1000 Hm
Ski touring trip Greenland | East Greenland with mountain guide
Adventurous ski tours take us deep into the unspoilt region of East Greenland. Amidst mighty glaciers, deeply carved fjords and rugged peaks, we experience the wild Arctic and the warm hospitality of the Inuit at first hand.
Technics
Endurance
Greenland, Swiss country
Highlights
East Greenland is one of the most unspoilt and spectacular ski touring destinations in the world. Here, we are met by immense fjords, icebergs and snow-capped peaks rising directly from the sea. Together with local Inuit and their dog sleds, we reach our remote base camp and experience a region accessible to very few people. Our ski tours take us through unspoilt mountain landscapes with varied ascents and fantastic descents, almost right down to the sea. At the same time, we immerse ourselves in Inuit culture and experience everyday life in the far north at first hand. The weather, ice and nature set our pace – and that is precisely what gives this trip its true expedition character. With a bit of luck, spectacular light conditions will accompany us and make our Arctic experiences truly complete.
Ski touring trip
Greenland is an adventure in one of the Earth’s last great wildernesses. Far from infrastructure and crowds, we explore the unspoilt mountains of East Greenland, where rugged peaks, mighty glaciers and deeply carved fjords combine to form a unique landscape. Travelling by dog sledge with our local partners, we reach our base camp, from where we set off daily on the region’s most beautiful ski tours. We choose our tour destinations flexibly, depending on the weather, snow and avalanche conditions. The ascents take us across vast slopes and glaciers to peaks offering spectacular views, from which impressive descents back down into the fjords await us. In this remote wilderness, we are true guests of the Arctic. That is why we are accompanied on our tours by a rifle, which serves as a safety measure in the unlikely event of an encounter with a polar bear. Even the journey there emphasises the expeditionary nature of the trip: the flight to East Greenland is on a small aircraft that flies strictly by visual reference. Adjustments due to weather conditions are therefore just as much a part of this journey as flexibility and a spirit of adventure. Alongside the ski tours, there is plenty of time to experience the unique nature and culture of East Greenland. Immense icebergs drift through the fjords, the silence of the Arctic is ever-present, and encounters with the Inuit provide a fascinating insight into a way of life that has been closely connected to nature for generations. This combination of ski touring, culture and a genuine expedition makes Greenland an unforgettable experience.
Itinerary
There are no direct flights to Greenland, so we first make a stopover in the Icelandic capital Reykjavik. On arrival, we will be transferred by bus or taxi to the city centre, where we will check into our hotel. We end the evening with dinner together in a cosy restaurant in the old town. Overnight stay at the hotel.
In the morning, we fly on to Kulusuk on the remote east coast of Greenland. The small airport, once an American military base, can only be approached in good weather conditions. On arrival, we load our equipment into the Greenland Air helicopter and fly over the impressive King Oskar Fjord to Tasiilaq. We are accommodated in a beautiful hotel for the night. In the afternoon we have time to explore the small, colourful town, often accompanied by the curious Inuit children.
The coming days in Greenland are heavily dependent on the weather and require flexibility on site. Our plans are adapted to the respective conditions. In the morning, we are woken up by the howling and barking of the sled dogs - an unforgettable moment. After loading the sledges with our equipment, we set off: The Inuit take us far north across the frozen King Oskar Fjord on their dog sleds. On the way, we undertake our first ski tour and climb a summit with great views. There are two passes to conquer before we recognise our destination for the day in the distance - the small settlement of Tiniteqilaaq. The view of the iceberg-filled Sermilikfjord is breathtaking. Tiniteqilaaq will be our base camp for the next few days, where we move into a simple, newly renovated hut - with spectacular views of the surrounding Arctic landscape
We have two full days to immerse ourselves in the quiet, impressive world around Tiniteqilaaq. Remote peaks and wide glacier slopes invite us to enjoy unforgettable ski tours, while encounters with the Inuit way of life await us from time to time. In the evening, we enjoy the tranquillity of the small village and prepare our meal together - with local ingredients, just as they are available here. And maybe even the Northern Lights will dance across the night sky in this special setting.
Today we start our return journey to Tasiilaq - again by dog sled, which takes us through the vast, tranquil landscape of Greenland. On the way, we have another opportunity to go skiing on one of the impressive glaciated mountains along the route. The descent through the Arctic wilderness is another highlight of this extraordinary journey. In the evening, we return to the cosy "Red House", where we can relax and round off the day.
