GREENLAND

GUIDED SKI & SPLITBOARD EXPEDITION

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A dream of ours came true when we first explored Greenland in 2022. Talk about magic. With a population of only 56,000, this arctic nation—home to the Inuit people whose ancestors migrated over millennia from the shores of Alaska—is the least-densely populated country in the world. Settlements are few and far between, and where there is life, ancient ways are preserved. The east coast of Greenland, known as Tunu in the native language, the “Land at the Back,” is particularly isolated. Here the environment is wild and severe. The communities that thrive here do so because they have adapted to the high arctic over thousands of years. Locals use dog sleds to venture across the sea ice and up frozen fjords to hunt and fish. Icebergs drift past villages and glaciers pour down from the surrounding alpine peaks.

To ride in Greenland, one must be prepared for polar bears, glacier travel, changing sea ice conditions and harsh arctic storms. These factors, paired with the extreme isolation mean there aren’t many people “on the mountain.” Those lucky enough to experience Greenland’s vast wilderness on skis or splits will be treated to spectacular summit-to-sea descents, approaches to remote peaks via snowmobile and ice-strengthened boat, and the opportunity to base from distant huts where we will select our objectives on sight. For as wild as that all sounds, there will also be comfort (and more than enough of it) in the form of a dedicated ski lodge with running water and hot showers—an oasis in a tiny coastal village surrounded by some of the wildest, uninhabited land on earth.

2024 DATES

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APRIL 26-MAY 4

MAY 3-11

2 SESSIONS: EACH 6.5 DAYS RIDING/9 DAYS TOTAL

2025 DATES

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APRIL 25-MAY 3

MAY 2-10

2 SESSIONS: EACH 6.5 DAYS RIDING/9 DAYS TOTAL

DETAILS

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Our destination is the tiny island of Kulusuk, which we’ll reach via ~2-hour prop flight from Reykjavik, Iceland. Here we will have immediate access to a pristine wilderness area the size of Western Europe.

The village where we will base has a population of only 250 mostly Inuit inhabitants. The lodge we will call home—Nanoq—is at the heart of the village and has been carefully designed and furnished, providing an incredibly comfortable refuge from the harsh arctic climate. The modern and light-filled lodge offers a drying room, two bathrooms with showers, twin and triple sleeping arrangements, a beautiful dining area, a sitting room and a large deck overlooking the fjord and glaciated peaks of the surrounding islands. Running water is sourced from a nearby mountain lake.

With sea ice and snow conditions that can change on a daily basis it will be necessary to be flexible with our plans. That said, the timing of our expedition is intended to take advantage of the arrival of spring, and specifically conditions that will allow us to use snowmobiles to tow across the fast ice and launch boats and push our way through the floes to select from thousands of potential ski lines. Decisions on where we will travel to ski will be largely informed by local Inuit hunters, who know this dynamic environment better than anyone. Here in their arctic homeland, following subtle patterns such as tidal and wind-effect on the pack ice is key. Potential encounters with polar bears must also be anticipated and managed. If that all doesn’t sound epic enough, near 24-hour daylight will allow us to literally chase the sun and best snow across aspects as each day goes on.

The terrain is classically alpine, featuring steep faces and couloirs as well as mellow glacier runs. Ascents/descents will average 800m (2,625ft) of vertical and we’ll aim to make several a day. The sea ice of the fjords allows us to link different tours together, finishing one glacier descent at sea level and then following the shore for a few kilometers to gain another ascent.

After 3 nights basing from the lodge, we will venture into the inner fjords for another 3 nights, chasing the best snow via on-sight ski objectives. We’ll overnight in simple but bombproof huts and get a proper feel for how peaceful it is in Greenland’s remote wilderness. Or, if the group is up for even more of an adventure, there are endless options further afield where we can establish a basecamp with heated tents for a few nights. Either way, our final night in Kulusuk will be back at the lodge enjoying its many comforts.

