Rural areas which remain largely untouched by tourism rarely have four or five-star hotels. Consequently, we always try to find the best locally owned accommodation in the holiday destination.

You will not stay in standardised or globalised hotels but in characterful accommodation that is in keeping with the region you are visiting.We always ensure that the accommodation featured is clean, comfortable and friendly but please do not expect the facilities you would find at a four or five-star hotel run by a global chain.

We take a similar philosophy regarding meals. Our accommodation providers serve cuisine that is in keeping with what the local community would expect. All our providers can usually cater for special diets such as vegetarian, but in some places the provision of such diets may not be as advanced as it is at home.

If your ideal holiday is spent lying on the beach being lightly toasted then these trips are probably not for you.

If, on the other hand, you have a positive mental attitude and a smile, are prepared to face a few challenges and enjoy discovering less visited destinations, then you have come to exactly the right place.

You need to have a flexible approach because we do not always work to a rigid timetable. Occasionally, due to local conditions, activities or meal times can change at short notice but we will always endeavour to provide the itinerary as described in this brochure.

Of equal importance is a willingness to respect the environment and the communities we visit. In many cases these communities are not adapted to the traditional demands of mass tourism. Our intention is to make tourism sustainable in such areas and a positive force which will benefit the communities in which we work.

Yes! Approximately 60% of the people who travel on these holidays are single.

None whatsoever. As long as you are reasonably fit, have a positive mental attitude and can bring a smile to proceedings, it doesn't matter whether you are 18 or 80.

No. We always provide your equipment so there is no need to incur the cost of buying expensive items for your holiday. All equipment used by our activity providers is of the highest possible standard and is regularly cleaned, maintained and checked for safety purposes.

Generally, we provide one transfer per departure. Please always consult our Reservations Department if you are booking your own flights in order to establish that your flights do coincide with our designated arrival or departure times. A supplement may be payable for providing private transfers.

Yes. You will always receive full tuition and a thorough safety briefing when taking part in the activities. We are extremely proud of our safety record and believe that this is due to the expertise shown by our carefully chosen instructors and guides. They are not always the cheapest but we are not prepared to cut corners regarding issues of safety.

Our destinations and holidays have been designed to cater for all ages and all abilities. Hence we offer a wide variety of itineraries ranging from gentle safaris to wilderness adventures and accommodation as diverse as spa hotels and basic cabins. Each holiday has its own unique identity and we will be delighted to discuss your preferred options to help you make the correct decision.

We also offer an extensive range of tailor-made possibilities which allow you to choose the duration of your holiday and build your own activity schedule. This means that you are not confined to a standard one week package. Please note that we always recommend travelling for at least three nights in order to make the most of your trip.

All of our adult winter holidays  are aimed at people aged 18 years old and over, there is no maximum age. As long as you are prepared to embrace new and exciting experiences then you are young enough to participate. In our opinion, the most important factors are a positive mental attitude and a smile.

There is rarely a bad time to go on holiday but from our experience, there are certain times to travel which may well enhance your enjoyment.

If you have the flexibility then we recommend travelling to Scandinavia in March and early April. In northerly lying countries you will still get deep, deep snow but the daylight hours are longer and the temperatures higher.

It is no coincidence that the Finns and the Swedes tend to holiday in their own countries during March and April. In Canada, January and February are the ideal times to travel as these are the months when Quebec and the Yukon generally experience their heaviest snow cover.

Christmas, New Year, February half term and Easter are very popular with families as their holidays are restricted to school term times. You may wish to avoid these periods if you prefer your holidays to be "child-free".
 

We always use local activity providers for two reasons.

Firstly, they are always fully qualified (we make sure so you don't have to) and have an unrivalled knowledge of the region in which you are travelling. They are wilderness experts who speak excellent English. You could not be in better hands.

