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Ski cruise with the famous Hurtigruten
Onboard the Hurtigruten, often described as the world’s most beautiful sea voyage,
we travel through remarkable nature and experience the mountains in
Lyngsalpene, Lofoten and Senja. The tour starts and ends in Tromsø, but along the
way we use the Hurtigruten as both transport and hotel. In this way, during the
course of six days we will have seen many of the most spectacular ski mountains
Northern Norway has to offer!
This is a circular route in Northern Norway with top-class alpine skiing! We will
have six action-packed days with trips in the mountains of Lyngsaplene, Lofoten
and Senja. Two nights we will travel at night with the Hurtigruten and wake the
next morning to new and exciting ski adventures.
The tour starts in the morning at Tromsø (after the first plane from Oslo has
landed). From there we drive towards the Lyngsaplene and have two days of alpine
skiing on both sides of the Lyngenfjord. Afterwards, we drive out towards Lofoten
and have two more days on skis in this unique skiing terrain. Friday evening,
onboard the Hurtigruten, we head north from Svolvær, through Raftsundet (and
Trollfjorden) to Finnsnes. Two more days skiing at Senja before we take a minibus
back to the airport in Tromsø Sunday evening.
The nights we don’t spend onboard the Hurtigruten we will spend at pleasant
fishing village cabins in Lyngen, Lofoten and Senja. These accommodations are
relatively simple but we claim this to be an exclusive experience of nature. The
combination of sea and summit, world-class skiing, beautiful scenery and exciting
coastal culture make this trip unique!
The guide for this alpine adventure is Espen Nordahl who has also published the
guidebook Toppturer i Troms. In addition, we will have along our own driver and a
maximum of six guests. Are you ready to join in on an exceptional ski adventure?
“Thank you so much for an unforgettable mountain tour in Northern
Norway! We couldn’t be more pleased with the trip – remarkable experiences
of nature, beautiful accommodations, both on land and on the Hurtigruten,
and a pleasant and competent guide.” – participant of the 2014 trip
Level of Difficulty
The duration of each day’s program will vary according to conditions, but could be
up to 8 hours. Choice of route, summits and the day’s itinerary are determined by
weather and ski conditions and the groups’ wishes and abilities. Our pace will be
easy to moderate.
Security
Avalanche beacon, probe and snow shovel are required for all of Hvitserks’
mountain tours. If you do not own this equipment yourself, it it possible to rent it
from Hvitserk. Hvitserk also offers discounted equipment packages to customers
who wish to purchase these. Along the way, time will be used in teaching the use
this equipment and in learning safe mountain travel routines.
Equipment
Everyone must have an avalanche beacon, probe and shovel. On some of the ascents
on the tour, crampons and ice axes may also be necessary. These can be rented from
Hvitserk. Ski crampons are also recommended. These can be bought at sports stores
that have a good selection of mountaineering equipment. Make sure that the ski
crampons fit your bindings!
Attractions
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Lyngsalpene (The Lyngen Alps), Lofoten and Senja are three of Norway’s
most fantastic mountain touring areas
Two nights onboard the Hurtigruten, described by some as the most
beautiful sea voyage in the world
The atmosphere of the climbers café on the wharf at Henningsvær
A combination of exciting coastal culture, beautiful nature and superb
skiing make this tour a completely remarkable experience!
Accommodations
Two nights are spent onboard the Hurtigruten in double occupancy cabins. We will
also spend three nights in pleasant accommodations at Lyngen, Lofoten and at
Senja.
Insurance
You are required to have adequate health and accident insurance that also covers
possible repatriation. Remember to bring proof of insurance along on the trip.
A few general things to be aware of:
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Certain insurance companies use specified altitude levels as criteria for
what the insurance will or will not cover and whether the trip is referred
to as an expedition or not. Be especially aware of this – and check
carefully.
Some insurance companies require an extension if a single journey
exceeds a certain duration.
Be sure that your insurance covers the chosen geographical area.
Some insurance companies have a maximum payment limit for
cancellations – and medical insurance.
We recommend that you check to ensure your insurance covers:
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Cancellation insurance – must be ordered at the same time the trip is
booked. Check that the total sum of your cancellation insurance covers the
total sum of your trip. If it doesn’t, you ought to buy additional
cancellation insurance to cover the remaining amount.
