Trip Report
Report from May 2022 and written by the Explore-Share team
Abisko is a stunning village in Sweden, located north of the Arctic circle. This northern-light hotspot is famous for its gorgeous backcountry landscapes and ancient Sami heritage. It is also an adventure haven for anyone looking for something way out in wild nature, far from fidgety crowds.
Sisters Isabelle and Christine are seasoned adventurers, and when Christine turned 50 in 2020, her birthday wish was to go to the Swedish Lapland on a pulka skiing experience. It was an intriguing and daunting wish, ultimately one that she was able to fulfill!
The two Swiss sisters traveled to Abisko, ready with some fondue, chocolates, and white wine in their bags, and met their certified local guide, Hanna, (booking via Explore-Share) to go over their equipment before setting off on a thrilling 5-day expedition!
Each of the three women pulled their own pulka, weighing around 30kg (66lbs) each. The landscapes they covered were wide and varied, and in the evening, although the sun went down at 11 pm, they were ready to hit their sleeping bags by 8 pm, before starting all over again the next day at 5 am. Camping in the snow was a novelty for the two sisters, and they also had to prepare their pulkas and boil snow to have drinking water each day.
The itinerary involved a circular route that took them to cross the Lapland gate and into the wild. In total, they covered around 70km (44mi) over varied terrains, including a frozen lake. They crossed barely anyone on the way, except for some lovely reindeer and birds, until they arrived at the more popular King’s Trail. The Lapland silence gave them room to enjoy wonderful conversations about nature as they pierced the snow-white light with their bright red pulkas.
Highlights of this amazing pulka skiing tour included sharing dehydrated meals and warming chatter in the evenings, camping out in the snow, enjoying the inspiring views, and making an amazing birthday wish come true.
