Heli Ski Expedition in East Greenland

Things to know

• What’s included?

  Included:

  • • Experienced, certified ski guides with extensive knowledge of the area
    • 8-day Greenland backcountry skiing adventure
    • 10.5 hours of heli flight time on B3 A-Star Helicopter (it’s normal to use 2-2.5 hours of flight time per day; extra flight time can be purchased)
    • Accommodation in Tasiilaq
    • All meals while in Tasiilaq
    • Round-trip helicopter transfer from Kusuluk to Tasiilaq
    • Air bag, transceiver, probe, shovel

  Not included:

  • • Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
    • Accommodation in Reykjavik
    • Transfer between domestic and international terminal in Reykjavik
    • Flights to and from Kulusuk
    • Flights to and from Reykjavik
    • Alcoholic beverages
    • Insurance — available to add at checkout
    • Guide gratuities — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  In order to fully enjoy this Greenland backcountry skiing experience, you should be an advanced skier with great fitness levels. You should be able to ski down black diamond runs in various conditions comfortably and ski at least 5 runs of 1,200 m (3,940 ft) each. Previous heli skiing experience is not required. Skiers are expected to have an adventurous spirit and recognize that the weather will greatly influence what we can and can’t do.

• What if I’ve never backcountry skied before?

  This Greenland backcountry skiing tour is reserved for advanced skiers. If you’re just getting into the magic of off-piste skiing, consider taking some beginner lessons. However, this adventure can accommodate non-skiing partners—there’s plenty to see and do in Greenland!

• 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 sort of weather and conditions can I expect?

  Greenland is a land of very mixed weather. Usually the spring brings higher pressure and settled weather, but be prepared for everything: from calm and sunny days to blizzard conditions and lots of snow. The average temperature is -5°C (23°F) during April, but it can get a lot lower.

  Normally, the skiing is excellent. The conditions can be highly variable and you could be skiing powder, corn snow and everything in between, but there’s always different terrain to use and you will almost always find some great skiing. There’s everything from mellow glacier runs to steep couloir skiing. Deep powder skiing is possible until the end of March and often beyond, late spring has corn snow, but you can still hunt down stashes of powder up high on north-facing slopes. The coastal snowpack here is fairly stable.

  Regarding avalanche risk, it’s normally not high. Being a coastal snowpack with mild temperatures, most instabilities settle out quickly.

  On down days (which average about 1-2 days per trip, the same as most heli ski destinations), your guides will organize traditional dog sledding or fishing excursions with Greenlandic guides. These can often be as exciting as the skiing!

• What’s the accommodation and food like?

  You’ll be based in Angmagssalik Hotel, East Greenland’s most established hotel, ideally situated in a spot overlooking the town, the King Oscar’s Bay, the icebergs, and the rugged mountains. All rooms are clean, simple, and elegant, they have ensuite bathrooms, satellite TV, and are individually heated. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, as well as a sauna for relaxation after long days on the slopes.

  Meals are hearty with big portions to look after your high caloric intake needs. For breakfast you have a choice between eggs, granola, oatmeal, and pancakes. Lunches are eaten on-the-go and include sandwich-type meats and cheeses. Dinner is a delicious fusion of East Greenlandic delicacies and Western cuisine.

  There is both internet and call service in Tasiilaq. Both can be quite slow at certain times of the day, but they do have service. You can charge your devices at the hotel, where the outlets are round 2 prong European-style outlets.

• What do I need to bring?

  Clothing list

  • • Wool or synthetic socks and liner socks
    • Long underwear top — synthetic or wool
    • Light fleece or wool sweater
    • Waterproof breathable jacket
    • Warm insulated jacket — down or synthetic
    • Long underwear bottoms — synthetic or wool
    • Waterproof breathable pants
    • Warm hat — wool or synthetic
    • Face warmer — scarf, neck tube or balaclava (optional)
    • Insulated gloves or mitts with waterproof outer shell
    • Spare gloves or mitts casual clothing for lodge life slippers for the lodge personal toiletries

  Gear

  • • Ski helmet, downhill skis or snowboard
    • Ski strap
    • Ski or snowboard boots
    • Poles
    • Binding repair kit to fix your personal travel setup

  Personal Equipment

  • • Sunglasses
    • Goggles
    • Sunscreen and lip cream (SPF 30+)
    • Head lamp with good batteries
    • Personal medication
    • Pocket knife — optional
    • Camera — optional

  Additional gear for ski touring on rest days

  • • Ski touring or split board set up
    • Skins
    • Ski or board crampons
    • Lightweight, windproof jacket for ascents
    • 35L backpack
    • Wax for skins
    • Sun hat for ascent
    • Personal blister kit (e.g., Leukotape-P and Compeed/Second Skin blister pads)

  If you have any questions regarding the equipment list, feel free to contact us prior to booking.

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• Can I rent equipment?

  We strongly recommend bringing your own equipment. There is nothing to rent in Greenland and the equipment in Iceland is sparse so it would be best to bring everything you need from home.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and prices:

  • • For this Greenland backcountry skiing adventure, the client-to-guide ratio is 4:1. There will be a maximum of 8 guests on this trip and accordingly 2 helicopters.
    • It takes a minimum of 4 people for this tour to operate.
    • The cost is per person and doesn’t decrease as the group grows.
    • This adventure can be organized as a private tour, where your guides will tailor the experience to your group’s abilities and expectations. If you’d like to book a private tour, contact us to make arrangements.

  Greenland backcountry skiing 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 may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis.

  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 Greenland backcountry skiing adventure, you first have to fly into Reykjavik’s Keflavik Airport (KEF). You’ll then have to travel to Reykjavik’s domestic airport, which is one hour away. This is where you will meet your guides and your team for a mid-morning flight to Kulusuk, Greenland. Make sure to arrive in Reykjavik on time, preferably at least a day prior to your Greenland flight, and arrange accommodations accordingly.

  Once you land in Greenland, transportation there is included in the price of the tour. Upon arrival in Kulusuk, you will board a helicopter and fly to Tasiilaq, which will be your base for the trip.

• 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.

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  A 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 3 months (90 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.

  • • If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to one hundred twenty (120) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is entitled to a full refund.
    • For cancellations ninety (90) to one hundred nineteen (119) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the total amount paid when Booking.
    • For cancellations seventy-five (75) to eighty nine (89) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of twenty-five percent (25%) of the total amount paid when Booking.
    • After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund. Any reimbursable expenses arising out of the Booking incurred by Guide prior to the date of cancellation (including but not limited to plane tickets, car rental payments, and lodging or transportation fees) are non-refundable as soon as they are incurred by the Guide.

  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 20% of the total trip amount (amounting to the standard 30% deposit).
  • Once the trip has been confirmed, the regular cancellation policy (found above) applies.
  • The remaining balance is due 90 days before the trip.