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Wilderness Farm - Off Grid in the Arctic

  • Pasvik Folkehøgskole – Svanvik
  • Telephone: 78 96 41 00
  • E-mail: pasvik@ffk.no
  • Course length: All year
  • Start-up date: 24.08.2026
  • Course teaching amount: 15 hours/week
  • Price: from NOK 134 000,-
  • 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 for the course: Gammebygging, Høsteuka, Studietur til Sør-Europa, Studietur i Finnmark
  • Study tour for the school: Finnmarksløpet: Europe's longest dog-sled race, Autumn-trip, The Varanger Fjord
Send applicationPasvik Folkehøgskole

    Are you ready to disconnect from the screen and reconnect with yourself and real life? Here, you'll learn skills that let you build a life of your own, self-sufficient and independent in the Arctic!

    There’s no farm yet. We start from scratch.

    With two empty hands, and a lot of determination, we will turn 100,000 m² of wilderness into whatever we want.

    Together with Maria and Fredrik at Tjæredalen Farm, we’re building the dream of a self-sufficient life, from idea to reality, one project at a time.

    At the Wilderness Farm, you take part in planning and shaping everything from the ground up. We work outdoors, build what we need, and create the path as we walk it. Together, we will make the project exactly what we want it to be.

    Next year is year zero, and there’s a lot to do:

    We build a place to gather – We'll build a traditional sami gamme, a turf hut, from materials we harvest ourselves. A spot for fire coffe, stories and shelter from the cold.

    We work the soil – You'll help break new ground, fence in the area, and prepare for the next season. When the snow lies deep, we dive into theory, start seedlings, and care for young plants until spring returns.

    We harvest from nature – In the forests around us, we'll hunt, fish, and forage from natures surplus.

    We manage our forest and make our own materials – You'll learn to fell, thin, and care for the forest with axe and chainsaw. On out own saw mill, the timber becomes are material for more buildings, fencing and firewood.

    We travel abroad to learn – Since we don't get to experience the summer growing season during the school year, we head south to learn from people who live simply, sustainably, and close to the land.

    Tjæredalen gård - The closest neighbour to The Wilderness Farm

    Gammebygging

    Mandatory: Yes

    Price: Included in course price

    Noe av det første vi må gjøre på Villmarksgården er å bygge oss et krypinn. Jordgammen er et tradisjonelt husvære som har vært brukt i Finnmark i generasjoner. Vi vil få god hjelp og veiledning fra lokale håndverkere, men vi skal gjøre jobben selv. Både sanking av byggematerialer og selve bureisingen!

    Høsteuka

    Mandatory: Yes

    Price: Included in course price

    I slutten av september er det tid for å høste, både fra egen hage og naturen rundt oss. Poteter og grønnsaker skal opp fra jorda, sopp og bær finner vi i skogen, mens Pasvikelva gir oss all den fisken vi trenger. Alt vi høster konserveres slik at vi er sikret gjennom hele den lange arktiske vinteren. Uka avsluttes med høstfest!

    Studietur til Sør-Europa

    Mandatory: Yes

    Price: Included in course price

    Duration: 10 dager

    I februar reiser vi som wwoofere* til et økologisk gårdsbruk i Sør-Europa. Her skal vi få jord under neglene sammen med lokale gårdbrukere og lære hvordan det enkle bondelivet praktiseres i sydligere strøk. Vi vil også få tid til å se oss rundt og være skikkelige turister i landet vi velger å reise til!

    Les mer om wwoofing her: WWOOF | World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms

    Studietur i Finnmark

    Mandatory: Yes

    Price: Included in course price

    Finnmark er fullt av driftige mennsker som har skapt seg sin egen hverdag basert på en enkel og bærekraftig livsstil. Vi skal reise rundt i fylket og besøke noen av dem for å praktisere og lære. Vi vil også reise innom ulike museer og landemerker for å sette oss inn i hvordan finnmarkingene før oss levde i og med den arktiske naturen og det barske klimaet. 

    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

    Autumn-trip

    Mandatory: Yes

    Price: Included in course price

    This trip is for the whole school. You can choose from three alternatives: 

    • Canooing: We padle down the pasvik river. Good chance for fishing big trout and pike. We sleep in lavvu or under open sky. 
    • From cabin to cabin: We hike throug the pasvik wood, staying at the open cabins. In the evenings we gather around the camp fire. Perhaps we can meet one of the pasvik bears? 
    • The Schools hut by the sea: We go hiking, visit a fish farm, look at remains from ww2, and fish in the ocean. In the evenings we gather in the living room, playing cards and telling stories. 

    The Varanger Fjord

    Mandatory: Yes

    Price: Included in course price

    At the end of the school year, the whole school travels around the Varanger Fjord. We join Hurtigruta to Vardø, and travel from there with bus. Finnmark and Varanger has a lot to offer, both nature and culture. The birds are coming back this time of year, and there is a good chance for exciting bird watching. Together we enjoy the spring in Varanger! 

    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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