If you’re a true adventurer at heart wanting to power your own way through uncharted wilderness, this East Greenland ski touring expedition is calling your name! We’ve been guiding trips in all corners of the world, but the extremely isolated and spectacular Greenland remains one of our favorites. Really, what’s not to like about it? It’s as remote as it gets, it features some incredible ski descents with views of glaciers and peaks, and has lots of different terrain choices to suit everyone. So come join us on this epic, 8-day expedition, and ski tour like never before. We’ll stay in a remote village (just 250 inhabitants!), use boats and dog sleds to get around, and experience traditional Greenlandic culture first-hand.
Join us on this 8-day ski touring expedition and let’s explore the wilderness of East Greenland together! Every day here is a true adventure, wherever we decide to go—we’ll ski sea to summit, cruise past icebergs, dog sled alongside polar bear tracks, and experience the traditional Greenlandic culture. Terrain in the area has lots of variety as well, so it’s perfect for those who want to test themselves in couloirs as well as for those who’d like to take it easier on mellow glacier runs. All logistics are arranged, including all food, lodging and transfers. You just show up, make sure you’re ready for a real adventure, and leave the rest to your expert guides!
We will all meet together at Kulusuk Airport. Once we all gather, we will board a cozy, enclosed boat and make our way to Kuummiut, a small East Greenlandic village, where we’ll spend six nights in a guesthouse. After checking in, we can go for a short afternoon ski tour or spend some time checking out the village and meeting locals.
Meals: Dinner
Skiing: 7 km (4.3 miles), 3 hours
Elevation gain: 700 m (2,300 ft)
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Kuummiut
Step into your skis just outside our guesthouse, and we’ll head into the hills behind the village of Kuummiut. With lots of options to choose from, we’ll ski from sea to summit, with 360-degree views of glaciers and fjords as far as the eye can see!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Skiing: 12 km (7.5 miles), 8 hours
Elevation gain: 1,500-1,800 m (4,920-5,900 ft)
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Kuummiut
Today we’ll cross the fjord on skis (ice depending) and ski a beautiful line opposite the village. Upper bowls offer plenty of ski options, with a short boot pack to the summit, and incredible views looking down on the village of Kuummiut. Our ski descent is a magical one, as the upper bowl gives way to a great ski slope with a dramatic canyon that parallels our ski run.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Skiing: 12 km (7.5 miles), 8 hours
Elevation: 1,500-1,800 m (4,920-5,900 ft)
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Kuummiut
Using dog sleds, we’ll access terrain further to the north. A long easy ski tour to access some steeper terrain is a rewarding way to spend the day! With dramatic 1,000-meter (3,280-foot) granite cliffs rising above us, the scenery is nothing short of spectacular.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Skiing: 15 km (9.3 miles), 8 hours
Elevation: 1,500-1,800 m (4,920-5,900 ft)
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Kuummiut
Today we’ll use a local boat with one of the renowned hunters in the village to access further flung objectives. We will be dropped off on the north side of an island, and ski a circuit route, where we will get picked up on the southern side. Glacier travel, boot backing to access the peak, and incredible ski runs looking to the west will make for an incredible day in the mountains of Greenland. Depending on the group and conditions, we have the option of couloirs, or great glaciated slopes.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Skiing: 15 km (9.3 miles), 1.5 hours aboard a boat
Elevation: 1,500-1,800 m (4,920-5,900 ft)
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Kuummiut
Once again, using a local boat, we’ll cruise to another island. Today’s objective finds us climbing a beautiful shoulder to the peak, with incredible views of the fjords below. The final pitch to the summit will find us boot packing. This run is such a hit, guests oftentimes want to ski it again! In the evening, we’ll pack our gear so it’s ready in the morning for pick-up—the gear will be transported, while we will ski from village to village.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Skiing: 8 km (5 miles), 6 hours skiing, 1 hour aboard a boat
Elevation: 1,000 m (3,280 ft)
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Kuummiut
Today is one of our bigger days, and finds us traveling through a lot of diverse terrain. From steep bowls, to mellow glaciers, to a perfect ski summit. The views from here are spectacular, as we are closer to the open ocean and will be able to see the sea ice, moving in and out with the tide. Our descent ends in a tidewater glacier, where we will get picked up by snowmobile, and head to Kulusuk for our final night in Greenland.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Skiing: 15 km (9.3 miles), 1 hour on snowmobiles
Elevation: 1,500-1,800 m (4,920-5,900 ft)
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Kulusuk
In the morning, we’ll have the opportunity to visit a local Greenland Museum and walk to a lookout over the Arctic Ocean. We’ll transit to Kulusuk Airport around noon, and that marks the end of our adventure!
