Sweden Winter Adventure Medicine Course
Bygdeträsk, Northern Sweden
Payment plans available! Contact us to find out more.
In partnership with PoletoPole.
Set in the remote forests of Northern Sweden, this 8-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
Course Content
Manon
Another great course, thank you!
Jethro
Good course as always
Sarah
Good course expert team feel ready to do a more physically challenging one next time thank you
What's Included?
Transport & Logistics
Your course includes full transport and logistical support throughout your time in Sweden. This covers group airport transfers from Umeå airport or train station, as well as all road transport to training areas and activities. You’ll stay in shared accommodation at the Pole to Pole Academy, with access to dorm rooms, dining and meeting spaces, a classroom, gym, sauna, and kit preparation areas. Full board is included, with all meals and hot drinks provided, including a final night traditional Swedish dinner, along with daily ‘fika’ as part of the experience.
Activities & Experiences
Your course includes a range of field-based activities designed to build confidence and capability in cold environments. You’ll take part in specialised cold weather instruction, covering environmental factors, equipment use, snowshoe travel, and nutrition, alongside a 10–20km guided route where you’ll run expedition medical scenarios across varied terrain. You’ll also experience dog sledding, meeting the mushers, learning about husky care, and driving your own team, as well as an ice plunge in a controlled setting followed by a traditional wood-fired sauna.
Expedition Safety & Support
Your expedition is fully supported with comprehensive safety systems in place throughout. A roaming safety patrol and dedicated safety vehicle accompany the group, ensuring access across the full route at all times. During the expedition phase, scenario planning and staging are supported by the Pole to Pole team, with role players available to enhance realism and training quality. Risk management and contingency planning are embedded throughout, with adaptive route planning, weather mitigation, and established safety protocols and emergency response systems ensuring operational resilience in a dynamic environment.
Equipment
All specialist equipment required for the expedition is provided, allowing you to operate effectively in cold, remote environments. This includes tents, pulks, stoves, cookware, fuel, snowshoes, flasks, and cold weather sleeping systems, alongside essential group safety, medical, communication, and navigation equipment. Snow mobile support is also in place for safety oversight, expedition direction, and content capture. During the expedition phase, you’ll be supplied with freeze-dried meals, snacks, and drinks, providing approximately 3,500 kcal per person per day to support sustained performance in cold conditions.
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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:
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Cold weather illness, cold water shock and hypothermia recognition & management
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Field safety, dynamic risk assessments, and route planning for winter activities
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Evacuation strategy and medical kit planning in remote environments
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Leadership and performance psychology in extreme conditions
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Communication, group dynamics and managing conflict in the field
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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's Included?
Your course fee covers all core logistics, accommodation, and training required to fully participate in the experience. This includes group airport transfers from Umeå or the train station, as well as all transport to and from training areas throughout the week. You’ll be based at the Pole to Pole Academy in shared accommodation, with access to facilities such as classrooms, dining areas, a gym, sauna, and dedicated spaces for kit preparation and course activities.
All meals are included during your stay, with full board provided at the Academy alongside hot drinks, daily ‘fika’, and a traditional Swedish celebration dinner. During the expedition phase, you’ll also be provided with rations designed to support sustained performance in cold environments.
All specialist expedition equipment is provided, including tents, pulks, stoves, cookware, snowshoes, and cold weather sleeping systems, along with group safety, medical, communication, and navigation equipment. The course also includes structured field-based training, a multi-day expedition phase, and additional activities such as dog sledding and ice-based experiences, all delivered with full safety support and scenario planning throughout.
Whats NOT included?
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
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 20-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
