The Kebnekaise ski tour includes an ascent of the highest mountain in Sweden, lying 150km north of the Arctic Circle.  The surrounding mountain ranges offer some of the best alpine touring terrain in the country and are served by a network of mountain huts.  This is a remote region, involving some overland travel, with access usually made via skidoo. This trip is guided at 1:5.

This trip travels on Friday out/Friday return, in order to fit flight options from the UK.

Please visit our Covid-19 Ski Information page for Covid FAQs, details of our new participation requirements, travel advice and what to expect on your trip.

Skiing in Kebnekaise

Kebnekaise (2098m) is the highest mountain in Sweden and the surrounding mountain ranges offer some of the best alpine touring terrain in the country.  The area gets more clear and sunny days than adjacent coastal ranges in Norway, which is perfect for creating good spring touring conditions.  April is an ideal time to visit the region, as the snowpack is usually well stabilized, with spring snow slopes on southerly aspects and often still some powder around on higher north facing aspects – especially if it snows.

This is a remote trip, with 6 days of skiing for fit and experienced ski tourers, who already have previous hut to hut touring experience and are up for the challenge of some bigger (up to 1500m) skinning days. Skiing in the area offers an overwhelming sense of space and vastness in the Arctic wilderness, with fewer alpine ski tourers around than the Alps, as most visitors use nordic touring/telemark kit and ski along the valleys.  This is also a big region for reindeer husbandry, with a good chance of seeing reindeer during the week.

Due to its remote nature, access is a key part of the trip, and the standard approach is to use a skidoo transfer into the range.  The skidoo trails are a well established means of travel, but they are conditions dependent so you need to be ready for the contingency of a longer approach and exit on skis if required. To add to the committing nature of the trip, a number of the huts are self catered (with an equipped kitchen and fuel provided) so we will be carrying all of our own food – this will mean an extra 3-4Kg of pack weight for the first half of the tour.

These factors make it a special place to tour, but also require us to be more self-sufficient than on a typical ski touring trip to the Alps. Therefore, a flexible mindset and sufficient fitness and experience to deal with unexpected challenges are a pre requisite for safety and enjoyment on this tour.

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Suitability

This is an advanced level trip. To take part you should be at Fitness Level 3-4 and Tech Level 3-4 (see our Fitness/Experience guidelines below) and have at least 3 weeks of previous touring experience, including multi day hut tours.  You must be able to handle all off piste conditions whilst carrying a fully loaded multi day touring sac, plus experience with ice axe and crampons is also needed.  The trip includes 6-9 hour days with sections of skinning on steep spring snow slopes, so you need to be safe and confident doing kick turns on icy terrain.  The summit day on Kebnekaise involves a steep roped climb up and down a section of fixed ropes, so you need to be have some mountaineering experience and be confident moving on steep (45dg+) snowy terrain using crampons and an ice axe. Typically we’ll be doing 1000-1500m of ascent a day, at 400m+ per hour ascent rate – so you can expect to be skinning for 4-5 hours a day. Type of ascent: 100% skinning on this tour – approx. 7000m of skinning up 6700m of skiing down.

NB The local mountain rescue service is well equipped and trained, but in the event of poor flying conditions skidoos are frequently used for rescues, which will take longer than in the Alps. We will be carrying a rescue sled for emergencies, and everyone should be prepared to work as a team in the event of a self evacuation.

Guiding ratio

One IFMGA guide skiing with 5 clients, or 2 guides skiing with 8 clients.

Included in price

• 6 days of guiding
• All guides expenses
• 1 nights accommodation in Kiruna, including breakfast
• 5 nights accommodation in Mountain Huts, including breakfast and evening meal (3 nights self catering, food provided)
• 1 nights accommodation in Stockholm, including breakfast
• Taxis between airport and hotel in Kiruna (if arriving with the main group)
• Return transfer from Kiruna to Nikkaluokta road head
• Skidoo transfer into the range

Excluded from price (see course factsheet for extra cost estimates)

• Evening meals in Kiruna and Stockholm
• Drinks and Hill Snacks
• Flights  (Friday out/Friday return, in order to make use of the best flight combinations)
• Insurance
• Equipment hire

Accommodation

Our hotel in Kiruna is the excellent Scandic Hotel, situated in the new town. The Scandic is one of the best hotels in town, providing a great breakfast.

On the way home we spend a night at a flight hotel in Stockholm Arlanda Airport.

Huts in the region vary from the large, fully catered Kebnekaise Fjallstation – which has electricity, showers and restaurant service, like a well appointed alpine hut – to the smaller Nallo and Tarfala cabins, which have just 11-25 bed spaces, a warden and a self catering kitchen where we need to take our own food.  To quote the STF website: “cabins offer simple, self catering accommodation in the mountains – they have no electricity or running water, and the toilet is a dry toilet. The rooms are of different sizes and are usually heated by gas stoves.  You sleep in bunk beds. There are blankets and pillows available, but you need to bring a sheet sleeping bag liner.  There is often a wood-fired sauna also.  Everybody lends a hand with household tasks – as a visitor you will chop wood, fetch water from the stream or lake, wash up and clean up after yourself.”

