In Norway’s Lyngen Alps, snow-covered mountains rise directly above the fjords, with ski-touring routes that can take you from the shoreline to the summit and back. Exploring by yacht allows you to move between coastal peaks and islands, choosing each day’s route with your mountain guide.
Adapted for Arctic sailing and ski touring, Firebird provides a comfortable base for these journeys. After a day in the mountains, there is afternoon tea in the raised saloon and a chef-prepared dinner to look forward to, with the surrounding coastline in view as you travel to your next anchorage.
Ski & Sail Aboard Firebird
Explore ski touring in Norway’s Lyngen Alps aboard Firebird.
Ski above the fjords and return to dinner aboard a sailing yacht. Discover the appeal of Firebird’s floating ski chalet in Arctic Norway.
Ski touring from the fjords
Skiing from Firebird takes you into the coastal mountains and islands of northern Norway, with each day’s route chosen by your guide to suit the snow, weather and your group. After a tender ride ashore, you climb on touring skis, taking in views across the fjords before making the descent towards the water.
Having the yacht nearby also allows for journeys across the islands. On Vannøya, for example, conditions permitting, you could climb from the east coast to a 1,000-metre peak, then ski down towards the west coast, where Firebird can meet you. Back aboard, there is afternoon tea to enjoy as you head towards the next anchorage.
Life aboard Firebird
Designed by Rob Humphreys and launched in 2016, Firebird was built for long-distance cruising. There are three double cabins and a single cabin, all with en-suite facilities, sleeping seven in total. Heated cabins and the raised saloon make the yacht a comfortable base for time in colder waters.
Back aboard, afternoon tea awaits in the raised saloon, where panoramic windows overlook the fjords. Curl up under a cashmere blanket and watch the coastline pass as you sail towards the next anchorage, with ski equipment stowed away and boots drying for the following morning.
Culinary feasts await you
Firebird’s ski-and-sail programme gives meals the attention they deserve after several hours in the mountains. Breakfast is served before heading ashore, with packed lunches for the day’s tour and freshly baked cake back aboard. Dinner is a three-course affair, drawing on fresh local produce and accompanied by wine. Menus are tailored to the group’s tastes and dietary requirements.
When to ski and sail in northern Norway
March and April are the principal ski-touring months in the Lyngen Alps, combining longer days with established snow cover. Touring can continue into May, depending on conditions, with increasingly light evenings as summer approaches.
If seeing the northern lights is important to you, we would look towards the earlier part of the spring season. Dark skies are essential, and by mid-April the evenings are becoming too light for dependable aurora viewing.
Time ashore in Tromsø
Tromsø is worth allowing time for at either end of a journey in the region. The Polar Museum offers an introduction to Arctic exploration, while the city’s restaurants provide another reason to stay ashore for an evening.
Other activities depend on the season. The region’s main orca and humpback whale-watching period usually falls in November to January.
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