Secondly, we are firm believers that using local suppliers provides both economic and social benefits in isolated, rural areas. In this way we can help to sustain, and even generate, jobs and incomes in areas where traditional employment has declined significantly.

Yes. You will always receive full tuition and a thorough safety briefing when taking part in the activities. We are extremely proud of our safety record and believe that this is due to the expertise shown by our carefully chosen instructors and guides. They are not always the cheapest but we are not prepared to cut corners on issues of safety.

In parts of Lapland the sun disappears over the horizon in late December and doesn't reappear until early January. Don't worry! This does not mean that you will be immersed in darkness throughout your holiday.

The thick covering of snow reflects every little bit of available light creating what many in Lapland call "blue time". "Blue time" extends both the dawn and twilight hours so there will always be sufficient daylight to ensure that you can fully enjoy the activities (except during night time safaris of course!).
 

The further north you go the colder it gets. The lowest temperature recorded in Norway in 2009 was a bone chilling -37°C. In our experience such temperatures produce a very different type of cold to that which we get at home. The air is generally much drier in Scandinavia and Canada and wind chill factors are much less of an issue. Please remember that on the vast majority of our holidays you will be provided with thermal clothing for the duration of your stay. The Scandinavians and Canadians have lived with these temperatures for centuries and know how to keep you warm even on the coldest of days.

No. On the vast majority of our winter holidays you will be provided with thermal overalls, gloves, boots and socks. On the few holidays where this equipment is not provided from start to finish you will always be properly kitted out during the activities.

We recommend a few items which will enhance the clothing provided in your destination. Before you travel we will send you a dossier listing these items but in our opinion there are a few simple rules which will keep you comfortably warm. In terms of clothing we recommend thin woollen layers rather than cotton which easily gets wet. Always keep your head, hands and feet well insulated. These are the areas where most heat is lost.

When researching our holidays we always look at the snowfall figures for previous years and carefully select destinations that have historically had good cover during the winter months. Obviously we can't guarantee that there will be snow but in the unlikely event of conditions being poor we will endeavour to transfer you to an area where there is sufficient cover. This may mean arranging an alternative holiday. If this holiday is dearer, you may be asked to pay the difference.

You must hold a full UK driving licence to drive a snowmobile.

For all holidays that include snowmobile driving you are liable for any damage you may cause to the machines. For major damages (normally those over £400) you will be covered by the owner's insurance. In the unlikely event that you damage a snowmobile in a significant manner, you will only be charged the policy excess not the full cost of repair. You will be asked to agree to these conditions, either verbally or in writing before driving a snowmobile, and the excess amount will be specified.

Snowmobiles are easy to drive and damage is rare. Remain alert, drive considerately and always follow the guides' instructions and safety briefing closely.

As a naturally occurring phenomenon the Northern Lights can never be guaranteed. Generally, the further north you go, the better the chance of a spectacular light show becomes.

Yes. There are several icehotels, snowcastles and snowvillages to choose from accross Norway, Sweden, Finland and Canada.

Please contact one of our experts to find out more.
 

If your ideal holiday is spent lying on the beach being lightly toasted then these trips are probably not for you. If, on the other hand, you have a positive mental attitude and a smile, are prepared to face a few challenges and enjoy discovering less visited destinations, then you have come to exactly the right place.

You need to have a flexible approach because we do not always work to a rigid timetable. Occasionally, due to local conditions, activities or meal times can change at short notice but we will always endeavour to provide the itinerary as described in this brochure.

Of equal importance is a willingness to respect the environment and the communities we visit. In many cases these communities are not adapted to the traditional demands of mass tourism. Our intention is to make tourism sustainable in such areas and a positive force which will benefit the communities in which we work.
 

We have given each holiday a recommended minimum age. In some countries these are statutory requirements, in others they are guidelines based on our experience. Please note that our recommended minimum age does not preclude younger children travelling or partaking in some, or all, of the activities. Ultimately, the decision will be made by our expert instructors in the destination.