After 8 days living in one of the most isolated environments on earth, we’ll board the prop plane for our return flight to Reykjavik, which could be the start of another epic adventure or simply your first dose of “reality” on your way home. And let it be said, Reykjavik is an extremely fun place to have a final night on the town!

GUIDES

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Our 2024 Greenland expeditions will be lead guided by Ty Mills. This will be his third year guiding with us from Kulusuk. Ty will be supported by a tail guide who is equally if not more versed in arctic travel and safety considerations. Meet our guides.

Both sessions will be run in close collaboration with Matt Spenceley and his team, who have built Kulusuk’s Nanoq Lodge. Matt and his wife, Helen, work closely with the Inuit locals and have built a strong relationship with one family in particular, the Utuaq family, who are experts in traveling the wild environment that surrounds their home village.

BOOKINGS

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USD $6,150/PERSON

6.5 DAYS RIDING/9 DAYS TOTAL

DOES NOT INCLUDE ICELAND-GREENLAND FLIGHTS (SEE BELOW)

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ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE REQUIREMENTS

SESSION ONE: Participants will need to arrange their own flights to/from Iceland’s Reykjavík-Keflavík Airport (airport code KEF), arriving April 26* and departing May 4**. We will arrange flights between Iceland-Greenland, departing on April 27 and returning on May 4.

SESSION TWO: Participants will need to arrange their own flights to/from Iceland’s Reykjavík-Keflavík Airport (airport code KEF), arriving May 3* and departing May 11**. We will arrange flights between Iceland-Greenland, departing on May 4 and returning on May 11.

*International arrivals at KEF April 27 (Session One)/May 4 (Session Two) may be possible, but only if very early in the morning. This will be the same day that you fly onward to Greenland, meaning that if you are delayed, or your baggage doesn’t arrive, you and/or your baggage may never make it to Greenland.

**Onward travel from Reykjavik on these dates is possible, however scheduling changes on Icelandair’s Greenland-Iceland route are common and might mean that you miss your connecting flight. We therefore strongly recommend that you give yourself an additional night in Reykjavik on the return as well—i.e. depart KEF May 5 (Session One)/May 12 (Session Two).

NOTE that the cost of Iceland-Greenland flights is NOT included in the expedition cost above. As soon as Icelandair releases tickets for 2024, we will make reservations and inform you of that additional cost. Based on previous years, we expect these flights to be between USD $1,000-$1,200 round trip, including a free baggage allowance of one duffel bag, one ski/board bag, and one small carry-on per person. Seats on the small prop planes will be limited and cheapest when first released, so we recommend booking with us ASAP to ensure we get the best prices before they sell out.

PRICE INCLUDES

40 Tribes Lead Guide with Tail Guide support provided by Matt Spenceley and his team; Snowmobile transfers for luggage between the Kulusuk airstrip and Nanoq Lodge (we will ski tour); 4 nights accommodation at Nanoq Lodge, breakfasts and dinners included; 3 nights accommodation at one or more backcountry huts, breakfasts and dinners included; Pack lunches for ski days; Snowmobile, boat and dog sled* support for ski days from Kulusuk; Polar bear protection and emergency communication devices; 6.5 days of epic guided skiing/splitboarding!

*Dog sledding is a possibility and would add a lot to the understanding of what Greenland is all about, but will be entirely dependent on the state of the sea ice.

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

International airfare to/from Iceland and baggage fees; Greenland-Iceland flights (will be arranged and purchased by 40 Tribes at an additional cost, as described above); Excess baggage fees on Iceland-Greenland flights, if applicable; Lodging, meals and airport transfers for recommended early arrival/late departure in/from Reykjavik, as described above; Medical/evacuation insurance; Costs incurred due to weather or infrastructure disruptions; Alcohol; Tips for guides.

BOOKING POLICY

A 20% deposit is required to secure your spot, with the remainder due 4 months prior to the expedition start date. Our cancellation/refund policies can be found here.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Our general terms & conditions can be found here.

RELEASE & WAIVER OF RIGHTS

All participants are required to sign our Release and Waiver of Rights.