Skiing in the Arctic Circle

Arrival

Travel to Meeting Point: Alta, Norway can be reached by air from Oslo and other destinations. The flight time is around 3 hours. Alta airport is located 4 km (2.5 miles) from the city and a taxi transfer or the local bus is easily arranged. Many of our guests opt to arrive into Alta a day early or leave a day late to allow time to explore the city. EnTur is a great App for Norwegian transport options.

Travel to Norway by Train: Options from all major European cities with tickets from Eurail, Rail Europe or The Trainline. For example - from London, England, to Brussels, Belgium using Eurostar, these tickets can be purchased up to 6 months in advance. Then use German Rail for trains from Brussels, Belgium to (Gotëborg) Gothenburg, in Sweden, with a stopover in Copenhagen, Denmark. From Gothenburg Central Station, in Sweden, to Oslo, Norway you can book with Norwegian Rail.

Travel to Norway by Air: Fly to Oslo Gardermoen Airport or to Torp. Buses from Torp to Gardermoen Airport (1h45) every hour to connect to the train to Finse. Transfer links from Torp.

Departure

The airport is easily reached using the local bus service, or a taxi.

It is your responsibility to ensure any insurance taken out is appropriate for your trip and the activity you will be undertaking. Tracks & Trails cannot advise on insurance policies or be held responsible if, in the event of a claim, your insurance is inadequate. 

Activity, Injury and Mountain Rescue It is a condition of booking you are insured for mountain rescue, medical expenses, injury, illness, death, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. The exception to the mountain rescue insurance requirement is if the trip is taking place in the United Kingdom or Norway where mountain rescue is free of charge. Ensure your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude can be checked in the 'At A Glance' box on the trip page. 

Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance Insurance should be booked as soon as we confirm your trip is going ahead. Deposit and balance payments are non-refundable unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the minimum numbers required. In this case we offer a full refund or the option to transfer to another trip.

Baggage Loss/Equipment Damage We advise insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage.

All the above is detailed in our Terms and Conditions. For further information on insurance options click here.

When packing for a trip in the mountains it is important to have appropriate equipment and clothing. This kit list features items we believe are necessary for the weather you may encounter and accommodation you will be staying in. You will carry a day pack while skiing, but can also add a 5 kg (11 lbs) bag to the dog sled for overnight items, and a change of clothes. Ensure your rucksack can take a sleeping bag, as this must be carried on your back at all times. Temperatures could be as low as -20°C (-4°F). Further general information, not specific to this trip, about packing for ski journeys can be found in this blog.

Group Kit We share the following amongst the group - emergency lightweight shelters, 1 snow shovel between 2, spare ski pole, snow probe, first aid kit, and any repair kit. 

Equipment

• Ski equipment - refer to 'Ski Equipment and Ski Pass' on this page

• Ski ties - to hold skis together

• Rucksack - 35 to 40 litres with waist & chest strap; you will carry your sleeping bag at all times

• Rucksack waterproof cover or liner to keep contents dry

• Water container - 1 litre bottle, drink tubes and bottles stowed on the outside will freeze

• Head torch - plus spare batteries

• Carry mat - minimum 1 metre length, to isolate your core from the ground in emergency

• Small emergency foil survival bag or similar

• Grip Waxes & Cork - only if using your own 'waxing' skis

• Whistle

Clothing 

• Waterproof jacket - essential, this must keep you dry during a day of continuous snowfall

• Waterproof trousers - in case of heavy snowfall

• Trousers - lightweight, windproof and warm

• Thermal top - long sleeves

• Thin fleece - long sleeves

• Waistcoat - fleece/wind stopper 

• Gloves x 2 (one thick and one thin)

• Over-mittens for colder days advised

• Warm hat

• Sun hat

• Head/ear band 

• Duvet jacket (or second warm layer)

• Scarf or 'Buff' for neck

• Socks - 2 to 3 pairs

• Gaiters - to deal with fresh snow

Comfort

• Lip salve

• Sunscreen 

• Sunglasses 

• Goggles

• Snack bars/chocolate

• Anti-bacterial hand wash

• Tissues - we recommend biodegradable bags to dispose of rubbish

• Sleeping bag: three season, for use at the cabins and for emergencies *(See note re hire)

• Small 'Pack' towel 

• Slippers for use at accommodation

• Waterproof bag for your extra kit on the dog sled, 5 kg (11 lbs) maximum weight

