What you get in this adventure: An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area Seven or eight days of backcountry ski touring Backcountry permits Accommodation Meals Private cook Transportation during the trip What’s not included: Technical backcountry ski touring equipment Transportation to and from Lofoten

What equipment do I need to bring?

For technical backcountry ski touring and splitboarding gear, you will need to bring: Alpine touring skis, telemark skis or splitboard with skins (can be rented) Touring boots and poles (can be rented) Splitboard Clips or hooks Pucks Splitboard bindings Skins Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented): Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon Lightweight snow shovel Avalanche probe For personal items, we recommend bringing: Helmet Sunglasses or ski goggles Gloves and hat Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended) Ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended) Down jacket or vest Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks One triple-action locking carabiner or two conventional locking carabiners Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people) Water bottle and 1L of water Thermos with a warm beverage — optional Food you can eat on-the-go First aid kit Sunscreen Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-40L backpack) Camera — optional

Can I rent equipment?

All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent: Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel and probe from Skandinavisk Høyfjellsutstyr Svolvær Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots and poles can be rented from Skandinavisk Høyfjellsutstyr Svolvær Splitboards can be rented from Skandinavisk Høyfjellsutstyr Svolvær Ski rental locations are in Svolvaer and should be picked before you head for your accommodation, which is not in the town. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements. Guides will also help you with renting gear if you need additional information.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and pricing: The max client-to-guide ratio for Eight-Day Ski and Sail in Lofoten is 4:1, with the number of guests being 8 and the number of guides being 2. For Villa-Based Backcountry Ski Trip in Lofoten and Backcountry Ski Trip in Lofoten, the usual ratio is 6:1, with six guests and one guide. All prices are per person. Min. age requirements: If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors may be permitted to join the backcountry skiing tours if they are accompanied by a legal parent or guardian. If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Deposits and cancellation policy

A 40% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is due in fourteen (14) days. If the booking is made less than fourteen (14) days prior to departure, the cost must be paid in full. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies. If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to thirty (30) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is entitled to forty (40) percent of the deposit. For cancellations thirty (30) to fourteen (14) calendar days in advance, the deposit will be forfeited. For cancellations less than fourteen (14) calendar days in advance, full trip amount will be forfeited. 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. Cancellations must be submitted in writing by email, and will only be recognized once received by Arctos Guides. For larger trips, Arctos Guides is contracting third party companies such as huts, helicopter, and transportation, associated costs will be forfeited based on the respective cancellation policy of each third party. If Arctos Guides cancels a trip for any reason prior to the start date, a credit for the trip’s value, valid for two years, will be issued. If Arctos Guides is forced to cancel a trip for any reason after the trip start date, a credit for the unused portion of the trip’s value, valid for two years, will be issued.

Skiing and Splitboarding Adventure with a Guide in Lofoten, Norway

Top three reasons to go skiing and splitboarding in Lofoten, Norway

Summit-to-sea descents in one of world’s most beautiful archipelagos
Sail between jagged granite mountains and ski in several different terrains
Visit quaint fishing villages and enjoy local food prepared by a private chef

“Who little ventures, little gains,” goes a Norwegian proverb. With that spirit in mind, imagine this: you are 200 miles north of the Arctic circle sailing to your next skiing and splitboarding location in the Lofoten archipelago. The mountains rise like great humpback whales, pooled together in islands, strafed with straits and fjords and covered in snow. From treeline to alpine, there are open slopes, glades, chutes, and plenty of pillow powder to enjoy during long days. Accompanied by ACMG guides, you’ll trudge up 3,000+ foot peaks and ski all the way to sea. What do you say?

Season April	Nearest city Oslo, Norway, is a three-hour flight away
Duration 7-8 days	Skill level Intermediate to advanced

Choose how you spend your days

This adventure offers a more rustic experience of Lofoten. During the first part of the trip you will be based in a cottage and later in a Norwegian hut. This comprehensive trip offers many different ski locations—some of which are accessible only by the sea. Apart from accommodation, transport and a guide, the adventure also includes a private cook.

If you want to experience Lofoten from the sea then this is the right option for you! In this sailboat-based week you will use your ship as basecamp while navigating skiing and splitboarding spots at your leisure. This trip includes the boat, a private cook, a captain, meals and two ACMG-certified guides.

