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Join Matthew Shaw for an unforgettable retreat in the heart of Finnish Lapland, where yoga, Arctic adventures, and Nordic wellness traditions come together in a breathtaking winter landscape. Wake up to the glow of snow-draped forests, flow through daily yoga sessions, and embrace the magic of the Arctic—from husky sledding across frozen trails to unwinding in traditional saunas beneath starlit skies. This is more than a retreat; it’s an invitation to reconnect with nature, challenge your sense of adventure, and experience the profound tranquility of the far North.
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Retreat details
Trip dates: 28 February - 6 March 2026
Trip costs: £2,395.00–£2,995.00Price range: £2,395.00 through £2,995.00
Don’t question it or second guess yourself. If you even have a fleeting thought of “maybe I’ll do that” or “that sounds like fun”, don’t wait and simply book it! You will NOT regret it.
Isabelle Harte –
Come to feel connected with native and others while feeling comforted and refreshed.
Ketti Meane –
Looking for a reason to push yourself out of your comfort zone, sign up!
Solo Ye –
Come join us for yoga and adventures that will leave you with the most precious memories, friendships, a stronger body and a peaceful, clear mind!
Step into a world of pure winter magic on our 6-night wilderness and wonder retreat—an unforgettable escape into the breathtaking landscapes of Finnish Lapland. This is not just a retreat; it’s an adventure into the wild, where snow-draped forests, husky-powered sleds, and soul-soothing saunas await.
Each morning begins in the most rejuvenating way—a traditional Finnish sauna to gently awaken your body, followed by a 90–minute flow yoga class with Matthew, stretching and strengthening you for the day ahead. Then, fuel up with a hearty breakfast ready for a day of epic adventures.
As the day winds down, we’ll gather for a slower, more restorative evening yoga session, designed to help you unwind, stretch out any tension from the day and fully integrate your experiences. And with any luck, as you step outside after class, you might just witness the awe-inspiring Northern Lights dancing across the Arctic sky.
Sunday – Snowshoeing in the Arctic Wilderness Strap on your snowshoes and venture deep into the untouched beauty of the Lappish wilderness. Guided by our Finnish experts, you’ll trek through glistening forests and across frozen landscapes, learning about the magic and mythology of the Arctic.
Monday – Huskies & High-Speed Sledding A true Arctic highlight. We’ll visit our friends at a small, family-run husky farm, where you’ll meet their incredible pack of sled dogs. After bonding with these beautiful animals, it’s time for the ultimate thrill—self-driving a husky sled through the vast, snowy wilderness. Feel the rush of icy air as your team of huskies races across the landscape, an adventure straight from a winter dream.
Tuesday – Sauna & Ice Plunge by the Frozen Lake Experience an essential Finnish ritual—a lakeside sauna and ice dip on the shores of Lake Äkäslompolo. Relax in the heat of a traditional wood-fired sauna, then take a dip into the icy water for a revitalising experience. Warm up by the fire, sip on a hot drink, and let the magic of the Arctic work its wonders on your body and mind.
Wednesday – Choose Your Own Adventure or Simply Unwind This is your free day to embrace whatever calls to you. If you’re craving more adventure, you might choose to go skiing, snowboarding, or snowmobiling for an extra thrill. Or perhaps you’d rather slow down and soak up the tranquility of our beautiful cabin, relaxing in our private sauna or curling up by the fire with a book and a warm drink. Whether you seek excitement or deep rest, this day is yours to enjoy.
Thursday – Arctic Sauna World & Ice Dipping For our final day, we visit the legendary Arctic Sauna World, where four unique saunas await, each designed to cleanse both body and spirit. Gaze out over the serene Lake Jerisjärvi as the heat works its magic. Feeling bold? Take the icy plunge into the lake’s frozen waters—whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned winter swimmer, this is an experience that leaves you feeling utterly alive.
This retreat is an adventure like no other—a fusion of wild Arctic beauty, thrilling winter sports, and deep relaxation. Are you ready to embrace the magic of Finland?
Our Finland retreat is tailor-made for our Venture Travellers*.
This retreat is perfect for those with an adventurous spirit and a passion for nature. A good level of fitness is essential as we will have a snowy adventure every day, alongside invigorating yoga sessions. Be ready for a challenge and to sometimes be out of your comfort zone.
It will be cold and snowy so you’ll need good boots and warm layers (our hosts provide winter overalls for husky sledding). If you are skiing or snow boarding, you’ll need your own ski clothing but you can rent ski and snow board equipment.
Matthew is a seasoned Vinyasa Yoga teacher known for his grounded, strength-based approach and dynamic, intelligently sequenced classes. He’s dedicated to empowering you with the ability to improve your fitness and to find mental resilience both on and off the mat.
Morning practices will be dynamic, 90-minute vinyasa flows—invigorating, sweaty, and grounded in functional strength. Evening sessions will slow things down with gentle flow, restorative yoga, and yoga nidra to ease the body and settle the nervous system.
All levels are welcome, with options to “level-up” or “level-down” throughout. That said, to get the most out of the retreat, some prior experience with vinyasa yoga is recommended.
