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.