Ski Touring in Greenland: Exploring Untouched Wilderness on Skis
Greenland’s vast, snow-covered landscapes offer an unparalleled experience for ski touring enthusiasts, combining the thrill of first descents with the serenity of untouched wilderness. Whether you’re sailing through the majestic Eternity Fjord, exploring the alpine peaks of East Greenland, or venturing into the backcountry near Nuuk, ski touring in Greenland promises an adventure like no other.
Ski Touring in the Eternity Fjord: A Journey into the Unknown
The Eternity Fjord, located north of Maniitsoq on Greenland’s west coast, is a destination that lives up to its name. Here, among jagged peaks and azure glaciers, some of Greenland’s most spectacular backcountry skiing experiences await. Unlike typical ski destinations, you won’t find a resort or hotel here; instead, your accommodation is a mobile platform—a tour boat that serves as your basecamp.
From this ship-based setup, the fjord’s backcountry opens up, offering endless possibilities for ski touring. The landscape is a blend of rough, rocky cliffs, gently curving snowfields, and glaciers that expose all shades of blue. As you ascend, your basecamp gradually becomes a small colored dot on the fjord’s surface, a testament to the vast distances you’ve covered.
Ship-based ski touring is a luxurious experience that feels like home. The captain and mountain guide can move the “hotel” to locations that offer the best runs for your group’s interests, ensuring that each day brings a new adventure. First runs are a given in this remote, untouched part of the world.
Practical Information for Ski Touring in Greenland
- Best Locations: Maniitsoq (especially around the Eternity Fjord and the Apussuit Glacier), Sisimiut, Nuuk, and Tasiilaq.
- Elevation: West coast climbs reach up to 1,200-1,600 meters, while the east coast offers ascents as high as 2,000 meters above sea level.
- Equipment: Bring all your own ski equipment; food and clothing are available in Greenland.
- Season: Ski touring season runs from February to May, with peak conditions from mid-March to mid-May.
- Safety: Don’t forget sunscreen—on sunny days in April, you might even find yourself skiing in a t-shirt.
Whether you’re a seasoned ski tourer or a cross-country enthusiast, Greenland’s vast, untamed wilderness offers something for every skier. The snow-covered mountains and fjords of this Arctic paradise provide the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable skiing adventure.
Ski Touring in East Greenland: A Cultural and Alpine Adventure
East Greenland’s Ammassalik District, with its remote alpine peaks and deep cultural roots, offers a ski touring experience like no other. The adventure begins on the island of Kulusuk, just two hours by plane from Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik. Here, you can step off the plane and head straight to the thick sea ice, where a boat awaits to take you up the Ammassalik Fjord to the village of Kuummiut.
Kuummiut, a small village of about 300 inhabitants, is a typical Greenlandic fishing and hunting community. Your basecamp will be a guest house converted from a private home, offering warm hospitality amidst some of the most sublime skiing terrain anywhere. The area is known for its deep snow, immense nature, and the unique combination of local culture and high-altitude skiing experiences, supported by snowmobiles around the Tasiilaq Mountain Hut near the famous Triplets peaks.
Ski Touring in Nuuk: At the Doorstep of Greenland’s Capital
Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, offers easy access to backcountry skiing with the convenience of city amenities. Just a short boat ride from downtown Nuuk takes you to the Kangerlusarsunnguaq Ski Center, where hut-based accommodation at the foot of the Teqqiinngallip glacier provides a perfect base for exploring the surrounding peaks.
One of the most popular day climbs is the north side of Sermitsiaq, Nuuk’s signature mountain. The ascent offers spectacular views of both the capital and the glacier, with several descent routes depending on snow conditions. Another prime location is Qingaq, the second-highest mountain in the Nuuk fjord complex, where the ascent provides breathtaking views of the ice cap, fjord, and sea.
For those looking for a quick ski adventure, Nuuk’s city bus can take you to the edge of town, where a short climb to Circus Lake opens up ski touring routes for all levels. In the ski season, the bus also runs to the ski lift at Quassussuaq / Lille Malene, providing easy access to even more terrain.
Cross-Country Skiing: Exploring Greenland’s Winter Wonderland
Greenland’s winter landscape is a cross-country skier’s dream, offering trails that cut through towns, across frozen fjords, and into remote wilderness areas. Ammassalik Island in East Greenland, with its deep snows and steep peaks, is a prime destination for cross-country skiing. Multi-day adventures, supported by dogsleds or snowmobiles, take skiers through the stunning Sermilik Ice Fjord and into the backcountry, where the dark skies are illuminated by the northern lights and more stars than you can imagine.
In Ilulissat, shorter cross-country ski trips offer breathtaking views of the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Ilulissat Ice Fjord and its towering icebergs. And in Nuuk, a well-groomed cross-country trail winds through the city, complete with tunnels and bridges, making it one of the most popular winter activities for locals and visitors alike.
For the more adventurous, the ultimate cross-country skiing challenge is a traverse of the Greenland Ice Sheet. These expeditions, which can take a month or more, require meticulous preparation and involve crossing the world’s second-largest glacier with pulkas, often charting a route between Kangerlussuaq and the village of Isortoq in East Greenland.
Heliskiing: The Ultimate Skiing Adventure
Greenland is often considered the spiritual home of heliskiing, with its endless mountains, untouched snow, and the thrill of first descents in a landscape where glaciers often flow straight from the ice cap to the coast. Heliskiing in East Greenland offers vast mountain expanses, with runs that descend right to the water’s edge. The region’s wildness and roughness are evident from the moment you peer out of the helicopter window at the 250,000 km² of wilderness below.
On the west coast, just south of the Arctic Circle, the alpine ranges around Maniitsoq and Kangaamiut are known for coastal heliskiing. Peaks up to 2,000 meters, wide glacier faces, and steep couloirs make this area a heliskiing paradise. The 12-person expedition ship Kisaq provides direct access to these remote areas, combining comfort, local knowledge, and culinary experiences on a mobile heliskiing platform.
In both East and West Greenland, heliskiing is more than just an adventure; it’s a journey into a world where nature dominates, and every descent is a first. Whether you’re living in a local guest house in Kuummiut or aboard a ship in the Eternity Fjord, Greenland offers some of the most exclusive and unforgettable heliskiing experiences on the planet.
Cross-Country Skiing: A Popular Pastime Across Greenland
Cross-country skiing is deeply ingrained in Greenlandic culture, with trails often cutting right through towns, including the capital, Nuuk. Whether it’s a well-groomed trail illuminated for night skiing or a more rugged backcountry route, cross-country skiing is a way of life in Greenland. Even in small towns, you’ll find trails that offer both beginners and advanced skiers an opportunity to explore the winter landscape.
For those seeking an extreme challenge, crossing the Greenland Ice Sheet on skis is a bucket-list adventure. These expeditions, lasting up to a month, require specialized gear and training but offer the ultimate test of endurance and skill.
