Ski the fjords and glaciers of Norway’s high arctic
Find fresh tracks on Seiland and Stjernøya islands
2025 // March 30-April 6 / April 6-13 SOLD OUT
SIMILAR TRIPS:
FJORDS OF NORTHERN NORWAY SKI AND SAIL 2025 // March 30-April 6, April 6-11 – pairs perfectly with this trip!
SVALBARD SKI AND SAIL 2025 // APRIL – MAY TRIPS AVAILABLE
Northern Norway is famous for its ski touring “Fjell til Fjord”. Seiland House offers some of Norway’s best skiing, and is located on a remote island north of 70 degrees latitude in the Norwegian Sea yet easy to access with daily flights from Oslo and a quick ferry ride. For those looking for an exotic destination for excellent ski tours in Europe with a reliable snowpack this is it.
- remote arctic fjords and mountains bordering a national park
- exclusive access — escape the crowds of Lofoten and Lyngen
- superb arctic hospitality with local cuisine, wood fired hot tub, and sauna
- ski directly above the lodge, or take a short boat ride across Altnesfjord or to nearby Stjernøya Island
Seiland House features fantastic skiing accessible only by boat. Seilandstuva is the island’s tallest peak and most exciting descent, overlooking Norway’s northernmost glaciers
Skiing in Norway has become very popular in recent years. Even in Northern Norway the traditional routes are very busy and sometimes the crowding and tracked-out snow make it seem like you’re skiing in the Alps!
A 90-minute ferry ride to Seiland House, a remote ski lodge on Seiland Island, makes all the difference. Seiland House is an ideal departure point for excursions, ascents and descents on untracked slopes of Seiland and Stjernøya Islands, most of which are accessed by a short motorboat ride from the lodge’s dock. Several tours begin right from the front door of the lodge itself. Norway ski trips don’t get any better than this.
Seiland also offers an opportunity to experience Norwegian culture and traditions. Unlike Svalbard, which had no indigenous population or for that matter no history at all until the whaling expeditions a few hundred years ago, Northern Norway has been home to the Norse and indigenous Samí people for thousands of years. Seiland island is uniquely an intersection of the two Sami cultures, reindeer herding and fishing. Along with several small fishing villages, Seiland also serves as a summer pasture grounds for reindeer herds, isolated from predators (such as wolverine and lynx) on the mainland.
The name of the island must be very old, from Proto-Norse *Sai-aujo (“sea-island”), and the Northern Sami language name Sievju is probably an old loan and reflection of this form. In Norse times the name was transformed first to *Sæ-ey, and then to just *Sei. The last element land means “land” or “island” is a later addition.
Stjernsund is the straight of water separating Seiland from nearby Stjernøya island. Stjernøya’s name (Sami: Stierdná) is also ancient, coming from the word for “star” and referring to the deep-cut fjords and long, thin peninsulas on the north end of the island that give the impression of a star’s rays (at least to the imaginative minds of viking sailors). An exciting 20-minute boat ride brings us across Stjernsund to access some of the best ski tours in the area including Rottenhallen, the island’s highest peak.
SKI TOURING DAYS
Our excursions all set off from the sea and reach the peaks of a spectacular landscape of the fjords of Seiland Islands with the taste of the Arctic. Seiland has a good snowpack and interesting tours with outstanding fall line skiing.
A typical ski mountaineering excursion sets off in the morning from Seiland House’s landing by motorboat. We usually cover elevation differences of 800-1300 m (3-5 hours in ascent) and often descend along a different route to a different return point in a neighbouring fjord for pickup! Here is our proposed itinerary.
THE LODGE: SEILAND HOUSE
Seiland House is a guesthouse located in the middle of a fantastic fjord landscape and just in the limits of Seiland National Park. The house is surrounded by stunning nature where steep mountains plunge into the sea.
Here you can find everything from steep, demanding skiing to easy tours in the birch forest. Seiland is, despite its fantastic scenery, a relatively new peak trip destination.
You can go for days in Seiland without seeing people or other ski tracks. A completely unique and different experience than the other big top tour destinations places in Norway.