For the last two days of our trip, we have numerous options for varied ski tours around Tasiilaq. The surrounding mountains offer both short afternoon excursions and extended tours in high alpine terrain. One of the tours, for example, takes us across the frozen King Oskar Fjord to the striking summit of Mount Sofia. There we deposit our skis just below the summit and reach it on foot via an easy, rocky section - with a spectacular panorama as our reward. The descent from the summit at around 1,200 metres is one of the absolute highlights of the region. On another day, we combine a shorter tour with a visit to the local museum to gain some cultural insights. In the evening, we relax and round off our experiences at the hotel.
In the morning, there is still some time to stroll through Tasiilaq and pick up any last-minute souvenirs or gifts. Around midday, an Air Greenland helicopter takes us over the majestic King Oskar Fjord - a final, impressive view from the air of the icy landscape and mountains we have explored over the past few days. In Kulusuk, we then board the plane that takes us back to Iceland. On arrival, we drive back to the centre of Reykjavik, where we spend the last night of our trip - either in the hotel or in one of the atmospheric pubs in the old town.
Early in the morning, we make our way to Keflavik Airport, from where we fly back home - arriving in the afternoon. If you wish, you can extend the trip individually and discover Iceland for a few more days: whether a relaxed visit to the Blue Lagoon or a tour along the Golden Circle with its geysers, waterfalls and volcanic landscapes. The possibilities are many and varied, and we will be happy to help you with the organisation
Important info
Date:
The planned period is from 10 to 19 April 2026, although the journey to Greenland depends on many factors and has not yet been finally confirmed by the airline Icelandair. For this reason, the date may be postponed by a few days.
Early registration makes sense:
The trip requires a lot of planning and preparation. In addition, places for travelling by plane are limited. It is therefore imperative that you decide and register early if you are interested - 10 months in advance makes sense.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Flo. He will take the time to discuss the trip and the details with you. He will also travel to Greenland with you and experience this adventure together with you.
Polar bears on Greenland
Polar bears are native to Greenland, but the chance of encountering one is extremely low, especially in Switzerland. The population in this region is very small, which is why sightings are rare. Between November and January, the female bears give birth to their cubs, which they lead to the coast in spring.
An encounter with a polar bear is also very unlikely around Tasiilaq and in our tour area in Switzerland - but it cannot be completely ruled out. Anyone can easily imagine the consequences of such an incident.
We are equipped with a large-calibre rifle for safety.
Accommodation – The Red House, Tasiilaq
Our journey takes us not only through a variety of landscapes, but also to some very special places to stay. To kick things off, we’ll spend a night in Reykjavik. Iceland’s vibrant capital offers the perfect start to our trip and is the ideal place to round off our first evening together with a delicious meal. In East Greenland, we’ll initially be staying at the historic Red House in Tasiilaq. This cosy guesthouse has been a meeting place for mountaineers, polar explorers and expedition teams from all over the world for many years. Here we’ll enjoy warm hospitality and regional cuisine whilst preparing for the days ahead in the Arctic. A special experience awaits us in Tiniteqilaaq, where we’ll spend several nights in a simple, newly renovated hut. This small Inuit village is spectacularly situated above the Sermilik Fjord and can only be reached by dog sledge or boat. Far from any roads, we experience the daily life of the Inuit at first hand and enjoy a tranquillity that can now only be found in a few places in the world. To round off the trip, we’ll return once more to the Red House in Tasiilaq before heading home via Reykjavik. In this way, this expedition uniquely combines comfort, authenticity and a genuine sense of adventure.
Climate and weather
The weather in East Greenland is characterised by dry cold, clear air and rapidly changing conditions. Sunny days with fantastic visibility alternate with wind, snowfall or fog. It is precisely this dynamic nature that defines the expedition-style character of the trip. Thanks to our flexible tour planning and the local knowledge of our partners, we are able to make the best possible decisions every day.
Requirements
- Mastering the ski touring technique with its basics (skins, hairpin bends). These are often normal ski tours, as we know them from Switzerland. If possible, we also include tours with passages where we tie on the skis or a foot ascent is included.
- Safe downhill technique in open terrain and in different types of snow. We often find the most beautiful powder snow. But like everywhere else, the weather can do what it wants.
