Getting here
Fly into Kajaani Airport. Airport pickup and drop-off are included for ELAA residents. Vuokatti is around 30 minutes from the airport.
Do I need a car?
No. You can absolutely do ELAA without one.
Vuokatti has a local bus service connecting the resort area with Sotkamo, ski areas, shops and other useful stops, so it is possible to get around without driving.
That said, if you drive and it fits your budget, we would recommend considering a rental car. Everything in the area is fairly spread out, and having a car gives you much more freedom for groceries, spontaneous plans and weekend trips further around Finland.
It is not required, but it can make the month more flexible.
How do I get around without a car?
Vuokatti has a local bus service connecting the area with Sotkamo and useful stops around the ski resort, shops and local attractions.
The nearest useful stop to the cottages is around a short walk away, so residents can use the bus for everyday trips without needing to rely on taxis.
Walking, cycling and taxis are also options, and we plan to have bicycles available on site for residents to borrow for shorter local journeys.
If you want to travel much further outside the Vuokatti–Sotkamo area, a rental car will give you significantly more freedom.
Where can I buy groceries?
The nearest supermarkets are around 3–3.5 km from the cottages, roughly a 40-minute walk depending on winter conditions.
There are local supermarkets in the Vuokatti area, with larger shops, cafés and other services available in nearby Sotkamo.
Grocery delivery is also available locally, and the local bus can make supermarket trips easier if you do not have a car.
We also plan to have bicycles available on site for residents to borrow for short local trips such as grocery runs.
Do I need to know how to ski?
Absolutely not. Beginners are welcome. Vuokatti is a great place to learn, while experienced skiers and snowboarders can do their own thing.
What will we actually do together?
This is not a scheduled retreat. There will be a welcome dinner, Finnish baking evening and informal plans, but there is no expectation that everyone does everything together.
Can I come alone?
Yes. That is essentially the point. You arrive independently, but you’re joining a deliberately small cohort of women for the month.
Do I have to work remotely?
No. Remote workers, founders and freelancers are an obvious fit, but someone on sabbatical, taking time off or simply able to spend four weeks away can also apply.
What’s the weather like?
A proper Finnish winter means snow, short daylight hours and potentially very cold temperatures. You’ll need proper layers and clothing suitable for a Finnish winter.
Are activities included?
No, unless specifically listed in the inclusions. Skiing, huskies, snowmobiling and other excursions are optional and paid separately, so residents can choose what they want to do and build their own month.
What is the social side like?
ELAA is intentionally small, so there will always be people around without anything feeling forced.
A community manager will be on site to host the welcome dinner, organise airport transfers, share local recommendations and help throughout your stay.
We’ll also have a private WhatsApp group for activities, plans and spontaneous ideas, whether that’s skiing, a co-working café day, huskies, a winter run or a movie night.
Join as much or as little as you like. You won’t have to do things alone unless you want to.
What about food?
Residents cook for themselves. Some food is included for the welcome basket, welcome dinner and Finnish baking evening. Dietary requirements are collected in the application.
What about insurance?
Residents need suitable travel insurance and relevant winter-sports or activity cover.
How does the application work?
Apply → applications are reviewed personally → successful applicants receive an offer by October 30th → a deposit secures the place → the remaining balance is due according to the payment terms.
Why women-only?
January is the inaugural women-only cohort. ELAA itself isn’t permanently women-only; future mixed cohorts may follow.
What if January doesn’t work?
The application already lets you register your interest in future February and March cohorts.
Can I extend my stay in Finland?
Yes, independently. ELAA can share local recommendations, but anything outside the residency dates is arranged by the guest.
Are you looking for content creators?
Yes. We’re looking for travel and lifestyle content creators who would like to experience ELAA while helping us capture the month from a resident’s perspective.
Selected creators may receive 20–30% off their four-week stay, depending on experience and agreed deliverables.
This isn’t intended to be a full-time content role. We want you to actually experience the residency. Deliverables will typically include around 1–2 edited Reels per week, alongside a selection of lifestyle photos and the raw footage used to create those Reels.
We’re especially interested in creators with experience shooting travel, hospitality, lifestyle or experience-led content.
To apply, email [email protected] with a short introduction, links to your social channels, your portfolio and examples of your strongest travel or lifestyle work.
Creator places are limited and applications are reviewed based on fit, portfolio and the needs of each cohort.
