For first-time winter travellers

Introduction to winter travel & camping

A beginner-friendly Arctic training camp that teaches the fundamentals of winter travel, snow camping, and expedition systems.

Learn the basics of traveling in winter conditions

The 7-Day Introduction to winter travel & camping is designed for people who want to learn how to travel and camp safely in winter conditions. No previous polar expedition experience is required. The focus is on building confidence, practical skills, and reliable systems for Arctic travel.

Training is based at Namdalen Wilderness Lodge in the Pasvik Valley near Kirkenes in Northern Norway. From this remote basecamp, you train in real winter conditions while having a structured and supportive environment for learning.

During the week, you learn how to ski efficiently with a pulk, manage clothing and moisture in cold weather, set up and secure a snow camp, use stoves safely, and navigate in winter terrain. You also practice pacing, route planning, and basic risk management. As the days progress, you apply these skills during longer ski days and snow camp routines. You begin to take more responsibility for planning, camp setup, and decision-making.

The camp is led by Jon Fearne, founder of E3C, one of Europe’s leading endurance and adventure performance coaches. Jon has coached remarkable athletes, including Monet Eliastam, the first American woman to ski unsupported to the South Pole, Preet Chandi on her record-breaking ski to the South Pole, Atlantic rowers, the first female team to complete Heroes of Telemark, the Antarctic Fire Angels (featured in an ITV4 documentary), World Endurance Mountain Bike champions and the YouTube/Natgeo presenter Eva Zu Beck.

Camp highlights

Experience your first real Arctic ski journey in a safe and supportive environment
Learn how to travel on skis with a pulk, even if you have never done it before
Discover how to stay warm, comfortable, and confident in winter conditions
Build and sleep in your own snow camp and experience true Arctic cabin-free living
Gain practical skills and confidence to travel independently in cold environments

Good to know

No previous polar expedition experience is required.
This introduction camp is followed directly by the Polar Explorer Week, allowing participants to continue into a second week of advanced training.
Group size is limited to 6–8 participants to ensure structured coaching and individual feedback.
Detailed preparation guidance and a full kit list are provided before arrival.

Date

21 - 27 February 2027

Duration

7 days

Group size

6-8 people

Location

Pasvik Valley, Northern Norway

Skill level

Beginner friendly (no experience needed)

Accommodation

Remote cabin & snow camp

How the week is structured

This week is designed as a step-by-step introduction to winter travel. You start with the basics and gradually build confidence as you spend more time outside and in camp.

Each day combines practical learning with real experience in Arctic conditions, always with guidance and support from the team. The focus is not on performance, but on understanding simple systems, feeling comfortable in the environment, and enjoying the process of learning something new.

Day 1 — Arrival & getting started

Theme: Orientation, mindset, and systems thinking

Welcome briefing & expectations
Personal kit check + setup guidance
Intro to polar clothing layering & moisture control
Understanding cold-weather physiology
Stove intro (theory only)
Evening: journaling & personal expedition intention

Practical Sessions

Layer drills
Pack set-up & pulk intro
Safety brief: frostbite, hypothermia, cold injuries

Mindset

Adventure performance starts with systems — not strength.

Day 2 — Learning to move in winter

Theme: Efficient travel on skis with pulk

Ski introduction & balance
Movement patterns with pulk
Pacing & energy control
Break systems (short, tactical, no faff)
Introduction to route planning

Drills

Slow-speed control
Kick-glide rhythm
Transition drills — gloves on always

Evening Workshop

Clothing drying systems
Food for cold environments (snacking discipline)

Key Learning:
Speed is nothing — consistency is everything.

Day 3 — Your first snow camp

Theme: First camp, build systems

Travel to camp location
First camp setup with coaching support
Tent anchoring & snow work
Cooking routines + fuel safety
Water production systems
Night checks & tent duties

Mindset Focus

Team communication protocol
Decision language: “safe/unsafe”, “go/no-go”

Day 4 — A full day outside

Theme: Applying fundamentals under mild stress**

Morning tent routine & breakdown timing challenge
Longer ski day with pulk
Tactical break discipline (no-faff rule)
Snow reading & safe terrain awareness
Optional snow shelter intro (demo)

Skills

Micro-navigation
Wind management
Layer changes on the move

Evening

Compression drill: drying clothes, gear reset
Group reflection: what changed under fatigue?