If you want to lace your Lofoten adventure with a splash of luxury, then look no further than this villa-based Lofoten adventure. In this premium trip, you get a fully-serviced Lofoten villa complete with a hot tub and cold pool, a private chef who will prepare authentic local food for you, an ACMG-certified guide, and a local tailguide. For getting to backcountry locations accessible only by boat, you will also be provided with Fiskund, a converted cod fishing trawler, as well as with a vehicle for getting to land-based skiing venues.

Backcountry Ski Trip in Lofoten Itinerary

Meet with your guides in Svolvaer, a favorite starting point for adventures in Lofoten. From there, you will go directly to Digermulen, a fishing village in an idyllic location beside the sea with views of the mountain peaks. This is the location of your accommodation in the first part of the trip. After settling in, you will have an avalanche meeting with the guides.

You will start the days with breakfast in your Lofoten cottage. There are many possible ski locations which are nearby, with most of them being concentrated near Raftsundet, one of many straits in Lofoten. After a day of skiing and splitboarding, you will return to the cottage to enjoy après-ski with authentic Norwegian food prepared by a private cook.

On day 4 you will sail from Digermulen to Trollfjorden, whose impressive granite walls make it one of the most captivating fjords in all of Norway. Once you get there, you will go on a ski tour to your next accommodation—a Norwegian hut—where you will be based for the rest of the trip. The days will start with breakfast in the hut and continue with various activities in the Trollfjorden area. Finish the days with après and enjoy hearty and restorative meals.

Start the last day in the hut with breakfast. Afterwards, you will ski out of Trollfjorden to the boat which will take you back where you started—Svolvaer. Get another peak of the delightful town and finish your adventure.

Eight-Day Ski and Sail in Lofoten Itinerary

Meet with the guides in Svolvaer, a favorite starting point for adventures in Lofoten. The town is famous for its massive fishing industry, while its charming Nordic architecture is something to note as well. After your arrival, you will set the sail, board the boat and start your adventure.

Days will start with breakfast on the boat. Austnesfjorden is a fjord in Vågan Municipality, just north of Svolvaer. When it comes to skiing and splitboarding in Lofoten, it features classic ski descents such as Higravtindan and Geitgaljertind, but there are other options as well. There are several fishing villages in the area as well so you will get a chance to explore some of that as well. Finish the days with après-ski.

Trollfjorden, one of nature’s most exquisite works, is a fjord accessible only by boat. You will sail between its steep granite walls and enjoy some of the best views on this tour. On top of that, it features many ski options. Raftsundet is a 16-miles-long (25 km) strait, and, likewise, offers many ski opportunities. Your days will start with breakfast on the boat and finish with après-ski.

You will spend your last day on the boat while sailing back to Svolvaer where the adventure finishes.

Villa-Based Backcountry Ski Trip in Lofoten Itinerary

Meet with the guides in Svolvaer, a favorite starting point for adventures in Lofoten. There you will meet with your guide and spend the night in a hotel and get a more in-depth experience of the town.

The day will start with breakfast in the hotel. You will head to Austnesfjorden afterwards and spend the day skiing classic descents such as Higravtindan and Geitgaljertind. Afterwards, you will have a drive to Digermulen, the location of your accommodation. Digermulen is a delightful village by the sea with views of the mountains. Enjoy après-ski in the villa and regain energy for the next day.

The days will start with breakfast in the villa, after which you will go to various skiing locations in Trollfjorden and Raftsundet accessible either by boat or car. There are many ski options in both locations, as well as show-stopping natural wonders—especially when it comes to Trollfjorden, whose steep granite walls make it one of the top attractions in Norway. Finish the days relaxing in the hot tub and/or cold pool and enjoy quality local food prepared by the chef.

Your last day will start with breakfast and continue with skiing at the location where you started— in Austnesfjorden. Afterwards, you will return to Svolvaer and end your adventure.

Meet your guide

Arctos Guides

Founded in 2017, Arctos Guides provide custom outdoor adventures in British Columbia and beyond. Their ACMG certified guides make sure adventures are safe and enjoyable.

Reviews (2)

Spencer Rankin about Arctos Guides on Nicelocal

I had a great time with Arctos guides. For my first ever backcountry touring experience, they were great teachers. Very supportive along the way. I felt like the safety training was very extensive, so good if you’re new to the backcountry. Would recommend.

