Few weeks ago I led our Freezing Tour for Outdoor Academy Finland — a six-day ski expedition across Iso-Syöte National Park.

Temperatures sat between -20°C and -32°C the whole time. Proper winter. The kind that doesn’t allow you to be passive.

This trip is all about being proactive in subzero conditions. Layer before you sweat. Eat before you’re hungry. Fix small issues before they become big ones. In those temperatures, you don’t wait and see — you act early.

A big part of our daily rhythm was melting snow for water. Slow, simple, essential. It forces patience and teamwork. You realize quickly how much work a single liter of water actually is. Hydration becomes intentional.

We skied through silent forests, everything covered in frost, air so crisp it almost felt sharp. And one night the sky opened up — strong northern lights dancing above camp. No one said much. We just stood there in -30°C, looking up.

By the end of the week, the group moved differently. More efficient. More aware. Camps went up smoothly. Stoves ran well. Everyone understood the cold instead of fighting it.

We finished the tour the right way — with a sauna and a solid reflection. Heat after six days in deep cold hits differently. The conversations were honest. About resilience. Confidence. Respect for winter.

That’s why we go out there.

Not to suffer — but to learn how to move well in real conditions.

Already looking forward to the next Freezing Tour. Want to go winter camping?