Saturday, Jan 21st
There will be no official programme before Monday, but those arriving early have a chance to explore on their own. Our coordinator, a qualified nature and wilderness guide Leena will be in town, if you need help with choosing activities or sights to see.
Sunday, Jan 22nd
Evening drinks at Pub Panimo & Anne’s Grill with those that have arrived during the weekend (self-paid).
Meeting point at Hotel Riekonlinna reception at 19:00. We will walk the 600 m to the pub together. (Or meet us at the pub, if you want to go there before hand!)
THE OFFICIAL PROGRAMME BEGINS
Monday, Jan 23rd
Morning: A guided snowshoe hike to Iisakkipää Fell. (See more information below)
Evening: Tour de Saariselkä
We will use Saariselkä village as our orienteering ground. The village is small, so during the Tour you will learn all the key facilities Saariselkä has to offer.
Meeting point at Hotel Riekonlinna reception at 19:30.
We highly recommend attending on Monday! We’ll introduce ourselves to one another.
Tuesday, Jan 24th
Afternoon: at 13:00-14:30 Optional outdoor activity of the day: Guided electronic fatbike tour (Equipment rental self-paid).
Evening: Winter Olympics at the Aurora Hut.
Dress warmly for it’s time to see who are the champions of NWS outdoor games! In between your competition, you can enjoy the open fire at the Aurora hut, and if the weather is clear, you can try and spot the Northern Lights from the hut’s vast deck.
Meeting point at Hotel Riekonlinna reception at 19:30. We will walk together to the hut (1 km, approx. 15-20 min).
Wednesday, Jan 25th
Afternoon: 13:00-14:30 Optional outdoor activity of the day: Guided snowshoeing (Equipment rental self-paid)
Evening: “Under the Northern Lights” evening at the Aurora Hut.
Another evening at the cosy hut with some surprise programme and relaxing mingling with other participants.
Meeting point at Hotel Riekonlinna reception at 19:30. We will walk together to the hut (1 km, approx. 15-20 min).
Thursday, Jan 26th
Afternoon: 13:00-14:30 Optional outdoor activity of the day: Guided cross-country skiing (Equipment rental self-paid)
Evening:
Dinner at Restaurant Kaunispään Huippu.
The closing dinner on top of Kaunispää fell. Meeting point at Hotel Riekonlinna reception at 19:00. There is bus connection to the restaurant, so please, be on time!
THE OFFICIAL PROGRAMME ENDS
Friday, Jan 27th
Afternoon: A public smoke sauna at Kiilopää for those staying over until Saturday (self-paid).
Sporting options
Saariselkä is a scenic outdoor resort build around nature tourism. It is a popular destination year round, and offers something for everyone. It can be described as peaceful little town, with the great outdoors just outside the doorstep.
The winter attractions are about 200 km of excellent cross-country skiing tracks, a downhill skiing resort and Finland’s longest tobogganing slope. Other typical outdoor activities are snowshoeing and fatbike cycling.
Remember that there are different tracks allocated for different sports for safety and trail maintenance reasons. Ski tracks are only for cross-country skiing, hiking trails are for hiking and snow shoes and sometimes for bikes too. These will be marked in the terrain and on the maps. The number one thing is not to use the ski tracks for walking!
Lapland Safari’s Rental offers discounts for the participants of Nutrition Winter School. They are in the same building as our seminar venue Hotel Riekonlinna. It is enough that you mention that you are a part of our group.
Discounts for NWS:
Here is a more comprehensive list of activities to try whilst staying at Saariselkä:
For those who are staying a bit longer
If you arrive earlier or stay later, there are many activities to choose from. Lapland Safari’s offer a -10 % discount for their weekly scheduled activities. They also offer a - 20 % discount on thermal wear should you wish to rent. You will receive their weekly schedule via email in January’s newsletter.
You can find information about winter activities in general at https://laplandnorth.fi/en/things-to-do/winter/
Another lovely area to visit is Kiilopää Fell Center (https://www.kiilopaa.fi/en/). There is a local bus connection to Kiilopää, which is situated 17 km from Saariselkä town centre.
Kiilopää offers many outdoor activities from skiing to excellent fatbike routes on the nearby fells. Kiilopää fell is situated next to the center and is a popular hike amongst visitors. It can be hiked up with regular winter boots or snowshoes.
Kiilopää has a famous smoke sauna, so if you wish, you can for example begin or end the seminar week with a relaxing sauna. The sauna can be booked earliest a week prior by email (kiilopaa@suomenlatu.fi) or calling the reception +358 16 6700 700. Towels and swimming gear can be rented.
Afternoon sports
Coming all the way to Lapland and just sitting inside in a seminar lecture hall? No, thanks! Neuroscientists would be happy to know we take brain health and learning seriously, and have reserved 3 hours each afternoon for a lunch and some outdoor activities.
