The magical mystical Lofoten Isles in the Norwegian Arctic. Broody dark peaks in the swirling mists, ever changing light creating dramatic vistas, laser beams from the sun turing the fiords to gold. Here we rediscovered the natural rhythm of life at Lofoten Ski Lodge under the fantastic hospitality of Seth, his wife Maren and team of guides and chefs. We watched the sun rise over the Norwegian Sea, ate big breakfasts at a relaxed pace while choosing our dream adventure, skied from summit to sea, returned to the lodge for afternoon tea and waffles, shared the stoke with all the other excited skiers, took saunas and jumped into the sea, drank as much beer as we could afford, ate catch of the day at dinner, spent the evening talking in front of the fire, marvelled at the aurora borealis, fell asleep, woke up and did it all again.
Morning glory from the lodge
The aurora borealis
Michelle skiing the classic south couloir of Geitgallien down to the teepee in the lush afternoon light
The girls excited about the sun coming out
Cedric booting up Geitgallien
Minna and Michelle
Michelle on Geitgallien
Looking into Tollfjordvanet
Panorama from Hivgratinden – Geitgallien col
Minna, Michelle and Cedric
Michelle
Michelle and Minna heading into Juviktinden
Our high point on Juviktinden due to poorly bonded snow
The light show above the lodge
From Juviktinden I spied this zone 2 valleys deeper so after borrowing some tech tools from Northern Guides Guido Sami Modenius we went to check out these 3 500 m lines which were probably unskied. They dropped a further 150 m below the photo on the fan to the lake.
Climbing up to the ice step in the right hand line
Michelle arriving over the steep ice step
Boot packing the steep lower section of the couloir
On the boot pack in deep pow
Skiing after the upper narrows was perfect snow with the couloir providing visibility on this storm day
Deep powder but no where to hide from the slough
Faster skiing in the mid section where the left bank provided a safe zone from the slough
Last turns approaching the ice steps
I equalised a icy thread and a no.4 nut to abseil over the ice. With a little more snow it might be possible to hop onto the spine skiers left.
Michelle on the abseil.
Michelle bootpacking up to the next line
Climbing into the central line.
Michelle arriving over the small ice step
Deteriorating weather and light as we wallow up deep pow
At the col, the visibility was terrible and I was pleased to actually find the col
After popping out of the cloud the visibility for skiing became good
In the upper couloir
On the dividing spur sheltering from Michelle’s slough
Entering the lower couloir
Michelle threading her way through the choke into the lower line
Great skiing in the lower line
Deep pow in the lower line. I put in an a abolokov to abseil the lower ice step but it would be an easy jump in good visibility
On the abseil
Sunshine on the beach
Leaving the car to head into Breitinden / Stauren group
The approach has us skinning across fields, marsh, lakes, streams and boulder fields
Our line on Breitinden
Not so steep allowing us to skin but atmospheric
A little exposed here above the dividing spine, time to bootpack
Michelle and the view to the north
Topping out after cimbing a litle steep turf on the wind scoured col into the sun
Soaking up the rays after days of storm
Taking in the views – a perfect lunch spot
Panorama from Breitinden
Very narrow for 10 m
Wider here
No argument about the snow
Michelle in the upper and lower couloirs
Me in the lower line
Michelle in the lower line. The wall above would be beautiful to climb on
Exiting the couloir
Our line on Breitinden is the lower col just riht of centre photo
Owl strike!
Funky clouds as the sun goes down on the Straumnes peninsula
Someone arranged for the evening entertainment watching the light show
Our cabin by the sea
The beautiful bay at Kalle where the lodge is situated is surrounded by these lush peaks
Seth Hobby runs Norther Guides specialising in Lofoten, Greenland, Svalbarg
The view southwest across to the mountains on the mainland
Lofoten Ski Lodge
Michelle has a soft spot for white fluffy things and Seth’s dog was spoilt all week
Morning coffee at the lodge
Sunrise near Svolvaer
Looking south from Laupstad
The beaches at Morfjorden
Morning light on the mountains near Svolvaer
Looking over toward Litlmolla
The next day the weather was poor so we went to the 900 m SW couloir of Geitgallien
Nearing the top
No more snow as I reach a little col on the ridge, 900 m of couloir below
The cloud lifted and we were treated with creamy pow to the ocean
Me skiing
Our friendly Black Crows bar part time tender come guido – Mark
Fish are the staple diet and nothing is wasted – even the lamps are made from Cod (fish)
Cod heads drying on racks – they will be turned into stock cubes
A dark wild day at the beach with freezing rain, we almost died of hyperthermia walking 50 m from the car
Surfers getting swept on the rocks. Seeing this persuaded me these weren’t the right conditions for a novice like myself
Head leant forward and braced against the wind, the surfers strive to get back to their vans
Under attack
The sandy beaches way out west are beautiful
Michelle enjoying the sightseeing
Colourful village of Utakliev situated under the classic mountain Himmeltinden
The beach at Haukland
Sea urchins for sale
Sailing off on a fishing trip
Volkl Explosives – one of the good early wide skis
The picturesque village of Henningsvaer is worth a visit with the nearby Preston couloir
Cod racks in Henningsvaer
Typical wooden houses in Henningsvaer
Michelle and the everchanging afternoon light on Geitgallien South Couloir
Ross Hewitt Guiding 