Meals: Breakfast
Great trip all around! Views were amazing, pristine location, great guides and tailored service. I highly recommend traveling with Expedition Engineering and this specific trip. There was good skiing, some cultural experience, and adaptability to weather and conditions available to us. They are not your regular tour operators, they deliver something unique and real. Thumbs up to this company, I would go again with them at any time!!
Outstanding backcountry ski trip. Our trip was actually went April 2024. Scenery was amazing, ski terrain had everything from easy to as challenging as you could want, conditions for us were mostly corn with some very firm and some powder, getting a ‘taste’ of local culture was cool and the guides, Angela and Matt were great. I had the feeling of sharing an adventure with them rather than being taken on an adventure by them. For lots of other reasons too, would strongly recommend.
Included:
Not included:
In order to participate in this West Greenland ski & sail expedition, ski touring experience is mandatory. Great fitness and stamina is a must, but with 2 guides, it’s also possible to split into two groups to accommodate different ability and fitness levels. On average, you’ll climb between 1,500 and 1,800 m (4,920-5,900 ft) per day and spend 8 hours on skis per day.
You should be an advanced skier, able to ski any black diamond at a ski hill in various ski conditions. Ideally, you should be regularly doing ski touring trips. In terms of preparation and physical condition, running and walking up the stairs is the best workout.
You should also have an adventurous spirit and recognize that the weather can greatly influence what you can and can’t do on a given day.
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.
Clothing list
Gear
Personal equipment
Weather
Greenland is a land of very mixed weather. In general, spring brings higher pressure and calmer weather, but you could still experience anything ranging from dead calm and bluebird days to blizzard-type of weather. The temperature in April ranges from -10°C to -5°C (14°F to 23°F). May and June bring beautiful sunny days and temperatures from -5°C to 4°C (23°F to 40°F).
Skiing conditions
Normally, skiing conditions are very good. The snow itself can be highly variable, and you could be skiing powder, corn snow, and everything in between, but with the terrain variety, you can almost always find some terrific skiing. There’s everything from mellow glacier runs to steep couloir skiing. There’s normally not a high avalanche risk. As it’s a coastal snowpack with mild temperatures, most instabilities settle out quickly.
No, your guides do not offer equipment rental for this East Greenland ski touring expedition. You should be familiar with your avalanche equipment and already have used your ski touring equipment prior to the trip.
Group sizes and pricing
East Greenland ski touring expeditions can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The starting point of your East Greenland ski touring expedition is Kulusuk Airport (KUS) in Greenland. Flights to Kulusuk depart from Reykjavik, i.e., Keflavik Airport in Iceland. You’ll meet your guide and your team at Kulusuk Airport.
Once you all gather, you’ll board a cozy boat and make your way to Kuummiut, a small East Greenlandic village where you’ll spend the next six days.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!
Redpoint tailors their 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.
Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Deposits
You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.
Cancellations
Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:
Basic
Flexible
Super Flexible
We did this trip with Angela in May of 2024. First off, Angela was an incredible guide. She’s kind, knowledgeable, fun and dialed. Her knowledge of the culture, skiing, navigation of best plan/route is all awesome. Greenland is truly amazing and I highly recommend going with these guys who have such a connection to the place and people. The skiing was also perfect spring corn!!! Don’t think about it too much, just GO!