First day-trip course to prepare for long snowkite crossings
Highlights
- Michael Charavin, expert in expedition snowkiting
- Loan of equipment and kite sails
- Diverse practice site and wind conditions
- A beautiful winter polar environment
- Cook throughout the stay for more comfort
- In small groups of 3 to 4 participants
Guided by Michael Charavin, one of the most experienced polar expedition snowkiters in the world, we reach Finse in Norway, north of the Hardangervidda plateau, for an intensive kite adventure. In this beautiful place with good wind conditions as a rule, we leave for short expeditions, returning to our base every day. Our accommodation is comfortable and a cook takes care of our meals. So all our energy is turned to the practice of kiting. We spend our days outside, on several hours of daily sessions. The "intensive" nature of such a stay guarantees a large volume of practice and allows for rapid progress. And the kite will become a way to travel through the wild spaces of the Far North... We lend you all the equipment and kite sails.
Overview
Finse, a small railway station between Olso and Bergen, is known to be the highest in the country (1,222 m). Here, no road, only the railway connects the village to the rest of the world. The proximity of the North Atlantic Ocean, combined with a relatively high altitude and latitude, ensures excellent snow cover. In the middle of winter, the weather can sometimes be harsh and reminiscent of those of the Arctic regions. As spring approaches, the ever-changing climate already offers long days. As for the lights, still low at this time of year, they are most often beautiful. The Skarvheimen and the Hardangerjökulen Glacier dome are separated by a long, high-lying ridge on which the hamlet of Finse is located. The "high" position of this natural corridor makes it a very special place for aerology.
The landscape is organized in a vast mosaic of lakes, valleys, small mountains and even glaciers. The Finsevatnet Lake is the heart of the spot. It is 4 kilomers long, frozen and snow-covered throughout the winter, almost always breezy, and offers an ideal surface for shooting long edges at full speed. It extends at each end by a succession of secondary lakes and plateaus, surrounded by hills and moraines, fabulous maze that we never get tired of riding as the possibilities are endless.
In the immediate vicinity of the hamlet, some hills a little more steep are conducive to developments in full slope (initiation to downwind on steep slopes). The ascent and crossing of the dome of the Hardangerjökulen is a must: average wind speeds allow to make a beautiful loop ride of several tens of kilometers in just a few hours. But the most fabulous playground is undoubtedly located north of the hamlet: the mountains of Satehjellane, which culminate at a little over 1,700 meters and stretch as far as the eye can see in an endless succession of small ridges and perched valleys are suitable for up and down navigation in exploratory mode.
In optimal wind conditions, it is possible to carry out downwind (wind-driven) rides of 20 to 30 kilometers, towards the east or west, during the day and from Finse. The return to the cabin is then by train.
An intense ten-day expedition awaits us in the heart of a wild and isolated white desert.
Itinerary
DAY 1: LANDING IN OSLO
Day 1
Fly to Oslo. Generally, you have to leave on Friday if you hope to catch the Saturday morning train. Depending on where you are from, you may be able to find a flight that arrives early enough on Saturday, which is day 2. |
DAY 2: TRAIN TO FINSE
Day 2
You can travel by your own means to Oslo station. Public transport is easy to use in Norway. Transfer by train to Finse. Welcome in the early afternoon and transfer to the apartment in Finse.
DAYS 3 TO 8: KITE DAY-TOURING AROUND FINSE
Day 3
It is a stay with the strong connotation of "backcountry touring" in mind, the objective being to combine the pleasure of travelling for a few hours with that of freeride kite, depending on the winds and topography, according to our desires and the circumstances of the moment. The idea is to take advantage of the northern areas, which are wonderfully suitable for freeride kite practice. We do not plan pre-established routes in order to give ourselves a maximum of freedom, but our excellent knowledge of the terrain allows us to exploit the possibilities and to kite where the wind leads us...
Beyond the practice of kite, this stay is also a discovery of the Far North and the opportunity to communicate around the polar expeditions aero-towed and progression techniques specific to this activity (equipment, protection against the cold, navigation/orientation, strategic choices, bivouac on snow, autonomy management, etc.).