Please sign up for all the guided activities to Leena (leena@leenaputkonen.fi) or via whatsapp/telephone +358 44 378 1664.
Lapland Safari’s offer - 20 % discount on thermal wear should you wish to rent.
Monday
Agenda: Join us for a snow shoe trip up the nearby Iisakkipää fell. This is an exciting way to start the Nutrition Winter School week! Snowshoeing hike was a big hit back in 2020, so we’re sticking to this tradition.
This is best suited for participants who like fast pace and don’t mind getting their sweat on! No previous experience on snowshoes required, as it’s very easy. If you can walk, you can snowshoe.
The guide, Leena, will provide you information about the local nature and winter hiking and outdoor life during the trip.
Time & meeting point: Monday morning at 8:30 at the Lapland Safari’s rental shop, which is located in the same building as our seminar venue Hotel Riekonlinna.
Duration: The estimated hiking time varies greatly depending on the weather. In good weather it’s a nice 2 hour hike, but if conditions are harsher, it can be double the time. We will be back so that you have time to refresh and eat before the official programme starts.
Cost: Rental cost, if you need to rent snow shoes. Price for snowshoes with poles for 1 day is 19 € (with NWS discount). Remember to have your ID with you for the rentals! No additional cost for the trip.
Clothing & gear: Layers are best, as you might get warm as we keep climbing. Jackets that have ventilation zippers, are great for winter sports. You will receive a more detailed clothing recommendation to your email the previous day, so everyone is dressed according to the weather!
Snacks and drinks: As the trip will take approx. 3 hours, it is recommended that you take some energy-rich snacks, such as chocolate or muesli bars or dried fruit with you. Please, also take something to drink. It would be best, if you could also fill up your water bottle with warm water/juice, and wrap it in a cloth (a woollen sock is best!) to keep the drink warm as long as possible. A thermos would be ideal, if you have one.
Further enquiries and signing up: Email Leena (leena@leenaputkonen.fi) or contact her via whatsapp/telephone +358 44 378 1664.
Maximum number of participants for the snow shoe trip is 20 persons. The trip will be cancelled, if the weather does not allow it.
Tuesday
Guided outdoor activity of the day: Electronic fatbike
Agenda: Cycling in snow with ease? That’s what cycling with the electronic fatbike offers! No special cycling skills needed.
When: 12:45-14.15. We aim to be out and about with our gear by 13:15.
Meeting point: Lapland Safari’s Rental
Cost: Rental cost, if you need to rent gear. Rental price for this afternoon trial is 37,50 € (-25 % discount from the regular price). Remember to have your ID with you for the rentals! No additional cost for the teaching.
Wednesday
Guided outdoor activity of the day: Snowshoeing
Agenda: Relaxing lunch snowshoeing. Suitable for all fitness levels, as the point is to enjoy the fresh air and winter scenery in good company! No previous experience on snowshoes required, as it’s very easy. If you can walk, you can snowshoe.
When: 12:45-14.15. We aim to be out and about with our gear by 13:15.
Meeting point: Lapland Safari’s Rental
Cost: Rental cost, if you need to rent gear. Snow shoes with poles with NWS discount is 14,25 €. Remember to have your ID with you for the rentals! No additional cost for the teaching.
Thursday
Guided outdoor activity of the day: Cross-country skiing
Agenda: The ski school is best suited for beginners. We will do some technique training and learn how to come down slopes safely. If the skiers want, we can do a small round nearby to get a better feel to one of Finland’s national sports!
When: 12:45-14.15. We aim to be out and about with our gear by 13:15.
Meeting point: Lapland Safari’s Rental
Cost: Rental cost, if you need to rent gear. Cross country skiing package with NWS discount is 19 €.Remember to have your ID with you for the rentals! No additional cost for the teaching.
Safety first!
If you wish to do sports on your own, that is absolutely possible too – just remember some safety issues. It is customary and highly recommended that all travellers heading to the fell area inform either hotel or seminar personnel of their destination and estimated time of arrival back.
The weather conditions in the fells can change rapidly, and can turn dangerous to those without adequate knowhow, orienteering equipment and warm clothes and sustenance. This mostly applies to the Iisakkipää Fell area and other fells. The hiking and ski tracks closer to the town are safer for the unaccustomed. They are also better marked and normally there are helpful skiers about.
Our coordinator Leena is happy to assist you and check whether your ski or hiking plans are safe and realistic in the time given. Most first-time travellers to Lapland (Finnish travellers included) tend to overestimate their speed and underestimate how quickly the weather can change. Leena can check your daily plans during the morning coffee break or sit down with you for lunch to go over your plans. There are nice short ski tracks downtown Saariselkä, so if you end up coming back earlier than anticipated, you can always do some extra laps nearby!
Please notice that there is no signal in many parts of the fell area. Using your mobile or an online map may not be an option. Do not venture out on your own without a map and a compass.