GREENLAND SKI & SAIL
Aboard the SkyDancer | 10 days | May
Trip of a lifetime.
When it comes to big international ski adventures, the phrase "trip of a lifetime" gets heavily used – we are definitely guilty of it ourselves. In our experience though, no trip is quite as deserving of the title as this one: Skiing/riding on the seldom-visited west coast of Greenland, from a 73-foot schooner, SkyDancer.
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Deep blue fjords, jagged alpine peaks, tumbling glaciers, ice bergs, whales, reindeer... the back drop for exploration is truly out of this world. Meanwhile, the terrain is perfectly setup for ocean-based backcountry touring, and the snow can be really good too.
OVERVIEW | the experience
Our journey begins in the capital of Denmark, Copenhagen. After a night or two to de-jetlag in the city, we board our Air Greenland flight aboard an Airbus A330 bound for Kangerlussuaq, an old military base that currently serves as the main hub for international travel (this hub is slated to shift to the capital Nuuk in late 2024). From Kangerlussuaq, a short flight aboard a turboprop Dash 8 lands us in the small village of Maniitsoq.
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Our first night is spent in a hotel in town, and we have an opportunity to grab any last minute provisions. The next morning we set sail aboard SkyDancer, in the direction of our first day of sailboat-assisted touring. In the evening, the boat moves to a new area, with new possibilities for the following morning. This is the routine we settle into as we immerse ourselves in the jaw-dropping beauty of deep blue fjords and spectacular mountains.
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From our extensive experience "onsight guiding" at Tebay Lodge in Alaska – leading groups safely and confidently in uncharted terrain – we approach this place with eyes for exploring the unknown. There is every type of terrain imaginable here from long moderate glacier runs, to non-glaciated basins, beautiful summits, giant couloirs, as well as great low light options right from the beach for when the weather and/or visibility are less than ideal.
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The SkyDancer is a 73-foot schooner built in Svalbard, designed for expedition seafaring in the polar latitudes. Our hosts Nick and Estella are incredibly warm and welcoming humans who are longtime professionals in the world of sail and ski adventuring. Unlike many smaller sail and ski vessels that can be quite a cramped experience, SkyDancer is spacious, with plenty of room to sprawl out and relax, as well as dry our ski gear at the end of each day.
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We access the coastline via dingy, keeping our ski boots dry with carefully considered shore landings and/or adult piggybacks from 6'7" captain Nick (not a joke!).
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This is truly one of the coolest trips on the planet. We can't wait to return.
ITINERARY | the flow
B = Breakfast included, D = Dinner included
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​Day 1 — ARRIVE COPENHAGEN
Copenhagen arrival day.
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Day 2 — FLY to MANIITSOQ
We fly Air Greenland on an Airbus A330 to Kangerlussuaq, about a 4 hour flight. From here, a short flight on a Dash 8 gets us to Maniitsoq, where we stay for the night.
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Days 3–10 — SAIL & SKI ABOARD SKYDANCER
Seven full days of ski exploration in the beautiful fjords of western Greenland. B, L, D
Day 10 — FLY BACK to COPENHAGEN
We catch an early flight from Maniitsoq back to Copenhagen. B
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Day 11 — DEPARTURE
Outbound flights from Copenhagen can be arranged for anytime on this day.​
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DETAILS | the logistics
GROUP SIZE
This a small group, low ratio experience limited to 8 skiers & 2 guides.
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COST INCLUDES
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7 days of guided skiing on the west coast of Greenland
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Lodging in Maniitsoq
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7 nights aboard SkyDancer
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All meals aboard SkyDancer
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* single occupancy upgrade available in Maniitsoq at additional cost.
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NOT INCLUDED
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Flights to/from Greenland
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Alcohol, snacks
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Additional activities outside of the itinerary
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PRE-TRIP INFO
ARRIVAL
Fly into Copenhagen International Airport (CPH). From here, flights to Maniitsoq are arranged directly through Air Greenland. Flight schedules are extremely specific and limited and generally should be booked well in advance. We will help coordinate specific flight itineraries for our group.
DEPARTURE
Departures from Copenhagen International Airport can be arranged for any time on Day 11.
GREENLAND
SKI & SAIL
2025 DATES
Extended voyage:
Maniitsoq to Sisimiut
May 28-June 7, 2025 FULL
$8800
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STANDARD ITINERARY
Custom dates available
$7900
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CUSTOM DATES
Custom dates and itineraries are available for private groups and individuals. Please contact us for more info and availability.