FWC Wilderness NORDIC SKI
APPLICATIONS FOR OUR WILDERNESS NORDIC SKI are now closed
In March 2025 FWC will take a team of 12 ladies to tackle a multi-day Nordic Ski Tour Expedition, in the stunning ‘Sub-Arctic’ environment of Jämtland in Northern Sweden. This expedition will introduce the fundamentals of Nordic Ski Touring and all associated winter safety skills and will give participants the opportunity to learn how to be self-sufficient in a winter wilderness environment, with an emphasis on developing self-confidence, resilience, mindfulness and teamwork.
KEY DATES
FRIDAY 14th MARCH - FRIDAY 21st MARCH 2025
COULD THIS BE YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE?
If you feel this is the adventure for you, please see the FAQ’s below for more details on the expedition and information on how to apply.
DO I NEED TO BE ABLE TO SKI?
No, you do not need to be able to ski before the trip, this challenge is open to everyone. So if you have never skied before, please don’t be put off applying, as you will be provided with tuition and coaching before the expedition and throughout the journey.
HOW FIT DO I NEED TO BE?
A good measure of fitness for this expedition is your ability to be outside walking for consecutive days. Advice on a pre-expedition training program will be provided to the team.
WHAT EQUIPMENT DO I NEED?
All skis, boots, poles and group safety equipment will be provided for this expedition. Essentially you will need a good set of walking clothes/rucksack suitable for winter walking in the UK (perhaps with a few small extras), however, all things that you will be able to use in future adventures! FWC even has some items of equipment such as sleeping bag liners that you can borrow.
DO I HAVE TO BE A FWC MEMBER TO APPLY?
Yes, to apply to participate in this challenge, you have to be a member of FWC. The membership policy can be found HERE. If you are a female with a partner (spouse or long-term partner) in the armed forces (either serving or a veteran) and are not yet a member, please sign up HERE prior to applying for the challenge.
HOW MUCH WILL THE WILDERNESS Ski CHALLENGE COST?
There will be a cost of £1200 required from each team member, which is an all-inclusive price from arrival at the initial Mountain Centre in Sweden, through to departure. This includes accommodation, guide costs, food and equipment. The costs not covered are; flights, personal insurance (to include Nordic ski touring) and alcohol. A deposit of £300 will be due 10 days after receipt of invoice (individual invoices will be sent by Sweden Outdoors Coaching once the teams have been confirmed). The balance will be due by 28 Nov 2024, and invoices for the final amount will be sent by Sweden Outdoors Coaching.
HOW WILL PARTICIPANTS BE SELECTED FOR THE FWC WILDERNESS SKI?
The week will have a team of 12 FWC ladies participating, with 1 FWC ambassador attending and 11 places available. Applications for this challenge is now closed, and names will be drawn at random to allocate the places. All applicants will be contacted by email w/c 10th June to confirm whether or not we have been able to offer you a place on this challenge.
WHO IS RUNNING THE CHALLENGE?
The challenge is being run by Matt Larsson-Clifford and his company Sweden Outdoors Coaching. Matt is based in Sweden, is ex-military and is a friend of FWC. He was also one of the FWC Heroes of Telemark expedition guides, which took place in 2022 and Matt continues to run the FWC Wilderness Canoeing Trip.
WHAT WILL I BE DOING ON THE CHALLENGE?
Learning how to Nordic Ski, understanding how manage yourself, clothing and equipment in a sub-arctic environment, learning about both emergency and planned winter shelters, navigation, use of the Swedish Mountain Hut Network. Sapmi Culture and much more!
WHERE WILL I BE SLEEPING AND HOW WILL I WASH?
All accommodation will be in Swedish Mountain Huts with dormitory-type shared accommodation in bunkbeds. Duvets are provided, you will just need a sleeping bag liner. Each hut has a well-deserved sauna and opportunities to wash at the end of each day. Check out this LINK to get an idea of the type of accommodation we will stay in.
WHAT WILL I BE EATING?
We will take expedition food (freeze-dried food) with us for the huts with the odd supplementary luxury item! A celebratory meal is included on the last night at Storulvån with often locally sourced and prepared food – all dietary requirements can be catered for.
WILL I ENCOUNTER ANIMALS?
The trip is in the ‘Sub-Arctic’ environment of Jämtland in Northern Sweden and is renowned for reindeer and moose.
Where can I get a sneak peak of what it might be like?
Check out:
@swedenoutdoorscoaching on INSTAGRAM
Sweden Outdoors Coaching on FACEBOOK
WHERE WILL I NEED TO BOOK FLIGHTS TO?
The likely route is a flight from the UK to Trondheim in Norway. Included in the price is a return bus transfer from Trondheim to Storulvån.
ARE FWC CONDUCTING ANY RESEARCH ON THIS TRIP?
As part of our commitment to improving FWC members’ experiences on challenges and overall wellbeing, and providing data to use for funding applications, we will be conducting a research study with FWC Wilderness Nordic Ski 2025 team members who consent to participate (participation is not compulsory). The researcher is a scientist who is a member of FWC. They will not be part of the team, but will be present to observe, and conduct brief surveys and interviews with as little intrusion as possible. Collecting research data is important for us to show the impact of participation in outdoor challenges.
WHAT ARE THE BOOKING CONDITIONS, AND WHAT HAPPENS IF, FOR ANY REASON, I CANNOT GO HAVING BEEN ALLOCATED A PLACE E.G. IF WE ARE POSTED OVERSEAS?
Please read our BOOKING CONDITIONS and DATA PROTECTION STATEMENT prior to applying for this challenge.
In the event of you being unable to participate, we will try to arrange for someone else to take your place, but this cannot be guaranteed.