Arctic Women. Braver by Nature
A hosted winter journey for women on explorer Randi Skaug's private island above the Arctic Circle. Begins and ends in Oslo.
Duration
7 days
Dates
08-14 March 2027
Best suited for
Adult women attracted by the idea that you can learn things from untamed nature that will give you strength in your everyday life.
A message from our founder, Torunn Tronsvang:
‘You can do whatever you want,’ my mother always told me while I was growing up. ‘Anything is possible as long as you work hard enough.’ Over the years, I have come to understand that Norwegians are not born hardier than anyone else; we are trained. Outdoor naps in all weathers at kindergarten prepared us for friluftsliv – a life in the open air.
Research from the Arctic city of Tromsø shows that those who embrace the winter can claim the greatest life satisfaction. Resilience, it turns out, is a practice, not a birthright. And because it is a practice, it can be learned.
That is why we created this journey, timed to start on International Women's Day.
Impact statement
This journey is built around women's empowerment, from its start on International Women's Day to its foundation in female role models and leadership, aligning with UN SDG 5: Gender Equality. Time in nature, human-powered activities and the skills you bring home support lasting well-being, in line with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being. Your stay on Naustholmen directly supports a small, locally rooted host in the coastal community of Nordskot, contributing to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
The journey, day by day
The journey begins and ends in Oslo. Here is how the week unfolds.
Day 1: Monday 8 March, International Women's Day
Setting intentions
Arrival in Oslo
First stop: Scandic Holmenkollen Park, a fairytale hillside hotel perched above the city. The forest at the doorstep, and wellness facilities to shake off the journey.
After a welcome from your Up Norway host, you’ll have a private guided tour of the Rose Castle and hear how Norway won its independence. Today of all days, women take centre stage in this story.
Dinner with views of Oslo. Then an introduction to Norwegian ‘friluftsliv’: an intention-setting session around the campfire with a representative of DNT, the Norwegian Trekking Association.
Day 2: Tuesday 9 March
The journey north
Oslo to Naustholmen
A private transfer takes you to the airport for the flight north to Bodø, and the North Norwegian Art Museum. Your designated host is Hanne Jakhelln, the founder of the museum and a pillar of Norwegian culture. She will take you through a history of the Arctic’s strong, courageous women – the Amazons of the north, if you like.
At 18:00, the express boat from Bodø takes you to Nordskot. As the mainland recedes, it truly feels as if you are leaving the ordinary world behind. Welcome dinner on the island, where Randi opens the door to the days ahead.
Your host, Randi Skaug
Your host, Randi Skaug, is the first Norwegian woman to summit Mount Everest. She has the rare ability to bring out strength and optimism in others. On Naustholmen, her undisturbed, rustic and warm private island above the Arctic Circle, you will find the courage to step outside your comfort zone. Some moments will challenge you. Others will feel like pure magic. You'll end up achieving more than you expected.
Along the way, we will share new perspectives that we hope will inspire change: in your own life, in the lives of those around you, and in the world we live in.
Randi’s vision for the island is ‘A peaceful place in a troubled world’. One guest recently wrote to her, a year after his stay: ‘I don’t think a single day has gone by that I haven’t dreamed about Naustholmen Adventure Island.’
Days 2 to 5: Tuesday 9 to Saturday 13 March
Island life
Naustholmen
You will learn how to keep warm and dry outdoors in winter, sleep outside in a tent or hammock, make fire, fish through ice, cook over flames, kayak in Arctic waters, and end up in the sauna before an icy dip. Equally important: how to keep spirits up under harsh conditions, and how to celebrate and learn from experience and togetherness. Randi shares her story in an evening presentation, and each participant can have an individual session with her.
We deliberately keep space aside each day. In the Arctic, the weather sets the programme, and learning to let the day unfold is part of the island’s teachings.
What nature offers in March: The aurora borealis, the silence of a star-filled sky, possible winter storms, clear sea air, and the chill, refreshing sea. As one former guest put it: ‘I’ve never stood somewhere so wild and so beautiful at the same time.’
Day 6: Saturday 13 March
In for landing
Naustholmen to Oslo
Ready to reserve your spot in this hosted women’s journey?
Seamless logistics
Bring your presence, courage and patience, and be ready to challenge yourself. We fix the rest.
Girls’ getaway with depth
Led by a woman who lives what she teaches. The group host will share perspectives on the Norwegian way of living, and insights into Nordic wellness.
Pricing
25% deposit payment is due to confirm your spot. Balance due 90 days before the trip.
Follow the traces of more female stories from Norway's past and present
Stay ‘edutained’ throughout a journey exploring whether full equality can ever be achieved, while discovering stories about Norway’s most remarkable women.
Explore the journey
