68.5 degrees north in arctic Finland is our chosen classroom. The mercury reads minus 40 and the expanse of the Lemonjoki National Park stretches before you in its glistening winter costume, beyond which lies Anarjohka National Park of Norway. In this true wilderness, one must learn to rely on bushcraft skills and lessons learned upon the land.

The Winter Bushcraft expedition with Ray Mears has evolved over the 30 plus years that it has been in existence, utilising a blend of traditional native skills and modern techniques and instruction.

Ray has travelled extensively across the arctic from Finnish Lapland to Canada’s arctic north, learning from first nations people and masters of the environment. As a consequence he has cherry picked the best techniques, clothing systems, travel methods and knowledge in which to pass to our students attending this special course. That is what makes this such an unparalleled experience – you will not be simply guided but actually learn to live and thrive in the largest wilderness on earth – the Boreal forest. Sitting like a crown upon the world, this ancient forest in its winter blanket where -18 is considered a warm day is our chosen area of instruction.

We base ourselves from a former Sami school that is now run as a very comfortable hotel with Sauna, warm showers and a charming dining room. In this far outpost of Finland, we begin the education of the ways of the Northwoods.

So what does the week look like for our students?

On the first day you arrive at the hotel and after settling in to admire the awe inspiring landscape comprising a mix of pine, spruce and birch and populated by lynx, wolf, bear, wolverine and reindeer, we begin with an in-depth lecture on the effects of cold and how to dress for the environment.

As day two dawns over this pristine wilderness we venture outside and begin to learn to ski, how to move, to turn, how to stand up and get a real feel for the equipment that will aid you to move around this frozen environment.

We will then guide you through shelter building and using the snow to your advantage to create a snow grave used in conjunction with a sleeping bag, as well as how to physically work in the environment whilst adapting your clothing to suit the tasks at hand. More practice on the skis ensues as we all head back inside to dry off, rest and nourish ourselves on warming and nutritious Scandinavian fare. Tonight is the first of many opportunities to sleep out under the northern sky with a high chance of seeing the stunningly beautiful Aurora Borealis.

As the winter sun peaks above the horizon on day three, we divide into two groups, one side learning the art of building a Quinze and all of the intricacies which must be learnt through application, with this amazing shelter. The other half begin the exhilarating experience of snowmobile manoeuvring and driving. Both teams will then swap on day four where that night is spent inside of this magical shelter in your groups in the expansive wilderness that is Lemonjoki national park.

As your eyes open to the smooth white ceiling of your frozen shelter and your fellow team mates stir from their slumber, you will embark on the cultural side of the course to meet and work with the local Sami people and visit the historic, newly renovated Siida Sami Museum. We take deep inspiration from the native culture, you will learn craft work and how to build and use your own sledges from natural materials.

We then have the opportunity to journey through this hauntingly beautiful landscape, traversing snow covered lakes and the boreal forest. The birch, spruce and pine tree will become your closest friends as you master a range of fire-lighting techniques in the cold. Ray and the team will introduce the safe use and high importance of the axe, guiding you through collecting and splitting firewood in deep snow. These beacons of warmth and lifegiving energy will purify water, cook fish caught through the ice and ward of the icy grip of winters fingers.

Each night, having gained much experience of practice on your ski’s, you will erect ‘hot tents’. As the humble wood stove is stirred into life, snow is put onto melt for fresh drinking water, the daily tasks are carried out, repairs made to equipment, and the thrum of conversation and laughter begins to sound out across the frozen lake. Now the trail is truly begun.

The boreal forest in winter is the Yin to the tropical forests Yang, where one is noisy and hot the other is extreme cold and silence. For those wanting to perfect their bushcraft skills – these are the environments in which to practise. This challenging environment of great subtlety, tests the application of our skills and stoicism in real world context. We seek the coldest conditions, minus 40 is perfect to teach properly and every ten degree fall in temperature makes a huge difference in which to learn, after all if you are able to rely on your skills and knowledge here then you know they have been tested properly. This is the way of the north.

Ray has travelled extensively in the arctic with many of it’s native inhabitants, he has learned first hand, the tiny nuances that enable them to survive and thrive in this climate, the way an elder will read the landscape, smell the breeze for changing weather or how the snow falls and it’s best use for a task, how to fish, create fire and shelter from the elements. This in depth knowledge through Ray is what makes this course truly unique, there are many others who pretend to have this knowledge and experience but are unparalleled.

Every single person feels the cold in a different way, to be truly effective in this environment one must learn from a master IN the environment. The skills learned in this biome filter through to every aspect of bushcraft, expeditions and daily life. Ray frequently quotes the saying “knowledge dispels fear”, and never has a truer word been spoken than for students on this course, for the smiles are everlasting and shoulders are a littler broader.

You learn a discipline in your approach to clothing and care of equipment. You understand that stoicism and self reliance are techniques that must be employed to live in the outdoors and that sometimes you may experience discomfort; but there is a strength within to be drawn upon.

So join Ray, the Woodlore Team, the Sami people of northern Finland and your fellow expedition companions for a truly incredible adventure in January 2026

To book Click Here

Callum Hilder, Aspirant Instructor, Purchasing and Marketing Manager