From sea to summit & summit to sea - ski touring in the Lofoten - Norway
8 days from 3295 € per participant
Guaranteed departure from 4 people
Comfort 
NOSR803 NOSCASR03 
Maximum altitude 900 m
Stamina level : 3 Pros
- A unique skiing experience from the sea to the sky, and among Northern lights
- An unforgettable ski tour across the wide open Norwegian wilderness in wintertime
- Relaxing atmosphere and great loop around all Lofoten with our van!
- Accommodation in twin rooms, in comfortable hotels - no more tiny Norwegian Rorbus (fishermen's huts)!
- Accompanied by a French UIAGM mountain guide who knows the region inside out
In a nutshell
Nestled in the confines of septentrional Europe (septentrional, there's one for you Scrabble buffs), just above the arctic circle, we're heading for a true winter wonderland ! This trip encompasses all of the things we've come to love.
To start, we have a boat transfer of a couple of hours that gives us time to get used to our surroundings and take in the stunning views. Of course, we do some great skiing and choose our itineraries as we go along, as weather conditions dictate.
We may even go out skiing twice on the same day. We often end up by the sea, and sometimes in small fishing villages, with skis on our feet ! Then it'll be time to get back to our warm and welcoming rorbu - this is just another "little" detail that makes this trip to the Lofoten so special - without mentioning the spectacular granit cliffs that drop into the the sea and the easily accessible summits that make you feel as if you're on top of the world, just that !
Day to day
Day 1 - Flight to Bodø, Norway
For this first day of ski touring in the Lofoten Islands, meet up at Bodø - Norway airport at the end of the day. Pick up your vehicles and spend the night in Bodø.
It's the first day, so relax, setting up and distributing your equipment may take a little time, but don't worry, you'll be skiing all week long!
Meals included: dinner
Accommodation included: hotel
Day 2 - Ski touring around Bodø
At the beginning of the afternoon we take the ferry over to Moskenes - approx 3 hrs. Night in Sakrysoy before heading to the famous rorbu for the coming two nights.
Meals included: breakfast, picnic & dinner
Accommodation included: hotel or comfortable rorbu (restored former fisherman's hut)
Day 3 - Ski touring on the Southern tip of the Lofoten islands
Depending on the conditions at the time, we'll choose the outing! Quick immersion in the magical atmosphere of the Norwegian fjords...
Meals included: breakfast, picnic & dinner
Accommodation included: hotel or comfortable rorbu
Day 4 - Off to Henningsvær
We have a 2 hours drive to our next spot between Henningsvær and Svolvaer. Beautiful Ski touring in the fjords. We will stay for the three next nights in a comfortable hotel to be able to gain our energy back!
Meals included: breakfast, picnic & dinner
Accommodation included: hotel
Day 5 & day 6 - Skiing in and around Henningsvær and Svolvaer
Every day has its surprises, and just when you think you've seen the best, you're surprised again! There's plenty of good skiing on the programme, with fish tastings to recoup our energy!
Meals included: breakfast, picnic & dinner
Accommodation included: hotel
Day 7 - More skiing
In the afternoon we hit the road back to Bodø.
Meals included: breakfast, picnic & dinner
Accommodation included: hotel
Day 8 - Early wake up to get to the airport and head back home
Early morning departure for Bodø airport and return to France.
Meals included: breakfast
Please note this itinerary is an example of a ski touring trip with Azimut in the Lofoten, Norway. The guide may adjust certain itineraries and ski areas according to weather and snow conditions as well as participants' abilities. We kindly ask you to respect such decision. We may also change accommodation, with the same standards, depending on logistics and availabilities.
In case practices and customs defined by the local guide authorities change, estimating the reasonable number of clients per guide, for safety reasons, Azimut respects these, even last minute, decisions. Such cases are rare and mostly related to exceptional conditions in the mountains. Therefore some compensation may be requested from your side due to less participants per guide.