Luggage
Liability
Delays
Loss of purpose of trip (For example, if you break your arm before a trip to
Africa, you can still travel. However, you may not be able to climb
Kilimanjaro and/or sleep in a tent Therefore, you should have insurance
that covers loss of purpose of trip.)
Price includes:
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Accommodation for two nights in a double occupancy cabin onboard the
Hurtigruten
Accommodation for three nights in fishing village cabins or boathouses.
Breakfast, lunch (packed lunches) and dinner
All local transportation (rental cars, ferries, etc.)
Local mountain guides
Price does not include:
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Medical, travel or cancellation insurance
Roundtrip plane fare to Tromsø
Single room occupancy
Additional information
This tour can also be customized for groups of minimum four guests.
Day 1: Tromsø - Lyngen
We meet at the airport in Tromsø. Both Norwegian and SAS have flights that land
at 10:00 a.m. We’ll briefly discuss possible destinations and weather and snow
conditions, then decide exactly where we want to go. Afterwards, we’ll pack
everything into the minibus. Most likely, we will spend this day in the Lyng Alps or
at a spot along the way to the Lyng Alps. A nice dinner will be served at our
accommodation at Lyngen.
Day 2: Lyngen – Skjervøy – onboard the Hurtigruten
After breakfast, it’s time for another mountaintop – either in the Lyngen Alps or,
after a ferry ride over to the east side of the Lyngenfjord, the Kålfjord Alps. Here
there are several wonderful mountains to ski with spectacular views across Lyngen.
Afterwards, we’ll drive north to Skjervøy where we go onboard the Hurtigruten. On
the boat, we’ll eat a good dinner and stay in comfortable double rooms. There might
even be a chance to see the northern lights from the deck. During the night, we sail
to Tromsø and then further south to Harstad.
Day 3: Harstad – Lofoten
Afer a nice breakfast onboard, the boat will arrive in Harstad at 8:00 a.m. From
here, the tour goes to Lofoten. The new highway E-10 is a fantastic drive through
remarkable nature and after about two hours, we are ready for today’s ski trip.
There are many possible spots in Lofoten to experience, and we will let weather and
skiing conditions help us decide which to choose. After skiing, we’ll drive out to
Henningsvær which is one of the most charming fishing villages in Lofoten. We’ll
stay at the climbers café called “The Last Viking.” The accommodation is rather
simple, but its location in the middle of the wharf in Henningsvær and the good food
and atmosphere makes this our absolute favorite in Lofoten. We’ll eat a good fish
dinner at the climbers’ café, study our maps and plan the next day’s trip!
Day 4: Henningsvær – onboard the Hurtigruten
A new day with another ‘peak experience’ in the beautiful Lofot mountains. Perhaps
today we’ll be able to see out across all of Vestfjorden from our chosen mountaintop.
If we are lucky with the weather, we’ll have powder all the way down to the rocky
shores of the fjord. After stopping for a coffee on the wharf in Svolvær, we again
board the Hurtigruten which is now heading north. Après-ski and dinner will be
enjoyed on the boat. During the night, the Hurtigruten sails through Raftsundet
and northward through Vesterålen to Finnsnes.
If, along the way, some of the participants want a day of rest, Henningsvær is a
good place to use this day. There are many good opportunities to go for a hike or go
fishing.
Day 5: Senja
We have a relaxing morning onboard the Hurtigruten and eat breakfast before
arriving at Finnsnes. Afterwards, we drive over to the other side of this large island
of Senja. The ski mountains here are not as famous as those in Lofoten and in
Lyngen – but we dare say that they are just as beautiful! We have a wonderful trip
to the mountaintop – hopefully with a view right out to the sea. We’ll stay at
pleasant accommodations on the other side of Senja and enjoy a fantastic farewell
dinner!
Day 6: Tromsø
Last day of the tour! At Senja, there are a number of fantastic mountains to ski –
and we choose the one we think has the best skiing conditions. Afterwards, we
travel north to Tromsø where we arrive in the evening. We recommend that
everyone order a flight which leaves after 19.00 (7:00 p.m.) that evening.