Pure Academy One

Excellent conditions for ski touring

Abisko, known as Ábeskovvu in the indigenous North Sami language, is a small hamlet in the north of Sweden, north of the arctic circle. It is situated adjacent to the lake Torneträsk and is known for its scenic views of Lapporten with the peaks Tjuonatjåkka and Nissuntjårro, 1,540 m asl and 1,721 m asl respectively. This location also offers opportunities for us to drive westwards in our minibuses to go ski touring on the Norwegian side in the spectacular Ofoten and Narvik alps. The Norwegian areas at our disposal are characterised by steep mountains rising directly from the fjords with high, jagged peaks reaching up to 1,900 m asl. A magic place!

See map

Christian Edelstam

Christian Edelstam is an IFMGA-certified mountain guide and Pure Ski Touring’s head guide. Christian lives in Abisko in the north of Sweden, and also teaches avalanche safety, a climbing instructor, member of the Abisko ski patrol, glaciologist and product tester for Tierra. After more than 10 years’ experience guiding at the Kebnekaise and Abisko mountain stations he now runs his own guiding company. Since a year back, Christian only guides in mountains reachable without flying.

He is driven by a genuine joy for adventure and discovery — everything from finding out what the snow’s like on the other side of the ridge, to opening new alpine climbing routes in high mountains. The best part of guiding is to get to share the joy with the guests! Christian has been working with Pure Ski Touring since 2010, and guided for us in Japan, Lyngen, Senja, Tarfala, Dolomites, Pyrenees, Iceland, Andermatt, Haute Route, Urner, Jotunheimen, Sunnmøre and on Svalbard.

Peter “CalleP” Engström

Peter “CalleP” Engström is a certified IFMGA mountain guide, and member of the Swedish mountain rescue team. CalleP lives in Kiruna, in the north of Sweden, and has ski toured in the Kebnekaise, Abisko and Narvik alpine ranges for more than 25 years – the last 15+ years as a certified mountain guide.

CalleP has worked with Pure Ski Touring since the beginning in 2009 and has guided for us in Lyngen, Tarfala and Abisko. Like many other guides, CalleP enjoys all the varied kinds of work that a professional mountain guide does, but ski touring is hard to beat, and is a firm winter favourite.

Accommodation

During the event, we’re based at Abisko Mountain Lodge. The lodge is on the edge of Abisko itself, with a scenic view of Lapporten. The lodge is a focal point for skiers near and far between February and May, and many tall stories have been shared in its lounge. It’s a perfect base for our Academy.

Travel

Travelling to Pure Academy One is easy and convenient. You have several options: rail, air or by bus. Regardless of your chosen mode of transport, you get to enjoy the same number of ski days. You can also sort your own travel arrangements, and just join up at Abisko Mountain Lodge. If you drive or travel by bus, the E10 passes Abisko – exit for Abisko Östra.

Rail
If you choose to travel by rail, your journey starts in the evening from Stockholm C (note that the train journey starts the evening before the start of the event). You’ll board the northbound sleeper and arrive at Abisko Östra (the name of the station) the following day. From Abisko Östra station it’s a five min walk to the lodge. The homeward leg follows the same route. The sleeper departs in the afternoon, and you’ll have a guided ski day on departure day. You’ll arrive at Stockholm C the following morning.

Air
If you fly, you start at Stockholm Arlanda Airport. There are two departure options (see the itinerary below), and the duration of the flight to Kiruna Airport is about 2h30. From there we have arranged private bus transfers to Abisko Mountain Lodge. On the way back you take off Sunday evening from Kiruna, landing back at Arlanda late evening. We can also arrange flights from Gothenburg or Malmö, contact us on info@pureskitouring.se for further details.

