If the beauty of these Arctic islands doesn't leave you breathless, the extraordinary ski touring experiences almost certainly will.
With a location deep into the Arctic Circle, the quaint fishing villages at the foot of the mountains in Lofoten, Vesterålen and Senja offer a convenient base for a genuine Norwegian adventure. Here you will find plenty of rorbuer, traditional fisherman’s cabins that have been converted into charming holiday lodges. Expect a friendly welcome from the locals as they serve up a combination of fresh flavours and vibrant culture.
Several of the lodges offer transportation to the skiing areas by boat. These tailor-made expeditions cruise along the islands' vast coastlines and deliver the passengers within reach of that coveted powder snow. Operated by professional guides who will help you to access the best available runs, the programs are adapted according to the weather and local conditions.
An early winter visit to this region gives you a splendid chance to spot the mystic beauty of the northern lights. On the other hand, the long skiing season also allows visitors to enjoy the magic of the midnight sun during late spring and early summer.
This picture-perfect area further offers a range of exciting rest-day activities. From Arctic wave surfing at the Unstad Surf Camp to sea eagle and whale safaris, the islands of Lofoten, Vesterålen and Senja are a paradise for any winter adventurer.
Stay safe and find out about the avalanche risk before you set out.
Main ski touring season
February - April
Recommended level
Experienced to experts
Types of skiing terrain
Alpine peaks
Couloirs to the ocean
Open rolling faces
Sea to summit
Types of accommodation
Hotels and B&Bs
Fisherman's cabins (rorbus)
Lodges
House boats (sail and ski)
Lofoten
The stunning archipelago of the Lofoten islands in Northern Norway extend far into the Atlantic Ocean. It is a vast coastal area with jagged granite mountains, providing seemingly endless opportunities for ski touring. Summit-to-sea descents, testing couloirs and open birch forests are sure to meet the ambitions of every ski adventurer, whether beginner or advanced.
Epic run
Store Trolltind (1,036 metres) is a spectacular peak in Trollfjorden. Transport by boat to the starting point is required for this tour, which offers great skiing in wild and untouched terrain.
Vesterålen
North of Lofoten lies Vesterålen, a chain of craggy islands dominated by stunning peaks and beautiful fjords. The summits facing the open ocean on the outer side of the islands are ideal for ski touring. Due to its remote location, Vesterålen is one of the least visited skiing destinations in the north – so if you like solitude, this is the place for you.
Epic run
Stortinden stands some 1,000 meters above Vangpollen in Sigerfjorden. The western flank is an uninterrupted steep descent that ends right at the seashore. The exposed summit offers a panorama of the jagged skyline of Hinnøya.
Senja
Senja, the second largest island in Norway, has equally great ski touring potential with peaks extending as high as 1017 metres. Located in the county of Troms, Senja’s mountainous landscape is full of secluded hills that are perfect for shredding. There are no lifts around here. After skiing, you can go hunting for the northern lights, try ice climbing or fishing.
Epic run
Store Hesten (874 metres) has an unusually accessible run – you can start skinning right next to the the parking at Hestesletta. With spectacular views and a variety of descents, Store Hesten is considered Senja’s best ski touring mountain.
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Getting here and around
You can get to the foot of the mountain with public transport, but the easiest way to get around is by renting a car.
Get to Lofoten
There are frequent and regular flights between Bodø Airport and Tromsø Airport on the mainland and Lofoten's three airports: Svolvær Airport, Leknes Airport and Røst Airport.
Flight time from Oslo to Bodø and Tromsø is around 1,5 hours and an additional 20–30 minutes from there to Lofoten.
It's also possible to fly to Harstad/Narvik airport from other major Norwegian cities and drive or get a bus to Lofoten from there.
If you prefer sailing, you can make your way up to Svolvær from Bergen or any of the ports in between.
Get to Vesterålen
There are frequent and regular flights from all the major cities in Norway to Harstad/Narvik Airport, which is the closest airport to Vesterålen. An airport bus service takes you to Sortland in Vesterålen in about 2 hours.
It's also possible to fly directly to Harstad/Narvik Airport from hubs in Europe like Zurich, Amsterdam and Frankfurt. Discover Airlines offers year-round flights from Frankfurt.
Other airports in Vesterålen are Stokmarknes Airport and Andøya Airport, to which you can fly from Tromsø Airport on a regular basis.
Another option is sailing up the coast from Bergen to Sortland, or any other ports in between.
Get to Senja
Bardufoss Airport offers several daily connections to Oslo. You can also sail up the coast with Hurtigruten from Bergen to Finnsnes, or other ports in between. Senja is a 30 minute drive from Finnsnes.
You can fly to Tromsø Airport or Harstad/Narvik Airport and go by express boat to Senja.
Another option is taking the Best Arctic direct bus between Tromsø and Senja.
Get inspired
Let the adventure begin.