This year we will again be offering a trip to the Island of Kvaløya in Arctic Norway. This has been one of our favourite destinations for personal skiing for a number of years and we are keen to share this varied area with our clients.
A ski touring trip to the island of Kvaløya, visiting a unique set of mountains in the Arctic Circle, close to Norway’s northern city of Tromsø. Lying just to the west of the Lyngen Peninsula the mountains are a popular destination with the locals giving fantastic skiing and scenery high above the sea. There is no need to fear the crowds here however, as there are plenty of descents to choose from. The neighbouring island of Senja is also just a short ferry trip away.
The mountains here rise up to a maximum of ~1000m and are in many cases surrounded by the sea, with some of the most popular being the likes of Storeteinnestinden, Skittentinden, Hollendaren, to name a few.
Some 300km into the Arctic Circle the snow conditions are reliable here, allowing you to ski from the summit to the sea in many cases. The sheer variety of the skiing makes Kvaløya an ideal location for an interesting trip to suit intermediate to advanced skiers and tourers. Kattfjorddalen alone sports open slopes, well spaced trees, and steeper couloirs explaining why the residents of Tromsø describe the area as one of their favourites too.
Skiing in the Tromsø area and Kvaløya in particular is a unique experience. Being based on the island a short distance from Tromsø allows us to travel by car capitalising on the excellent road network around the fjords, with short distances between ski tours. This allows much greater flexibility to make best use of the prevailing weather or simply to visit the neighbouring island of Senja.
This trip is based from Ersfjordbotn, with stunning down Ersfjorden. Here we make use of traditional Norwegian houses or ‘hytte’, both of which are well appointed, close to the sea front.
Many of the days are shorter it terms of vertical distance than we are used to in the alps, giving plenty of time for another lap or descents of many variations or couloirs etc. Later in the season ascents will often be timed to get the best 'spring snow' on sunny aspects, but rarely is there the need for a 5am start in the Arctic Circle.
Ski Kvaløya - Arctic Norway from Rob Johnson - Filmuphigh on Vimeo.
In order to provide a unique experience and make the best of you time in the Arctic Circle, we have created a Kvaløya Team. These trips will be led by a dual Ski Instructor and IFMGA Mountain Guide team giving the benefits of both high quality guiding and ski instruction, not to mention enthusiasm for Lyngen and the magical skiing the area offers.
Having an informal but dual discipline team brings a lot of flexibility to cater for groups of different ability or aspirations as well as ensuring plenty of ski coaching or guiding time as appropriate. Of course a big part of experience in Arctic Norway is allowing yourself to take a steadier pace while soaking up the surroundings and relaxing in front of a warm fire. To help us we also have enlisted the services of a cook and catering manager.
Maximum 6 people. The minimum number for this trip to run is 1.
We have 10 places available on this trip and will divide into 2 or 3 groups on a daily basis.
6 days dual guiding and ski instruction with IFMGA Mountain Guide and ISTD.
Accommodation (double or twin rooms) and food on full board basis (inc. packed lunch).
All transport during the trip ( including additional costs such as ferries).
Flights to and from Tromsø.
Alcohol (please note alcohol is expensive in Norway. This is best purchased at duty free).
Avalanche safety equipment, and ski touring equipment. Due to this being a specialist trip joining in Tromsø we won’t have extra equipment available. If you have any equipment requirements then please contact us in the first instance. Please read the kit list here.
Lift expenses. Although this is a wilderness skiing trip, and it’s use is unlikely there is one lift in Tromsø!
Insurance for cancellation, rescue, repatriation and medical expenses.
A trip to the Island of Kvaløya would suit intermediate to advanced ski tourers. The ability to ski off piste is essential for this area with ascents of 800m-1200m per day being fairly typical, with a similarly large descent. Some variations might require steeper skinning and descents of 40 deg. We ask that you are comfortable skinning uphill at a rate of 300m per hour and are comfortable doing kick turns. Please feel free to get in touch if you would like to discuss any aspect of your ski ability or for advice on your preparation.
* We will be available to pick up from either the airport or a Tromsø hotel, at a pre-arranged collection time, from 3pm onwards on the start date of your trip. Similarly, we will drop you off (at either the airport or a Tromsø hotel) before midday on the final day of the trip. We are happy to drop off for the first flight out of Tromsø (normally 0630). We will do our best to deal with any delays, but due to the distances involved, if your flight is delayed we may have to ask you to arrange your own onward transport. A taxi is approximately £100 to Ersfjordbotn.