Alta

ULTIMATE SKI AND SAIL: MOONDANCE ACROSS FINNMARK

Backcountry Skiing

What you'll do

Chase snow at the edge of the world on an Arctic ski and sail adventure through Finnmark. Living aboard Moondance, a 56-foot expedition sailboat, you’ll move between remote fjords, islands, and glaciated peaks, using the boat as your floating basecamp. Each day, you step from deck to zodiac to skintrack, climbing through untouched terrain and skiing right back toward the sea.This trip is made for skiers and splitboarders who love long, rewarding days in the mountains and the simple rhythm of life on board. There’s no rigid, pre-set program: your IFMGA guide reads the weather, snowpack and group energy, then chooses the best objective—whether that’s mellow powder bowls, longer summit missions or steeper couloirs when conditions allow.Back on Moondance, you share meals in a warm lounge, dry gear, watch charts and maps, and fall asleep to the quiet sounds of the Arctic coastline. It’s a week of genuine exploration in one of Norway’s wildest regions, with small groups, expert guidance and the perfect blend of mountain and sea.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Alta, Settle in Øksfjord

You land in Alta and meet the group in the arrivals hall by 2 PM before driving north for about two hours to Øksfjord. As the road winds along the coast, you get your first glimpse of Arctic fjords and fishing villages. Once in town, you settle into a simple, cosy B&B and meet your guide and the Moondance crew over a welcome dinner. It’s the perfect soft landing before life on the boat begins.

Day 2 – Board Moondance and First Ski Tour

After breakfast, you walk down to the harbour and step aboard Moondance, your 56-foot expedition sailboat and home for the week. You get a thorough safety briefing, explore the shared lounge and cabins, and then set off across the fjord toward areas like Tverrfjorddalen. Once anchored, a zodiac (a motor-powered inflatable boat) shuttles you ashore for your first ski tour in a glacial valley filled with deep snow and dramatic peaks. We’ll have some time to explore the land after lunch, but as the day winds down, we’ll sail onward. Depending on conditions and group energy, your guide might even suggest a glacier crossing towards Øksfjordjøkelen or a different nearby objective. The plan is always adjusted to chase the best snow safely.

Day 3 – Finding Your Rhythm in Finnmark

By now you’ve got your sea legs and your skinning rhythm. After breakfast on board, you’ll sail toward a new fjord—maybe Ullsfjord, Nuvsvåg or a nearby valley—chosen that morning after checking weather and avalanche forecasts. From the zodiac drop-off, you climb steadily through mellow bowls or more committed slopes, depending on how the group feels. The day is all about linking good snow with inspiring views, then coming back to the boat for hot food, gear drying and route-chat around the table. The exact peak or line changes from week to week, but the aim is always the same: the best possible day out for your crew.

Day 4 – Islands, Fjords and Fresh Lines

Today you might head toward a more remote area such as Stjernøya, Frakkfjord or Elliassen, letting the boat bring you to places that would be hard to reach from land alone. You skin from sea level into untouched terrain, with the Arctic Ocean always somewhere in your peripheral vision. Your guide adapts the objective to the snowpack: maybe a longer summit mission, maybe multiple shorter laps if the powder is too good to leave. Back on Moondance, you refuel, help with basic onboard life if you feel like it, and watch the coastline slide by as the team plans tomorrow’s adventure. The specifics stay flexible so you can follow the weather’s lead.

Day 5 – Steeper Lines and Big Views

If conditions allow, this is the kind of day where you might go after something steeper or more committing: a glacier shoulder, a couloir, or a high summit with a big descent back to the fjord. If the group prefers something mellower, your guide will happily adjust and keep it playful in wide-open terrain. Either way, you’ll earn your turns with steady climbs and rewarding runs all the way back to the shoreline. In the evening, you debrief the day over dinner, check maps and forecasts, and choose the next objective together. Nothing is locked in advance; the route is written day by day.