Generally, we provide one transfer per departure. Please always consult our Reservations Department if you are booking your own flights in order to establish that your flights do coincide with our designated arrival or departure times. A supplement may be payable for providing private transfers.

Yes. You will always receive full tuition and a thorough safety briefing when taking part in the activities. We are extremely proud of our safety record and believe that this is due to the expertise shown by our carefully chosen instructors and guides. They are not always the cheapest but we are not prepared to cut corners regarding issues of safety.

Generally, we provide one transfer per departure. Please always consult our Reservations Department if you are booking your own flights in order to establish that your flights do coincide with our designated arrival or departure times. A supplement may be payable for providing private transfers.

Our destinations and holidays have been designed to cater for all ages and all abilities. Hence we offer a wide variety of itineraries and accommodation ranging from overnight adventures based in wilderness cabins to gentle activity breaks combined with an intimate audience with Santa.

Each holiday has its own unique identity and we will be delighted to discuss your preferred options at length to help you make the correct decision for your family.
 

On every holiday we have provided a recommended minimum age to help you make your decision. If you have any doubts about the suitability of a holiday for your family please contact us. We will be more than happy to offer the best possible advice.

A family holiday over Christmas is an obvious attraction especially if Santa Claus is involved. This obviously puts a huge demand on destinations. We think it is well worth considering the February half term and Easter holidays when temperatures are higher and daylight hours longer.

We always use local activity providers for two reasons. Firstly, they are always fully qualified (we make sure so you don’t have to) and have an unrivalled knowledge of the region in which you are travelling. They are wilderness experts who speak excellent English. You could not be in better hands. Secondly, we are firm believers that using local suppliers provides both economic and social benefits in isolated, rural areas. In this way we can help to sustain, and even generate, jobs and incomes in areas where traditional employment has declined significantly.

Yes. You will always receive full tuition and a thorough safety briefing when taking part in the activities. We are extremely proud of our safety record and believe that this is due to the expertise shown by our carefully chosen instructors and guides. They are not always the cheapest but we are not prepared to cut corners regarding issues of safety.

You certainly can. Our Santa trips are always a minimum of 3 nights and include an intimate and personalised chat with the great man. We do not provide commercialised or over-crowded one day trips which can leave parents and children exhausted. Imagine the impact on a one day trip if your plane is delayed for just a few hours!

In parts of Lapland the sun disappears over the horizon in late December and doesn't reappear until early January. Don't worry! This does not mean that you will be immersed in darkness throughout your holiday.

The thick covering of snow reflects every little bit of available light creating what many in Lapland call "blue time". "Blue time" extends both the dawn and twilight hours so there will always be sufficient daylight to ensure that you can fully enjoy the activities (except during night time safaris of course!).
 

The further north you go the colder it gets. The lowest temperature recorded in Norway in 2009 was a bone chilling -37°C. In our experience such temperatures produce a very different type of cold to that which we get at home. The air is generally much drier in Scandinavia and Canada and wind chill factors are much less of an issue. Please remember that on the vast majority of our holidays you will be provided with thermal clothing for the duration of your stay. The Scandinavians and Canadians have lived with these temperatures for centuries and know how to keep you warm even on the coldest of days.

No. On the vast majority of our winter holidays you will be provided with thermal overalls, gloves, boots and socks. On the few holidays where this equipment is not provided from start to finish you will always be properly kitted out during the activities.

We recommend a few items which will enhance the clothing provided in your destination. Before you travel we will send you a dossier listing these items but in our opinion there are a few simple rules which will keep you comfortably warm. In terms of clothing we recommend thin woollen layers rather than cotton which easily gets wet. Always keep your head, hands and feet well insulated. These are the areas where most heat is lost.

