• Things to Do
  • Destinations
  • Plan Your Trip
  • About Greenland
  • Events
Visit Greenland
  • Home
  • Things to Do
  • Destinations
    • All destinations
    • North Greenland
    • Disko Bay
    • Destination Arctic Circle
    • Capital Region
    • South Greenland
    • East Greenland
    • The National Park
  • Plan Your Trip
  • About Greenland
  • Articles
  • Events
  • Cruise
  • Practical Questions
  • Package tours & providers
  • Your Local Travel Agency
  • Contact
  • Search

Arctic Circle Race

Greenland’s Arctic Circle Race is a 160 kilometer-long adventure type, cross-country race in Sisimiut. The Race is known as the world’s toughest cross-country race.

THE GOAL WAS TO CREATE THE WORLD’S TOUGHEST CROSS-COUNTRY RACE.

Greenland’s Arctic Circle Race is a 160 kilometer-long adventure type, cross-country race in Sisimiut. The Race is known as the world’s toughest cross-country race.

There is always someone out there ready to push the limits of what is considered the norm.

Adventurers and fireballs, who are not satisfied with the existing opportunities, mix vision and action in an ‘enterprising pot’ and create new things from the bottom up, shattering the current framework and changing a local activity into an international event.

It was the desire to create the world’s toughest race on skis which, culminated in the first Arctic Circle Race taking place in 1998. The local backers were exactly the type of pioneers needed to create the foundations for a race, which today has become an important cultural and athletic institution in the community in Sisimiut, where the Race is based.

“All people should do something heroic in their lives. For me, the Arctic Circle Race was not a sports competition – it was a heroic event!”

Package Tours

Blue Ice Explorer: Plan your own holiday in Greenland

Blue Ice Explorer

Plan your own holiday in South Greenland

Are you dreaming and going to South Greenland and would you prefer to plan your own trip?

FROM €55
Greenland Travel: Winter adventure! Vacation in a snowy paradise

Greenland Travel

Winter adventure! Vacation in a snowy paradise

Sail on Ilulissat Ice Fjord and see the icebergs. Go dogsledding. See northern lights. Walk the Ice Cap. Go explore! Greenland is waiting

FROM €2,095
Greenland Tours – Frozen West

Greenland Tours

Frozen West

5 days exploring Disko Bay in winter incl. visit to the Greenland Ice Cap

FROM €1,335
Bowhunting Greenland: Muskox Hunting

Bowhunting Greenland

Muskox Hunting

Bowhunting Greenland offers quality Muskox hunting with helicopter transfers for big mature trophies in our remote concession area.

FROM $5,500
Show More

THREE DAYS OF ADVENTURE SKIING IN GREENLAND

Competitive cross-country races around the world often have the same or longer day stages than the Arctic Circle Race. This applies to the Vasa Race in Sweden and to the Birkebeiner Race in Norway.

The Canadian Ski Marathon Race is similar in length to the Arctic Circle Race, but no other race combines the element of competition with a 160 kilometer adventure skiing race, happening in the wilderness over very mountainous terrain and with camping in the back country as part of the event.

“I took part in a 7-day, 440 km race in Russia once, but it was not as hard as this because of Sisimiut’s high mountains!”

This kind of long distance pain endured by body and mind is of course not something we all think of as entertaining. It is not only three days in the mountains, staying overnight in sleeping bags, and eating instant pre-packaged food; it is very much a do-it-yourself race, as you have to look after yourself, handle your own food preparation and your own equipment.

Yet, the Arctic Circle Race is an event for skiers of all levels of proficiency and every year there are participants in the Race from around twenty countries, including many Greenlanders. The Race includes amateurs, as well as professional cross-country skiers, so participation can’t be all that bad.

  • What?

    The Arctic Circle Race is a three-day race with a length of 160 kilometers.

  • Where?

    The Race starts and ends in Sisimiut.

  • History

    The very first race was run in 1998, and the Race is usually run during the end of March or the beginning of April.

  • Participants

    There are more than 150 participants each year.

  • Who?

    The Arctic Circle Race is governed by a board and is based on volunteer labour.

  • Participation

    Entry happens through the Arctic Circle Race website

  • Culture as well as challenge

    The Race is a cross-country challenge as well as a cultural experience

  • What else?

    Many participants also use the visit here to experience other adventures in Greenland, such as snowmobiling, dog sled tours, boat tours and cultural events in Sisimiut as well as the opportunity to visit the Ice Cap in Kangerlussuaq.

VOLUNTEERISM AND COMMUNITY ARE THE CORNERSTONES AND THE IDENTITY OF THE RACE

A substantial volunteer workforce and a deep-rooted local skiing culture make up the foundation of the Arctic Circle Race. During the Race, you will meet many people from Sisimiut who are part of this large group of volunteers, and whose contributions shape the Race as much as skiers themselves do.