Our Multiday Ski Touring FAQs page answers some of the most common questions we are asked about multi day ski touring and logistics etc.

NB In self catered mountain cabins in Sweden, it is not possible to pre-book bed spaces: in the mountains, no one is turned away – but if all the beds are already taken, then you may be allocated a sleeping place with a mattress, blankets and pillow for the night – communality and inclusiveness is the Scandinavian tradition!

Hotel details can be found on our Accommodation page.

ABTOT Protected

This trip is protected by ABTOT – Alpine Guides Ltd, Membership Number 5394.  For further information, please visit our Financial Protection page.

Friday

Fly from Uk via Stockholm to Kiruna in Northern Sweden, taxi to our hotel in Kiruna.  Evening Briefing – your guide will run through kit checks and safety routines, before going on to discuss the current weather and mountain conditions and how these affect our plans.

Saturday

AM 1hr transfer from Kiruna to road end at Nikkaluokta, then 2hr skidoo journey to the Salka Hut. The Salka hut is one of the larger self catering cabins in the area, lying on the famous Kungsleden long distance trail, so is popular with nordic touring skiers.  We leave our food supplies and excess kit here, before setting out for a day tour from the Salka Hut – numerous good spring ski touring options are available in the mountains surrounding the hut: 800-1000m ascent and descent.

Sunday

Salka Hut to Nallo Hut. A day traversing the Arctic wilderness: it’s possible to follow a number of different routes and summit options between the two the huts – we’ll choose the best one for current snow and weather conditions.  The Nallo cabin is smaller than the Salka and sits in a spectacular location, surrounded by dramatic peaks. ~1200m ascent, 1100m descent.

Monday

Nallo Hut to Tarfala Hut. A big day, requiring an early start to traverse across several cols following the famous Jojo Leden route.  All the principle descents are south facing, so expect spring snow skiing today.  If snow and/or weather conditions are not stable enough to follow the Plan A route, then it’s possible to take an alternative route to reach Tarfala.   The Tarfala cabin is another smaller sized hut, set in a high alpine valley surrounded by glaciers – however it does have electricity, 4G reception and a sauna. 1400m ascent, 1200m descent.

Tuesday

Tarfala Hut to Kebnekaise Fjallstation. A big glacier skiing day, or if conditions are good, this is our first chance to climb Kebnekaise before heading to the comforts of the Kebnekaise Fjallstation – where hot showers await! Later, we then enjoy a filling meal in the restaurant.  The Fjallstation has 4G reception, hot showers, sauna and bar facilities.  1000m ascent, 1400m descent.

Wednesday

Ascent of Kebnekaise, 2098m.  A big, technical ski mountaineering day, climbing Sweden’s highest mountain. The route up Kebnekaise involves traversing a glacier, before climbing a steep couloir on foot using fixed ropes to reach the final summit ridge. Overnight at the Kebnekaise Fjallstation. 1500m ascent and descent.

Thursday

AM Ski back out to the road taking in a final summit, before making the taxi transfer back to Kiruna Airport. 800m ascent, 1200m descent.

PM Evening flight to Stockholm – overnight in flight hotel at the airport.

Friday

Early start for flights home.

Your meeting point for this trip is Kiruna (KRN), situated in northern Sweden.

Arrival/Departure

The most convenient way to reach the Kebnekaise region is fly to Stockholm, with connecting flights on to Kiruna airport.

Group transfers to the hotel and road head at Nikkaluokta and skidoo transfers into the mountains are all included in the trip price.

Flights

SAS offer flights from Heathrow  to Kiruna via Stockholm.

Outward

• departing Heathrow on Fri 14th Apr 2023 – fly to Kiruna (KRN) airport with SAS. LHR 10.35 – KRN 20.00. Check Skyscanner or the SAS website for your best option.

Return

• departing Kiruna on Thur 20th Apr 2023 – fly to Stockholm Arlanda airport with SAS. KRN 20.30 – ARN 22.00.
• We then spend the night at a flight hotel at Arlanda airport.
• departing Stockholm Arlanda Fri 21st Apr 2023 – fly to London Heathrow with SAS.  ARN 7.50 – LHR 9.35, or 11.15 – 12.55.

Further information and travel links can be found on our Travel Planning page.

Next Seasons Travel Details

Watch this space for next seasons trip dates and travel details. We aim to advertise our ski program in the springtime, ready for the following season.  Flight/public transport timetables may not be available until the summer (or autumn in some cases), but our travel plans will be updated as soon as possible thereafter, ready for the following ski season.