Day 5 — Building confidence & independence

Theme: Students lead routines**

Route planning (student-led navigation)
Travel to new camp
Camp build with instructor oversight only
Hot-fuel management check
Weather briefing & threat assessments

Performance Mindset

Act like you’re alone — but communicate like a team.

Day 6 — Practice & problem solving

Theme: Simulated challenges**

Scenarios may include:

Stove malfunction
Cold stops & rapid layer strategy
Lost glove drill
Binder-strap failure / improvised fixes
Hypothetical frostbite response discussion

Movement Challenge

Navigation in lower visibility
Energy conservation strategies

Evening

Debrief: what systems worked?
Personal skills audit
Solo tent routine challenge

Day 7 — Return & wrap-up

Theme: Reflection & next steps**

Final ski out
Kit clean, dry, repack systems
Individual feedback & development plan
Lessons learned + performance mindset review
Gear maintenance workshop
Intro to next steps (Greenland progression / solo mindset)

Build confidence and practical skills for winter travel & camping

By the end of the week, you will understand how to move and live comfortably in winter conditions. The focus is on simple, reliable systems that help you stay warm, organized, and in control, rather than relying on toughness or prior experience.

Throughout the camp, you learn by doing. Step by step, you build routines that make winter travel feel more natural, from managing your clothing and equipment to working together as a group in changing conditions. The goal is to leave with practical skills, clear routines, and the confidence to travel safely and enjoy time outdoors in winter.

During the week, you will learn:

Who this camp is for

This camp is designed for people who want to experience polar travel for the first time and learn how to move and camp safely in winter conditions. You do not need any previous polar expedition experience. You simply need motivation to learn and be prepared to spend full days outdoors in cold weather.

You do not need to be an elite athlete. A basic level of fitness and a willingness to challenge yourself in a structured environment are enough. The focus is on building simple, reliable systems and confidence step by step, not on extreme performance.

If you are unsure whether this camp is right for you, we are happy to discuss your background and expectations before you apply.

It is a good fit for:

First-time polar participants who want guided experience in real Arctic conditions
Outdoor enthusiasts with winter hiking or ski experience who want to try multi-day winter travel
Expedition-minded participants preparing for future Greenland crossings or longer Arctic objectives
Athletes and adventurers who want to understand how polar travel truly works before committing to larger goals

“Polar success isn’t about toughness. It’s about systems, discipline, and decision-making under stress.”

Jon Fearne, E3C

Train in real Arctic conditions in the Pasvik Valley

The camps take place in the Pasvik Valley near Kirkenes in Northern Norway, approximately 400 km above the Arctic Circle. The Pasvik Valley forms the northwestern edge of the Siberian taiga, the largest forest ecosystem on Earth, stretching from Finland through Norway and into Russia. This is not a resort setting or controlled training environment. It is a remote Arctic landscape with sustained cold, long winter days and limited infrastructure.

The balance is intentional: real environmental exposure combined with professional coaching. Skills are developed and tested in conditions that reflect actual Arctic travel, giving participants a realistic understanding of what polar movement and winter camping require.

Your base camp at Namdalen Wilderness Lodge

Basecamp is Namdalen Wilderness Lodge, a true wilderness property about 40 minutes outside of Kirkenes. In winter, the lodge is only accessible by snowmobile, skis, or snowshoes. It offers a true Norwegian cabin experience. The lodge is rustic and simple, yet deeply connected to the nature around you. It consists of several traditional buildings and includes a wood-fired sauna. There is no running water on the property. Water is sourced from a well, and showering takes place in the sauna. This setup is part of the experience and reflects the realities of living and operating in remote Arctic environments.

The lodge serves as both a starting point and a place to reset. Depending on the program and weather, you will spend time here preparing equipment, learning systems, and recovering between field days. From the lodge, you move directly into the surrounding wilderness.

