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!

Pure Ski Touring only hires IFMGA Mountain Guides

What is a Mountain Guide?
A Mountain Guide is a specially trained and highly experienced professional who is certified by authorities or mountain guide associations. They are considered experts at a high level and are hired to instruct or lead individuals and small groups in mountain environments that require this advanced expertise. The profession of mountain guide originated in the mid-19th century when alpine climbing became recognized as a sport.

IFMGA Certification
The title IFMGA Mountain Guide is reserved for individuals who have received full certification through their country’s national mountain guide association, whose curriculum and training are approved by the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA). Certification is obtained through a rigorous examination process that includes rock climbing, alpine climbing and ski mountaineering. Certification usually takes between three and seven years to complete.

Swedish Mountain Guide Organisation
The Swedish Mountain Guide Organisation (SBO) is Sweden’s only professional organisation for mountain guides. SBO trains and examines guides and offers further training. The organisation promotes the interests of its members nationally and internationally and administers information, fees and meetings. The requirements for authorisation are high and include technical skills, teaching and leadership skills. SBO cooperates with other organisations and is a member of the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA), which gives Swedish guides the right to work internationally according to the federation’s standards.

Our IFMGA Mountain Guides at Pure Academy One are

Christian Edelstam

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, Malmö or London etcetera, contact us on info@pureskitouring.se for further details.

Itinerary (rail):
SJ sleeper, Mar 25, Stockholm C – Mar 26, Abisko Östra 18:11-10:34
SJ sleeper, Mar 30, Abisko Östra – Mar 31, Stockholm C 16:47-09:25
– bed in sleeping compartment compartment t & r included (only Pure participants in the compartment)

Itinerary (air):
SAS Mar 26, Stockholm ARN – Kiruna 11:55-13:30
SAS Mar 30, Kiruna – Stockholm ARN 19:05-20:40

Bus Transfer, Kiruna Airport:
Kiruna-Abisko Wed, Mar 26 300 SEK
Abisko-Kiruna Sun, Mar 30 300 SEK
Return transfer = 500 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
- 16 000 SEK
- Estimate 1400€
- Part in double room
- 17 000 SEK
- Estimate 1500€
- Single room
- 21 000 SEK
- Estimate 1850€
Package, including rail travel
- Bed in multi-occupancy room
- 16 500 SEK
- Estimate 1450€
- Part in double room
- 17 500 SEK
- Estimate 1550€
- Single room
- 23 000 SEK
- Estimate 1950€
Package, including air travel
- Bed in multi-occupancy room
- 18 000 SEK
- Estimate 1600€
- Part in double room
- 19 500 SEK
- Estimate 1750€
- Single room
- 25 000 SEK
- Estimate 2150€

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 (+500 SEK, separate booking)