The Lyngen Alps of Norway are known by passionate skiers and ski mountaineers as one of the most sought after ski destinations in the world. The Lyngen Alps is a 90 kilometers long by 25 Kilometers wide area covered in dramatic mountains rising from the fjords to the spectacular peaks and glaciers. Located 350 km above the Arctic Circle, Lyngen gets up to 20 hours of daylight in May, meaning maximum ski time.
Located at a latitude of 70 degrees north, this alpine peninsula boasts one of the longest ski seasons in the world, helping cement the Lyngen alps reputation as one of Norway’s best ski touring destinations. Many lines are accessible by car or, if seas are calm, traditional sailboat. Sail to ski is a truly unique and amazing way to experience the Lyngen Alps. Join us for seven days packed full of breathtaking ski ascents and descents in one of the most unique mountain landscapes in the world.
This trip has room for 6 guests.
Packing for backcountry skiing and snowboarding in Norway is all about layers! Depending on the weather you may experience mid to upper 30s (F) and sunshine or it may be very cold, around 15 and windy. Bringing appropriate layers for touring in both conditions will assure that you are ready for anything. Also since we will be near the sea, waterproof gear is a must! Generally April – May has more mild temps and less rain/snow, but the daily weather can turn on a dime and since we will be exploring both on the coastal and inland regions, daily conditions can vary greatly. Please see the packing list below and remember to make sure that your skis, splitboard, and avalanche gear is all in working order before you leave home.
Day 1: The group can meet at the Oslo Airport and travel together on the 2 hour flight north to Tromso. Or guests will meet in Tromso and then travel as a group via private van (and take a very scenic ferry ride through the fjords), 2 hours to the Lyngen region and our home base in Lyngseidet. Once we arrive at our First home base, Magic Mountain Lodge, we will do some gear prep and safety talk to prep for the week. Depending on our arrival time we may be able to get out for a short ski to do our avalanche companion rescue training
Day 2: Get up and eat breakfast at the lodge and get ready for your first day touring! Depending on the weather and snow conditions we will take the van to the base of the mountains and put our skins on. For the first day, we will warm up to what the area has to offer. There are many options from Lyngen, from steep couloirs to less challenging climbs. We will top out on some amazing peaks and have plenty of time to take in the views and take a few laps. Once we get back to the lodge people can explore the small town, take a sauna, enjoy some Happy Hour and finally be treated dinner provided by the amazing cooks at Magic Mountain Lodge!
Day 3-5: Get up and get ready for another awesome day in the mountains. Over the next 3 days, we will get our fill of touring. We have many options within the Lyngen area including the famous Tafeltinden tour, which boasts a 4,500 ft descent, which can be accessed by a quick climb via the Koppang glacier. We will also try and get a sunset descent on one of the last days of our trip, skiing in Norway wouldn’t be complete without it! Depending on conditions and the group’s desire, we have the option to hire a boat to really get off the beaten path and get dropped off at the base of our line.
Days 6: Today is like a normal ski, except we are packing up and skiing our way back to Tromso! We will have a number of new options for ski lines between Lyngsedeit and Tromso and can efficiently work our way back. We will finish our day back in the Northern city of Tromso, with it vibrant culture and history. We will be staying right in the middle of downtown, which gives all kinds of options for exciting experiences.
Day 7: From our new base in Tromso, we have numerous ski options in all directions, with multiple fjords and ranges.
Day 8: The beauty of basing in Tromso allow for a bonus ski day – make sure to book an evening flight and we can plan to ski a shorter day in the morning, with plenty of time to make our flights back to Oslo. We will probably be able to see our tracks from the plane!
The skiing we do in Norway is all human powered, for this reason and the fact that the days are long, we recommend this trip to experienced backcountry skiers with intermediate to advanced skiing / snowboarding / touring abilities and good fitness levels. Ideally, you have been ski touring throughout the winter to be comfortable on a number of full days out! We do ask that your bring ski/splitboard crampons and an ice axe. Please make sure that you are comfortable with these pieces of gear before you depart for your trip.
