Ski touring in Lapland – Finnmark
Mont of the year: march - april
Duration: 8 days or more
Scheduled departure: see SCHEDULED TRIPS or consult Avalco Travel
In the Finnmark region (Norwegian Lapland), a short distance from the North Cape, the fjords extending west of Alta offer an ideal natural environment for ski touring, with powder snow often till the end of April. The peaks reach altitudes of 1000-1400 m and you can ski directly from the sea. Sometimes we have to cross glaciers, mostlywithout particular difficulties.
The region is little inhabited; car and / or boat are used for transfers at the departure of the ski itineraries. alAll ski tours can be completed in the same day.
We have explored many fjords in the region, and identified the best for both the quality of the itineraries and the availability of comfortable accommodation. Our favorite destinations are: the islands of Uloya, Arnoya, Kagen-Skjervoya, Seiland, and the Oksfjorden peninsula (Oksfjord, Loppa, Bergsfjord and Nuvsvag).
In the Ski & Drive programme, we provide accommodation (apartment or independent home with equipped kitchen) in a convenient location to reach the ski tours by car or minivan ; in the Ski & Sail programme, we provide the boat with skipper services on board and all meals.
The program is suitable for an independent group but, upon request, we can provide the assistance of a IFMGA mountain guide.
Until mid-March it is possible to enjoy the scenary of the Northern Lights when the sky is fully clear.
EXTRA OPTIONS ON REQUEST
– Overnight in Alta at Igloo Hotel;
– Excursions with sled dogs;
– Excursion to the North Cape.
*** OTHER SIMILAR PROGRAMS IN NORWAY AND SWEDEN ***
Consult the website, or contact us, for other ski mountaineering programs. by boat or by car:
-> Northern Norway: Lyngen Alps, Lofoten Islands, Tromso, fjords between Bodo and Narvik; Svalbard islands (polar expedition).
-> Northern Sweden: Abisko, Kebnekaise, Sarek;
-> Central Norway: Romsdalen fjords, Sunnmore Alps (Alesund), Jutenheim raid.
We provide fully customized programs on request for pre-established groups.
Challenge: FITNESS 2 TECHNICAL 2 ADVENTURE 2
Accomodation: guesthouse or apartment or boat
Local transfers: car or minivan, boat
Services included: all local transfers as per program, by car / minivan or boat; all overnight stays (in an apartment or independent house); documentation with suggested itineraries and maps; only for the Ski & Sail program: overnight stays on the boat, all meals on board and skipper assistance,
Optional services: flights, insurance; mountain guide assistance; single room (where available).
Special notes: Depending on the flight schedule, it may be necessary to make an extra overnight stay in Oslo or Tromso or Alta.
For the Ski & Sail program it is necessary to book well in advance, due to the limited availability on site of boats and skippers.
For the Ski & Sail program it is necessary to book well in advance, due to the limited availability on site of boats and skippers.
DAILY PROGRAM
SKI & DRIVE
Day 1
Arrival at Alta airport, collection of rental vehicles and transfer to the lodge.
Days 2-7
Ski tours starting from the lodge / guesthouse. You can choose from the many destinations mentioned in the description; however the location to be defined as a base also depends on the actual availability of accommodations. We normally suggest Bergsfjord (lodge exclusively for the group, meals provided, and a small boat available for navigation in the fjord), or Nuvsvag.
Wide choice of itineraries, starting skis on foot from the sea; the terrain is varied: birch forests, wide slopes and couloirs, glaciers (the largest is the Aksovuonjiehkki at altitudes of 1100-1300 m in the Loppa area), with the possibility of multiple peaks in the day and traverses.
Day 8
Transfer to Alta airport and return flight.
SKI & SAIL OPTION (by boat)
The program is similar the above, as for areas of interest and ski itineraries, but transfers are by boat, with overnight stays and meals on board. You ski a little less, the pace is slower, but perspectives of the landscape from the sea are quite different; sometimes new ski lines are discovered that are not visible from the mainland.
Please note. The programs described above may vary depending on the actual availability of the accomodation, the conditions of the mountain and the needs of the participants.
-> CONTACT US for any enquiry of a fully customized program.
Cover photo: SeilNorge Gallery n ° 6: RedBull
REQUEST INFORMATION FOR
Ski touring in Lapland – Finnmark
Trip code: SP20081
Key Definitions
Trip dates, Duration, Departure
The period of time given in the trip description sheet is indicatively the most recommended for optimun conditions for the planned activities. Different periods are possible, especially during season with special climate situations. Duration is referred to the “standard” programme as per description sheet, however it could change according to the local conditions and/or the team’s requirements. If the trip is included in the Scheduled Trips list (yearly planner), the departure date is the one given in the planner; otherwise it will be decided according to the requests we have received. In any case we suggest to contact us for more precise information. In customized trips, departure date and duration are established according to customer’s request
Challenge scoring
By means of the scores given in the trip decsription sheet we wish to provide an indicative assessment of the challenges to be expected, divided in the following three categories:
FITNESS
Grade 1: adult performing a minimum sport activity (4-8 hours/week), or teenager in medium fitness conditions
Grade 2: adult performing sport activity (8-16 hours/week) or teenager in good fitness conditions
Grade 3: adult performing regular sport activity (16-20 hours/week) or teenager in very good fitness conditions
Grade 4: adult only, regularly performing sport activity and intense training (more than 20 hours/week)
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Grade1: no prior experience in the activity is required, just a natural predisposition
Grade 2: prior experience in the activity as beginner to medium level
Grade 3: prior experience in the activity at medium to high level, with regular practice since min. 3-5 years
Grade 4: excellent technical skills with long experience in the activity (more than 5 years)
ADVENTURE:
Grade 1: no prior experience in adventure travel id required, just a positive attitude to adapt
Grade 2: prior, yet limited, experience in adventure travel, with a strong attitude to adapt and determination
Grade 3: prior experience in adventure travel including remote area and wilderness, or extreme wheather, or uncertainty in route finding
Grade 4: prior experience in adventure travel including remote area and wilderness, or extreme wheather, or uncertainty in route finding, strong determination to overcome unforeseen events
Accomodation
The type of accomodation as planned is indicated in the trip sheet (hotel, lodge, tents, etc..).
Transfers
The means of local transfers are indicated as planned (flight, bus, 4WD vehicle, ferry, etc.). Some changes are possible in relation to the actual availability on site and/or the terrain and wheather conditions.
Service included and Prices
We do not have a price list. Quotes are sent on request only. Details of services included, excluded, or optionally available, will be specified in the quote and confirmed at the time of booking. Prices depend on number of participants and on the specific requirements of the group. They will be definitely set at the time of booking after definiton of all trip details and confirmation of dates. Special prices can be granted according to number of participants, and/or for pre-established groups, clubs and associations, guides with own clients, active athletes, tour operators and travel agents, journalists, physicians, rescue operators, schools, staff of organization running an humanitarian or research project.