Led by Jon Fearne, proven Polar Expedition Coach

The camp is led by Jon Fearne, an experienced polar expedition and coach founder of E3C (Endurance, Exploration, Excellence Coaching). Jon has prepared multiple successful South Pole solo expeditions, including Monet Eliastam, Preet Chandi and the Antarctic Fire Angels, and has worked with explorers such as Eva Zu Beck. His coaching approach focuses on building reliable systems rather than relying on motivation or toughness. He emphasizes consistency, disciplined routines, and decision-making under fatigue — the same principles that support successful polar expeditions.

With over 28 years of industry experience, Jon will guide you on how to best prepare for any challenge you choose to undertake. For beginners, this means learning the right habits from the start. For more experienced participants, it means refining systems and identifying weaknesses before they become problems on larger objectives.

Meet your guides on the ground

You will be supported by a team of experienced guides who live and work in the Kirkenes area year-round. We know the terrain, the conditions, and how quickly things can change. Throughout the camp, we are there to guide, support, and create a safe environment where you can learn with confidence.

Dirk

Dirk is one of the core guides behind the Polar Training Camps and brings a unique combination of expedition experience and calm, structured leadership. Having lived in Northern Norway for several years, he knows the Pasvik Valley and surrounding areas in depth. His background includes a wide range of Arctic experiences, including ski crossings of Iceland and Greenland. Dirk’s expedition journey continues to evolve. He is currently preparing for a solo, unsupported ski expedition to the South Pole, planned for November 2026. By the time the camps take place, he will be back in Northern Norway, bringing fresh experience directly from one of the most demanding environments on Earth into the training.

Henrik

Henrik is an experienced outdoor guide with deep local knowledge of the Pasvik Valley and the wider Kirkenes region. Having spent years working in Arctic conditions, he is used to navigating changing weather, terrain, and group dynamics. He brings a hands-on and grounded approach to guiding. His focus is on practical skills, clear communication, and helping participants feel comfortable in unfamiliar conditions. Whether on the move or in camp, Henrik supports the group with a steady, yet humorous presence and a strong understanding of the environment.

Laura

Laura is an experienced guide and a key support on the ground throughout the polar camps. She helps participants prepare in advance and ensures everyone arrives with a clear understanding of what to expect. During the camp, she focuses on keeping things running smoothly in the background. She supports logistics at base camp, assists with daily routines, and helps participants find their rhythm in an unfamiliar environment. Whether it is organizing equipment, documenting the experience, or stepping in where support is needed, she contributes to a structured and supportive atmosphere.

Practical information

Difficulty

Participants should be in good general health and comfortable spending full days outdoors in cold conditions. You should be able to ski at a moderate pace for several hours while pulling a pulk.
The week is physically demanding but progressive. The focus is on learning efficient systems, not on speed or extreme endurance. Exposure and responsibility increase gradually throughout the camp.

Included

Professional coaching by Jon Fearne (E3C)
Transport from Kirkenes to Namdalen Wilderness Lodge
Accommodation at Namdalen Wilderness Lodge
All meals, snacks, coffee and tea
Structured 7-day training program
Basic expedition equipment (skis, pulks, tents and shared group gear)
Structured feedback and daily coaching guidance

A detailed kit list is provided before the camp. Personal clothing and certain individual equipment items are not included.

Included learning materials

Participants receive:

Pre-course: Kit list + buying advice, physical prep guide, mindset primer
On course: Daily learning logs, pacing cheat sheet, layering decision guide
Post-course: Personal development plan, next-stage training advice

What to bring

A detailed equipment list will be provided after booking. Below is a general overview of what you should expect to bring:

Warm base layers such as merino underwear
Down jacket
Windproof shell jacket
Warm hat, gloves and spare gloves
Warm winter boots suitable for Arctic conditions
Headlamp
Reusable water bottle
Sunglasses

Curious about winter camping? Start here.

Fill out the form to get started. You don’t need any prior experience. This camp is designed for anyone who wants to try winter travel and learn the basics in a supportive environment. After you send your request, we will get in touch for a relaxed conversation. This is simply a chance to get to know you, answer your questions, and help you feel confident about joining. There is no obligation at this stage. We will guide you through the next steps when you feel ready.

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Which training would you like to participate in?

Level 1 - Intro to Polar Camping & Movement Level 2 - Polar Athlete Progression Week Both camps

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The Polar Explorer Week

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