This winter 12th to 18th January I will be leading a photo workshop in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, near Kittilä, in Northern Finland.
Our initinery is as follows;
12th January - Pickup Kittilä Airport, transfer to Äkäshotel in nearby Äkäslompolo.
13th January - Transfer to traditional lumberjack cabins inside the national park, followed by snowshoeing up into frozen forest on a nearby fell.
14th January - Day spent on gliding snowshoes exploring lowland forest.
15th January - Gliding snowshoeing through wetland forest or climb to fell top for landscape views over the 7 Fells region.
16th January - Reindeer farm visit followed by snowshoeing into forest and light-painting workshop.
17th January - Transfer to Äkäshotel then your free day. On this day you can choose from a number of activities we can help you arrange in advance (at your own expense) including where available, snowmobiling, dog-sledding, e-biking, downhill skiing/snowbording; or you are free to join me for further photography.
18th January - Return transfer to Kittilä Airport.
The price below does not including travel to Kittilä, travel insurance (which is a must). The price does includes accommodation, equipment for all activities, aside from those on Friday 17th, all meals, and a first round of alcoholic drinks in the evening.
N.B.. The current price is based on 5 attendees our minimum "go" number. If we hit our target of 7 people it reduce quite significantly. I suggest to contact me to get on the list before making a payment.
What's it going to be like? Do you need previous ski or snowshoeing experience? Read my description to a friend below....
Going at a time when the sun does not fully rise may seem a little crazy but the middle part of the day is a time of beautiful pastel coloured skies. We will be doing night shooting also, and hopefully may see the elusive northern lights.
The activities are snowshoeing for two days up into the frozen forests of tykky trees on the local hilltops. For a further 2 days we will be using a special kind of gliding snowshoe to explore the frozen swampland and valleys. At some point we will visit a reindeer farm. We will do some light painting at night.
Each evening I will lead a photo review so we can inspire each other, work out any issues, and improve our approach as we go along.
The final day is a free day when you can do as you please. Going so far and at significant expense, we want you to have time to make your own choices I plan to do more photography and will happily take anyone with me.
We will be staying in a hotel for the first and last evenings of the workshop. For the middle of the workshop we will stay in lumberjack cabins in the forest. This is pretty basic accommodation - sleeping bags, bunkbeds, outhouses, saunas, a wood heated nordic bath, a cozy cafe/dining cabin.
We are right in a country park but not far from a nearby town so not all the meals will be lumberjack style, the local pub is fun to visit aswell.
The group is going to be small, no more than 7 participants, plus myself, Riitta who owns Arctic Escapades, and the occasional help of another guide as necessary. Keeping it small keeps things flexible (weather points us at certain activities) and moving relatively quickly; which means at the pace of photography which is pretty slow!!
Physically no previous experience is required for either types of snowshoeing. When we ascend fells it is hard work at times, so a degree of fitness is required.
For photography I keep things light, for instance when we are snowshoeing I don’t bring a tripod as the snow is very deep, I have one camera and one lens. The woods are dense so something a little wide angle seems good to me. A 35mm, 24mm or a short zoom makes sense. Adjust this advice to your taste of course. If you go for a walk in the woods at home and see what works for you equipment wise you will be in good shape up in the arctic forests. Mittens on wrist straps are a must, I use inner glove liners as well.
For night time a tripod and headlamp are necessary. Also noting exactly how you gear works as night is a big advantage when out on the snow trying to snap the northern lights. Practicing this at home is another good thing to do. We had iPhone photography happening on the last trip, this also benefits from a tripod and a clip for the phone.
It is quite one track in terms of theme, a lot of trees and snow! But endless photo possibilities.......