LODGE FACILITIES
Seiland House provides the boat transfer to access to the different locations, with endless possibilities for authentic “sea to summit” experiences far away from the crowd.
We will enjoy local and international dinners in Seiland House’s restaurant and fresh cocktails and drinks in the Caribbean Bar. Yes you read that right! Our hosts are a mixed nationality Norwegian and Cuban couple, Stig and Diamela.
After skiing, you can enjoy the fjord and river views from the sauna and wood-fired outdoor hot tub. March is still “high season” for the Northern Lights with dark nights, so there’s a likeliehood we will get treated to a spectacular show.
Guides
Tom Wolfe (Mountain Guide ACMG/IFMGA) – Based in Canmore, Alberta in the Canadian Rockies since 1994 Tom guides year around, with winters being a mix of ski guiding at lodges, heli-ski operations, and remote backcountry destinations throughout western Canada. He speaks English, German, and enough French and Spanish to get by.
Seiland House Ski Touring Itinerary
Ski touring out of Seiland House Lodge in Seiland National Park. Includes guiding, accommodation (full board), and transportation including airport shuttle.
If you decide to arrive a day or two early in Alta we strongly recommend staying at the Altafjord Gjestegaard – a Sami-owned B&B with comfortable rooms, great views, and great prices. We do not recommend the single room (there’s only one) as it is close to the entrance and a bit noisy. The other rooms, especially on the second floor, are quiet.
Day 1
(Sunday, March 30 for SH25-1)
(Sunday, April 6 for SH25-2)
For guests arriving by plane from Oslo, SAS arrives at 13:40. This gives you time to have lunch and make your way to the ferry terminal (shuttle service provided upon request). We catch the ferry at 16:24 from Alta (or possibly 17:38 from Storekorsnes) and arrive in Seiland at 18:15 where dinner and your cozy apartment await.
Day 2-7
Every day — ski touring and sailing.
There is a wide range of ski touring options, with several tours above Seland House and others accessible via motorboat in adjacent fjords.
Day 8
Airport transfer in the a.m. Wideroe has a flight from Alta to Oslo at 15:50 that afternoon which is pretty ideal. We will arrive back in Alta by about 10 am but budget a couple hours extra in case of unexpected delays. You can in fact make the 07:30 SAS flight but that requires catching the ferry after our last day of skiing on Day 7 and spending the night in Alta with an extra-early morning wake-up.
FLIGHTS and travel tips
Flights within Norway (Oslo – Alta – Oslo):
Arrive in Alta at the latest on March 21 (Norwegian 11:30 and SAS 13:00 arrivals). Norwegian has a 12:15 departure direct flight on March 28 that is possible with an early ferry from Seiland.
International flights to Norway (to Oslo):
For your flight to Oslo, look for flights with shorter durations and the fewest connections. Direct flights to Oslo from North America are only available from New York City.
I recommend you use one of the big airlines like KLM, Lufthansa, United or Air Canada all the way to Oslo, aiming to arrive in Oslo in the early afternoon. Remember to account for baggage costs. Iceland Air offers a slightly different schedule and is worth checking out — not to mention they allow a free “stopover” option for those thinking of checking out Iceland as part of this trip!
From Oslo you may need to overnight and catch the next morning’s flight to Alta (with SAS, Widerøe or Norwegian airlines). See above “Flights within Norway”.
What to do in Oslo:
In Oslo, the Radisson Blu Airport Hotel Hotel is a quick walk from the airport, very comfortable, and my recommendation for efficiency. If you want something a bit cheaper there’s the Sandic Gardermoen. But it’s a 7-min cab ride away — which closes the price gap significantly.
Oslo is a great world class city to visit. There are also great hotels in downtown Oslo if you want to spend a night or a few days there before or after the trip. I recommend storing your bulky gear at the Gardermoen airport (See Avinor Baggage Check for details & pricing) and taking the train into town with a light overnight bag. Here are a few to consider:
Hotel Continental Oslo – Owned by the same family for four generations, Continental is the only Norwegian member of “Leading Hotels of the World”. The hotel is home to the renowned restaurants Eik Annen Etage and Theatercafeen, and BAR BOMAN, a lobby bar with Munch’s art on the walls. $$$
Scandic Victoria – Central hotel in Oslo, only a short walk from Karl Johans gate, Stortinget parliament and Spikersuppa ice skating rink. Vibrant Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen are only a 5 minute walk from the hotel, with many trendy bars and restaurants right on the waterfront of Oslo. Akershus Fortress is also within walking distance. $$
Comfort Hotel Grand Central – The Comfort Hotel Grand Central is one of Oslo’s most centrally-located hotels and is found in the main train station, just a 30-minute transfer from Oslo airport.
