What Is Nordic Ski Touring?
Nordic Ski Touring is a form of backcountry skiing focused on travel, exploration, and moving through remote terrain rather than speed or steep descents. It sits somewhere between classic cross-country skiing and alpine touring, combining efficient movement with the ability to handle varied, ungroomed terrain.
Nordic touring skis are typically wider and more stable than classic cross-country skis, often equipped with steel edges that provide better control in firm or changing snow conditions. Unlike track-based skiing, Nordic Ski Touring does not rely on prepared trails, allowing skiers to move freely through untouched landscapes and reach places that would otherwise be difficult to access in winter.
At its core, Nordic Ski Touring is about journeying through wild places, covering ground at a steady, enjoyable pace while staying connected to the landscape.
What Makes Nordic Ski Touring Special?
What sets Nordic Ski Touring apart is the combination of freedom and flow. Much like hiking, it allows you to move through the environment at a pace where you can truly take it in, but far more efficiently than on foot.
Without fixed tracks or lifts, the experience feels open and immersive. You travel through valleys, and across frozen fjords, carrying everything you need and moving as a group through vast winter landscapes.
Who Is Nordic Ski Touring For?
Nordic Ski Touring is well suited for people with good balance and general skiing experience. Many strong Nordic touring skiers come from a background in classic cross-country skiing, but experience in alpine touring can also translate well.
For our Islands Expedition in East Greenland, participants should have solid experience in either alpine touring or cross-country skiing. Prior experience with Nordic touring skis is an advantage, but not a requirement.
Why East Greenland Is a Dream Destination for Nordic Ski Touring?
East Greenland offers some of the most rewarding terrain in the Arctic for Nordic Ski Touring. In March and April, snow conditions are typically stable, opening up large areas of the landscape for safe and enjoyable travel.
The region is remote and sparsely populated, meaning you ski through vast, untouched terrain where silence, snow, and light dominate the experience. Frozen sea ice connects islands and fjords, glaciers flow down from steep mountains, and icebergs become part of the everyday scenery.
Our Tour - Islands Expedition: Nordic Ski Touring in East Greenland
On our Islands Expedition, you experience East Greenland as a true winter journey. Traveling on Nordic touring skis, we move through island landscapes, across frozen fjords, and along the edge of towering mountains and glaciers.
Along the way, you’ll encounter icebergs locked into the sea ice, gain insight into life in the Inuit village of Kulusuk, and experience Greenlandic culture firsthand. There is also the option to join a dogsledding tour, adding another layer to the Arctic experience.
This is an expedition-style ski tour, guided by experienced professionals and run with small groups. It’s designed for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a genuine Arctic winter adventure that prioritises movement, immersion, and respect for the landscape.
