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Arctic Bushcraft

  • Pasvik Folkehøgskole – Svanvik
  • Telephone: 78 96 41 00
  • E-mail: pasvik@ffk.no
  • Course length: Halvår — høst
  • Start-up date: 24.08.2026
  • Price: from NOK 67 000,-
  • Foundation:
    Liberal
    The liberal folk high schools are built on values that are not based on one particular belief. They encourage students with different interests and beliefs to apply.
  • Food: Vegetarian, vegan
    Most schools will accommodate food allergies and other dietary needs. If you have questions, please contact the school directly.
  • Environmental certification:
    Miljøfyrtårn
  • Location: Pasvik
  • Study tour: Lapland
Send applicationPasvik Folkehøgskole

Spend a halfyear acquiring skills and developing knowledge to survive and thrive in the European Arctic.

In the “Arctic Bushcraft – Indigenous traditions” course we try to live in harmony with nature and utilize its resources. We collect and preserve berries, hide, meat, fish, herbs, mushrooms, and vegetables. We study local traditions from the indigenous people in the European Arctic. We learn Duodji – the handicraft of the Sami people, and we learn how to fix and make our own tools, clothing, and equipment in a sustainable manner. We set out on a journey to a simpler and more harmonious life with nature.

For more info in English visit our webpage!

Mandatory: Yes

Price: Included in course price

Study trip to Lapland in Finland
Meet unique Sámi culture, ways of life, and history
Use traditional techniques for trapping, food preservation, and conservation
Learn about the unique Skolt Sámi Indigenous people in Neiden and Pasvik

Vi ønsker med våre fellesturer å styrke skolens felleskap, gjennom å dele fine natur- og reiseopplevelser. Et viktig poeng er også å bli kjent i våre nærområder slik at du lærer litt om hvordan det er å leve i Finnmark og i Barentsregionen, nære naturen og i en region hvor ulike kulturer smelter sammen. 

Finnmarksløpet: Europe's longest dog-sled race

Mandatory: Yes

Price: Included in course price

As a student at Pasvik Folkehøgskole, you play a central role in Europe's longest and tougthest sled dog race, the Finnmarksløpet. The whole school participates in this event. We operate the checkpoints in Neiden and Øvre Pasvik, where the mushers come to rest with their dogs. You'll get to work with many of the world's best dog handlers and experience the endurance of the Alaskan huskies.

Video

Northern Lights Festival

Mandatory: Yes

Price: Included in course price

As the dark season approaches Christmas, we invite you to our very own Northern Lights Festival—right in the middle of the wilderness. Here we combine nature, culture, and community in a truly special pre-Christmas atmosphere.

We build an outdoor cinema with a wall of snow, bundle up in warm clothes, and watch a film under the starry sky. At the same time, you’ll learn how to take amazing photos of the Northern Lights.

The festival also becomes a meeting place where we invite both locals and visitors from outside the area. We set the mood with music, campfires, warm drinks, and good stories, while the Northern Lights dance above us.

The Northern Lights Festival in Pasvik is a highlight of the dark season—a magical blend of culture, togetherness, and nature’s own light show.

Varangerfjord Round Trip

Mandatory: Yes

Price: Included in course price

You’ll take the Hurtigruten coastal ferry from Kirkenes to Vardø and experience both wild nature and fascinating culture. At Vardøhus Fortress, you’ll hear stories from a local guide and visit the witchcraft memorial. The trip continues to Hamningberg, a truly unique volcanic landscape 🌋, where we finish by doing a beach clean-up together.

Dog mushing

Here you learn the basics of caring for and working with polar dogs. A lighter version of the Dog Sledding and Wilderness course.

Photo & Film

Here you can explore photography and video production together with others.

Knife making

Make your own utility knife. We build the knife almost from scratch. We buy the blade, while you make the handle yourself and sew the sheath.

Climbing

Learn sport climbing and how to climb independently. You can earn the Brattkort, which gives you access to indoor climbing walls throughout Norway.

Multisport

Varied physical activity with a bit of pulse. Lots of outdoor action like orienteering, kiting, canoeing and kayaking, forest runs and general outdoor skills.

Music

For anyone who wants to play music with others, whether you already play an instrument or want to learn. We use the school’s music room, led by our own music teacher.

Gaming

Gaming is the elective where we play our way through gaming history and learn how game mechanics, design and development have shaped today’s games.

Hunting License

Take the hunter’s exam early in the year and get the right to hunt on your own. The course covers shooting, weapon handling, wildlife knowledge, laws and wildlife management.

