Date: 28th February – 7th March 2027
Location: Sweden
Acorns Arctic Survival Challenge 2027
Entry price: £395 – £2,295
Minimum sponsorship: £2,000 – £3,900
Event organisers: Snow and Paddles and Sky Blue Adventures
Contact: Acorns Events team
Telephone: 01564 825037
Please read the full terms and conditions before signing up.
Face the ultimate test of endurance on the Acorns Arctic Survival Challenge!
Set in a stunning and pristine wilderness 150 km south of the Arctic Circle, this once in a lifetime experience challenges your ability to adapt and live in the heart of this harsh environment, tests your survival instinct and provides complete tranquillity and relaxation under the Arctic stars.
Experience the thrill of husky driving and snowmobiling. Learn the life-saving skills of ice fishing, fire lighting, shelter and snow hole building.
Ready for the challenge?
Want to find out more before signing up?
Join us for a FREE information evening to hear more about this adventure of a lifetime and ask any questions you might want to ask before you sign up.
21st October 2025 from 6:15pm – Acorns Children’s Hospice, 103 Oak Tree Lane, Selly Oak, Birmingham, B29 6HZ
Departure
Please note that flights will depart from London, and you will need to organise your own transport to and from the airport. Exact flight times are to be confirmed.
Full Itinerary and Information Brochure
The full Itinerary and Information Brochure is coming soon.
Payment options
Sponsorship option
Pay a registration fee of £395, then fundraise £3,900 for Acorns. By signing up you are committing to raising a minimum of £3,900. Part of this amount is used to cover the cost of your trip.
Flexi option
Pay a registration fee of £395 plus trip costs of £1,900*, then fundraise £2,000 for Acorns. By signing up you are committing to raising a minimum of £2,000.
Our expert Events team will be on hand to support you with your fundraising to help you achieve your target.
*Trip cost balance is payable to Acorns Children’s Hospice by 1 August 2026.
Ready to test your survival skills?
Please read the information brochure and the full terms and conditions before signing up.
Join #TeamAcorns
Take a look at the Arctic Survival Challenge!
Frequently Asked Questions
What's included in the price?
- Return flights from London (inc. airport taxes and any fuel surcharges)
- Training day in the UK
- Transfers and transport in Sweden
- Accommodation
- All meals and rations as specified
- Sleeping equipment for the survival phase
- Skis and snow shoes
- Huskies
- Ice fishing equipment
- Snowmobiles (one between two unless arranged otherwise)
- Project co-ordination and materials
- Dedicated Sky Blue Adventure and Snow and Paddles leaders
- Dedicated Acorns staff representative to accompany you on the trip
What’s not included?
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses (e.g. souvenirs, etc.)
- Vaccinations
- Trek kit and equipment not outlined above
Passport, Visa and Vaccinations
- Current 10 year passport
- Current health card and insurance card
- Vaccinations: Tentanus is recommended
Who can take part?
The trek can be undertaken by anyone of any age (min. 18 unless accompanied by an adult) as long as you have a good level of fitness and you are healthy and determined. There is no upper age limit. It is advised that you are of a good fitness level before departure to ensure fast recovery from each day’s exertions.
An ideal candidate for the trek would be someone who is open minded, positive and flexible and enjoys the challenges of being away from home and outside their comfort zone trying something new.
What time are the flights?
Please be aware that flights will depart from London. Flight Centre seek the cheapest possible flights to ensure that as much fundraising as possible goes towards funding our vital care and support for local children and families at Acorns Children’s Hospice. You will need to organise your own transport to the airport.
Exact flight times will be confirmed at a later date. Outbound flights from the UK to Sweden will be on 28 February 2027, return flights to London on 7 March 2027.
Who accompanies us?
You will be accompanied throughout the challenge by our survival expert, who, with his team, will provide full instruction for all the activities and supervision. During your time at the log cabin you will have meals prepared for you by our Swedish team. You will also be accompanied by a Sky Blue Adventure leader and an Acorns staff representative.
What is the climate like?
Between the months of January and April, temperatures vary from 0°C to –30°C. Despite the extremely cold temperatures, due to the dry atmosphere, the air is crisp and energising, quite unlike cold days in UK. You can expect snowfall and bright sunshine. Over the winter months you can expect the sun to set earlier and rise later than in UK.
Where will we stay?
You will be based at a simple, rustic log cabin for three nights before the survival phase, and one night after. The cabin has no electricity, just a wood burner, basic kitchen, dining table and beds.
