Winter Adventure Medicine Course

Winter Adventure Medicine Course Sweden

Bygdeträsk, Northern Sweden

Course Date

  • 13 March 2026 13:00 - 20 March 2026 10:00
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Payment plans available! Contact us to find out more.

In partnership with PoletoPole.

Set in the remote forests of Northern Sweden, this 7-day Winter Adventure Medicine course explores what it takes to operate, lead, and make decisions in prolonged cold, isolation, and uncertainty.

Blending expedition medicine with leadership, human performance, and Arctic fieldcraft, the course moves well beyond the classroom. You’ll learn through hands-on training, realistic field scenarios, and multi-day travel across snow-covered terrain, where environmental pressure actively shapes risk, judgement, and outcomes.

This course is designed for those who want to test themselves physically and mentally while developing the clinical judgement, communication, and leadership skills required to perform effectively in demanding winter environments.

 


Your Teaching Faculty

Benjamin Watts
Advanced Retrieval Practitioner
Hannah Lock
Emergency Medicine Registrar and High Altitude Expedition Doctor

Course Content

Cold Environments & Human Performance

You’ll explore how cold, fatigue, isolation, and uncertainty affect decision-making, teamwork, and leadership. Teaching focuses on recognising human factors under pressure, managing stress responses, and maintaining performance when conditions deteriorate.

Fieldcraft, Travel & Winter Living

Training covers practical winter expedition skills including snow shelters, tent systems, stove management, layering strategies, nutrition, and energy management. You’ll apply these skills continuously while living and working in cold environments.

Cold Injury & Environmental Medicine

Teaching focuses on hypothermia, cold water immersion, freezing and non-freezing cold injuries, and medical decision-making when evacuation is delayed. Scenarios are used to reinforce recognition, prevention, and management in real winter conditions.

Leadership, Communication & Team Dynamics

You’ll develop the non-technical skills required to lead and support teams in challenging environments. Sessions focus on communication under pressure, situational awareness, delegation, conflict management, and maintaining morale during fatigue and cold exposure.

Navigation, Risk & Expedition Decision-Making

You’ll apply navigation, route planning, and dynamic risk assessment while travelling on skis and snowshoes. Teaching emphasises adapting plans in response to weather, terrain, and team capability.

Integrated Field Scenarios & Expedition Phase

Learning is brought together during a multi-day expedition phase using sled dogs and human-powered travel. You’ll apply clinical, leadership, and expedition skills in extended scenarios that reflect the realities of operating in remote winter environments.

What's Included?

Field-Based Training & Practical Workshops

Teaching is delivered through hands-on workshops, expedition travel, and realistic field scenarios, ensuring skills are developed in conditions that reflect real Arctic challenges.

Winter Adventure Medicine Course Sweden

Expert Faculty & Expedition Support

You’ll be taught by experienced medical faculty and expedition professionals with extensive Arctic and winter field experience, supported by local guides throughout the expedition phase.

Winter Adventure Medicine Course Sweden

Accommodation, Meals & Expedition Logistics

Your course fee includes accommodation, all meals (including expedition rations), group expedition equipment, dog sledding activities, and airport transfers during the course.

Course Certification & CPD

CPD hours have been applied for and will be confirmed once awarded. On completion, you’ll receive a certificate of attendance recognising your training in winter adventure medicine and leadership in extreme environments.

Book Now

Price range: GBP £3,295.00 through GBP £3,680.00

Frequently Asked Questions

How is this different from the Polar or Winter Medicine Course?

This course blends polar medicine training with an emphasis on team performance, leadership under pressure, and the more practical components of polar skills such as dog sledding and bushcraft. It’s designed to complement, not compete with, WEM’s Polar medicine course offerings.

Is this course right for me?

This course is designed for healthcare professionals, students, and expedition-minded individuals who want to develop confidence, leadership, and decision-making in cold, remote environments. It’s particularly suited to those interested in expedition medicine, winter operations, or leadership under pressure.

Do I need previous expedition or wilderness medicine training?

No prior winter or expedition experience is required. The course is designed to meet participants at their current level while providing progressive challenges throughout the week. If you’re unsure whether this is the right next step, we recommend using the Course Fit Checker or booking a discovery call.

What level of fitness is required?

You don’t need to be an elite athlete, but a good level of general fitness is essential. You should be comfortable trekking for 2–4 hours per day while carrying expedition equipment, often in snow and cold conditions. Physical preparedness will allow you to focus on learning rather than fatigue.

What course content is covered?

This Winter Adventure Medicine course covers the clinical, environmental, logistical, and human factors considerations of operating in Arctic and cold-weather environments.

Content includes:

  • Cold weather illness, cold water shock and hypothermia recognition & management

  • Field safety, dynamic risk assessments, and route planning for winter activities

  • Evacuation strategy and medical kit planning in remote environments

  • Leadership and performance psychology in extreme conditions

  • Communication, group dynamics and managing conflict in the field

  • Snowpack analysis, ice navigation, and expedition route-finding under pressure

Expect a mix of practical scenarios, evening debriefs, and group discussions,  all designed to stretch your skillset and decision-making in high-consequence settings.

What kit do I need to bring?

Please follow the kit list and bring adequate kit. You’ll be operating in prolonged sub-zero temperatures, and poor kit preparation can impact both safety and participation.

You’ll be outside for several hours each day in snow and cold conditions. High-quality base layers, insulated boots, gloves, and waterproof outer layers are essential. A full kit list will be provided after booking and should be reviewed carefully before arrival.

Important: Never leave kit preparation until the last minute. Preparing well in advance will help you stay safe, warm, and focused throughout the course.

This course is designed to push you, physically, mentally, and clinically. But your safety remains our top priority.

We take every precaution to keep participants safe by:

  • Rigorous gear checks before all expedition days
  • Mandatory evacuation insurance policies
  • Close coordination with local emergency responders

Where will we be staying?

Accommodation is provided in shared bunk rooms near Bygdeträsk in Northern Sweden. All meals are included throughout the course, including expedition rations during the field phase. Single rooms may be available at additional cost.

What are the conditions like?

Expect prolonged cold, snow, wind, and variable visibility. Temperatures can remain well below freezing, and conditions may change rapidly. Faculty will guide you on managing yourself, your kit, and your team safely throughout the course.

Do I need travel insurance to attend?

Yes. Comprehensive travel and medical insurance is mandatory and must cover winter activities and emergency evacuation. You’ll be required to confirm insurance details before the course begins.

What support is available before the course starts?

Ahead of the course, you’ll receive access to a WhatsApp group where you can ask questions, share travel plans, and connect with fellow participants and faculty. Joining instructions and pre-course information are provided once booked.

Can my employer part-fund this?

Yes. We offer invoicing options. Contact the team to arrange.

What if I want to stay longer in Sweden?

You’ll need to find separate accommodation before or after the course, but our team can advise on local options.

I have another question

If you wish to learn more or have any additional questions, we invite you to book a 30-minute discovery call with our team.

→ Click here to book a discovery call.

The call will be with the team who organise our courses and work closely with our medical teaching faculty. They’re best placed to explain what our attendees really get out of attending a course with us.

You can choose between a video or voice call — whatever suits you best.

Register for a time that works for you, and we look forward to speaking with you soon.

Prefer email? Then feel free to contact us.

Your Safety

The comprehensive curriculum and field scenarios are carefully designed to push your limits while mitigating risks.

We take every precaution to keep participants safe by:

  • Rigorous gear checks before all expedition days
  • Mandatory evacuation insurance policies
  • Close coordination with local emergency responders

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