Guides
The Finnmark Alps is a small area with many mountains. Here, you can find everything from open slopes to steep and exposed terrain. The highest peaks are nearly 1200 meters above sea level. With exciting terrain, often starting from sea level, there are great runs no matter how much you want to ski.
We will find suitable terrain for the group’s level, but the area can be complex in certain areas, and having some previous experience will allow you to make the most of the mountains. Please read our prerequisites for this trip for the best experience.
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 Guide at Pure Bergsfjord is
Christian Edelstam
Accommodaton &
Travel
Bergsfjord, Northern Norway
Bergsfjord is a remote location in the northernmost part of Norway, without road connections to the mainland. To reach there, you take a ferry from Øksfjord after traveling by boat from Alta Harbor. Experienced skiers can enjoy a beautiful and exciting environment for ski touring. With limited roads, we use boats as transportation, and with the lodge’s sturdy aluminum boat, we can start the ski tour directly from the shoreline.
Accommodation
Bergsfjord Lodge offers an optimal experience of the Finnmark Alps. Located in the middle of Bergsfjord, it was previously a doctor’s office that has now been completely renovated to a high standard. It features three bedrooms with a total of 8 beds, two bathrooms, an open living room with a fireplace, and a lounge area. The lodge is designed for active people with functional spaces, sauna, and good drying and storage solutions.
Travel
We fly from Arlanda, via Oslo, and land in Alta. Upon arrival, we walk (approximately 10 minutes) to Alta Harbor, where the boat takes us to Bergsfjord quay. The return journey follows the same route, boat to Alta, and then a flight via Oslo to Arlanda. We can also arrange round trip flights from England, please contact us at info@pureskitouring.se
Alternatively, you can book your round trip journey on your own, and we will deduct the cost of the trip from your package price.
Equipment
This tour is of moderate difficulty with long days outdoors. There may be steep/exposed sections during certain tours. We ascend approximately 1000-1500 meters in altitude per day. The maximum number of participants per mountain guide is six.
Requirements:
- Very good physical condition, able to climb approximately 400 meters in altitude per hour
- Proficient off-piste skier in slopes up to 35-40 degrees
- Familiarity with ski touring techniques, including walking/turning with climbing skins
- Knowledge of how your ski touring equipment functions
- Preferably experienced with crampons/ice axe
- Minimum age requirement is 18 years old (16 years old if accompanied by a guardian)
Two weeks before departure, we invite you to a digital welcome meeting to go through the itinerary, equipment, and discuss the necessary preparations. This meeting also provides an opportunity for you as a participant to meet us, the group, and your mountain guide, as well as to get answers to any questions or concerns you may have.
Mandatory Equipment
- 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
Bergsfjord specific
- Crampons
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.
Read more & media
Video
Reserve
Itinerary
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Price package
- Part in double room
- 33 900 SEK
- Estimated 2950€
Included:
- 6 days of ski touring with an IFMGA mountain guide
- Private boat transfer to the ski tours
- Avalanche safety briefing with an IFMGA mountain guide
- Equipment session with an IFMGA mountain guide
- Accommodation at Bergsfjord Lodge, five nights
- Breakfast buffet, 7 mornings
- Lunch/lunch pack, 7 days
- Dinner including dessert, 7 nights
- Sauna & bathing facilities
- Bed linens & towels
- Departure cleaning
- Boat journey round trip Alta-Øksfjord
- Boat journey round trip Øksfjord-Bergsfjord quay
- Welcome meeting two weeks before departure (online)
Please contact us at info@pureskitouring.se if you want us to help you book the flight T/R Alta, Norway.
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Monday, February 24
- 07:50 Departure from Arlanda (depending on flight)
- 13:30 Arrival in Alta (via Oslo)
- Walk to Alta Harbor
- 16:45 Boat from Alta Harbor to Øksfjord (2 hours)
- Transfer to ferry from Øksfjord to Bergsfjord quay (1 hour)
- 20:00 Host couple meets at Bergsfjord quay, walk to our ski lodge
- Check-in
- Equipment session for the upcoming ski touring days
- Dinner served in the restaurant
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Tuesday, February 25
- 07:00 Breakfast buffet served in the restaurant (make your own lunch pack from breakfast)
- Gathering for ski tourin
- Depending on weather and wind conditions, there will be a boat round trip or skiing directly for today's ski tour
- Full-day ski tour with our IFMGA mountain guide
- Avalanche safety briefing with our mountain guide
- Lunch on the mountain
- After-ski on the lodge's veranda upon return
- Personal time for shower, sauna, and changing
- Dinner served in the restaurant
-
Wednesday, February 27 - Sunday, March 2
- 07:00 Breakfast buffet served in the restaurant (make your own lunch pack from breakfast)
- Gathering for ski touring
- Depending on weather and wind conditions, there will be a boat round trip or skiing directly for today's ski tour
- 05:45 Full-day ski tour with our IFMGA mountain guide
- 08:15 Lunch on the mountain
- After-ski on the lodge's veranda upon return
- Personal time for shower, sauna, and changing
- 14:10 Dinner served in the restaurant
-
Monday, March 3
- 05:00 Breakfast buffet served in the restaurant (make your own lunch pack from breakfast)
- Check-out
- Walk down to Bergsfjord quay
- 05:45 Ferry from Bergsfjord quay to Øksfjord (1 hour) + Boat from Øksfjord to Alta Harbor (2 hours)
- 14:10 Fly from Alta airport to Arlanda
