Discover the remote mountains of Western Greenland on an eight-day ski and sail expedition. Expert IFMGA-certified guides, an experienced crew, and a floating basecamp put some of the Arctic’s most spectacular ski terrain within reach.

At Alpine Backcountry Guides, we’re committed to delivering safe, seamless and professionally led ski experiences wherever we operate. While this will be our first expedition to the fjords of Western Greenland, the people behind it bring a wealth of experience in their respective fields. From an experienced sailing crew who navigate these waters multiple times each year, to IFMGA-certified mountain guides with decades of experience exploring and guiding in remote mountain environments, every part of this expedition is in capable hands. You can focus on the adventure, knowing you’re supported by a team that knows their craft.

1. Avalanche safety equipment, backcountry skiing equipment and glacier travel equipment are all compulsory for this tour

2. Travel insurance is compulsory for this tour

3. Tour price is based on a minimum group size of 7 people. A supplement will be applied to all persons if minimum group size is not met.

4. Maximum guide ratio = 1:4

Your expedition begins on Thursday morning, with a flight from Nuuk to Maniitsoq. On arrival, your guides will meet you and transfer you to the port, where the Southern Star awaits.

On Thursdays, planes run twice a day from Nuuk to Maniitsoq, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. We recomend booking the earlier arrival to give more time throughout the day to get ready on board.

There’ll be time to meet the team, run through final equipment checks and cover the essential safety briefings before boarding the boat and setting sail into the remote fjords of Western Greenland.

Spend your first evening settling into life on board, sharing a delicious meal and getting to know your fellow adventurers and crew. With the mountains waiting just beyond the fjord, get some rest and prepare for the days of exploration ahead.

Leaving the harbour of Maniitsoq behind, we venture deep into Greenland’s spectacular fjord system, exploring the mountains of Hamborgerland and Kangaamiut before continuing into the vast wilderness of Eternity Fjord. With towering peaks rising straight from the sea, endless alpine terrain and long descents finishing at the water’s edge, this is the heart of the expedition, a chance to ski remote lines in a landscape few people ever experience.

Each day is built around maximising our time on the snow. Your guides will assess the weather, snowpack and avalanche conditions to select the best objectives, adapting the plan as conditions change. To make the most of each ski day, the crew will often sail or motor through the fjords in the evenings or overnight, positioning the boat for fresh terrain and new descents the following morning.

Between ski days, there are opportunities to explore the fjords by kayak, watch icebergs drift through the water or simply take in the scale of Greenland’s wild Arctic landscape. Back on board, enjoy delicious, chef-prepared meals and share stories from the day as we prepare for the next adventure in the mountains.

After one final day of skiing on Day 7, we’ll set sail back to Maniitsoq in the evening, taking in the last of Greenland’s spectacular fjord scenery as we make our way towards port.

After our final night on board, we’ll arrive back in Maniitsoq in the morning. From the port, guests will be transferred by taxi to the airport for their onward flights, bringing an unforgettable week of ski touring, fjord exploration and Arctic adventure to a close.

This expedition will be led by two fully certified IFMGA mountain guides, bringing extensive experience and a strong focus on safety to every day in the mountains. In a remote environment like the Arctic, having the right people in your corner matters. We can’t think of two better guides to have leading the way.

Cillian is an IFMGA/NZMGA certified guide with a deep background in ski-mountaineering, canyoning, and rock climbing. He spends his time guiding internationally across New Zealand, Australia, the Alps, and Japan. He brings a calm, instructional approach backed by broad mountain experience. Whether on skis or on technical mountain terrain, Cillian’s focus is creating safe, rewarding days in the mountains for every level of skier or climber.

Will is a New Zealand local who thrives on adventure in the mountains. Working as an IFMGA ski guide and professional ski patroller at The Remarkables, he brings extensive mountain experience and a strong focus on safety and professionalism. As a North Face professional athlete, Will has taken on numerous mountain expeditions, combining his athletic ability with a passion for exploring wild places. He takes pride in helping clients develop their skills, explore new terrain and make the most of every day in the mountains, all while bringing a relaxed Kiwi attitude and a genuine love of adventure.

Your yacht is a 23-meter Bermudian cutter, named the Southern Star. The vessel spent 21 seasons in the Arctic and undertook 17 major polar expeditions, including  crossing the Northwest Passage twice.

In addition to the collision bulkhead at the bow, Southern Star also has a movable centerboard which, when raised, reduces the draft to 2.1 metres, enabling safe navigation in ice and in waters without precisely mapped depths, and when lowered, increases efficiency when sailing upwind.

Capacious fuel tanks (2,000 liters) and freshwater tanks ensure the vessel's high autonomy during long expeditions. It also includes a robust Zodiac-type inflatable boat with an armored bottom and a reliable engine, suitable for landings ashore.

Seven enclosed and radiator-heated cabins ensure complete comfort for passengers and crew, even in the coldest regions of the world. A covered cockpit provides protection for the helmsman and crew during challenging navigation.