Ski Guiding at its Best in the Lofoten Islands!

The last week we have had some Amazing conditions for skiing here in Lofoten and allot of guests out skiing with us. It is hard to describe how good it was without over using words such as amazing or fantastic.... so we are going to let these pictures speak for themselves.  Book now for 2012! 
Time to pack up for some more ski guiding in the worlds most beautiful islands.
Alpine Cheers!  Seth
seth@alpineguides.no

Skiing Powder to the beach in Lofoten

Presten Coulior

Some of our guests heading up to Trollsaddle.

Light and Dry POWDER to the fjord off Geitgaljen!

It doesn't get any better than this.

Amazing Skiing and a Great Avalanche Course again in Lofoten!

We just wrapped up another great Avalanche Course/Skredkurs out of the Kabelvåg Hotell this weekend (19-20 Feb.) Our snow pack here in the Lofoten Islands has settled out in the last week and we have had allot of new snow making for great skiing conditions. Add in sunshine and a crew of very experienced skiers with the drive to learn more about traveling safely in avalanche terrain.... making for a great experience for all. See for yourself in the pictures below!
Have you booked your ski adventure in Lofoten for this season? We have some great weekends still available in March and Early April for skiing with Northern Alpine Guides. The Hotel is looking great this year and our staff is top notch. Do miss your chance to ski in Lofoten this winter.
Seth

Ski Guiding and Avalanche Courses in Lofoten, February 2011

We have had an amazing start to our ski guiding season here in Lofoten.  This year we have been blessed with deep snow pack since November.  The standard rise and fall of temperatures has given us a great base of snow and is setting us up for another amazing March and April in Northern Norway. 

Over the last week we have had allot of new snow followed by strong winds building up an unstable wind slab in the upper 30cm of the snow pack.  This wind slab offers the perfect conditions for learning more about Avalanche mechanics, forecasting, and the skills necessary to travel safely in avalanche terrain.  Last weekend we had a great Avalanche course and we will hold another course this weekend (Feb. 19-20).  There is still two places available on the course so please contact us as soon as possible if you interested in sharpening you avalanche awareness skills.

In our weekend avalanche courses we focus on practical skills to prepare, evaluate, and manage avalanche risk.  We spend 80% of or time in the mountain in backcountry terrain allowing you time to practice and your decision making skills.  Whether you're new to backcountry skiing or a seasoned veteran this course is a great way to touch up you skills before the heart of the winter sets in here in Northern Norway.  Join us in the Magical Islands this winter for an Avalanche Course or some private ski guiding!

Stay Tuned for more updates on our ski guiding program here in Lofoten.

Enjoy the pictures from our final day this last Avalanche Course:

 

Must watch Video!

If you love skiing like we do you must watch this video!  These Canadians are doing it right.

Early winter in Lofoten, Norway!

We have had an amazing start to our "winter" this fall! We are out skiing as much as possible enjoying great skiing conditions here in Lofoten. I will let the pictures tell the story. Click Here to see a full slide show of the Ski Guiding Tours we have been on so far this Fall!

Stetind Sydpillaren, Guiding the South Pillar of Stetind

The South Pillar (Sydpillaren) is in the middle left of the face.  Our approach is up the grassy ramp to the base of the Pillar.

Håkon (a master student in Mathematics from Ålesund) and Erik (a Doctor here in Lofoten) hired me to guide them up the ultra-classic South Pillar of Stedind this weekend.  We climbed the route with great weather and in perfect style.  The South Pillar (Sydpillaren) of Stetind is 12 pitches of impeccable alpine granite towering above Tysfjord, about an hour south of Narvik.  Approach takes about three hours from the ocean to the base of the route.  The climbing is on high quality rock and offers a great variety of climbing.  The first four pitches are crack systems up the lower slab leading into steeper and steeper climbing through corners and chimney's too the upper headwall (5.7-5.9).  The last four pitches on the headwall are in a steep corner system (5.10) topping out just below the large summit of Stetind.  This has to be one the most varied and aesthetic alpine rock climbs I have ever guided.  Big smiles and great views all day.  Enjoy the pictures!  Make sure to click the images to see them full size.     

Morning Light on the last water source of the approach.  Tasted as good as it looks.

On the approach to Stetind.

Fun easy climbing on the lower pitches.

Håkon on the fresh granite of the lower route.  A large rock fall a few years ago made this pitch harder and better climbing.

Hakon above the clouds on pitch 6.

Clean and fun climbing on the upper half of Stetind.

The guys on the one of the belay transitions. Tysfjord in the background.

Exiting the clean corner and into the hand crack.  Pitch 12.

South Pillar of Stetind.  Last technical pitch.

Top out right to the summit register.

Summit Photo!

The upper half of the South Pillar is on the left Skyline.  Classic East Ridge (descent), right hand ridge.

Looking back to the Lofoten Islands on the way back to the Ferry.

Sunset on Stetind from the Ferry back to Lofoten.

Thanks for checking out the trip report.  Climb the South Pillar of Stetind with Northern Alpine Guides next summer!

Seth

Super Hero's Not Really!