Yoga takes place in our spacious living room on this retreat.
For more about Matthew, and to try a free class (or to join one of his Livestreams), CLICK HERE.
6 nights accommodation
2-3 hours of yoga and meditation a day
3 meals a day
1 x 2 hour snowshoeing experience
1 x 3 hour husky experience
1 x 2 hour traditional sauna and lake ice hole dip
Return transfers from Kittilä airport to our retreat in a shared van at set times
Return flights to Kittilä airport
Snow mobiling (165 Euro pp)
Ski passes (55 Euro per day) & ski and snow boarding rental
Please bring your own yoga mat for this retreat
We have space for just 12 guests available for this retreat in four private rooms and four twin rooms. Our accommodation is rated in our comfort category*.
Our retreat home is a spacious Finnish cabin on the outskirts of Äkäslompolo, perfectly positioned for exploring the magic of Lapland. With large windows framing breathtaking views of the surrounding fells, it’s a peaceful and welcoming place to be after days filled with adventure.
Inside, you’ll find a cosy sitting area and a slate stone fireplace, creating the perfect spot to warm up and unwind. The cabin also features its own sauna, available for you to use anytime. There is wifi throughout the cabin and a washing machine/dryer in case you need to do laundry during your stay.
The bedrooms are simply furnished with two comfortable single beds and an ensuite bathroom*, embracing the no-fuss Finnish style.
Our open-plan living space between the sitting and dining areas transforms into our yoga space, where we’ll stretch and settle into the rhythm of the Arctic.
*The bedrooms are set to be refurbished in summer 2025, and we’ll share updated images as soon as they’re available.
Our chef will be creating delicious meals created with fresh ingredients that are available seasonally and sourced from local suppliers. You menu will include some local meats and fish but there will also be vegetarian options for each meal.
You’ll have a hearty breakfast, lunch and a delicious dinner. We can accommodate most special dietary needs but please do let us know in advance.
This is an alcohol free retreat.
You will need to arrive in Kittilä on Saturday 28th February and then depart from Kittilä on Friday 6th March.
Travel to Finland from UK
You can fly directly to Helsinki with BA, Finnair, Ryanair and Easyjet in 3 hours. We recommend the Finnair option as you can connect all the way through to Kittilä. You can do the whole journey in one day, although adding a day in Helsinki is also a great option.
Travel to Finland from US
You can fly Direct to Helsinki from JFK with Finnair in 9-10 hours. We recommend the Finnair option as you can connect all the way through to Kittilä. You can do the whole journey in one go (with overnight flights) although adding a day in Helsinki is also a great option.
Flights to Kittilä
You should book the following domestic flights:
Saturday 28th February arriving into Kittilä at 16.25 on Finnair flight AY583
Friday 6th March departing at 13.40 on Finnair flight AY574
Transfers are included in your retreat fee, so all you need to do is arrive and we’ll take care of the rest. As a certified B Corp, we are committed to reducing our emissions in every country we work in. That’s why we provide complimentary group transfers – travelling together keeps our footprint lighter and reduces the number of journeys required.
We strongly recommend booking the above domestic flights so you can benefit from joining these transfers, as they are by far the most convenient and cost-effective option. If you choose to arrive or depart at different times, you’ll need to arrange your own transport, and taxis are around 150 Euro one way. Thank you for your understanding.
Mail us if you’d like advice on travel options from another location
1
Your property is locally owned and operated
Yes
Or your property is operated in partnership with a local owner
2
You employ local staff with good pay and working conditions in compliance with all local laws and regulations
Yes
3
Staff are offered employee benefits and professional development opportunities
Yes
4
You partner with and support local suppliers for excursions, activities, and products
Yes
5
Your chosen excursion suppliers operate with clear guidelines to minimise their negative environmental impact, and animal welfare is a priority on any trips involving wildlife
Yes
6
You give preference to suppliers with ownership from diverse or underrepresented populations
Some
7
Your property runs on renewable energy
No
8
Your property uses a sustainable water supply
Yes
9
There is a comprehensive waste management system
Yes
10
There is limited use of single use plastic
Yes
11
Sustainable, local food sources are available
Yes
12
Biodegradable products are used
Some
13
You measure your property’s environmental impact and operate in compliance with all local laws and regulations
Yes
14
You are actively involved in conservation
No
15
The location is not over touristed/we are visiting out of high season
Some
16
There are slow travel/public transport options available to reach you location
No
17
You have your own sustainability strategy/targets for your property
Some
18
Your property has its own certifications such as ISO 14001, Green Key, Green Building Certifications, BCorp certification or other demonstrable policies*
Alana Cermeli –
Don’t question it or second guess yourself. If you even have a fleeting thought of “maybe I’ll do that” or “that sounds like fun”, don’t wait and simply book it! You will NOT regret it.
Isabelle Harte –
Come to feel connected with native and others while feeling comforted and refreshed.
Ketti Meane –
Looking for a reason to push yourself out of your comfort zone, sign up!
Solo Ye –
Come join us for yoga and adventures that will leave you with the most precious memories, friendships, a stronger body and a peaceful, clear mind!