Ski Touring the Fjords & Glaciers of Norway’s High Arctic

Things to know

• What’s included?

  Included:

  • • An experienced ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • 8-day ski touring adventure in Northern Norway
    • Accommodation for 7 nights at Seiland House, a remote ski lodge with a sauna and a wood-fired outdoor hot tub (pillows, duvet, bed linen, and towels supplied)
    • All meals during the trip (from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8)
    • Motorboat access to ski terrain
    • Group gear (altimeter, maps and compass, GPS, snow study kit, snow and/or bush saw, first aid kit, emergency tarp, emergency toboggan, group repair kit, radio & satellite phone, ropes for glacier travel)

  Not included:

  • • Transportation to Norway
    • Alcoholic beverages
    • Ski touring and mountaineering equipment
    • Guide gratuities — optional (both for guiding staff and boat crew)
    • Travel and medical insurance — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  This ski touring adventure in Northern Norway is perfect for experienced backcountry skiers capable of handling 1,500 m (4,920 feet) of climbs and descents per day. You’ll mostly ascend peaks between 700 and 1,200 m (2,300-3,940 ft).

  You’ll go for day trips from your lodge and reach your playground for the day by boat. You can expect glaciated terrain and often variable snow conditions. Late March is the start of peak season for ski touring in Northern Norway—the temperatures are mild and stable, with lows typically around -10°C and highs typically below 0°C. The snowpack is coastal, meaning deep and stable despite the low elevation, with excellent powder skiing found well into April.

• What will ski touring days look like?

  All excursions set off from the sea and reach the peaks of a spectacular landscape of the fjords of Seiland Islands with the taste of the Arctic. Ski touring in Northern Norway means a good snowpack and interesting tours with outstanding fall line skiing.

  Every morning you’ll hop into a motorboat at Seiland House’s landing and go search for your playground for the day. Usually you’ll cover elevation differences of 800-1,300 m (2,625-4,265 ft), that’s 3-5 hours spent ascending, and then you’ll often descend along a different route to a different return point in a neighboring fjord.

• Waiver and release of liability

  Liability waivers are a standard part of all guided outdoor adventures. Recently, the requirements have become a bit more rigorous for ACMG guides—meaning that you’ll need to agree to the signing of the waiver at the time of booking.

  Prior to booking, we ask you to review the waiver. During the checkout process, you’ll have to acknowledge the risks and agree to the signing of the waiver. You are required to bring a printed copy on the trip.

  Please note that signing and agreeing to the terms of the waiver is required in order to join this adventure. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us prior to booking.

• What do I need to bring?

  You’ll need to bring all of the following personal equipment for ski touring in Northern Norway. Please don’t bring extra equipment. If you have any questions at all about gear, please do not hesitate to contact us.

  Clothing:

  • • Wool or synthetic socks and liner socks
    • Long underwear top (synthetic or wool)
    • Light fleece or wool sweater
    • Wind shell (nylon or ‘Schoeller’ type jacket)
    • Waterproof breathable jacket
    • Warm insulated jacket (down or synthetic)
    • Long underwear bottoms (synthetic or wool)
    • Multipurpose stretch nylon or ‘Schoeller’ type pants
    • Waterproof breathable pants
    • Warm hat (wool or synthetic)
    • Brimmed cap for sun protection
    • Face warmer (scarf, neck tube or balaclava) — optional
    • Light gloves (wool, synthetic or leather)
    • Insulated gloves or mitts with waterproof outer shell
    • Spare gloves or mitts
    • Handkerchief for blocking the sun — optional

  Snow safety equipment:

  • • Avalanche beacon with good batteries (and spares)
    • Shovel
    • Probe (2.4 m or longer preferred)

  Snow touring equipment:

  • • Skis or split board
    • Ski crampons — must (they’re specific to your binding type, if you can’t find one to fit your binding, G3 crampons have an attachment system that works for many bindings)
    • Ski strap
    • Ski or snowboard boots
    • Poles
    • Climbing skins
    • Skin wax (or a candle)
    • Binding repair kit to fix your personal travel setup
    • Ski helmet
    • Ski scraper

  Glacier gear

  • • Harness (fitted for over your ski clothing)
    • Locking carabiners (2x)
    • Non-locking carabiners (2x)
    • Prussik cord — 5 m x 6 mm (optional)
    • Sewn sling — 120 cm (optional)
    • Lightweight ice axe (optional, don’t bring if you don’t have one or don’t like steep skiing)

  Personal equipment:

  • • Pack (30-40 liters will work fine)
    • Sunglasses (both orange and dark lenses help a lot for travel in all conditions)
    • Goggles (orange lenses)
    • Sunscreen and lip cream (SPF 30+)
    • Head lamp with good batteries
    • Insulated water bottle or thermos (1-2 L)
    • Lunch bag or container
    • Personal blister kit (i.e. Leukotape-P and Compeed/Second Skin blister pads)
    • Tincture of Benzoin or a medical product by 3M called Cavilon (these products help the
    • Leukotape stick for the whole week if necessary)
    • Pocket knife — optional
    • Camera — optional
    • Binoculars — optional
    • Prussik cord – 5m x 6mm — optional, for contributing to emergency toboggan construction

  Personal belongings

  • • Duffle bag for your clothes
    • Shoes
    • Micro spikes — especially the early season (late April/early May) trips as melt-freeze cycles can create very slippery conditions in the town
    • Comfortable clothing for travel as well as some nice clothes to wear to the restaurants
    • Slippers
    • High rubber boots for entering/exiting the motorboat (optional)
    • Personal medications and toiletries
    • Ear plugs
    • Reading material — optional
    • Chargers and adapters for electronic devices
    • Norwegian cash in NOK or Euros to pay for your beer tab, souvenirs, and gratuities

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• Can I rent ski equipment?

  There are no equipment rentals on Seiland. However, your guides do rent ski gear if arranged in advance. It’s still highly recommended you bring your own equipment and that you make sure it’s in top condition.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and pricing

  • • For this ski touring trip in Northern Norway, the maximum client-to-guide ratio is 8:1.
    • The maximum group size is 8, but two groups can be accommodated at the lodge.

  Ski touring in Northern Norway can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join ski touring in Northern Norway on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

  If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to your ski touring trip in Northern Norway, you first have to get to Oslo. From Oslo Airport (OSL), catch a flight to the smaller Alta Airport (ALF). Once you get there, take the ferry to Seiland. Make sure to plan ahead in time and take into consideration all modes of transport.

• Safety measures and insurance

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

  Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

• Deposit and cancellation policy

  Secure your spot with a 50% deposit upon booking! The remaining 50% of the trip price must be paid 120 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 120 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.

  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 120 or more days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 119 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48 hours grace period.

  Early Bird booking

  Want to be the first one to know when we publish new dates or secure your spot well in advance? Select a future month that suits you best and lock in your Early Bird spot in time with just a 10% deposit.

  As soon as our guides publish new tour dates, you’ll be the first one to know. We’ll hold your spot for 2 weeks until you choose the date that suits you best.

  More about how Early Bird bookings work below:

  • Only a 10% non-refundable deposit must be paid upon booking, but this deposit can be transferred to any other 57hours adventure in case the dates don’t end up working for you.
  • Once our guides publish new tour dates, we’ll reach out to you so you’ll be the first one to choose from newly released dates.
  • When you pick your date, you’ll confirm your booking by paying another 40% of the total trip amount (amounting to the standard 50% deposit).
  • Once the trip has been confirmed, the regular cancellation policy (found above) applies.
  • The remaining balance is due 120 days before the trip.