The town of Narvik lies between Ofotfjord and the Swedish border featuring some of the highest summits of northern Norway. Narvik has a strong ski touring community and is home to one of Norway's most famous ski resorts, which is a stones throw from the town centre.
This famous area was recommended to us by Andreas Fransson due to the variety of terrain available, featuring lofty summits, couloirs in spectacular surroundings and access to the Swedish resorts of Rikgränsen and Abisko.
Full information
Our Narvik ski guiding week is based in the coastal town where the mountains plunge into Ofotfjord. There are around ten summits close to the town which are all over 1000m and have a lot to offer experienced ski tourers.
Being based in the industrial town of Narvik is a departure from our other trips, creating a city break with a difference. There are not many Scandinavian towns where you could walk to a ski lift from the town centre, and the lift on Narvikfjellet allows a descent of 900 metres from the summit station. For this reason we have chosen to offer two days of ski coaching using Narvikfjellet at the start of the trip.
The sheer volume and variety of the skiing around Narvik makes for an ideal location for experienced skiers and tourers. With a coastal location and high mountain plateaus stretching into Sweden to the east, there are a mix of maritime and inland climates with intense precipitation and cold drier conditions respectively. With the ability to travel along the shore of Ofotfjord to Ballangen, Efjorden-Tysfjorden via the E6, and Riksgränsen via the E10, there should always be the potential to access good skiing.
Narvik Hotel Wivel will be the base for this trip, where their friendly team give us a warm welcome and a hearty breakfast. Evening meals and packed lunches will be provided by Bastian at the Furu Gastropub below the hotel.
From the hotel in the centre of Narvik we can access all the facilities of this major town, and Narvik War Museum is situated just across the road. A short distance away is the Narvikfjellet ski area which offers a bigger drop than any other ski area in Scandinavia. The summit of Tredjetoppen 1272m can be accessed by a short ascent of 250 metres from the top lift. From there Mørkholla, arguably Narvik's best known off piste run, offers a descent of 1150m.
Narvikfjellet is also the starting point for some longer traverses including 'The Partisan Route' (Partisanruten) taken in part by Norwegian partisans retreating from their German occupiers in WWII.
Further to the west is the Efjorden-Tysfjorden area where these deep fjords slice through the impressive rocky summits. Alongside the dramatic scenery there is some excellent ski touring in this area including Kobbenestinden 1004m and Titinden 795m which afford excellent views of Stetinden, Norway's unofficial "official" mountain. In the winter Stetinden (or Stetind) can only be reached with some tricky climbing. Hall's false summit (Halls Fortopp) just below can be reached in the winter by experienced skiers who are prepared to make the 1300 metre ascent.
Some, but not all of the days in Narvik are of greater vertical distance than our other trips in Norway, giving access to some high summits. You should be prepared for some days of up to around 1200-1300 metres of ascent.
You can download a sample programme here.
In order to provide a unique experience and make the best of you time in Narvik we have created a small team. Narvik will be led by IFMGA Mountain Guide's James Thacker and Andy Nelson. The two days of ski coaching will be delivered by Alison Thacker (BASI ISTD Ski Instructor) and Andy Nelson (IFMGA Mountain Guide and BASI ISIA Ski Instructor).
Having a mixed dual discipline team brings the ability to cater both ski coaching or guiding aspirations. Of course a big part of the experience in Narvik is allowing time to enjoy the town and the hospitality of Lynn at Narvik Hotel Wivel and Bastian's catering at his restaurant Furu Gastropub.
There are a maximum of 10 places available on this trip. This trip is guaranteed to run with a minimum of 1.
- 2 x days ski coaching with BASI ISIA / ISTD ski instructors
- 5 x days guiding with IFMGA Mountain Guides.
- 8 x nights of accommodation (en suite double or twin rooms) at Narvik Hotel Wivel and food on full board basis (inc. packed lunch).
- All transport during the trip.
- Use of avalanche transceiver, harness, axe and crampons on request.
- Travel to and from Narvik, please contact us for additional information.
- Alcohol (This is expensive in Norway and is best purchased at duty free).
- Ski touring equipment. Due to this being a specialist trip joining in Narvik we won’t have extra equipment available. If you have any equipment requirements then please contact us. Please read the kit list here.
- Lift Passes, ticket options can be found at Narvikfjellet Lift Tickets.
- Insurance for cancellation, rescue, repatriation and medical expenses.
Single room supplement £350 per person for 8 nights (subject to availability) .
A trip to Narvik would suit experienced ski tourers. The ability to ski off piste, coping well in most snow conditions, is essential for this area, with ascents of 1200m-1300 on some days with a similarly large descents. Narvik would suit most Level 2 skiers. 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 Narvik, options via Harstad/Narvik Evenes Airport (EVE) or by train. Settle in to Narvik Hotel Wivel with dinner around 1930, which is an opportunity to discuss any aims, aspirations and ask questions.
Day 1 - 2 Ski Coaching
0900: Briefing
1000-1700: Ski coaching at Narvikfjellet
1930: Dinner
Days 3 - 7 Ski touring around Narvik
The main aim of the programme will be to do day ski tours around Narvik. There are a wide variety of mountains available. 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.
A short practical session on avalanche rescue procedures is likely to take place on the first 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
1700: Return to our base at Narvik Hotel Wivel.
1730: Tea & Cake (Fika)
Mountains may include:
Rombakstøtta 1230m, Tredjetoppen 1272m, Gangnesksla 1318m, Middagsfjellet 1118m, Rånkepien 1200m, Simlefjellet 1342m, Kobbenestinden 1004m, Titinden 795m, Stetinden / Halls False Summit 1314m, Presttinden 1336m.
Departure Day: Self transfer from Narvik, options via Harstad/Narvik Evenes Airport (EVE) or by train.
Additional information can be found in the links below:
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