We combine the "free" sessions on the lake of Finse and in the surrounding reliefs, and the backcountry sessions, real tours under sails.
We live moments of pure freeride in an exceptional environment: butts, slopes, ridges, collars, snowy cornices make up the relief and are an infinite source of contexts to ride.
As for the snow-covered lakes and wide valleys, they are invitations to launch some runs that we will not forget soon.
We return to Oslo by train at the end of day on day 8 or early in the day on day 9.
DAY 9: TRAIN FROM FINSE TO OSLO
Day 9
We return to Oslo by train. Night not included in a hotel in Oslo near the airport.
DAY 10: RETURN FLIGHT
Day 10
END OF EXPEDITION
For reasons that cannot be foreseen at this stage, such as unpredictable weather, the physical fitness or lack of fitness of participants or other circumstancess (customs formalities, road conditions, traffic, landslides, force majeure, etc.), your expedition leader may have to adapt the program, if necessary, to ensure the smooth running of your trip. He remains the sole judge and the one who guarantees your safety. Activity times are given as an indication and may vary from one participant to another.
The itinerary for all our expedition programs, or the ascent program for our high-mountain expeditions, are given here as a guide only. They are flexible enough to adapt to weather conditions with a few contingency days. In any case, you should follow the recommendations of your guide, who may suggest that you cancel your expedition due to weather, safety or physical conditions.
It is important to remember that this is a truly unsupported expedition, and that anything can happen. Expeditions Unlimited, your expedition leader, your guide or our local teams can in no way be held responsible.
Any costs incurred as a result of a change in the expedition schedule (extra nights' accommodation, extra flights) will be borne by the participants and not by the organizers. "Contingency days" refer to the expedition in the strict sense of the term (base camp/base camp in the mountains, departure point/exit point on a traverse, etc.).
Any early return of the expedition or of certain members only (early success, abandonment, etc.), generating costs for accommodation, meals, changes to air tickets or other activities not provided for in this program, will be charged in full to the participants.
Trip notes
Guiding
Michael Charavin, specialist guide of polar and boreal regions and snowkite (see description above).
If for reasons beyond our control and duly motivated, Michael could not guide the group, then he would be replaced by another experienced polar snowkite guide. The benefits would not be changed, the conditions of the trip would be identical and this change would not constitute a valid reason for cancellation.
For unpredictable reasons at this stage, like adverse weather conditions, insufficient physical condition of participants, insufficient competencies of participants related to the intended activities, your guide may decide to adjust the intended program and/or activities. At all times, his decision will be final on all matters likely to affect the safety and well-being of the trip.
Technical difficulty
Snowkite level: INITIATION/IMPROVEMENT ACCORDING TO THE GROUP PROFILE
According to the dates, this program offers two levels :
- Initiation: to people who have not yet practiced snowkite, who have a good level of ski and/or backcountry/ backcountry skiing, and who have already handled a sail and have a good grasp of the wind zones, even on kitesurfing;
- Improvement: to kiters who already have a certain autonomy in their practice: know how to rig, take off, land the wing without the help of another person and whatever the circumstances; knowing how to progress according to all paces, that is- crosswind, upwind and downwind.
We deliberately focus the stay on backcountry touring, alternating between phases of pure cruising and freeride sessions with, from time to time, specific workshops, to progress in particular situations. The diversity of the relief allows to choose various spaces of evolution according to levels. But a homogeneous level of the group allows to optimize the outings and to achieve many loops.
For kiters in the "empowerment" phase, the "intensive" character of such a stay is the guarantee to improve quickly.
Do not hesitate to ask us because it may be that a small preparation stay in France is enough to allow you to access this stay. If you are ab initio, we can define with you the best plan of progression and offer you a beginner stage in snowkite. We organize courses focused on the practice of snowkite in our Adventure School, allowing to progress in his practice.
Meeting point
Meet Michael Charavin on the spot.
