Go deep into the Swedish wilderness on this 3-day snowshoeing tour that will let you experience the vast nature and silence of the backcountry. Stay in a cozy cabin and enjoy the crackling fire and delicious cuisine when the day is done.
Group
3 Days
Jan - Apr, Dec
Intermediate
All levels
Jämtland is located in the center of Sweden and boasts a deep history, but also, a stunning wilderness environment. On this 3-day adventure, we will spend the weekend in the remote Hotagen Nature Reserve, on an unforgettable snowshoeing retreat.
Our first objective will be to reach the cozy farmhouse where we will be staying. To do so, we will have to snowshoe 9 kilometers (5,6 miles) with a stop at noon for lunch beside a campfire. Once we arrive, we will receive a warm welcome and have the chance to snowshoe up to a nearby summit or to stay indoors cozying up next to the stove. In the evening, a special 3-course meal awaits us to bring warmth to our bellies and hearts.
We will need that warmth to set out on the following day after breakfast for some more snowshoeing fun in nature. As we cross lakes and forested areas, we will have the chance to listen to the rustling trees and to our own breath if we pay attention. We will enjoy some nice conversations too, before heading back to our meeting point and ending our lovely snowshoeing retreat.
This getaway is a perfect option to get the best out of Scandinavia’s winter landscapes and also its cozy charm. You don’t need to be an expert to join, but you do need to be fit.
So, are you ready to join this amazing snowshoeing getaway in Jamtland? Then contact me and let’s start planning your adventure. Or, join me on a more intensive ski touring adventure in the area!
On the first day of our snowshoeing adventure, we will enjoy crossing lakes and a riverbank on our way to the mountains. The walking is generally easy and at a slow pace. This will allow us to enjoy the gorgeous landscapes and have a nice conversation about our surroundings. By the time we get hungry, we will stop for lunch by a fire. If you wish, you will get the chance to try and make your own fire using a firestriker with the help of the guide.
When we reach the farm where we will be staying Håkan or Randi will greet us. Randi has lived here since 1965 and Håkan has been working as a park ranger in the area for a long time. Usually, the fire will already be warming the cabin.
If we still have some strength and energy, we may try ascending the summit on our snowshoes. Otherwise, we will relax in the cabins before a delicious three-course dinner.
On the second day, we can hike in the area, perhaps walk up on the small summit (200 vertical meters / 1 hour) behind the cabins then take a walk through the forest back to the cabin.
We will have lunch by the open fire where lots of animals can usually be spotted, Reindeer, Capercaillie and moose to mention a few. Bears are usually asleep but during April or late parts of spring, bear tracks can be seen once in a while.
A heartwarming fire and breakfast will get us ready for the day ahead. We will pack some lunch and then facing the weather, we will make our way down towards the lakes and into more sheltered terrain.
Ultimately, we will end up where we started for our transportation back towards Östersund, usually matching the sleeper train to Stockholm Arlanda.
More info
Please mention if you are allergic to something, have special dietary needs, or take medication for anything on a regular basis when booking. Also, make sure your insurance covers this activity and that your equipment is in good condition.
Meeting point
Where does the trip start and finish?
We start in Östersund City which is the main town in the Jämtland region
How many meals are included?
Day 1: Lunch package and 3-course dinner // Day 2: Breakfast buffet, lunch package, local snack and 3-course dinner // Day 3: Breakfast buffet and lunch package
Do I need to bring my own equipment?
You need to bring clothes that you can feel comfortable to walk in as well as a small backpack to carry your lunch and clothes if you get warm. You also might want to bring something like a water bottle, thermos flask, head torch and sunglasses.
What kind of accommodation is it?
The accommodation is fairly simple, but clean, warm and with a friendly atmosphere. We share a cabin which has multiple bunk-beds. The is running water in the cabin with hot showers and running water. An outdoor toilet (long drop) is available and in connection to the breakfast and dinner there is also a normal WC available in a nearby house. There is limited electricity so you can charge your telephone and small items.
5.0
(7)
Mountain Leader
Some say they started with their outdoor adventures at a certain stage in life - I simply never stopped. A childhood spent outdoors led me to the career of guiding. 3 years of education in Vadstena with the Leadership and Outdoor program and another 1½ years to become a Wilderness and Adventure guide at Campus Åre.
Since 2013 I have been self-employed and working as a freelance mountain leader all over Scandinavia and I am happy to call it my home. I have also made sure to invest in further education such as 80 hours first aid training - Wilderness First Responder (NOLS), avalanche course PRO 2 through SVELAV and I carry the National Award for Mountain Leaders to mention a few.
On top of this, I make sure to put my skills to good use as a Chairman of the Swedish Mountain Leader Organisation, a delegate to UIMLA, and as a board member of the Mountain Safety Council of Sweden. I am also helping the Industry Organisation of Sustainable Snowmobile Tourism as an expert member in their task of building a guide training. Previous work also includes training Mountain Leaders and setting up operation guidelines and safety plans for other guiding companies.
My biggest passion is helping others access wild places and showing them the best parts of outdoor adventure. I will be happy to share my knowledge and guide you especially in the Scandinavian Mountain Range which stretches 1700 kilometers on the border between Sweden and Norway.
Languages
Norwegian | Swedish | English
Certificates
UIMLA | SFLO
Andrew
Thank you for giving us such a great 3 days. Lots of wonderful memories made which is exactly what we wanted. We really appreciated our guide and felt in very good hands.
Sigge
Amazing ski touring adventure in the Swedish mountains. Can recommend this trip to both beginners and advanced skiers.
Michael
Markus was brilliant, from helping me to develop the idea for the expedition, figuring out a good location, route planning etc, while trying to keep the costs down. Prior to the expedition Markus was really helpful in helping me figure out the right equipment - this differed from my previous expeditions due to both temperature being warmer than I was used to, and the terrain we'd be covering. During the expedition Markus was excellent in communicating what were doing, how we were going to do it, all the while teaching me about navigation, his own methods for winter camping etc etc. Throughout our route, Markus explained to me about Sami culture, why the landscape is as it is, and how it has developed throughout history, meaning I returned far richer for the cultural enlightenment. i couldn't recommend Markus to anyone wanting to head out ski touring or deep wild Nordic skiing. I felt safe and in the right hands the whole time, and thoroughly enjoyed his company. The Explore Share platform was very helping in matching us together - the expedition wouldn't have happened with out them, as so few guides are willing or able to take people out into the extreme wilderness in winter in this way. they matched me with the right guide, so that was perfect. What needs to improve is that they wanted cash paid before I spoke to Markus, which I would never do, because of the complexity of the proposed expedition. We both needed to know each others' abilities and make a sensible plan for the trip before we could commit to it. While I appreciate $Explore share is an introductory service, for which they need a fee, finding a better way for this would be helpful. I was always going to honour the payment once the introduction was made, but obviously some people would attempt to get around it. No matter, I remain satisfied with the explore Share service, and recommend anyone to use it.
Nikolaus
Markus has been the perfect guide for our father-son trip. Thank you very much! The hole organization with explore-share has been easy, trustful and very transparent. Thank you!
Isabelle
It was an amazing trip, with very kind and professionnal guide Hanna, thank you soo much to help us to realize our dream, Isabelle
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