Itinerary (rail):
VY sleeper, Mar 23rd, Stockholm C – Mar 24th, Abisko Östra 18:11-10:34
VY sleeper, Mar 28th, Abisko Östra – Mar 29th, Stockholm C 16:47-09:25
– bed in sleeping compartment compartment t & r included (only Pure participants in the compartment)

Itinerary (air):
SAS Mar 24th, Stockholm ARN – Kiruna 10:25-11:55
SAS Mar 28th, Kiruna – Stockholm ARN 20:30-22:10

Bus Transfer, Kiruna Airport:
Kiruna-Abisko Wed, Mar 24th (arrives Kiruna 11:05) 395 SEK
Abisko-Kiruna Sun, Mar 28th (departs Kiruna 18:30) 395 SEK
Return transfer = 700 SEK
Book your place on the form.

Approximate drive times:
From Umeå – approx 9h
From Luleå – approx 5h
From Kiruna – approx 1h
From Narvik – approx 1h

Bus services:
Länstrafiken i Norrbotten – www.ltnbd.se
Nordtrafikk, Norge – www.nordtrafikk.no

Prerequisites

Capable of skiing off-piste
Good fitness
Age limit: 18

Mandatory equipment, Pure Academy One

Skis with touring bindings
Climbing skins, contour-cut to your skis
Ski boots
Ski poles with baskets of a diameter of at least 6cm
Avalanche transceiver (not analog), shovel, probe. Check batteries.
Helmet
Avalanche backpack with inflatable airbag, 25-40l capacity
Shell jacket and trousers. Wind-, and waterproof.
Mid-layer in wool or fleece
Insulated jacket. Synthetic or down. Alternatively an extra fleece.
Base layer, top and long-johns. Wool or synthetic
Ski socks, wool
Underwear, wool or synthetic
Gloves or mittens, one pair of thick, one pair of thin
Hat and balaclava or Buff to cover your face
Sunglasses and goggles
Sun cream
Water bottle
Head torch
Passport and money
Travel insurance
Hand sanitiser
Personal snacks (chocolate, nuts etc) for touring

Pure Academy Specifics

Ski crampons (Harscheisen)

Good to have

Thin windproof/soft shell jacket
Soft shell trousers
Extra base layers
Extra underwear (wool/synthetics)
Extra ski socks (wool)
Day wear/civvies (to be left in the hotel)
Normal shoes (to be left in the hotel)
Thermos
Camera
Mobile phone and charger
Toiletries bag
Ear plugs
Blister tape

Always aim to minimise weight when packing.

If you’re missing some of the equipment listed above, we’ll be happy to help arrange equipment hire or purchase. Contact us on info@pureskitouring.se for details.

Reserve

Package, excluding travel
- Bed in multi-occupancy room exkl. resa
- 1100€
- Part in double room
- 1200€
- Single room
- 1400€
Package, including rail travel
- Bed in multi-occupancy room
- 1300€
- Bed in sleeping car compartment included
- Part in double room
- 1400€
- Bed in sleeping car compartment included
- Single room
- 1650€
- + 200€ for own sleeping car compartment
Package, including air travel
- Bed in multi-occupancy room
- 1450€
- Part in double room
- 1550€
- Single room
- 1850€

Included in Pure Academy One:

4 course days with IFMGA mountain guide
Avalanche qualification SVELAV Freeride 1
Course pamphlet Avaluator 2.0
Ski touring skills
- Kick turns
- Ski technique
- Route finding down
- Off-piste skiing
- Route finding up
- Tour planning
Navigation
Equipment knowledge
Pure Academy Badge
Training sessions x3 with coach Erik Wickström
Theory One with IFMGA mountain guide
Accommodation, Abisko Mountain Lodge, 4 nights
Breakfast, lunch and dinner, 4 days
Bedding, towel, departure cleaning
Pure Ski Touring goodie bag
Lectures and equipment demo centre
Guest lecturers
BBQ with welcome drink (Sat eve)
Either:
Rail travel, Stockholm Central – Abisko Östra, return
Bed in sleeping car compartment included, return
Or:
Air travel, Stockholm Arlanda – Kiruna, return
Checked luggage, 23kg + hand luggage, 8kg
Sports equipment luggage, skis and boots, 23kg
Transfer, Kiruna Airport – Abisko Mountain Lodge, return (+495 SEK, separate booking)