Pure Tarfala

Tarfala, Lappland

Tarfala is a varied mountainous region amongst glaciers, steep ridges and high peaks, and with access to one of Europe’s largest wilderness areas, the Kebnekaise massif. An ideal ski touring location with a great variety of high alpine objectives at our disposal. The Tarfala Valley, or Tarfalavaggi, as it’s known locally, is subject to any weather going – expect strong winds occasionally.

Accommodation

We’re based at the Tarfala mountain hut, situated in the Tarfalavaggi, one of the most scenic valleys in the Kebnekaise massif. The number of peaks 1,500-2,000 m around us is staggering. Tarfala hut sleeps 22. You’ll bed down with your own bedding or sleeping bag in multiple occupancy rooms with bunk beds. Mattresses, duvets and pillows are provided. Together we keep this hut running: you’ll help chop firewood, fire the stove, cook food, gather water, wash up and clean the hut. We make our breakfasts and cook our dinners together. We’ll make lunch packs from the breakfast supplies every morning.

The Tarfala hut has no electricity and no running water. Don’t count on any mobile coverage, although we’ve had reports that Telia (Swedish mobile provider) occasionally works.

Resa

You can choose to travel either by train or by air. There is no difference in terms of ski days. You can also make your own travel arrangements and join up at an agreed location and time. We’ll reduce the costs accordingly, of course. 

By Train

If you choose to travel by train your journey starts from Stockholm Central Station in the evening. You’ll board the northbound sleeper and arrive in Kiruna the following morning. We’ll transfer jointly (train and air travellers) to Nikkaluokta Mountain Station by bus (about 1h). We’ll get a light lunch and coffee at Nikkaluokta and gear up: helmets, ski boots, goggles and skidoo overalls (which we borrow). We’ll transfer together up to Tarfala using skidoos. The return journey follows the same path, and you’ll take the night train south from Kiruna, arriving back at Stockholm Central Station the following morning.

Itinerary

SJ sleeper train, Apr 12, Stockholm C – Kiruna, 18:11-09:15 (+1 day)
SJ sleeper train, Apr 18, Kiruna – Stockholm C, 18:28-09:25 (+1 day)

By Air

If you choose to fly your journey starts Monday morning at Arlanda Airport in Stockholm. You fly to Kiruna, and we’ll meet and greet on arrival and transfer to Nikkaluokta.  We’ll transfer jointly (train and air travellers) to Nikkaluokta Mountain Station by bus (about 1h). We’ll get a light lunch and coffee at Nikkaluokta and gear up: helmets, ski boots, goggles and skidoo overalls (which we borrow). We’ll transfer together up to Kebnekaise mountain station using skidoos. Then ski touring over the massiv to Tarfala hut. The return journey follows the same path, but you have to stay at a hotel in Kiruna one night and then fly to Stockholm next morning (the night at a hotel in Kiruna is included) We can also arrange flights from Gothenburg and Malmö on request. Please contact us on info@pureskitouring.se for more details.

Itinerary

SAS Apr 13, Stockholm Arlanda – Kiruna, 08:10-09:50
SAS Apr 18, Kiruna – Stockholm Arlanda, 14:10-15:15

This is our most technically demanding challenge. We’re focusing not just on skiing, but we’ll climb using axes, crampons and ropes in order to access certain peaks. Lots of travel in glaciated terrain. We’ll ascend around 600-1200 vertical meters per day. A maximum of 6 guests per guide.

• Very good fitness is required, capable of sustaining an ascent rate of 400m/h
• Off-piste skiing in all conditions, on slopes up to 35-40 degrees
• Well practiced ski touring technique and equipment, how to walk and kick-turn with climbing skins
• Experience in using axes, crampons and ropework a plus.
• Age limit 18 years old (16 years old if accompanied by legal guardian)

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