Personal First Aid

• Personal medication 

• Blister plasters

• Tape for strapping feet - Strappal or Tensoplast

• Painkillers/anti-inflammatory

• Glucose tablets/Energy gel

• 2 x Rehydration sachets - eg Dioralyte

• Throat lozenges

• Antiseptic cream/spray

Documentation 

• Mountain Rescue/Ski Insurance documents

• Passport

• Credit card

• Cash - Norwegian Kroner - most places now take cards 

Additional Items

• Ear plugs 

• Camera/ Book/Music

• Minimalist Toiletries – soap/toothpaste etc

• Small thermos for hot drinks

• Padlock for any luggage stored while on tour

• Micro-spikes/boot grippers - optional, for icy conditions on the street/car park

* If you wish to hire a suitable sleeping bag these can be hired and paid for upon arrival.There are two types of sleeping bags available: Helsport Alta (fiber) NOK 868 or Helsport Rago (down) NOK 1215. Both are sleeping bags with minus 10-15 °C (50–59 °F) comfort levels.

Skis If you would like to hire, book your equipment as soon as possible via your Account. The skis are good quality and from the range of off-track skis by Åsnes. They will be fishscale/crown skis without metal edges. The 5 days hire in 2026 will cost 2460 NOK and should be paid directly to the hire shop. There will be a small increase for winter 2027.

If bringing your own skis we recommend Nordic touring skis similar to the Åsnes 'Finnmark 54', with a side cut of 68-54-61 or the Fischer 'Transnordic 59' with a side cut of 59-49-55. The 'sidecut' refers to the width of the ski in millimetres; at the tip, the middle, and the tail. If in doubt about the suitability of your own equipment contact us. If you are using your own metal-edged skis you must take care not to injure the sled dogs as they love to run amongst the skiers. If you have waxing skis you should be confident and competent at making your own daily decisions on which grip wax to apply to ensure efficient travel.

Boots If hiring we recommend you tape up your heels and any areas of potential issue, BEFORE skiing. We recommend Tensoplast as a tape which can help avoid blisters.

Ski Pass The ski tracks are free to use and no ski pass is required. 

During this trip you will ski with a day pack with essential items. You will have the opportunity to take a small extra pack of no more than 5 kg (11 lbs) which will be towed in a pulka. A pulka is a short, low sled used in these parts for transporting food and equipment. In this case it will be pulled by a polar dog. Your main luggage can be left at our hotel in Alta for your return. 

On many trips there will be an element of 'group kit'. This kit will will be minimal and usually a case of sharing a few lightweight 'survival shelters'. For example, on a week-long trip you may carry a shelter for one day before passing it to the next person. If you are booking a trip in winter there will be a few additional safety items, such as a snow shovel, probe, spare ski pole etc.

This trip is unusual in that we use off-track skis, but often we are skiing on skidoo tracks which offer a pressed snow surface - a hybrid of the two styles of off-track and on-track. You should be skiing at Intermediate level on tracks, view the grade here. Most of the terrain is flat or gentle undulating, but the final day is a long sustained descent to the end of the trail. You should enjoy staying in remote wilderness areas and in basic but cosy accommodation. There is no running water, but we will collect water from a nearby stream. On one of the nights you have the opportunity for a wood fired sauna - this incurs a supplementary fee.

You should be a person who loves adventure, and who has the mental and physical stamina to deal with all weathers, which at times may mean being uncomfortable, dealing with biting cold, strong winds, and difficult visibility. You much be self-sufficient in terms of keeping yourself hydrated, warm, and fuelled. If using grip wax you should be competent at waxing and able to deal with any wax requirements quickly and efficiently. 

For each trip a minimum number of guests is required before we can confirm your trip will go-ahead. Minimum and maximum numbers are displayed in 'At a Glance' on the righthand of the trip page. If you book travel before we have emailed to confirm the trip is guaranteed we cannot be held responsible for any financial loss.

There is the possibility of booking a single room on this trip for a total of three nights. The first two nights in our hotel at Alta, and the final night at our hotel in Alta. For a single room for these three nights the supplementary payment will be £300 in 2027. 

The statistics given on your itinerary relating to ascent, descent and distance should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required. This is a guideline to help you decide if, based on previous experience, your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip. We ask you to note that the even the most modern of technology can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance.

Your leader will carry the correct maps and you are not expected to navigate, but if you would like to have a map detailing the trip you can refer to the ones below. The maps are usually available in Alta in the local book store, but no promises!  