Hotel Rosencrantz – Design hotel in the centre of Oslo, just around the corner from Karl Johans gate, public transport and many of the city’s biggest attractions.
OSL – cheap eats
If you need a fast bite to eat before heading to your hotel, “cheap” pizza is the way to go, located at airport arrivals level. Peppes Pizza, grab it before you leave! Large pizza about 300 NOK ($42 CAD)
What to do in Alta:
Alta is a remote arctic town in Northern Norway, and a popular tourist destination. Here’s a few suggestions of things to do while you’re there.
Altafjord Gjestegaard – a boutique hotel overlooking the ocean. Featuring a Jacuzzi and sauna facilities, this 4-star Altafjord Gjestegaard Hotel is a 25 minute stroll from the superb Alta Museum. Guests who stay in the hotel can park their car onsite. The property is set in the old part of Alta, 1.9 km of the Northern Lights Cathedral. It will take about 25 minutes to get to Alta Rock Carvings on foot.
Prehistoric Rock Art – If you are passing through Alta in northern Norway, a trip to the World Heritage Rock Art Centre is an absolute must. Alta is home to the greatest concentration of pictographs in Europe.
AIRLINE WEBSITES
Norwegian Airlines – domestic travel within Norway and Europe, offers some flights from USA that could be useful
SAS Airlines – domestic travel within Norway and Europe, offers some flights from USA that could be useful. We recommend the Plus Pro fare.
Wideroe – domestic travel within Norway
Iceland Air – of you plan on stopping over in Iceland there are some fares that might be of interest to you with Iceland Air
Packing Notes
You need to bring all of the following personal equipment. Please don’t bring extra equipment. If you have any questions at all about gear please do not hesitate to contact us.
Ski crampons are a must for spring ski touring on Seiland. They are specific to your binding type. Order well in advance as this is something that’s often not available at the last minute. If you can’t find a crampon to fit your binding, G3 crampons have an attachment system that works for many bindings. Again, do this well in advance of the trip.
There are no equipment rentals on Seiland. We do rent ski gear if arranged in advance. If you need to rent from us the fee is $550 CAD for this trip, and you must sign a rental waiver. In any event it is highly recommended you bring your own equipment and that you make sure it is in top condition.
Clothing
- Wool or synthetic socks and liner socks
- Long underwear top – synthetic or wool
- Light fleece or wool sweater
- Wind shell – nylon or ‘Schoeller’ type jacket
- Waterproof breathable jacket
- Warm insulated jacket – down or synthetic
- Long underwear bottoms – synthetic or wool
- Multipurpose stretch nylon or ‘Schoeller’ type pants
- Waterproof breathable pants
- Warm hat – wool or synthetic
- Brimmed cap for sun protection
- Face warmer – scarf, neck tube or balaclava (optional)
- Light gloves – wool, synthetic or leather
- Insulated gloves or mitts with waterproof outer shell
- Spare gloves or mitts
- Handkerchief for blocking the sun (optional)
Snow Safety Equipment
- Avalanche beacon with good batteries (and spares)
- Shovel
- Probe (2.4m or longer preferred)
Travel Equipment
- Skis or split board
- Ski strap
- Ski or snowboard boots
- Poles
- Climbing skins
- Skin wax (or a simple wax candle) — pre-treat your skins ahead of time and bring extra skin wax. Spray-on wax (e.g. mountainFLOW eco-Wax Skin Wax) is a great idea too for field treatments.
