Built with polar expertise
Polar Guides Ltd brings decades of expedition experience across Norway, Antarctica, Canada and Iceland, combining guiding, training and research in some of the most demanding environments on Earth.
Founded by Denise Martin, Are Johansen and Chris Imray, their work spans polar travel, altitude and frostbite research, and the delivery of authentic, experience-led training designed for those who want to operate confidently in remote environments.
Their involvement in Finse Fest helps shape the practical and environmental side of the weekend, grounding the experience in real-world polar expertise.
What is Finse Fest?
In collaboration with Polar Guides Ltd, Finse Fest is a four-day winter gathering built around polar medicine, expedition skills, snow-based travel and adventure film. Set at Finsehytta on the Hardangervidda plateau, it brings together learning, movement and shared experience in one of Norway’s most iconic environments.
More than one way to explore the Arctic
Across the weekend, Finse Fest will feature a small selection of films that sit alongside the wider programme of polar medicine, expedition skills and snow-based travel. Explore two of the featured films below.
About the film
Amka is a 40-minute documentary following polar explorer Lonnie Dupre as he returns to Northwest Greenland, more than two decades after completing the first and only non-motorised circumnavigation of Greenland by dog team and kayak.
Travelling from village to village by dog team, the film reconnects with Polar Inuit communities and explores the relationship between sled dogs, culture, environment and change in a landscape shaped by snow and ice.
It offers a different lens on the themes running through Finse Fest, bringing story, place and human experience into the evening programme.
Featuring Martin Hartley
Martin Hartley will bring expedition photography to Finse Fest, including work from his current project, The Last Ice Sentinels.
His work captures the reality of remote environments, from shifting ice to the people and expeditions moving through it, offering another perspective on the themes explored across the weekend.
The weekend, mapped out
From arrival at Finsehytta and practical polar learning to optional activities on snow, evening films and shared time indoors, each day offers a different way to experience the festival.
Thursday
Arrive by train, settle into Finsehytta and ease into the weekend as the opening night sets the tone with food, film, storytelling and shared time indoors.
Arrive by train in the afternoon and travel to Finsehytta. Once settled, you’ll sort kit for the weekend, meet the team and get oriented to the environment. The evening includes a beer tasting hosted by Finsehytta, followed by dinner and an opening talk from one of our invited guests. The festival atmosphere begins with film, storytelling and shared time indoors as the weekend sets its rhythm.
Who you’ll hear from
Caroline Côté
Denise Martin
Lars Ebbesen
Lonnie Dupre
Martin Hartley
What’s Included
Explore the different ways to experience Finse Fest, from the full weekend gathering at Finsehytta to evening films and talks only.
Full Festival Experience
The complete Finse Fest experience, from time on the plateau to shared evenings at Finsehytta.
Learn From Our Faculty
Chris Imray
Claire Grogan
Isla Wormald
Jamie Pattison
Curious to see what it’ll be like at the festival?
What to expect
- Snow-based travel, including guided skiing and optional kite skiing
- Practical workshops covering polar medicine and expedition skills
- Conversations around mental health and human performance in cold environments
- Evening talks and curated adventure films
- Shared meals, informal discussion and time to connect with others
Compare Ticket Options
Choose the Finse Fest ticket that fits how you want to experience the weekend, from the full residential festival to evening films only.
| Ticket Features |
Full Festival Experience
£1,149 per person
|
Event Only
£749 per person
|
Event + 2-3 Bed
£1,225 per person
|
Event + 4-6 Bed
£1,199 per person
|
Evening Films Only
£300 per person
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | Complete residential festival experience | Full programme, no accommodation or meals | Full programme with smaller shared room | Full programme with larger shared room | Evening film screenings and talks only |
| Accommodation at Finsehytta | ✓ | ✕ | 2-3 bed shared room | 4-6 bed shared room | ✕ |
| All meals during the event | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Ski rental included | ✓ | Not included | ✓ | ✓ | Not included |
| Daytime sessions and workshops | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Evening talks and film screenings | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Festival support throughout the weekend | ✓ | Core event only | ✓ | ✓ | Evening access only |
| CPD included* | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Best for | Those wanting the most complete Finse Fest experience, with shared dormitory accommodation included | Those joining the full event without staying on site | Those wanting the full festival with a little more privacy | Those happy with a more social shared-room option | Those only joining the evening storytelling and film programme |