A unique skiing and sailing experience, exploring the mountains of Arctic Norway on board the yacht Polar Bear. The centrepiece of the trip involves skiing in the Lyngen Alps, one of the finest ski mountaineering regions anywhere. The Lyngen Alps form the backbone of the Lyngen Peninsular, pointing due north from the very top of Norway - at it’s northernmost point it is just 1 mile from the 70 th parallel, farther north than most of Alaska.
Sample ItinerarySubject to weather and snow conditions, the plan is as follows:
Day 1
Sat
AM Flights to Tromso, welcome to Polar Bear - choose a cabin, unpack and relax. Safety briefing, boat familiarisation, introduction to the crew.
PM Weather permitting, we’ll leave Tromso in the evening and set sail.
Day 2
Sun
AM Arrive Lyngseidet (time depending on the wind!) – anchor, relax, ski planning.
PM Get ashore for a ski in the forest above Lyngeseidet. Return to boat for a beer and hearty dinner.
Days 3-5
Mon - wed
'Sea to Summit' ski touring days.
Assess the weather and select the best skiing for each day: morning drop off, full mountain ski day then meet Polar Bear at a pickup point. Enjoy a few cold beers, another fine feast and an early night.
During this period it may be possible to explore various outlying islands (accessible with a few hours sailing) as well as the main range.
Day 6
Thur
Early start for a big sail day (up to 70 degrees north) - we should be in Tromso early evening for a good night on the town.
Depending on weather the journey back to Tromso may also be split, in order to maximise skiing opportunities.
Day 7
Fri
Day touring above Tromso (breakfast and lunch provided by the boat). Overnight onshore in Tromso.
Day 8
Sat
Return flights from Tromso to the UK.
Food and Accommodation For this trip we charge a guiding + expenses fee only. Full board accommodation on board the boat costs £600 per head for the 6 nights, which includes all meals and refreshments and is payable direct to the charter company.
Polar Bear - is licensed to carry 12 passengers anywhere in the world and is one of the strongest, world proven ocean racing yachts around today.
Originally build in 2000 as part of the Challenge 72 Fleet, she has circumnavigated the globe on three occasions, against the prevailing winds and currents.
In 2005/6 she rose to fame when Dee Caffari, ex-P.E. teacher and solo yachtswoman, sailed her around the world non-stop - becoming the first woman in history to complete a solo west-about circumnavigation. Through extensive modification to enable solo handling, she is far easier to sail than her sister ships and a smaller crew can manage her, allowing more space per person and a more relaxed atmosphere in which to live.
Travel Flights from the UK are best done via Oslo, from where 6 flights a day head up to Tromso for £100-200 return. Full travel details and reccommended flights are provided with your joining instructions.
Fitness This is a strenuous touring week which includes up to 8 hour days (see fitness level 3+). You can expect to be skinning for 4 hours a day - so we advise you to prepare well in advance with regular cardiovascular training and ideally some skiing.
Skiing AbilityYou need to be a good off piste skier (see: ski ability level 3+) with previous touring experience in order to join this trip.
Equipment We will supply you with a full kit list. You are responsible for bringing personal clothing and sleeping equipment, a rucsac and ski mountaineering kit - if there are any items you may need to hire, then please contact us and we will help you arrange this. We are delighted to be working on this tour with Back Country UK, who provide excellent service and advice as a leading retailer of ski mountaineering equipment in the UK.