Day 6 – Deep in the Arctic Wild

By now the routine feels natural: breakfast, charts, sail, skins, summit, ski, return to the boat. You’re fully immersed in the rhythm of Arctic life. Today’s target might be another corner of Finnmark that your guide knows well—perhaps a quieter fjord, an island ridge or a valley where they’ve found reliable snow in similar conditions. Group energy, avalanche reports and wind direction all play into the final call. You just focus on moving well, soaking in the silence and enjoying the contrast between raw mountain terrain and the comfort of your floating basecamp. Every decision is made to keep the adventure wild but safe.

Day 7 – Final Turns on Stjernøya

On our final full day, we’ll cruise to Stjernøya—Star Island—for one last round of exhilarating mountaintop runs. Expect incredible views as we explore peaks like Kjerringa and Eliasen, known for their rugged terrain and serene beauty. After our last descent, we’ll board Moondance and set course for Øksfjord, returning to where our journey began. Our onboard chef will greet us with a celebratory farewell dinner, marking the end of an unforgettable Arctic adventure.

Day 8 – Disembark and Return to Alta

After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to Moondance. You pack your gear, step back onto the quay in Øksfjord and drive to Alta Airport, arriving around 11 AM so you can comfortably catch your flight. Weather, road conditions and flight times might nudge the schedule slightly, but transfers are planned to keep your departure stress-free. As the plane lifts off, you get one last look at the fjords and peaks you’ve been exploring all week.

Important stuff

From the highest peaks to the hidden trails, we've got your back

100% Guaranteed Departures

Once you book, your trip is guaranteed to run, allowing you to book your flights with confidence.

Flexible Changes

Want to change your departure date or trip? No problem—enjoy maximum flexibility to make changes up to 60 days before departure.

Comprehensive Insurance & Assistance

Travel with peace of mind. Our insurance package covers accidents and rescue during outdoor activities, medical expenses, and luggage protection, as well as trip cancellations and 24/7 medical assistance from our insurance partner.

100% Guaranteed Departures: Once you book, your trip is guaranteed to run, allowing you to book your flights with confidence.
Flexible Changes: Want to change your departure date or trip? No problem—enjoy maximum flexibility to make changes up to 60 days before departure.
Comprehensive Insurance & Assistance: Travel with peace of mind. Our insurance package covers accidents and rescue during outdoor activities, medical expenses, and luggage protection, as well as trip cancellations and 24/7 medical assistance from our insurance partner.

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What's included

Accident insurance

Medical and luggage insurance

Travel cancellation insurance

Skipper

Transport from airport

Transport to airport

All accommodations

All meals

Expert and certified guidance

Life aboard Moondance

Refreshments

A drink on us; Each evening, enjoy a complimentary glass of wine or beer with your dinner.

Klättermusen discount

Curated recommendations

Pre-trip support

Flight

Visa (if applicable)

Extra accommodation

Everything not mentioned in the “What’s included”

Expenditure of personal nature

Extra alcoholic drinks; Each dinner includes a drink on us. Due to our remote location, extra alcoholic drinks aren’t provided—but you’re welcome to bring your own to enjoy.

Gratuities

Accomodations

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Bed & Breakfast in Øksfjord (day 1)

Your first night is in a simple, welcoming B&B on the edge of a quiet fishing village. Expect single beds, shared bathrooms and a cosy, no-frills atmosphere that eases you into life above the Arctic Circle.

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Aboard Moondance (day 2-7)

For the rest of the week, you live aboard Moondance, a 56-foot expedition sailboat built for Arctic conditions. There’s a roomy lounge, warm shower, shared cabins and plenty of drying space for gear—a cosy, communal floating basecamp designed for real adventure rather than luxury.

Guides

Klättermusen Experiences

Klättermusen Experiences brings together some of Scandinavia’s most skilled and passionate IFMGA-certified mountain guides. Their team combines deep Arctic knowledge, decades of expedition experience, and a warm, human approach to adventure. With a focus on safety, storytelling, and connection to nature, they turn each ski tour into an inspiring journey through Norway’s wildest landscapes.