Code to Russia

The Code to Russia gives you a practical intro to Russian language and culture, teaching useful phrases, customs and insights that make the country easier to understand.

Sauna and Ice Bathing

Sauna and ice bathing give you contrast training, boosted well-being and a rush of endorphins, warmth, cold and good vibes all in one.

Fjellbelte

Fjellbelte is the elective where you learn to make a traditional Sámi mountain belt from scratch, using patterns, colors and techniques that are central to Sámi culture.

Hells Kitchen

Cooking with local ingredients and wild foods from Finnmark. You’ll learn to make delicious dishes with fish and game, prepared either in the school kitchen or over the fire in the big lavvu.

Lindy hop

Do you love to dance or want to learn? Lindy hop is the original swing dance from 1930–40s Harlem, fun, energetic and easy to learn.

Canicross

Canicross is the elective where you train running with a dog, learn good technique and build strong teamwork. Active, fun and perfect if you love speed and four-legged friends.

Ski and basic training

Ski and basic training give you better technique, strength and endurance through varied workouts both outdoors and indoors. Perfect if you want to feel stronger and more confident on skis.

Campfire

We head out and make fires in any weather, learning different fire types and ignition methods. Around the flames we enjoy good conversations or simply peaceful silence.

Finnish

Intro course in Finnish with practical language exercises and a bit of Finnish culture. Pasvik borders Finland and has a rich Finnish heritage.

Luhkka

Here you learn Sámi handicraft. You’ll get help to sew your own Luhkka, a traditional Sámi cape you can use both on trips and as a beautiful garment.

Sporty Indoors/Outdoors

We use both the outdoor areas and indoor facilities at the school and train together! Anything from rugby on the field, orienteering, road runs, high-pulse hikes, or group workouts in the gym.

Ball games

In the school gym you can enjoy volleyball, football, floorball, basketball, table tennis — and anything else you’d like to play.

Wilderness philosophy

We draw inspiration from past thinkers and from nature itself, letting silence, wind and fire open space for conversations about life, nature and our place in it all.

Pool / Swimming

In the school pool you can get instruction in the most common swimming techniques if you want and there’s plenty of play too. The pool is also open in your free time all year.

Theater Sports

Theater Sports is the elective where you dive into play, improvisation and quick ideas. Low threshold, lots of laughter and great practice in daring more together.

Language and Culture in the North

Language and Culture in the North gives you insight into the heritage, stories and expressions of the northern regions with a focus on language, identity and life in the North.

Outdoor Cooking

Outdoor Cooking is the elective where you learn to make simple, tasty and creative food outside from campfire classics to new favorites that make any trip better.

Woodcraft

In Woodcraft you get to create your own projects from real wood and learn craftsmanship that actually lasts for years. It’s a creative, chill and practical subject where you work with your hands and watch something real take shape.

Janitor

Join the janitor for a morning and learn practical handyman skills. Perfect if you want to get more “handy” and explore what a craftsman or maintenance job is like.

The wilderness and the silence of Pasvik create community and time, free from the stress of grades and performance pressure. Without being measured or judged, you become a better version of yourself.

Pasvik is like living inside a Christmas card for six months of the year. Here you arrive at one of the country’s best destinations for northern lights, outdoor life, dog sledding, hunting and fishing. You’ll also experience exciting encounters with people and culture here in the North. Adventure waits right outside your door. 

Why choose Pasvik?

  • Wilderness: The school is located at the edge of the Taiga, the world’s largest forest, in the heart of the Arctic wilderness.
  • High standard: The school has newly renovated dorms, a modern gym, swimming pool, sports hall, woodworking workshop, climbing wall, well-equipped music room, and saunas both at the school and by the school’s own riverside bathing spot at the Pasvik River.
  • No extra costs: All our electives are included in the school fee.
  • Tolerance and openness: With us, you are welcome exactly as you are. You can be yourself and grow on your own terms.
  • A safe and friendly learning environment: The teachers are dedicated, professionally competent, and have time for you.
  • Group trips: We offer three great shared trips: an autumn week in Pasvik, a northern lights journey across the Arctic region, and a spring trip to Vardø.
  • Borrow equipment: As a student with us, you can borrow outdoor equipment in your free time, such as tents, pulks, kayaks and canoes, fishing gear, and much more.

 

Folktales

A documentary about our school, created by Oscar-nominated filmmakers. A year of wilderness, silence, and community. An honest story of humanity far in the North.

Watch the official trailer here:

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Folkehøgskolene is not responsible for the content and prices that each school has posted on folkehogskole.no