Winter Sweden

Fly into and out of Kiruna Airport (KRN).

Please arrive at Kiruna Airport (KRN) no later than 6pm. Depart anytime on the last day.

If you’re arriving on Day 1 you will be met by a Flash Pack representative at Kiruna Airport (airport code KRN) for your arrival transfer. If you’ve booked a pre-night, you’ll have to make your own way to the Scandic hotel where you’ll be collected on Day 1 and driven to Camp Ripan.

The departure transfer is not included, but your Pack Leader can help you arrange this.

Up-to-date visa and entry information can be found using our official partner, Sherpa, who can help you arrange a visa if needed.

You can also find essential travel advice – including security and local laws, as well as passport and visa information – on the government website of your home country:

• UK residents: review the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice before your adventure.
• US residents: consult the US Department of State Travel Advice for important travel information.
• Australian residents: check the Smart Traveler website for up-to-date travel advice.
• Residents of other countries: refer to the travel advice provided by your own government or local consulate.

Please be aware that passport and visa requirements can change before departure, so it’s important to stay updated with the latest information.

Please note that tips are not included in the cost of this adventure. Suggested amounts per person are:

• Pack Leader: 114 SEK per day
• Drivers: 34 SEK per day

However, all tips are at your discretion depending on what you feel comfortable with.

Camp Ripan is an idyllic winter hideaway offering chalet style accommodation. Twin rooms are named Giron rooms, which are family chalets made up of one double room and two singles. Meanwhile, single rooms will be Reikko rooms, which are two rooms with two single beds.

While plenty of meals and all activities are included, we’d say its worth budgeting around 340-570 SEK for extra food and drink.

No specific level of fitness is required, we just want to ensure you are happy partaking in the activities like cross-country skiing. We recommend having a read-through of the itinerary above, and getting in touch if you have specific questions on fitness.

Food allergies and special diets can of course be catered for on this trip.

While we are not medical professionals and cannot offer personalised medical advice, we want to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable adventure. Here are some tips to help you prepare.

1. Consult with a healthcare professional

We recommend scheduling an appointment with your travel nurse or doctor at least eight weeks before your adventure. This will give you ample time to receive any necessary vaccines or medications.

2. Up-to-date medical advice

• UK residents: visit the NHS Fit For Travel website for the latest medical advice.
• US residents: check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for specialised health information.
• Australian residents: refer to the Smart Traveler Health website for current medical advice.

3. Government travel advice

• UK residents: review the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice before your adventure.
• US residents: consult the US Department of State Travel Advice for important travel information.
• Australian residents: check the Smart Traveler website for up-to-date travel advice.

4. Medication tips

If you take prescription medication, ensure you bring enough to last the entire adventure, plus a few extra days in case of travel delays. Carry a copy of your prescription with you in case you need to visit a clinic while abroad.

We hope this information will help you prepare for a safe and healthy adventure.

The Northern Lights are best viewed on clear nights between late August and early April.

Please be aware that the Northern Lights are weather-dependent and not guaranteed to appear on every trip.

Please prepare for extreme weather and bring  warm and waterproof clothes for day-to-day wear.  You might also consider bringing handwarmers and footwarmers, as well as a hot water bottle. Temperatures can reach -20C in this region.

What you pack is personal to you and our list is certainly not exhaustive. If you have any questions about what to pack for your trip to Sweden, please get in touch with one of our friendly Trip Experts.

Baggage

• A large backpack or suitcase – it’s up to you whether you bring a backpack or a suitcase

Clothing

• Activewear – breathable and light materials are best as a base layer for most activities. Hiking tops are best as they have wicking properties that remove sweat, keeping you dry and warm
• Outdoor trousers that are warm and waterproof
• You will need a warm and waterproof jacket for general wear in Sweden
• Fleeces/jumpers/down jacket – substantial, warm layers will be required
• Thermal vests/base layers – if the weather gets cold, you may want to wear a thermal vest during the day and at night
• Scarf/hat/gloves/buff
• Swimwear
• What you wear in the evenings is up to you, but you may want some nicer clothes for the evenings

Shoes

• Waterproof shoes and socks – you’ll be provided with snow boots during outdoor activities, but warm and waterproof shoes will be useful for everyday wear

Accessories

• Driving license for snowmobile driving
• Electricals and chargers, such as your phone, camera, chargers, etc
• Plug socket adaptors – the standard plug socket is type C which has 2 round prongs. This is the same as most of Europe.
• Refillable water bottle – refilling a bottle instead of buying single-use bottles will help to reduce our plastic footprint
• Eye mask and earplugs – if you’re a light sleeper, you may feel more comfortable bringing an eye mask and earplugs
• Any personal medication you require
• Personal toiletries, including a toothbrush, deodorant, razors, hairbrush, etc
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Painkillers
• Anti-bacterial gel
• Lip balm with SPF
• Moisturiser
• High SPF factor sun cream – this helps to protect your skin from the cold

Please be aware that the itinerary, activities and hotels are subject to change. These changes can happen with little notice due to availability, poor weather, seasonal changes, or other circumstances beyond our control – but we’ll always do our best to ensure it has little impact on your experience. From time to time, we may also make changes to your itinerary to try out new ideas and keep things fresh and exciting.