Meeting and leaving
Meeting points
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Bodø (BOO) airport - Norway
Meeting time: late afternoon
Leaving time: during the day, at the same meeting place
Get together - Practical information
Access
Flights to buy: return to Bodø (BOO) Norway
Due to price variations, this ski touring trip in Lofoten is sold without flights. It will be cheaper and easier for you to book your flights from the airport and on the dates of your choice via airline websites or booking platforms such as MisterFly, Opodo, Kayak, etc.
Please note: Only buy the flights for this trip once we have confirmed that your departure is guaranteed!
Please note: Very often, you have to collect your luggage from Oslo airport and check it in again. Try to have transit times of more than 2 hours.
Group size
4 to 6 participants
Guiding
Azimut French mountain guides
We work with a fine team of guides. We choose them mainly for their friendliness, pedagogy and organizational skills. We listen carefully to our guides, move forward with them and ensure that their working conditions and remuneration are the best they can be.
Getting around
Minibus on site.
Daypack
Bring a light day pack just to carry your personal belongings for the day, your picnic, a few snacks and security equipment. We strongly recommend that you wear an airbag.
How technical does it get ? How fit should I be ?
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Skill level
The slopes may have some short steep passages. You should be at ease with ski touring techniques and skiing on all types of snow. We may also ski on glacier terrain. You should master uphill kick turns without hesitation.
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Stamina level
Good physical condition, some short climbs on foot possible. Elevation gain between 800m and 1000m/per day. Depending on the climbs chosen, it is often possible to make a second outing during the day, allowing those who are tired to rest and those who are not to continue skiing.
Good to know: if you don't have the required level, the guide might ask you to leave the group for your own safety, that of the group or the weel being of the group as a whole. Don't hesitate to ask us if you have any doubts!
Pricing and insurance
Price
The price includes
- Supervision by an Azimut mountain guide from France and all expenses (accommodation, meals, travel, etc.)
- 7 nights' accommodation in comfortable twin rooms in a hotel or apartment hotel (rorbu)
- Half-board from the evening of D1 to the morning of D8
- All picnic lunches included on D2 and D7
- Vehicle hire and transport
- Loan of avalanche transceiver and probe if you are not equipped.
-Quality cereal bars.
- The AZIMUT welcome pack
The price does not include
- Snacks
- Return transport from your place of residence to the meeting point
- Air travel
- The extra cost of air transport for the skis you hire
- Personal expenses
- Meals on D1 (excluding dinner) Meals on D8 (excluding breakfast)
- Drinks and extras
- Ski hire, if required
- Anything not included in the "price includes" section
Payment
A 30% deposit, as well as the insurance cost if you choose to subscribe the latter, is required to secure your booking. You will receive a reminder email 35 days prior to departure for the outstanding balance that is due latest 30 days prior to departure.
Insurance
We strongly recommend you to be properly insured for the chosen activity. You should be covered for medical expenses, personal accident & liabilité, third party risks and rescue (helicopter), as well as trip cancellation or curtailment.
Repatriation and research insurance are mandatory when booking a trip with Azimut. We have a full range of insurances on offer to suit the trip you select and the risks that it may incur.
Tipping
Tipping is no obligation. However usually participants hand round an envelope for those who wish to tip the guide.
Accommodation, meals and formalities
Depending on the composition of the group, you may be with someone of the opposite sex.
Where possible, we offer single rooms at a supplement of €465/person. Contact us for details
- D1 and D7 in a 3* hotel. Comfortable rooms for 2 people. Bed linen and towels provided. Dinner on D1 and breakfast on D2 + dinner on D7 and breakfast on D8 taken at the hotel.
- D2 to D3 in a 3-star hotel or in a comfortable Rorbuer (restored fisherman's cottage). For 2 or 4 people in 2-person rooms. Mountain corners and toilets shared by 2 or 4 people maximum. Breakfast and dinner are taken at the Hôtel des Rorbuers.