It is recommended that guests purchase trip cancellation and interruption insurance as soon as they have paid their deposit. All cancellations must be received in writing to winter@whitecapalpine.ca. If we receive your cancellation more than 10 weeks prior to the start of your trip, you have three options:
a) Rebook your reservation if you find an alternative date of the same season at McGillivray Pass Lodge, Peaks of Pemberton, or Whitecap International
b) We provide a refund, less the $550 booking fee per space booked
c) Notify your insurance company (or credit card company – some provide trip cancellation coverage) of your cancellation and let us know what supporting documentation you require to make your claim
If notice is received less than 10 weeks prior to the starting date, no money will be refunded.
Whitecap and Whitecap International cannot make exceptions to the cancellation policy for any reason, including personal emergencies and weather.
For more information about our cancellation policy, please contact us by calling 1.604.862.9757 or by email at winter@whitecapalpine.ca
We strongly recommend that all guests purchase trip cancellation insurance and most
importantly trip medical and evacuation insurance.
Although getting to the hospital is free in Norway, being in the hospital is not. Basic travel insurance does not cover this and we want to ensure that you are adequately protected in the event of an injury.
We highly recommend our insurance partner https://www.globalrescue.comfor our international insurance
needs. They provide comprehensive medical, evacuation and repatriation coverage. Please go to our Whitecap link here https://ss.globalrescue.com/partner/whitecap/index.htmlread through the information and details and lock in a policy that works for you. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
We will stay at Magic Mountain Lodge in the town of Lyngseidet. Located near the shores of Lyngenfjord, the hotel boasts beautiful views of the Arctic Sea and easy access to the ferry and the mountains. There is also a sauna that has beautiful views of the sea as well. Each guest will be paired in a double room with a guest of the same gender.
Single rooms are dependent on the availability of the lodge. If you are interested please let us know upon booking. Because of this, costs may vary. We will confirm the cost at the same time as the availability.
No, there is a minimum number of guests required to run this trip. Please double check with us to confirm your departure before you book airfare. Whitecap can assist with flight selection the best suit meet up times.
You have 2 choices for when and where to meet the group. If you would like, you can meet the group at the Olso airport Starbucks and fly together to Tromso (please pre-arrange flight times with us if you chose this option) on the first day of the trip. If you would like to make your own way to Tromso, you will need to meet the group at the Tromso airport around noon on day 1. From there we will drive to Lyngen together. Please remember that flights are not included in the price of the trip.
The food at the lodge is typical and traditional Norwegian fare. Dinner will often include fish paired with a side such as bread or potato dumplings. Lunches are similar to other Scandinavian countries and will include a sandwich, with a side of fruit (often times sandwich supplies will be set out and breakfast and you can make your own). Breakfasts are a mix of European and Scandinavian and there are typically lots of choices. If you have dietary restrictions, please let us know and we will try to best accommodate. We will also have the chance to stop by a local grocery store if you would like to pick up specialty items.
There is a maximum of 6 guests on each departure.
Yes, you will submit a 50% non-refundable deposit. The remaining balance will be due 10 weeks prior to departure.
Yes, the cost of the boat is included in the trip price although it is not guaranteed as weather may not allow. Whitecap does there best though to make it an option!
As the world adjusts post pandemic, Whitecap will continue to refer to the rules and regulations for the governing bodies where our trips are located, and adjust accordingly if things change.
Be sure to check for specific information regarding your country of departure as well as local regulations in Norway.
This is a good place to start: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/norway
You are welcome to email us with more specific questions or concerns and we will do our best to guide you: winter@whitecapalpine.ca
We strongly recommend that you establish your gear in your hometown and have a few days getting used to it prior to your trip. If you need help with rentals please email you guide, Hayden at hayden@whitecapalpine.ca