In a nutshell
Ski the secret Norway !
This little-known and little-traveled region will fulfill your skiing dreams: imagine massifs with incredible possibilities, forgotten in the shadow of their all-too-famous neighbor the Lyngen Alps, where the feeling of immensity and solitude won’t leave you, from the peaks overlooking the fjords, to the last turns by the sea !
Beyond the Lyngen Alps, these coastal mountains stretch their peaks and islands from the Kvænangen fjord in the west to the island of Seiland in the east.
The wild beauty of the scenery combined with the quality of the snow make this trip an unforgettable and unmissable adventure in the life of a ski touring enthusiast.
Far from the famous ski touring meccas of Lofoten and Tromsø, we’ve prepared a very different trip for you, far from the crowds, in this wild and isolated mountain region: the Finnmark Alps, at 70° North.
Roadbook
The Finnmark Alps culminate at 1191m on the Øksfjord glacier. Today, they feature large ice caps at high altitudes, some very alpine peaks, and typical plateau mountains with more or less steep slopes. These are perfect mountains for skiing, where everything is possible, from leisurely skiing on wide, shallow slopes to jumping turns in narrow couloirs. On bad weather days, there’s also plenty of forest to enjoy the powder !
In one day of ski touring, we cover between 800 and 1600m of vertical drop. It’s easy for us to adapt to the group and offer one, two or more tours, so that everyone can get the most out of the experience, according to their fitness and desire !
But what we love most about Finnmark is the solitude. These mountains, the last range before the plateaus leading to the North Cape, have long been looked down upon, until the high number of visitors to certain other Arctic regions recently prompted skiers to turn their attention to new horizons. Needless to say, we’re way ahead of the game and our secret is safe.
When was the last time you spent a week skiing without seeing a soul ?
Finnmark is our second home.
Since 2009, we’ve spent every spring up there, without interruption. Over the years we’ve forged strong bonds with the locals, and many of them have become friends. Not only do they help us organize the best possible stay for you, but they also bring that extra feeling of being welcomed into a remote region and being part of it.
With the same mindset for all our trips, people and culture come before mountains. We believe that beyond the fjords and peaks, the fabric of Norwegian society is what really counts and can make a trip the memory for life.
What do we offer ?
Comfortable accommodation with magnificent views.
Certified, competent and friendly guides.
The best possible service before, during and after the trip.
Fresh, local food prepared daily by our chef Erik.
A choice of itineraries for all levels, developed over 16 years in Finnmark.
At 70° North, daylight hours fluctuate between the dark period in midwinter and the midnight sun in late spring and summer. By mid-March, the days are comparable to those in the Alps, and growing rapidly. After April 20, it’s daylight 24 hours a day, and the midnight sun appears after May 17.
As for the northern lights, you can see them right up to the beginning of April!
Although the region is far north of the Arctic Circle, don’t expect extreme cold! The gulf stream softens temperatures and makes life possible along the coast of northern Norway. No thermal shock! In the depths of winter, it can get very cold on a few rare days, but between March and May, it’s usually between -10 and +10. The oceanic climate has its peculiarities, with sometimes rapidly changing weather (byge in Norwegian).
Accommodation
Your home away from home
Over the past few years, we’ve established our home and base camp on the other side of Finnmark’s western border.
Our home is an hour’s drive from Alta airport. We’ll take you to our simple, comfortable lodge on the edge of the Kvænangen fjord, which offers:
1 sauna
2 Jacuzzis
3 bathrooms
Sea kayaking equipment
1 motorboat with fishing gear
2 fjord houses with a total of 11 beds
1 boathouse used as outdoor kitchen/grill and dining room
Breathtaking views and direct access to some of the region’s best ski touring from our front door.
Meals and logistics
Your host in Finnmark
Erik is our chef and master of logistics.
He’ll make sure everything runs smoothly, from start to finish.
Working with the guides, Erik will organize the days so that all you have to do is concentrate on skiing and having fun.
The meals
Food isn’t just energy for skiing, it’s also a cultural journey.
Erik cooks only fresh, local ingredients, sourcing exclusively from local partners and stores.
You can expect to taste local specialties like reindeer or cod, but also more exotic products.
Every morning, Erik will get up early to prepare your breakfast and a buffet to make your own sandwiches before you leave.
In the evening, we’ll all gather around the table for a tasty meal.
Route:
Some hikes start right outside your front door! When we take our minibus to the nearby fjords, we’ll be driving between 10 and 45 minutes.
Ferries and boats:
Depending on the massif we’re heading for, we’ll be using regular ferry services, or small boats that we’ll rent locally from fishermen. The network of acquaintances we’ve built up over the years means we’re very flexible, and can be dropped off and/or picked up in a number of…secret locations!
Sea kayaks :
We have enough kayaks, dry suits and safety equipment on site for our groups. This gives us the opportunity to guide you to remote places in an original and magnificent way. One more adventure !
When you join us in Finnmark, you’ll meet a group of guides who share the same passion for the Arctic environment and the Norwegian mountains.
Snow and weather are special at 70° North, and it takes time and hard work to adapt to these conditions. Knowing the finer details of the geography and understanding the weather patterns enable us to offer you the best possible holiday.
We all have a wealth of experience in this region, and we’re happy to share it with you…
Welcome to our team !
Price :
From 2800€/person
Included :
6 days of skiing with a UIAGM guide for a group of 6 maximum
All transport in Norway, from Alta airport
7 nights’ accommodation
Quality local dinners, breakfasts and lunches
Not included :
Beverages
Kayak rentals
Flights to Alta
Personal insurance
Your guides
Clément Bléteau
Mountain Guide
Victor Charon
Mountain guide