To enjoy this trip you should be comfortable operating at Fitness Level 3/4, and Ski Tech Level 3/4:

Fitness Level 3
You do 3-4 hours cv training/sport per week. At this level you are happy doing a 5-6 hr hillwalk, 40-50ml cycle or 3-4hr mountain bike ride without being totally exhausted. If you are into challenges – then the thought of doing a road sportive, or training to do a 1/2 (or maybe even a full) marathon, wouldn’t seem too ridiculous. On foot: you should be able to do the full Langdale Horseshoe: Langdale – Pike of Stickle – Angle Tarn – Bow Fell – Crinkle Crags – Pike of Blisco – Langdale in a day without finishing up exhausted. On skis: you can skin uphill at 300-400m/hr for 3-4 hrs a day (ie 8-1200m of ascent each day)

Fitness Level 4
You do 4+ hours CV training/sport per week. A 70+ mile cycle ride, or 20+ mile hillwalk on a weekend would hold no fears. If so inclined, you might be the kind of person who has done longer road sportives/challenge rides, a ~3.30hr marathon or other similar endurance events. Keen hillwalkers who happily knock off 3-4+ munros in a day also have this kind of fitness and endurance. On skis: you can skin at 400m+/hr or could handle 4-6hrs skinning a day. (ie 1000-1400m+ of ascent each day).

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Tech Level 3
Confirmed Off Piste Skier. You can put down a reasonable set of tracks in powder, but difficult snow types – eg heavy wet snow, crusts, poor visibility or 40dg slopes – can all cause problems (though you can cope with them safely, if not elegantly!) *Equivalent to Ski Club of GB Off Piste Level: Purple – Advanced*
Likely to say: ‘I’d like to handle difficult snow/steep slopes more confidently in better style’
Our Advice: Off piste coaching still useful. Intermediate off piste weeks are at your level too. If you want to get into ski touring, try a touring course or intro level ski tour. If you’re an established ski mountaineer, then intermediate level tours are generally suitable.

Tech Level 4
Advanced Off Piste Skier. You can put turns in through heavier snow and on icy 40dg slopes, but difficult breakable crusts and skiing a fresh track off piste in zero visibility are still somewhat challenging! *Equivalent to Ski Club of GB Off Piste Level: Gold – Expert*
Likely to say: I’ve been skiing ten/twenty years – I’d like to do your ‘……’ tour.
Our Advice: You will enjoy our advanced level trips, but don’t overlook the touring skills and physical fitness needed as well. Mileage is the best way to improve your ability level.

To view all of our Ski Fitness Levels and Off Piste Technical Levels, please visit our Ski Ability page.

If you need to top up your fitness for this trip, please see our Ski Touring Training Advice page.

Hut to Hut Touring Equipment List

Just remember, every extra kilo on your back knocks 10% off your enjoyment on the descents – so try and keep the weight down!

Technical Clothing

• Waterproof Jacket – preferably lightweight and breathable
• Overtrousers/ski pants – preferably with side zips
• Fleece mid layer – or equivalent
• Socks – specialist ski socks or a warm loop lined pair of mountain socks
• Wicking thermal top – not cotton please…
• Thermal leggings or ski pants
• Thin inner gloves
• Warm ski gloves or mittens, if you suffer from cold hands
• Warm hat
• Spare fleece/lightweight duvet jacket

Personal Items

• Water container – at least 1 litre
• Personal medications and blister kit – regular meds, zinc oxide tape, compeed and painkillers etc
• Lightweight head torch
• Ski goggles
• Sun glasses – CE rated 3 or 4 with side protection
• Sun and lip cream – factor 30+
• Wallet, passport, Alpine Club/BMC card (hut discount) and insurance docs

Hut Overnight Items

• Small wash kit
• Spare lightweight t-shirt/socks/pants
• Silk sheet liner
• Ear plugs
• (Hut slippers for indoor use, blankets/duvets and pillows are provided by the huts)

Technical Equipment

• Rucsac 35/45l – try and avoid ones covered in too many features, just ski and ice axe attachments required
• Ski mountaineering boots
• Skis with touring bindings – some ‘freeride’ bindings are also suitable
• Ski strap – to keep skis together on your rucksack if we need to carry them
• Ski poles – with good size 5cm+ baskets (telescopic poles are not needed)
• Climbing skins – they come with the skis if you hire your kit
• Harscheisen (ski crampons) – they come with the skis if you hire your kit
• Metal snow shovel – must be a full metal shovel (plastic blades don’t work in real avalanche debris!)
• Avalanche probe
• Avalanche transceiver – must be a modern digital model (older analogue models are now obsolete)
• Harness, with 120cm sling and locking karabiner
• Crampons – lightweight model
• Ice Axe – lightweight model

Your guide will have all other safety kit, first aid and survival equipment.

Recommendations and Advice
Visit the Knowledge Base section of our website, where we publish an annual review of the years best new skis, boots and touring equipment, plus a range of other interesting tips and recommendations. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please get in touch!

Purchasing Equipment
Backcountry UK in Otley offer an excellent ski touring boot fitting service, one of the best ranges of ski mountaineering equipment in the UK and top notch advice.

Hiring Equipment
Please visit our Equipment Hire page for recommended hire shops in your resort, and Alpine Guides hire equipment price list (safety equipment is provided free of charge on certain courses – please consult price inclusions).

For this trip you must have specialist travel insurance providing medical, emergency search/rescue and repatriation cover for off piste skiing and ski touring, as outlined in the trip itinerary. We also strongly recommend that you purchase cancellation cover, in case you’re unable to attend your trip due to personal circumstances or injury. Please arrange your insurance as soon as your trip is confirmed to run.

Further details can be found on our insurance info page.