Description
‘Test yourself and go outside your comfort zone whilst at the same time creating the most amazing memories and give to a worthy cause for your own charity of choice on our Arctic-style survival challenge, set in the pristine wilderness of Northern Sweden, 150 km south of the Arctic Circle.
A once in a lifetime challenge, this expedition combines snowmobiling, cross country skiing and husky sledding, plus the all important three says survival phase while adapting to the Arctic environment.
You will be based in and around a remote log cabin for a week. Three nights are spent in the cabin while you acclimatise to the cold, before venturing onto the survival phase of the expedition where you will build and live in a shelter and snow hole.
ENTRY FEEs
There are two options to enter:
· Option 1 – Pay £200 to register – then raise £3,500 in sponsorship for the charity of your choice. 9for this you will need to let your charity aware)
(the £200 registration secures your place and your remaining balance of £1,295 tour cost is paid by the charity 10 weeks before the event date. At least £3,500 sponsorship must be in to the charity at least 10 weeks before the event. If this is your chosen option then we need to speak with your charity to make sure everything is in place.
OR
· Option 2 – Pay £200 to register and pay the remaining tour cost of £1,295 paid by yourself – then whatever you can raise raise in sponsorship towards your charity.
(the £200 registration secures your place and you pay the balance of £1,295 tour cost at least 8 weeks before the trip date.
You will be fully supported by the team at your chosen charity with fundraising ideas to help you reach your fundraising target.
There are just 14 places on each of our Arctic style Survival Challenges, sign up early to avoid disappointment.
Please note the deposits are non refundable if you do not meet the terms set above, so we advice as soon as you book you should book your travel insurance.
This is an open event with a maximum group size of 14.
Whats Included.
Training briefing day in the UK
Off grid remote log cabin
Transport from the local airport in Sweden to the cabin and back
Husky sledging
Cross country skiing
Snowmobiling
3 Day Survival phase
Food whilst at the cabin
Hot tub
Sauna
Guides
Not Included.
Flights
Personal expenses
Food for the survival phase
Alcohol
Chef
Cleaner
Personal travel insurance
Please note, we can supply 24 hour ration packs for the survival phase and hire a cold weather sleeping system for a hire fee.
“Having joined the Arctic Survival Challenge a few years ago I can only say what a fantastic adventure it was and organised by a highly professional team. Even being a more senior member of the group age wise I found the experience very fulfilling although challenging. The group I shared this experience with were second to none with great team work and support from all. I would certainly recommend this or any part of the programme to anyone with a taste for adventure in a controlled environment. Do what I did and …. Just do it …” – Dave G
For more information on activities and equipment needed please email nigel@snowandpaddles.co.uk
I wanted to share the story of how it all began.
My passion for the cold started during my time as a Royal Marines commando, training annually in Norway. For over twenty years now, we have returned to Sweden every winter for our survival season. In 2010, my close friend Hans and I decided to build our own remote, off-grid cabin to host our courses. It is a beautiful, quiet location that allows our participants to fully immerse themselves in the environment without distraction.
For much of our history, we dedicated 90 percent of our season to charity events. While I haven’t kept an exact tally, it has been a privilege to meet so many incredible people and raise significant funds for important causes.
We have always prioritised accessibility, keeping our prices consistent over the years to ensure everyone can experience this adventure. Because we own all of our equipment and facilities, we are able to cut out the middleman and pass those savings directly to you. We aren’t financially driven; our focus has always been on delivering quality and value rather than competing with louder, more expensive outfits.
Finally, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to the hundreds of people who have trusted us over the years. While we don’t actively solicit online reviews, our guestbook is filled with handwritten notes that mean the world to us.
We look forward to many more seasons ahead.
WATCH OUR ARCTIC SURVIVAL CHALLENGE FILM
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Kit list
Kit list
1 X PAIR OF WARM BOOTS
1 X FOOTWEAR (FOR INSIDE CABIN) crocs /trainers
ENOUGH PAIRS THERMAL SOCKS TO LAST THE DURATION
2 X COMPLETE SET OF THERMALS
ENOUGH SPARE UNDERWEAR FOR THE DURATION
1 X PAIR TROUSERS
1 X JUMPER FLEECE
1 X WATERPROOF JACKET or ski type jacket
1 X WATERPROOF TROUSERS
1 X PAIR GLOVES OR MITTENS
1 X PAIR LEATHER GLOVES (for cutting and handling hot pots etc)
1 X HAT
1 X TOILETRIES BAG
1 X TOWEL
1 X SUN AND LIP BLOCK
1 x HEAD TORCH (spare batteries)
1 x SUNGLASSES OR SKI GOGGLES
1 X WHISTLE 1 X COOKING POT ( if not eating ration meals in a bag)
1 X KNIFE FORK SPOON
1 X MUG (PLASTIC)
1 X PERSONAL FIRST AID KIT
1 x THIN SLEEPING BAG FOR INSIDE THE CABIN.
1 X RUCKSACK OR HOLDAL
1 X SMALL DAY SACK
1 X THERMOS FLASK 1ltr
1 X PILLOW CASE (for inside the cabin)
1 X CAMERA
1 X SET OF SWIMWEAR (for the hot tub and sauna)
1 X DRIVING LICENSE (for snowmobiles)
3 DAYS WORTH OF RATIONS for the survival phase, however 24 hr packs can be bought from ourselves)
1 X SENSE OF HUMOUR
SLEEP SYSTEM (for the survival phase if not hiring from ourselves)
Itinerary
ITINERARY
DAY 1
Travel from the UK to Sweden’s capital Stockholm where you then catch an internal flight taking you one hour north to Ostersund in the region of Jamtland. Upon arrival at Ostersund we are met by our Swedish colleagues, and travel for one hour by minibus to our cosy log cabin near Raftlaven. The cabin is wonderfully rustic with no electricity; fresh water is bought in and just a wood burner, a basic kitchen, dining table and beds.