When researching our holidays we always look at the snowfall figures for previous years and carefully select destinations that have historically had good cover during the winter months. Obviously we can't guarantee that there will be snow but in the unlikely event of conditions being poor we will endeavour to transfer you to an area where there is sufficient cover. This may mean arranging an alternative holiday. If this holiday is dearer, you may be asked to pay the difference.

You must hold a full UK driving licence to drive a snowmobile.

For all holidays that include snowmobile driving you are liable for any damage you may cause to the machines. For major damages (normally those over £400) you will be covered by the owner's insurance. In the unlikely event that you damage a snowmobile in a significant manner, you will only be charged the policy excess not the full cost of repair. You will be asked to agree to these conditions, either verbally or in writing before driving a snowmobile, and the excess amount will be specified.

Snowmobiles are easy to drive and damage is rare. Remain alert, drive considerately and always follow the guides' instructions and safety briefing closely.
 

As a naturally occurring phenomenon the Northern Lights can never be guaranteed. Generally, the further north you go, the better the chance of a spectacular light show becomes.

Yes. There are several icehotels, snowcastles and snowvillages to choose from accross Norway, Sweden, Finland and Canada.

Please contact one of our experts to find out more.
 

Most of our holidays include flights, however we do offer self drive packages which do not include a flight.

If a flight is not included in the package price if requested we will book the flight on your behalf if you would like ATOL protection.

Insurance is an important part of any booking. We recommend everyone who books with us has travel insurance which includes cover for all activities featured as part of your trip.
If you would like to obtain cover for your trip please feel free to contact specialist Insurance Brokers, Campbell Irvine for a quote using one of the following steps.

1) Click here to apply for travel insurance.
2) Tel: 0844 826 2722
3) Email: info@campbellirvine.com

Any activity when booked though Activities Abroad is automatically insured (once payment has been made to Campbell Irvine for your trip cover) without the need to pay any additional premium, other than tandem paragliding (please ask for details). If you are planning to arrange any additional activities booked independently of Activities Abroad, please check with Campbell Irvine to confirm cover.

For all holidays that include snowmobile driving you are liable for any damage you may cause to the machines. For major damages (normally those over £400) you will be covered by the owner's insurance. In the unlikely event that you damage a snowmobile in a significant manner, you will only be charged the policy excess not the full cost of repair. You will be asked to agree to these conditions, either verbally or in writing before driving a snowmobile, and the excess amount will be specified.

Snowmobiles are easy to drive and damage is rare. Remain alert, drive considerately and always follow the guides' instructions and safety briefing closely.
 

We can. In some countries such as Finland there is an even greater demand for special diets than in the UK. Hence, they are able to cater for vegetarians and other dietary requirements such as gluten and nut free, even on overnight safaris. We must be made aware of any dietary requirements at the time of booking.

Booking your activity holiday is easy. Simply give us a call on 01670 789 991 (because we like to talk to you) and we will take you through the short booking procedure. At the time of booking we only require a deposit of £200 per person. Full balances are due on bookings made less than nine weeks before departure.

We will post out a booking form and all you have to do is sign and return it in the pre-paid envelope provided, sit back, relax and look forward to your holiday. Easy!!

As with many things in life, a decent level of fitness will probably enhance your enjoyment on holiday. However, we believe that it's not so much about fitness, it's more about having a positive mental attitude. The vast majority of our holidays are designed with beginners in mind and each activity is there to be enjoyed not endured. After all, it's supposed to be a holiday.

We always use local activity providers. The reasons are twofold. Firstly, nobody knows the rivers, mountains and countryside better than local suppliers. From a safety point of view we believe such local knowledge is imperative. Secondly, we believe that tourism should contribute to local economies and by employing local people we help to generate employment in regions where there are often few opportunities.

We always ensure that our guides are fully qualified and that they comply with all safety regulations.Would you be confident about your safety if you simply turned up at a local activity provider's door?

No, we have never asked for local payments. Unlike many companies who use this as a means to hide the full cost of their holidays, the price you are quoted is the price you will pay.