Øvre Stabbursdalen 1: 50,000 Nordeca 10175

Máze 1:50,000 Nordeca 10170

Karasjohka 1:50,000 Nordeca 10171

Winter temperatures in Scandinavia are variable, and increasingly there can be a range of temperatures, both plus and minus degrees Centigrade, in the course of one week. For this particular Norwegian trip, in the Arctic Circle, the temperatures vary from above freezing, to -20° Centigrade (-4° Fahrenheit). If you have skied in Norway previously in the south of the country you may find the temperatures more challenging in the Arctic Circle. Being properly equipped means increased safety and enjoyment. For further information about the appropriate clothing and equipment refer to our Kit List. You should be prepared to deal with the cold and be used to managing your body in terms of hydration, comfort and fuel. 

Plastic credit or debit cards or smartphone pay systems are increasingly accepted throughout the areas where we run trips. Some countries, such as Norway, are moving towards a cashless society. However, in Europe, in the mountain areas where we run trips, a small amount of cash in the local currency is useful. For example, if you stop at a family-run mountain cafe or farm they may not accept cards or smartphone systems, and cash will be necessary. We recommend having enough cash in the local currency to pay for a few snacks and drinks. Whether to bring cash or not is at your own discretion.

A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required. We suggest keeping your passport in your rucksack, and a paper copy of your passport in your luggage. If your trip does not include luggage support carry a paper copy with you, but separate from your passport. You should check passport requirements with the relevant embassy or consulate for the country you are visiting, paying attention to your citizenship. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.  

NEW European Travel Regulations 2026 If you are travelling to Europe you may be impacted by a change to travel regulations. In the last quarter of 2026, the European Commission will roll out a U.S. style electronic travel authorisation system for visitors from countries that are currently not part of the EU. It is your responsibility to check for updates with regard to the introduction date.

We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at: Plug, Socket & Voltage by Country

If your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut a slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be useful for recharging phones etc. This type of accommodation will generally have electricity, but it may be limited in supply, and it is not always possible to charge items.

If on the final day of skiing you arrive back into Alta in the early afternoon, and would to try another activity such as fat biking then do speak to your ski instructor who can help and advise you. We also find that our guests often arrive a day early for this trip, or depart a day later, so they can spend time doing  other activities in the area. 

Any optional activities are not included with this trip and we ask that you book and pay for these direct to the provider. Tracks and Trails cannot take responsibility for your safety or the outcome of any insurance claims arising from an accident incurred while doing any of these activities. On previous trips fat biking has been a huge hit!

Activities could include:

• Whale watching
• Fat biking
• Husky dog sledding
• Ice fishing
• Snowmobiling
• Snowshoeing

Tracks and Trails pays guides/instructors a fair and appropriate fee for their professional service. If you feel your guide/instructor has provided an excellent service that went 'above and beyond' then it is at the discretion of each guest whether to tip or not.  Guests will often give a tip of between 2 - 5 per cent of the total value of their trip. It is entirely up to you and any gesture will no doubt be appreciated no matter the size. 

Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor. We advise you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number. 

GHIC For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring your Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). The GHIC gives access to state healthcare in Europe either free or at a reduced cost. The GHIC is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.

EHIC If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you should apply for a GHIC.

We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We operate a zero tolerance for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all items from the mountain, this includes toilet tissue, and those items you consider to be bio-degradable.

The waste water in mountain huts, also known as refuges/rifugios, often runs into nearby streams and rivers with a potential impact on the eco-system, though in many places steps are now being taken to avoid this. Whether or not your trip involves staying in a mountain hut we would nevertheless recommend you consider nature friendly sunscreens which only contain mineral UV-blocking ingredients such as oxide, and titanium dioxide.

You can read our Sustainable Travel Policy here.

Working across international boundaries, and with various currencies means the price of our trips can change overnight. We have undertaken to guarantee that once you have paid your deposit the price of your trip is fixed. The website price may increase due to currency fluctuations, but we guarantee that the price advertised on the date of your booking will be maintained. 

If you would like help preparing for your adventure you could consider booking a Quick Fix session with personal trainer Kate Brown. This is aimed at those who want to get ready for any of our winter activities. Your booking with Kate will involve a 45 minute 1:1 video consultation and action plan. You can read more about her ethos and experience here.

We also offer free training videos on our YouTube channel:

Best Strength Workout for XC Skiing | Physio-Approved Ski Prep Exercises

Cross-Country Ski Warm-Up Guide | Essential Mobility & Activation Exercises

Cool Down for XC Skiers | Prevent Injury & Boost Recovery

Or if you would like to read our blog on suggestions for preparing for either cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing click here