year. If we fill this trip too quickly we can organize a second trip before or after.

• Trip 1: Feb 1 – Feb 5 2027

Why Now?

The sun goes through cycles of activity every 11 years. Right now we are just coming off of an intense solar maximum which translates into the best and brightest auroras you’ll be able to see. If you want to see the northern lights in all their glory, you should do it NOW!

IS THIS TRIP FOR ME? 

This is the kind of journey most only dream about. Is it a luxury trip with every need catered to? Not exactly. Is it an adventure where you’ll experience nature in its most spectacular form? Without question.

There are two core missions for this journey: to teach you how to thrive, and endure in the harsh beauty of winter landscapes, and to offer you an escape from the modern world with a select few who share your adventurous spirit. The most valuable thing you may take home won’t just be the skills you’ve learned, but the profound connection with the others on the trip.

Our Commitment: Value Over Profit

Professional retreats offering this level of focused peer exchange and strategic collaboration typically cost upwards of $3,500.

Our mission, however, is to dismantle barriers that keep us isolated. That’s why we have worked hard to offer this trip as a financially accessible, high-value experience.

The Cost: $2,700 per person

Can I Join the Group?

This trip is a select group, but people who have done the trip in the past can recommend you. This helps us vet the crew and it allows you to talk to someone who as done it before. If you don’t have anyone you already know, start below.

Step 1:

Fill out this simple form so we can add you to the list. This lets us know you’re interested. It’s not a commitment.

Step 2:

If we asses this is a good fit, we’ll send info on logistics, release forms and a packing list to come.

Then we ask for a 1/3 trip deposit as soon as we accept you to cover your spot as we’re booking accommodation for the crew early. Another 1/3 deposit is due by Dec 15th and the final 1/3 a week before we leave.

What Others Have said!

Don’t just take our word for it from our past trips in the US. Alex summarized her experience like this:

“This was truly an incredible experience. I came home rested, refreshed, and immediately planning my next outdoor adventure. I feel more confident in my ability to not just survive but also thrive in outdoor experiences. I also came back with some new friends 🙂 Please, please keep doing these, and if you expand to new levels or other locations, you can bet I’ll be at every one!” – Alex Dainis, PhD

Want a few quick trip primers?

The trip is about connecting to nature, finding community, getting in some exercise, redefining your view of the cold and finding awe. It’s also the theme of almost all the videos we make. Both of the following two videos were shot at SnowCamps in the past, and provide a bit of a primer for things you’ll see and do there.

• You’ll also have free access to our 3 Online Courses which are primers in outdoor survival, knots, and how to create outdoor media (an added 250 dollar bonus).