- D4 to D7 in a 3* hotel between Henningsvaer and Svolvaer. Breakfast and dinner are taken in a restaurant from the evening of D4 to the morning of D7.
- Picnics at lunchtime from D2 to D7 inclusive. Either made up at the hotel or taken by the guide from local grocery shops.
-Snacks : details are important, especially after such demanding physical effort ! We've chosen to supply tasty, high-quality cereal bars.
Cash and currency
The Norwegian currency is the Krone (Kr. The exchange rate is approximately 11.28 K to 1 euro as at 06.04.2020). It is possible to change money in Oslo or Trömsö, but only by international credit card, as we will be arriving in the late afternoon and the banks will be closed.
Passport
A valid identity card or passport is sufficient to enter Norway.
Take your European health insurance card with you (ask your CPAM).
Phone, WiFi and electricity
In the event of an emergency or delay, you can contact our guide, whose number will be given to you before departure, or Azimut on 04 92 23 07 24. Pass on these contacts to your family and friends before you leave.
Telephone: Little telephone network
Electricity: 220-volt sockets on board, the same as in France.
Equipment - clothing & gear
Make sure to wear bright colours, it's good for the soul and gives photos a funky edge !
Skiing material (all in excellent condition)
- Ski touring skis with appropriate bindings. We recommend freeride type skis (wider at waist) so you can fully enjoy powdery descents as well as descents in any kind of snow.
- Ski touring boots
- Ski skins and crampons
- Ski poles
- Harness
- Ice axe
- A 35 litre daypack
Security advice: avalanche airbag backpacks are highly recommended. They help to stay on the surface in case of avalanche and minimize the risk of burial. Azimut guides use them. These bags contain cartridges with compressed air - please contact the airline to check on air transport regulations as they may be classed as hazardous goods.
- Avalanche kit: transceiver, shovel and probe (please let us know if you have your own, if not we lend them for free)
- Padded ski bag for airline transportation
- Ski helmet highly recommended
If you don't have the adequate equipment for the trip, don't worry and travel light: we rent out the required gear and hand it over at the start of the trip ! Our equipment is relatively new, if not brand new, of good quality and adapted to your choice of activity.
Prices of rental equipment during the entire trip (these competitive prices only take into account the number of days of the trip, also includes excess bagage fare - your rental gear will be handed over on site):
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Skis (skis, skins, poles, ski-crampons) |
335 € |
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Crampons |
40 € |
You can choose to rent equipment when booking your trip, or lateron by clicking on “my account”. If any of the equipment that you've chosen is out of stock you'll be notified and reimbursed.
Due to security restrictions on air transportation, we do not rent out airbags for overseas trips.
In case your skis and gear arrive late or are lost during transportation, we are not to be held responsible and do not apply a discount on rental gear nor pay for the cost of rental gear until your own gear arrives.
Clothes
This list of clothes is designed to give you an idea of clothes that it may be a good to have with you. No need to have the latest brands nor the latest gear, but if you need to refresh of refill your wardrobe, this guide would be a good start.
Headwear
- Warm hat or buff/scarf
- 2 pairs of ski goggles and sunglasses with UV factory 4 protective lenses. Photochromic glasses adapt to light intensity, and have filter index up to category 4, they are very useful
- Ski helmet (highly recommended)
Bodywear
- Under layer: breathable long sleeved tops to maintain heat. A tip: merino wool is breathable and has anti-bacterial properties and is therefore less likely to smell as opposed to synthetic fabrics. Take this into consideration if you need to update your wardrobe.
- Middle layer: a light polar or synthetic jacket for an extra layer of heat during breaks
- Outer layer: a Gore-tex or similar type of jacket with a breathable waterproof membrane. Make sure it's lightweight and compact so it doesn't take up too much space in your backpack
- Bottom layer: trousers with a breathable waterproof membrane (Gore Tex or similar) with long side zips allowing air to flow, recommended on climbs
- Hands: light fleece or soft shell gloves, a pair of silk glove liners to go underneath, warm gloves with a breathable and waterproof membrane. Mittens are always a good idea for really cold days of for those of you who feel the cold !
