Arctic Circle:
Senja Island

Best described as ‘Scotland on Steroids’, the winter wonderland of Senja is the second largest of Norway’s islands, and lies 300km north of the Arctic Circle.

A stunning mix of mountains, coastal fjords, beaches and fishing villages, Senja is a winter climbing and skiing paradise. We head north each year during February and March to immerse ourselves in a short season of week-long skiing and climbing trips, exploring Senja’s snowy peaks that plunge right down into the icy fjords. From our comfortable base at Senja Lodge, a wide range of skiing and climbing objectives are just a short drive away on the island’s well-maintained road network, and there are opportunities for first ascents as well as more established routes. 

With deep Arctic powder snow, no ski lifts and often not another human being in sight, we climb or ski from dawn to dusk to make the most of the short winter days, whilst the Northern Lights fill up the sky by night. The highest peaks on Senja are no more than 1000m above sea level, so no acclimatisation period is necessary on this trip, although a certain degree of fitness is essential for both skiing and climbing trips as all ascents are human-powered! 

Get in touch

Download a sample itinerary

Check our Skiing and Climbing Dates

When to travel?

  • Ski or Climb Senja mid Feb – mid March

 

Guide: client ratio

  • Up to 1:2 to climb Senja

  • Up to 1:6 to ski Senja

How long will I need?

  • 8 days (6 guided days)

  • Contact us for Skiing and Climbing dates

 

Fitness & experience

  • Our Senja courses are open to those with prior winter climbing and ski touring experience. As all ascent / descent is human-powered a certain level of fitness is necessary for these courses. See our guide to Fitness and Experience for more details.

Inspire me

Climb Senja: A typical day out climbing will involve a short drive from the lodge (up to an hour), all on Senja’s well maintained road network. As the conditions are often super snowy on Senja we typically use snowshoes for the approach / descent. Days out start and end at sea level and as there are no lifts on Senja this trip the whole week is human powered.

  • From snowy couloirs to 500m world-class ice and mixed climbing, Senja has it all

  • Opportunities to make first ascents

Ski Senja: A typical day skiing in Senja will begin with a short drive from the lodge on Senja’s well maintained road network to begin our tour. Each day we will aim to be skinning between 700m and 1000m all from / to sea level.

  • Sea to summit skiing and arctic powder descents

  • Non-glaciated mountains

  • Doorstep skinning from Senja lodge

  • Enjoy easy coastal slopes

  • Test your skills on advanced ski tours, linking col, fjords & summits

Freshen up after your day’s activity with a dip in the Fjord!


Fixed rate

  • Skiing from €1395

  • Climbing from €2795


Our fees include:

  • 6 days of Guiding with an IFMGA Guide

  • All Guides expenses

  • 7 nights self-catering accommodation at Senja Lodge (breakfast / dinner included)

  • Group equipment (rack, ropes, navigation, first aid, safety kit)

  • Travel throughout the week in a group hire car


Compulsory expenses not included in our fees: 

  • Flights

  • Your insurance

  • Hill food and drinks for the week

  • Your personal rental equipment (helmet, harness, axes and crampons, snowshoes etc).