Snowshoeing in Kilpisjärvi
Illustration photo: snowy Arctic hills, not from the Kilpisjärvi trips.
The short answer
Book Kilpissafarit's walk if you want a first, easy go on snowshoes with everything lent: it follows a beginners' route and includes a thermal outfit. Take the paid pick-up if you are staying near the office, and make sure two people are booking, or it will not run.
The one guided snowshoe walk we found sold in Kilpisjärvi is Kilpissafarit’s, from its office in the village.
What the walk is
You are fitted with a thermal outfit, snowshoes and poles at the office, walk a route the company describes as suitable for beginners, and come back to change. The walk lasts two and a half hours and costs 95 euros each. The outfit includes wool socks, thermal boots, overalls and mittens; a pick-up from anywhere within five kilometres of the office costs five euros each. The walk needs two people booked to run and takes no one under ten.1
Getting there
Beyond the five-kilometre pick-up area you make your own way to the office. The listing gives the meeting point as the office itself and asks you to arrive between fifteen and five minutes before the start; its timetable is in Finnish time, which matters if you are staying on the Swedish or Norwegian side.
Tours you can book
A guided two-and-a-half-hour snowshoe walk with gear
Run by Kilpissafarit
From €95per person
Length2.5 h
Book now on GetYourGuide(opens in a new tab)
Questions people ask
Why does the listing ask us to bring a passport?
The listing names a passport or ID card among the things to bring but gives no reason. Kilpisjärvi is on the Norwegian and Swedish borders, but the walk as described starts and ends at the company's office in the village, so ask the company whether the route crosses a border before assuming you need one.
What if the weather is bad?
The walk runs weather permitting, and the company says that if it cancels because of the weather you get your money back in full. You can also cancel yourself free of charge until 24 hours before the start, according to the listing we read.
What should we wear under the thermal outfit?
Your own layers: the listing names outdoor clothing, a beanie, woollen underwear and woollen gloves as yours to bring, alongside what it lends. It also suggests sunglasses for daytime walks from February. Wool keeps you warm when it is damp with sweat, which matters when you stop walking and cool down.