Alongside our other trips in the Arctic Circle of Norway, we also visit the island of Arnøya. In recent years this island has emerged as a remote and exploratory destination and should be on any Norwegian ski touring devotees wish list.
Full information
The island of Arnøya lies to the north east of the Lyngen Peninsula. Three fjord crossings by ferry are required during the journey from Tromsø. Despite being occasionally visited by ski and sail parties, this is not the only way to visit the island, with plenty of terrain to be explored from the road.
Summits such as Finnkjerka 787m and Lyngestinden 872m are classic summits which can be reached directly from the sea. This is also an area to stretch out the maps and explore new terrain. For those that have visited other destinations in Norway, Arnøya has quite a different feel with wide open slopes and a nearly complete absence of birch trees. This results in excellent access from the roads that surround the islands without the need for any "ski combat" in the trees.
Lying further north in the Arctic Circle the snow conditions are reliable, allowing you to ski from the summit to the sea in most cases. Arnøya is exposed, sitting with the Barents Sea to the north, the weather being predictably unsettled with storm cycles resulting in plenty of fresh snow. Combine this snow record with varied and exploratory terrain and you have the ideal location for an interesting trip to suit most levels of ski tourer.
The nearby island of Kågan also provides some excellent terrain and is easily accessible from our accommodation on Arnøya. With plenty of good summits here also, the island is well placed for a stop off while travelling north to Arnøya.
Skiing on Arnøya and Kågan is superb and is much quieter than the principle summits of the Lyngen Peninsula further to the south. The area is famous for it's dramatic scenery, and remote feel far from the bright lights of Tromsø.
We will spend a night in Tromsø, before starting the journey to Arnøya the following morning. We travel by road capitalising on the excellent road network and ferries linking the Troms mainland to Lyngen, Kågan and Arnøya. This allows flexibility to make best use of the prevailing weather with opportunities to ski anywhere en route to Arnøya for the first ski day, either on mainland Troms, the Lyngen Peninsula or in The Kåfjord Alps.
This trip is then based from accommodation on the east side of the island at Lauksletta House. The accommodation here is on a sheltered fjord, a short drive from the ferry. With mountains immediately behind there is the opportunity to ski directly from the house.
We will ski in one of the neighbouring areas on the return journey to Tromsø.
Many of the days are shorter it terms of vertical distance than in the alps, giving plenty of time for another lap or small variations. Even though the first and last day of the trip are shorter ski days due to the travel, over the week we typically ski as much as on other trips.
There are a maximum of 10 places available on this trip. Having 2 IFMGA Mountain Guides gives maximum flexibility to divide into small groups for each day on the hill. This is done on a daily basis depending on the prevailing snow and weather conditions, and the group's aspirations. This trip is guaranteed to run with a minimum of 1.
- 6 x days ski guiding with IFMGA Mountain Guides.
- 5 x nights accommodation and food on full board basis (inc. packed lunch) at Lauksletta House.
- 2 x nights accommodation in Tromsø on a B&B basis at the 4 star Clarion Edge Hotel.
- All transport during the trip.
- Use of avalanche transceiver, harness, axe and crampons on request.
- Travel to and from Tromsø.
- Transfer to and from Tromsø Airport to Clarion Edge. (There is a regular shuttle bus).
- 2 x evening meals in Tromsø.
- Alcohol (This is expensive in Norway and is best purchased at duty free).
- Ski touring equipment. If you have any equipment requirements then please contact us. Please read the kit list here.
- Insurance for cancellation, rescue, repatriation and medical expenses.
Single room supplement £350 for 7 nights (subject to availability).
Our trip to the Arnøya would suit most levels of intermediate ski tourers. As a trip with a more remote and exploratory feel, it is ideal for those that have skied with us before in Arctic Norway and are looking for something different.
This year in Arnøya we have weeks that would suit skis who consider themselves to be at Levels 2/3, and Levels 1/2. For more information check out our Norway Performance Levels.
This is a sample programme, which may vary considerably. The exact programme will depend on the prevailing weather and snow conditions (which can be changeable due to the maritime influence), group experience and aspirations.
Arrival Day:
Arrive in Tromsø (TOS) and onward transfer to Clarion Edge Hotel ,Tromsø.
1830: Pre-course meeting to introduce Off Piste Performance staff, the area, as well as review weather and avalanche conditions. We will also carry out a kit check and discuss rescue and emergency procedures.
Guidebooks and maps will be available to give an overview of the area along with suitable objectives for the week. We will also discuss aims and aspirations to accommodate these during the week.
1930: Dinner. In Tromsø we will eat locally in the city. This will provide another opportunity to discuss any aims, aspirations, ask questions or make any last minute requests.
Day 1 Transfer to Arnøya and short ski tour.
0700: Breakfast. A full breakfast will be available at the Clarion Edge Hotel prior to an early departure to Arnøya.
0830: Departure. The transfer to our accommodation on Arnøya will take approximately four hours with two ferries crossing the Lyngen Peninsula, mainland Nordreisa and the island of Kågen. Finally another ferry crossing takes us to Arnøya.
This first travel day also includes a “shake down” and short ski tour, the location being selected with respect to weather, prevailing avalanche conditions and the nature of the group. Objectives such as Breikågen (683m) and Giilavárri (1163m) make ideal choices in good weather.
The main aim will be to test our ski equipment, and provide a suitable warm-up etc.
1800: Arrival at our base, Lauksletta Overnatting, Arnøya.
1930: Dinner These trips are catered on a full board basis for the rest of the period of our stay on Arnøya.
Days 2-5 Ski touring on Arnøya
The main aim of the programme will be to do day ski tours on the island of Arnøya. There are a wide variety of mountains available in these areas which are easily accessible by road. “Ski to the sea” opportunities abound and it is frequent to have the mountains to ourselves.
A short practical session on avalanche rescue procedures is likely to take place on this day, as a short refresher or introduction to the subject.
Objectives and associated timings for each day will be chosen and scheduled to meet the weather, avalanche conditions, aims and aspirations of the groups. A typical day is likely to have the following format:
0730: Breakfast
0830: Briefing
0900: Departure
1600-1700: Return to our base at Lauksletta Overnatting
1615/1715: Tea & Cake (Fika)
In previous years groups have skied: Singeltinden (743m), Rundhaugen (548m), Lyngnestindan (872m), Trolltinden (850m), Breikågen (683m), and summits such as Kjelvågtinden (1104m), Uløytinden (1116m) and Storhaugen (1142m) are good options outwith Arnøya.
Day 6 Transfer to Tromsø and Ski Tour
An early start for the return to Tromsø with a ski tour on the way. Objectives on Uløya and in Nordreisa being the preferred choice.
Departure Day: Transfer to Tromsø (TOS), and departure.
Testimonials
Gallery