Alongside the ski run there are manned feeding stations. The heaviest camping equipment is driven to the camp by a piste machine (cross-country track cutter). Every night the piste machines will cut and ready the tracks for the next day’s race. The police and the fire department are on hand to ensure the safety of the participants on the ski run; snowmobiles are on standby to transport anyone ill or injured, and in the camp’s food tent, kitchen staff will make sure the tent is stocked with snacks and beverages.

The culture of volunteerism is an integrated part of the Race’s identity and several hundred inhabitants of Sisimiut’s small population of just 5,600, are involved weeks in advance of the Race as well as during the Race itself. As a participant, you will be in close contact with the local population the entire time, making this unique event much more than just another ski race.

Local providers

A skier climbing one of the many hills of the Arctic Circle Race. Photo by Mads Pihl, Visit Greenland

Arctic Circle Race - ACR

Sisimiut, Postbox 258
3911,
Phone: +299 86 68 30More information

Explore related articles, offers and tour providers:

  • Anything
  • Anytime
  • Arctic Circle Race
  • Destination Arctic Circle
  • Sisimiut
  • Sporting Events
  • Winter

By Visit Greenland

Behind Greenland's largest travel site is the Visit Greenland that is 100% owned by the Government of Greenland, who is responsible for marketing the country's adventures and opportunities for guests wishing to visit the world's largest island

https://visitgreenland.com

Editors' pick

Stella Davidsen Olsen from Kangerlussuaq. Dogsledge musher. Photo by Aningaaq R. Carlsen, Visit Greenland

Know the story of Greenlandic women

Greenlandic women have always played a decisive role in society, and we will highlight them in celebration of International Women’s Day, 8 March.

  • #All destinations
  • #Anytime
  • #Anywhere
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #In The Spotlight
  • #Meeting Greenlanders
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
Two snowmobilers on pause in Sisimiut. Photo by Kim Insuk - Visit Greenland

Fulfil your winter wishes in April in Greenland

Come and visit Sisimiut in April and enjoy dogsledding, Arctic Sounds, and Arctic Spa that you have been longing for.

  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #Disko Bay
  • #Dog Sledding
  • #Festival
  • #Inuit Culture
  • #Meeting Greenlanders
  • #Music
  • #Natural Experiences
  • #North Greenland
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Sisimiut
  • #Snowmobiling
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
  • #Winter
Immersing overwelmed by the surroundings. Photo by Aningaaq Rosing Carlsen - Visit Greenland

Editor’s guide: How to spend 4 days in East Greenland

An occupational hazard as an editor is that I read about and collect the most beautiful bucket list destinations, and East Greenland has long been one of mine.

  • #Boat Tours
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #Dog Sledding
  • #East Greenland
  • #Kulusuk
  • #Natural Experiences
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Snowmobiling
  • #Tasiilaq
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Tiilerilaaq
  • #Towns & settlements
  • #Winter
Paninnguaq Pikilak. Inuit tattoos. Photo by Aningaaq Rosing Carlsen - Visit Greenland

A guide to Inuit Tattoos in Greenland

Inuit tattoos have had a revival in recent years, with many young people, among others, breathing life into the traditional lines. However, it has deep roots in Inuit communities, both spiritually and culturally.

  • #All destinations
  • #Anytime
  • #Anywhere
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #Inuit Culture
  • #Meeting Greenlanders
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
More related articles

Keep Exploring

Things to Do

Browse culture and nature (outdoor, hunting, fishing, cruises) related activities, as well as combination of both types.

Plan your trip

Read about practical information on how to get to Greenland, how to get around, when to travel or where to stay.

Destinations

Explore the regions and towns around Greenland and dig deeper into the experiences in each destination.

About Greenland

All about art, music, history, as well as animals, climate change and other interesting information about Greenland.

FEEDBACK
Visit Greenland

About Visit Greenland

Behind Greenland's largest travel site is the Visit Greenland that is 100% owned by the Government of Greenland, who is responsible for marketing the country's adventures and opportunities for guests wishing to visit the world's largest island.
The VisitGreenland.com website is created by Visit Greenland and Kathart Interactive.
The Privacy Policy for Visit Greenland

Frequently Visited Pages

  • Things to Do
  • Destinations
  • Nature & Climate
  • When to go
  • Greenlandic Culture
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Other Websites By Visit Greenland:

  • Travel Trade
  • Cruise Call List
  • Media Database

Newsletter

Receive inspiring stories, travel deals and news from Greenland via email.

SIGN UP HERE

GREENLAND – contact us:

Mon. - Fri: 8 am - 4 pm

Visit Greenland
Hans Egedesvej 29
P.O. Box 1615
3900 Nuuk
Greenland

Direct phone Greenland:
(+299) 34 28 21

info@visitgreenland.com
Copyright Visit Greenland 2023 © Produced by KathArt Interactive
Snowshoeing Snowshoeing in the Sermermiut valley near the Ilulissat Icefjord in North Greenland's UNESCO World Heritage area A selection of greenlandic meat being prepared on the rocks in Nuuk in Greenland. Photo by Rebecca Gustafsson - Visit Greenland Greenlandic Gastronomy
111863

Scroll to top