- Swimming gear: it takes up such little space, it would be a shame not to bring it just in case. Avoid swimming shorts or bermudas, they are not usually allowed.
Footwear
- Ski socks: merino wool socks are breathable and have anti-bacterial properties and are less likely to smell as opposed to those made of synthetic fabrics. Think about them if you need to stock up.
- Slippers / Crocs recommended for evening wear.
Odds and ends
- 1 litre flask (Thermos or Camelback)
- Pocket knife
- Duck tape
- Sun cream, UV factor 50
- Duffle type bag holding up to 110 litres to leave at the hotel or in the vehicle. No suitcases.
Toiletries and first aid kit
- personal toilet bag
- To make your a first aid kit, please find all information on Ifremont's website.
Geography
The Lofoten Islands lie between the 67th and 68th northern parallels, in a southwesterly direction, 200 km from the Vesterålen Islands. They are separated from the mainland to the southeast by the Vestfjord. The archipelago has a total surface area of 1,227 km2. The main islands stretch for around 150 km, one after the other. Connected by road, it takes 168 km to travel from Fiskebøl in the north to Å in the south. From north to south (and east to west), these are :
- Austvågøya (East Våg Island in Norwegian; the suffix -øy meaning "island" and -øya, "the island of"), the largest of the islands, with an area of 526.7 km2 ;
- Gimsøya (Gims Island, 46.4 km2); - Vestvågøya (Western Våg Island, 411.1 km2);
- Flakstadøya (Flakstad Island, 109.8 km2); - Moskenesøya (Moskenes Island, 193.9 km2).
To these islands can be added the southern tip of Hinnøya, east of Austvågøya (Hinnøya is generally considered the largest of the Vesterålen islands). The archipelago's boundaries are not precisely defined and have varied significantly over the course of history. These main islands are surrounded by hundreds of smaller islands and islets. To the south-west of Moskenesøya are several smaller and much more isolated islands:
- Mosken is separated from the southern tip of Moskenesøya by the Moskenstraumen, a system of tidal currents and eddies;
- Værøy (island of Vær, 17 km2) is to the southwest of Mosken;
- the Røst archipelago is separated from the rest of Lofoten by the Røsthavet. It comprises some 400 islets, the largest of which, Røstlandet, measures 3.6 km2.
The archipelago is divided into the kommuner of Vågan, Vestvågøy, Flakstad, Moskenes, Værøy and Røst. The main towns are Leknes and Svolvær. The population of the archipelago is around 25,000, living mainly from fishing and now from tourism.
Formalities -
Miscellaneous information Passport A valid identity card or passport is all you need to enter Norway. Take your European health insurance card with you (ask your local CPAM). Currency exchange The Norwegian currency is the krone (the exchange rate is approximately 10.33 NOK to 1 euro). Exchange facilities are available in Oslo and at the Bodø post office.
In partnership with
Our guides use the following brands for their gear and you'll have the opportunity to test them during the trip:
And last but not least...
Don't forget to
- Leave contact details with your friends and family
- Bring your papers and I.D. (passport and visa if necessary)
- Bring your contract number and documents related to your insurance (if you've chosen not to have insure coverage with us)
- Bring your “carte vitale” and your European health card (EU member states) - if you don't have one you can order one for free online www.ameli.fr
- Check that you have the right equipment
- Take spare batteries and a charger for your electronic devices (camera, video recorder, tracking devices etc)
- Bring some cash and your credit card
- Leave in a good frame of mind: we're going to have a great time even if we may not happen to not make it to the summit !
- Before leaving: water the plants, empty the rubbish bin, turn off the water and gas, and tell your partner that you're going to have a good time (not by text message), that you well deserved... If you don't follow the latter recommendation, you'll most probably kick yourself when you get back !
See you on the slopes ! Have great runs with AZIMUT !