- Ski crampons (mandatory)
- Binding repair kit to fix your personal travel setup
- Ski helmet
- Ski scraper
Personal Equipment
- Pack (30-40 litres)
- Sunglasses (both orange and dark lenses help a lot for travel in all conditions)
- Goggles (orange lenses)
- Sunscreen and lip cream (SPF 30+)
- Head lamp with good batteries
- Insulated water bottle or thermos (1-2 L)
- Lunch bag or container
- Personal blister kit (i.e: Leukotape-P and Compeed, blister pads). Be sure to pre-tape problem spots on your feet with Leukotape, prevention is the best medicine!
- Tincture of Benzoin (see this how-to for an explanation) or a medical product by 3M called Cavilon — these products help the Leukotape stick for the whole week if necessary.
- Pocket knife (optional)
- Camera (optional)
- Binoculars (optional)
- Utility cord for hanging stuff to dry (helps if you want to hang personal items in your cabin)
Glacier Gear
- Harness – fitted for over your ski clothing
- Locking carabiners (x2)
- Non-locking carabiners (x2)
- Prussik cord – 5m x 6mm (optional)
- Sewn sling – 120cm (optional)
at seiland house
- Duffle bag for clothes and gear is better than a suitcase or roller bag
- Shoes
- Micro-spikes — in case of slippery walking conditions around the village (optional!)
- Slippers
- Comfortable clothing
- Personal medications and toiletries
- Ear plugs
- Reading material
- Chargers & adapters for electronic devices (normal AC power is available as 220V Euro plug)
- CAD cash (guide tips), NOK (Norwegian krone) cash to pay for your beer tab, souvenirs, and tips/gratuities (lodge staff)
Note the following:
- Beer and wine are available to purchase at Seiland House at a reasonable price.
- Pillows, duvets, bed linen and towels supplied at the lodge
Group Gear (supplied by the guides)
- Altimeter
- Map and compass
- GPS
- Snow study kit
- Snow and/or bush saw
- Group first aid kit
- Emergency tarp
- Emergency toboggan
- Group repair kit
- Radio & satellite phone
- Ropes for glacier travel
Late March is the start of peak season for Northern Norway ski touring. The temperatures are mild and stable, with lows typically around -10°C and highs typically below 0°C. The snowpack is coastal, meaning deep and stable despite the low elevation, with excellent powder skiing found well into April.
This is categorized as a Classic Pace trip.
- Day trips boat-based
- Peaks between 700m – 1200m asl
- Up to 1500 m climbs / descents / day
- Glaciated terrain
- Often variable snow conditions
Our Trip Ratings Page outlines more specifically how we rate our trips.
What is included with the trip fee?
Included: Please see Seiland House website for details re lodge stay. All meals are included. Motor boat access to ski terrain. Mountain guide and boat services.
Not included: Flights to Norway; alcoholic beverages; Ski touring and mountaineering equipment; Personal insurance for accidents, medical, cancellation and baggage; gratuities; and everything not written in “what’s included”
“Will we get a chance to take photos of Polar Bears?” / or: “Will we be attacked by Polar Bears?”
The answer to both questions is “No”. Our itinerary is far from the polar bear’s classic habitat, which is on the pack ice far to the north, e.g. Svalbard.
Will we see the Aurora Borealis?
Mid April is the end of northern lights season, so there’s a good chance we’ll get treated to a specacular show with the longer nights of March!
Our standard booking conditions apply. Please read our Payment and Booking Conditions page carefully. Gratuities to the lodge may be paid in NOK (200 NOK/day is suggested) using cash or credit cards. Gratuities to guides can be paid in cash or by visiting pay.sawback.com (5-10% of trip fee is suggested for a job well done).
DATES: 2025 // March 30-April 6 (SH25-1) / April 6-13 (SH25-2) SOLD OUT
PRICE: 2025 // $4,995 CAD p.p. (About $3,531 USD / €3,340 / £2,771)
PAYMENT SCHEDULE: 50% payment secures your booking; 100% due February 1, 2025.
INCLUDED: 7 nights lodging, full board, guiding, airport transfers, boat transfers. See description for full details.
NOT INCLUDED: Air travel, alcoholic beverages, hotel in Oslo en route, gratuities.
ADDITIONS: These trips pair perfectly with our Fjords of Northern Norway ski and sail trip. Upgrade to single occupancy at Seiland for an additional $375 CAD.