Given the diverse origins of the participants on this trip, international outward and return flights are not included in this package. In most cases, we book flights on your behalf to ensure that the whole group arrives at the destination at the same time. We do not charge any fees for these air bookings. Please do not hesitate to contact us. If you book your own tickets, we will advise you on the ideal flight schedule to enable all participants to arrive within a reduced time frame. At the very least, you need tickets that can be modified.
Accommodations
Accommodation in a comfortable apartment in Finse, in double room (or single depending on the number of participants). The apartment is large, comfortable and pleasant to live. A large room brings together the kitchen, sitting room and living room (wood stove, sofa, coffee table). The rooms are equipped with various single, double or bunk beds. And icing on the cake, presence of a sauna in the apartment.
Meals
The preparation of dinners and breakfasts will be carried out by a helper who will also cook and stay at the apartment. Food for a week is provided. Depending on weather conditions, lunches are taken on the ground or at the apartment.
Transfers / Transport
No transfer in particular, the stay is on a day-touring basis with return to the base at the end of the activity. Kite days are planned around Finse.
Group size
The group is composed of 3 to 4 participants maximum. The number of participants is deliberately limited to allow for greater immersion, to avoid embarrassing our hosts, and to develop freedom and flexibility. However, the maximum number may be exceeded if the last person to register wishes to travel with one or more other people. The services will not be modified, and the conditions of the trip will remain the same.
Equipment
Personal equipment is not provided. However, a complete list is provided at the end of this document to allow you to check that you are taking what is needed. We can rent your kite equipment, even a wing if necessary. The number and size of these groups should be specified with your guide. All collective and logistical equipment is provided.
For this program, we lend you the equipment (harness, etc.) and kite sails (4 m², 8 m² 12 m²) that you will have to take with you from your home country.
Given the value of these equipment, we ask you a deposit of 1000 € per sail, in uncashed cheque or by CB, depending on what suits you.
Our commitments to sustainable development
Our commitment to a better planet has been a reality since the beginning of our story but we always need to do more and better. Please find out more about our charter and our commitments in terms of sustainable development. We have drafted our charter and take action through six themes on which we act as concretely as possible, most often with you: social equity and cultural respect, preservation of water, waste management in expedition, protection of biodiversity, raise public awareness on these subjects and finally, the optimization and recovery of CO2 emissions.
Regarding carbon emissions, most of which are due to air travel, we calculated and communicated in 2018 on the carbon footprint of each of our programs, expressed in tonnes of CO2.
These calculations made us aware of the importance of the total carbon emissions generated by our activity. Also, we have committed in 2022 to a carbon reduction that we believe is unprecedented in the tourism industry, aiming to reduce the total emissions of our activity by 5% per year, taking 2019 as the reference year (3,430 tonnes of CO2). This commitment is in line with the trajectory of the Paris climate agreements of 2015, the current benchmark. Thus, in 2030, we commit ourselves not to exceed 2,160 tonnes of C02. Thus, our maximum “carbon” budget for 2024 is 2,950 tonnes and for 2025, this budget will be reduced to 2,800 tonnes. And so on until 2030. To find out more about all of our calculations and our commitments in terms of reducing our carbon emissions.
In addition, since 2019, we have been encouraging you when you book for your journey to contribute with a donation to an independent NGO, among the two we have selected that share the commitments made in our charter. We matched the amount of this donation to this program's carbon footprint. Thus, the journey you are considering generates 0,85 tons of CO2, which corresponds to a 100% donation of €26 for an estimated value today of €30 per tonne of CO2. This donation remains of course optional and you can decide to give between nothing and 100% of this amount. Since 2019, including covid years of 2020 and 2021, we have been able to collect thanks to you nearly €7,000 for these associations.
Please do not hesitate to come back to us with any questions you might have regarding this carbon footprint mechanism, our other sustainable développement commitments or even to share with us your experience through a chat or a mail at contact@secret-planet.com.
Michael Charavin, kiter and polar guide
Born in 1970, Mika has been a state certified guide since 1999, snowkite instructor, guide in the polar regions since 2003 and is part of the IPGA – International Polar Guide Association, which brings together the best polar guides in world. He has been snowkiting in boreal and arctic regions for 20 years and has traveled more than 15,000 kilometers on expeditions in this way. He is one of the few polar guides specializing in this practice.