Julie Brache about Arctos Guides on Nicelocal

Arctos accommodated our custom trip requests, delivered on what we wanted to get out of the day, and was personable and educational. We will definitely be booking again!
James Bonz
My family and I had the most awesome trip with Conor (Arctos Guides)! He is a complete professional, steadfast in his planning and preparation and a terrific person as well. His knowledge of the terrain and snowpack are invaluable and he made sure that everyone in our group had the best experience. The prepared foods were excellent and we had more than enough to eat. I cannot recommend Arctos Guides highly enough!!

Things to know

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Lofoten, Norway please refer to the official website of Norwegian Healthcare Services.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

What you get in this adventure:

- An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
- Seven or eight days of backcountry ski touring
- Backcountry permits
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Private cook
- Transportation during the trip

What’s not included:

- Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
- Transportation to and from Lofoten

To enjoy this backcountry adventure, you need to be in excellent physical shape. You will be on your feet for 5-7 hours a day for a full week, covering 6-10 miles (10-15km) of terrain every day. You will need to manage controlled descents in variable conditions. All participants should feel comfortable on challenging blue or black-level resort runs and be able to carry a loaded daypack while skinning up variable degrees of terrain.

To participate in this tour, you need to have previous backcountry skiing and/or splitboarding experience. You will be skiing, splitboarding, touring, and summiting on different terrains for 5-7 hours every day. Your guide will take care of the planning, oversee your technique, and teach you how to better manage the terrain. They also have the experience and avalanche training necessary to keep you safe.

For technical backcountry ski touring and splitboarding gear, you will need to bring:

- Alpine touring skis, telemark skis or splitboard with skins (can be rented)
- Touring boots and poles (can be rented)
- Splitboard
- Clips or hooks
- Pucks
- Splitboard bindings
- Skins
- Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented):
  - Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
  - Lightweight snow shovel
  - Avalanche probe

For personal items, we recommend bringing:

- Helmet
- Sunglasses or ski goggles
- Gloves and hat
- Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended)
- Ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended)
- Down jacket or vest
- Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks
- One triple-action locking carabiner or two conventional locking carabiners
- Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people)
- Water bottle and 1L of water
- Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
- Food you can eat on-the-go
- First aid kit
- Sunscreen
- Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-40L backpack)
- Camera — optional

All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent:

- Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel and probe from Skandinavisk Høyfjellsutstyr Svolvær
- Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots and poles can be rented from Skandinavisk Høyfjellsutstyr Svolvær
- Splitboards can be rented from Skandinavisk Høyfjellsutstyr Svolvær

Ski rental locations are in Svolvaer and should be picked before you head for your accommodation, which is not in the town. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements. Guides will also help you with renting gear if you need additional information.

Group sizes and pricing:

- The max client-to-guide ratio for Eight-Day Ski and Sail in Lofoten is 4:1, with the number of guests being 8 and the number of guides being 2.
- For Villa-Based Backcountry Ski Trip in Lofoten and Backcountry Ski Trip in Lofoten, the usual ratio is 6:1, with six guests and one guide.
- All prices are per person.

Min. age requirements:

- If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
- Minors may be permitted to join the backcountry skiing tours if they are accompanied by a legal parent or guardian.

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

A 40% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is due in fourteen (14) days. If the booking is made less than fourteen (14) days prior to departure, the cost must be paid in full. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.

- If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to thirty (30) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is entitled to forty (40) percent of the deposit.
- For cancellations thirty (30) to fourteen (14) calendar days in advance, the deposit will be forfeited.
- For cancellations less than fourteen (14) calendar days in advance, full trip amount will be forfeited.
- 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.

Cancellations must be submitted in writing by email, and will only be recognized once received by Arctos Guides.

For larger trips, Arctos Guides is contracting third party companies such as huts, helicopter, and transportation, associated costs will be forfeited based on the respective cancellation policy of each third party.

If Arctos Guides cancels a trip for any reason prior to the start date, a credit for the trip’s value, valid for two years, will be issued. If Arctos Guides is forced to cancel a trip for any reason after the trip start date, a credit for the unused portion of the trip’s value, valid for two years, will be issued.

To get to Lofoten, most people fly into Oslo International Airport and take a three-hour flight to Svolvaer.

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop or a predetermined location in Svolvaer. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.

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