Spend the evening settling in ready for tomorrows activities.
DAY 2
After a warm breakfast and allocated with a ‘buddy’ for the week we venture out to explore the surroundings on cross country skis, following tracks through the forest and along by the frozen river. Also there’s a chance to try out snow shoes too.
Later that evening it’s back to the cabin for dinner before going out again to start construction of the snow hole which will be home for one night later in the week.
DAY 3
Husky sledding day. After breakfast we meet up with the husky dog teams. After a short briefing each person takes control of their own dog team for a magical ride through the frozen forrest
And afterwards a delicious hot lunch and coffee is served up Swedish style over an open fire in our private forrest. Then its back on the skis bound for the cabin working up an appetite for dinner before heading out to add more snow to the snow hole.
DAY 4
Snowmobile safari day…get ready for an exhilarating ride! After an early breakfast we travel in the minibus for one hour to where we start our snowmobile safari. After an important safety brief, in pairs we set off to a nearby frozen lake to practice handling these powerful machines. Once everyone is happy we head off through the forests and up into the mountains. On a clear day from the vantage point (2500ft ASL) on the mountain top there is a magnificent view across the landscape to Norway.
On the way back down we stop for lunch either out in the wilds or at a mountain hotel (depending on the weather). From here its time to swap with your partner for the ride back. The safari lasts approximately six hours.
(An individual snowmobile is available at an additional cost at time of rental).
On return to the our cabin its time to prepare for the survival phase. With bags packed for all that’s required for the following three days and nights we head out on skis in the darkness to the location where we erect a traditional Scandinavian tent complete with log burner.
Later in the evening we cook up our first night’s rations
before settling down to sleep. During the night we take it in turns with our ‘buddy’ to stoke up the log burner to keep us comfortable.
DAY 5
Shelter building. This is a very labour intensive day but also fun and rewarding. Once we have found a suitable place to build the shelter we start by clearing the area of snow. The ‘A’ framed shelter is then constructed with the surrounding trees. Once the framework is in place pine branches are used to thatch the roof. Inside, a shallow trench is dug in the centre for a fire.
Building the shelter takes most of the day. Once it is finished it’s time to light the fire and move in.
For those who wish there will be a chance to try ice fishing. With any luck you may catch your dinner!
It will then be time for dinner round the open fire in the shelter before it’s time for sleep. During the night we take it in turns with our ‘buddy’ to keep watch over the fire as we did the previous night.
DAY 6
Snow hole night. Today we continue to construct and finish the snow hole, tunneling into it with spades and ice axes carefully carving a domed ceiling. Two to three entrances will be made along with a ski pole in the roof for ventilation.
Inside is a cosy, relatively warm 0 degrees Celsius. Again we take it in turns over night with our buddy, this time for ‘candle watch’. Placing candles in the snow hole not only gives light but very importantly indicates sufficient oxygen is present inside.
DAY 7
Hot tub & sauna day. After breakfast in the snow hole we ski back to the cabin. With the survival phase completed it’s now time for some relaxation.
Our hot tub is lit and several hours later the water is ready to jump into. It takes a few hours to heat up so while that’s happening the time is your own. You can ski, snow shoe or ice fish if you wish.
Then in the afternoon its time to hop into the hot tub and chill out after your challenging week. There is also a traditional sauna heated with a log burner to relax in as well to have a well deserved rest.
In the evening we have a celebratory dinner in the cabin cooked for us by our Swedish colleagues. This a time to reminisce on a fantastic and truly unforgettable week.
DAY 8
Time to go home. Having packed we tidy the cabin to leave it as we found it before taking the minibus back to Ostersund airport to catch the flight to Stockholm and finally our connecting flight back to the UK.
Kevin Blount –
Can’t recommend this highly enough! It’s tough, a real personal challenge, and until you experience surviving in -25 you can’t fully appreciate it. If you want to learn about yourself, challenge yourself, and at the same time raise funds for a fantastic charity, this is for you!
Nigel and Dave are incredible at getting the best out of everyone
Paul Cosham –
Just completed my RBL Survival challenge and it is without a doubt the best thing I have ever done! Nigel and his team were absolutely brilliant in bringing us together. Their knowledge, expertise and humour made some very tough times seem bearable and achievable
I cannot recommended this challenge and Nigel’s company highly enough and I will certainly be back looking for new challenges in the future
Once again thank you to Nigel, Dave and Hans for this fantastic experience
Holly –
Nigel is a great guide, he met us at the airport and we were made to feel instantly welcome. The cabin was simple, but very cosy and the team had everything we needed. The activities were well organised and fun and the week’s events went by seamlessly. There was a lot to fit in, but also plenty of downtime and timings were quite flexible. Some parts of the week were really tough (especially the freezing night in the natural shelter!) But I never felt too far out of my comfort zone or overly pressured, the instructors were so friendly, approachable and very knowledgeable and we knew were being well looked after. So many new and challenging experiences over the week made our team bond really well and I’m happy to say I made some friends for life here. A fantastic experience I will never forget!