He is one of the very first to have crossed Greenland by snowkite from south to north-west (2,300 km in 2008) then to have completed a circumnavigation of the Greenland ice sheet (5,067 km in 2014). He becomes on this occasion (and until 2019) the author of the longest trip ever undertaken on skis and independently. It is also innovative in its way of practicing snowkiting in the mountains (the most complex playground there is for this activity), by combining ascents of summits and crossings of massifs.
Called up in 1994, he spent fourteen months as a technical aid volunteer in the French southern and Antarctic Lands, on the Kerguelen archipelago, where he contributed to various eco-ethological studies and the restoration of subantarctic ecosystems. Then in 1996-1997, he crossed 8,000 kilometers by mountain bike through the highlands of southern Latin America, from the Bolivian Amazon to Tierra del Fuego, passing through the Altiplano, the deserts of Sud-Lipez and the Puna of Atacama, Patagonia...
From 1999, his taste for the wilderness, isolated, austere and cold regions, became even more refined: he turned resolutely towards the Nordic regions, and invested his energy in carrying out committed and stripped down ski expeditions: 1,800 kilometers and four months of itinerant skiing across Scandinavia (from south to north) in 2000; various raids and several hundred kilometers in the central, western and southern regions of Spitsbergen in 2001 and 2002; attempted east-west crossing of Greenland in 2003...
Always driven by a deep passion for the great ski crossings of the polar or subpolar regions, he nevertheless modified his approach to these environments from 2006: to the rigor necessary for the logistical, technical and mental preparation of such expeditions, he now wishes add performance and technicality, key notions, according to him, in the realization of great raids, in particular in the extreme environments which are the large ice caps. It is also a way of reintroducing a playful dimension into an activity that is fundamentally devoid of it...
In total, he has supervised numerous trips, on skis, on foot or by sea kayak, to Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Spitsbergen, Alaska and the French southern lands...
Departures and pricing
Please find below all dates and prices for this expedition. Prices are quoted "from" and may be adjusted notably according to the number of participants (see trip notes for details). Please note that dates and prices for years beyond 2024, when given, are for guidance only and are subject to change and readjustment to take account of current economic realities.
Dates currently being programmed
Alert me as soon as you set a datePrice includes
- Guided by a specialist in snowkiting in these boreal regions
- Accommodation in a Finse apartment
- All meals in Finse with home cook
- Loan of equipment and kite sails, three sails in general
- Collective equipment: walkie-talkies, satellite phone, first-aid kit
Price does not include
- International return flight to Oslo
- Train return journey Oslo – Finse
- Meals and drinks taken in restaurants or during transport
- Your personal equipment except kite equipment (sails and accessories)
- The deposit for kite equipment (count 1000 € per sail, in uncashed cheque or by CB)
- Any costs related to your excess baggage and ski equipment check-in
- Additional expenses for changes to flights
- Any transport by train made as part of a downwind or a move to an alternative spot
- Expenses related to a delay in the timing of your stay (additional nights, air supplements)
- Meals other than breakfast, lunch and dinner taken at the apartment in Finse or during the snowkite activity
- Any personal communications by satellite telephone (to be paid on site)
- Drinks and all personal expenses (personal visits, taxis, souvenirs, dry cleaning...)
- Travel and expedition insurance (cancellation, assistance, evacuation and repatriation) valid for snowkite practice
- PCR tests and other health charges imposed by France, Norway or the EU
Your custom expedition
We put our expertise, our knowledge of the terrain, our creativity, our experience, the quality of our guides and the reliability of our partners at your service to build your custom expedition. We can also personalize an expedition to your wishes as soon as you form a "closed" group, whatever the number of participants.
This means that, unless you authorize us to do otherwise, no outside participants join you, and we can personalize your expedition by adapting it to your own pace, with the program extensions you desire, a higher level of comfort, certain activities, other encounters, etc.
Every expedition of this type is subject to a specific quotation. To get in touch with us now, please fill in the short questionnaire below. One of our experts will get back to you to refine your request and make you a proposal.