You will then spend three nights in shelters you will build as a group, including a Scandinavian tent, a forest shelter and a snow hole. In each of the shelters, watch will be kept during the night to stoke fires and maintain warmth, or keep candles lit during the night you stay in the snow hole.
During the survival phase you will be sleep in a sleeping bag on a roll mat, within a bivi bag.
What is the food like?
During your time at the log cabin, meals will need to be provided and prepared at the log cabin.
During the survival phase you will be provided with freeze dried ration packs for 3 dinners, 2 lunches and 3 breakfasts. (Ration packs are ready prepared meals in foil packs which can be cooked quickly by placing the pack in boiling water for the time stated).
You should bring any additional snacks you might like.
Specific dietary requirements can be catered for if you advise us before the trip.
What are the bathroom facilities like?
The log cabin has two long-drop toilets.
During the survival phase of the challenge, you are completely in the wilderness so there are no toilet facilities at all. You will need to find a secluded place to go, bury it and put any paper in a nappy bag or equivalent, to dispose of responsibly on your return to the cabin.
Your guides will give you a thorough briefing on toilet procedure and etiquette.
Keeping clean and maintaining general hygiene is important for your comfort but also for your safety. For the nights at the log cabin it will be possible to melt snow for a wash although this will be in limited supply.
You are asked to only use natural or biodegradable soap and shampoo to avoid contamination.
During your time at the wilderness camp there are no washing facilities so you should bring a supply of baby wipes and hand sanitizer gel to maintain hygiene as best you can.
Most people find it is too cold to have a proper wash at the wilderness camp so baby wipes are the most effective option.
It is important that you take particular care regarding toilet hygiene and clean your hands with sanitizer after using the toilet and before eating.
How tough is it and what is the terrain like?
The trip is rated challenging.
Temperatures pose a specific challenge with temperatures dropping as low as -30°C. For three days you will be sleeping in self-built shelters, warmed by a fire (or candles in the snow hole).
The land will be covered in deep snow with frozen lakes. You may encounter icy patches while skiing.
How fit do I need to be?
The trip is rated challenging.
You will be participating in physical activity for many hours and in below- freezing conditions and staying in very basic accommodation. It is essential that you are fit enough to participate in activities, such as cross country skiing and dog sledding, for several hours at a time and physically well enough to cope with the cold.
Breaks are taken but long days of activity are inevitable.
It is advised that you start training at least six months before departure to ensure your best chance of success and enjoyment on the challenge. Increasing your cardiovascular endurance and core and leg strength will benefit you greatly for the variety of activities you will be involved in. Hill walking is great for overall fitness along with running, cycling, gym workouts, team sports and swimming etc. You can download a number of free apps which will help you train and track your progress. E.g. MapMyRide, C25K (couch to 5k run), MyFitnessPal etc.
If you attempt to complete the challenge without training it will make it unnecessarily difficult and may hinder your experience, and the experience of your group.
How do we travel?
Upon arriving in Stockholm, you’ll catch an internal flight north to Ostersund (approx. 1 hour), followed by journey by minibus to the log cabin near Raftlaven (approx. 1 hour).
Throughout the trip, you’ll travel by cross country skis, and there’ll be a chance to try out snow shoes, husky sledding and snowmobiles.
To get to and from the desert requires long drives (approx. 9 hours including breaks) along winding mountain roads, which offer stunning views of the snow-capped peaks and lush valleys. If you suffer from motion sickness you are advised to bring your usual anti-nausea medication with you. Regular stops are taken.
What if I am unwell during the trip?
The survival part of the trip takes places within an easy distance of the cabin.
If you are unwell or injured, and unable to join the group for any of the activities, you will be able to stay at the cabin.
In the unlikely event of a serious illness or accident, the local team will ensure you are transferred as swiftly as possible to the nearest hospital which is in Östersund, just over 30 minutes. drive. The nearest doctor is approximately 20 minutes drive.
Suggested kit list
Please see the information brochure for the recommended kit list.
What is the accommodation like?
Log cabin (4 nights), Scandinavian tent (1 night), shelter (1 night), snow hole (1 night).
Kick start your fundraising
We’re here to support you all the way! By signing up for the event you will receive support from our Events team to help with your training and fundraising and the amazing feeling you’ll get from knowing you’re making a real difference to local children! Here are some simple ways to give your fundraising a boost, if you need more support we’d be happy to help. Just get in touch at events@acorns.org.uk.