- Stamina for around 1000 metres of ascent at a leisurely pace over a week. Sometimes we will do less than 1000 metres and sometimes more. We divide the tours so that we have enough energy for all days!
Price and services
- CHF 5550.-
- Small group with 6 - 7 guests per mountain guide.
- Hotel in Reykjavik without half board
- Hotel in Tasiilaq incl. half board
- Hotel in Tiniteqilaaq incl. catering by local Inuit
- Transport by sled dogs
- Domestic flight Kulusuk - Tasiilaq
- Implementation and organisation with Swiss mountain guides
- As we have high fixed costs, special cancellation fees apply for this trip. Travel insurance is recommended.
- Cancellation up to 180 days before departure: CHF 1500.-
- Cancellation up to 60 days before departure: 80 % of the tour price
- Cancellation 59 to 0 days before departure: full tour price
- Exclusive flight Zurich-Kulusuk and Kulusuk-Zurich
- The cost of this flight is between 1100 and 1400 CHF.
- As soon as you have registered, we will look for and book the right flight connection for you.
Material and equipment
- We have for you a detailed packing list with packing tips compiled.
Bergschaft tours and courses are conducted in German as standard. However, our mountain guides speak good English, as do many of the participants. If you speak English, you are of course very welcome. Depending on the tour, it may be worth asking us in advance whether the guide and the group are comfortable speaking English.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us, preferably via the Contact form.
Impressions: Ski touring trip East Greenland
How to join us on our adventure ski touring trip to Greenland:
- 8 - 18 April 2027, Thursday - Sunday, 11 daysAusgebucht
Mountain guideCHF 5550.-
As Private Tour on your desired date with your group:
As Voucher give your favourite as a gift:
Frequently Asked Questions about travelling to Greenland
Who is this ski touring holiday suitable for?
This trip is aimed at experienced ski tourers who enjoy adventure and expeditions. You should be confident moving around in open terrain and be in good physical condition for daily tours covering around 800 to 1,400 metres of elevation gain.
Why do we travel by dog sledge?
In East Greenland, dog sleds remain an indispensable means of transport to this day and are an integral part of the Inuit’s daily life. They take us and our equipment to our base camp and make the journey an authentic Arctic experience.
Why does the mountain guide carry a rifle?
Polar bears live in East Greenland. Encounters are rare, but for safety reasons a rifle is part of the standard kit for every expedition. It is used solely for the protection of the group and is carried only by the mountain guide or the local guides.
How likely is it that you might come across a polar bear?
Polar bears live in East Greenland, but sightings are rare. We monitor the situation constantly and adapt our tours accordingly. For safety reasons, the mountain guide or our local partners carry a rifle – a standard precaution in Greenland.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The weather sets the pace of our trip. The flight to East Greenland is on a small aeroplane that can only take off and land in good visibility. Flights may be cancelled or take a different route. The tours are also adjusted daily to suit the current weather, snow and avalanche conditions. A certain degree of flexibility is therefore part and parcel of this trip to Greenland.
Where shall we stay?
During the trip, we’ll be staying overnight in Reykjavik, at the historic Red House in Tasiilaq, and for several nights in a simple, renovated hut in the remote Inuit village of Tiniteqilaaq. Each place of accommodation is part of the travel experience and offers a different insight into life in the far north.
How comfortable is the accommodation in Tiniteqilaaq?
During our stay, we’ll be staying in a simple, newly renovated hut in the heart of the small Inuit village of Tiniteqilaaq. The accommodation is deliberately basic, but this allows us to experience life in East Greenland more authentically than almost anywhere else. The accommodation is heated and offers everything we need after an eventful day in the mountains.
How cold does it get in East Greenland?
Depending on the time of year, temperatures usually range from around -5 °C to -20 °C. Thanks to the dry air, the cold often feels more bearable than expected. With the right clothing, layered according to the ‘onion principle’, we’ll be well prepared.
Is there mobile phone coverage and internet access?
Mobile phone coverage is generally available in Reykjavik and Tasiilaq. However, signal strength may be limited at the base camp in Tiniteqilaaq. It is precisely this remoteness that gives this trip its special appeal.
What equipment do I need?
You will need your full set of ski touring equipment, including an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe, as well as warm clothing suitable for arctic conditions. You will receive a detailed equipment list in good time before the trip begins.
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