WINTER HOLIDAYS
with EXODUS TRAVELS
Cross-Country Skiing
Find out why this is one of the most popular of all winter sports. Cross-country skiing (Langlauf in German, Ski de Fond in French) is easily mastered and is the most popular winter sport after downhill skiing - in fact cross-country skiing is a way of life for many people in the Alps and Scandinavia. Using longer, thinner and lighter skis than downhill, you will wind between snow-dusted pines on one of our popular beginners, intermediate or advanced courses. Specialised ski race weeks are also available for those looking for more of a challenge.
The majority of cross-country takes place on prepared and signed trails called 'Loipe', and these are graded from blue to black, easy to difficult, the harder trails having more ascent and descent. But overall, most of the cross-country skiing takes places on relatively flat terrain, therefore takes place in valley bottoms, or high mountain plateaux. Many alpine regions that offer cross-country skiing have a cheap bus service linking the hotels to the different trails, and we make use of these where possible, where as in Scandinavia, it is normal to ski from the hotel door.
Dogsledding
Experience the magical feeling of 'mushing'� your own team of Alaskan or Siberian huskies across a blanket of fresh snow, past snow-covered trees and frozen lakes. A truly unique experience, you will learn about these fascinating animals whilst exploring dramatic scenery, as you drive your sled. Huskies love humans and love to run, and on longer trips you will really bond with the dogs, as you help feed and harness your dogs each day and become a genuine team.
Each 'musher' will have up to 4 or 5 dogs in their team, depending on their weight, and the trail conditions. The dogs have an average speed of 10-15 kilometres per hour, but can pull at 20 kph, meaning the driver has to keep good control of the sled. Other moments are more tranquil, giving time to enjoy the winter landscape. Longer holidays usually spend nights in remote wilderness cabins, where facilities are more basic, but the team gets to feel the true spirit of the old time dogsledders who worked the frontier trails.
Ice Climbing
As part of a winter multi-activity holiday, try your hand at ice-climbing - all instruction and equipment included. If you want to give it a go on the UK before you go, there are a number of indoor (refridgerated!) ice-walls including at Ellis Brigham on Southhampton Street Covent Garden. Plas-y-Brenin and Glenmore Lodge also offer excellent value courses in Scotland.
Northern Lights
The breathtaking Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) are one of natures most awe-inspiring shows, but to see the Northern Lights is not an easy thing. Here are a few hints on when and where to see them. They can be seen as far south as Scotland, but the best locations for sightings lie in a wide ring that more or less follows the Arctic Circle. Think Iceland, Greenland, North Norway, Sweden, Finland, Canada and Alaska. The 'season' runs from October to March. Within this window the slightly better months for activity are October, February and March.
During periods of high solar activity (not forecastable) they can often be seen every night, but the sky has to be clear of cloud cover of course, and you need to be away from other light sources.
Snowmobiling / Skidooing
In the vast forested wilderness of northern Scandinavia and Canada, this is how the locals get about. All our snowmobiling trips follow quiet routes well away from human habitation. Large groups of snowmobilers can cause some noise pollution, but we keep our group sizes small. The wildlife is well used to the snowmobiles and we cause them little disturbance. We use two-person machines taking it in turn to drive.
