|
2010 ski season photos.
Possibily our favorite of the season. Midnight Sun Skiing Kågen Island
May 29: Another midnight sun session with ultimate weather conditions! We ate dinner at 8pm and headed down to the Spirit of Lyngen boat for 10pm... still not getting used to the thought of skiing after dinner! Today or tonight's ski was to point 1079m up the Koppangbreen to catch corn snow at 4am. After a short blast across the fjord and a close high speed pass directly under the Støvelen cliff walls we dropped anchor in the Koppangen bay. Strapping skis to rucksack we crossed rivers and reached the snow after 40mins of walking. Three hours later we reached out summit ridge warmed by the rays of the midnight sun. The sun warmed the snow on the steeper north east facing slopes to provide perfect spring skiing conditions. The tour was completed with a morning swim, fishing and lodge relaxing... Well that was it for the season... we'll see all skiers next season 2011 and all look forward to welcoming all our summer guests for more adventures in the green and sunny mountains and rivers!
Eirik letting the skis run in perfect corn snow at 4am - this is better than sleeping!
Morten hopping the rocks...
Magnificent finish along the ridge to reach our midnight sun goal to point 1079m on the Koppangsbreen (glacier)
This spiky little chap will make a good soup
The skiing just keeps going... May 28: So I thought the skiing was over, we no it's not! We welcome our group from Oslo - 11 hungry skiers who are ready for action! So it's back into the midnight sun skiing and we begin with Kågen on the flanks of Store Kågtinden by boat. The light was incredible with no clouds and pure sun shining over the ocean at 1am. We began at 11pm and climbed to 900m and skied down in sun warmed corn to the beach for 5am. We're off again to night to Strupbreen Glacier so check back for tonights pictures.
At 3am the sun was just beginning to soften the snow on the north east slopes of Kågen. Jan skiing the mid mountain of Kågen
In the Spirit of Lyngen heading to Kågen down the Lyngen Fjord
The Oslo kids on the climb up
Alex skiing the last slopes down from Breidkågen
End of Ski Season 2010: Our 3rd season at Lyngen Lodge has been amazing in every way. We'd like to thank all our guests who have travelled from all corners of the world to visit and ski with us through the Lyngen Alps and surrounding islands. February began with good powder skiing and the Northern Lights kept lighting the sky until mid April. March and April began with powder snow combined with good fishing and whale spotting on route to the skiing and finally May produced some of the finest spring skiing we've seen in years and an extreme warm period in mid May forced all the skiing to head to Kågen Island for some amazing midnight sun skiing. To see all weeks and check seasonal conditions please see here Ski Season Archive Photos>>
Ruth skiing the crisp early morning snow on Kågen under the midnight sun
May 18: Another great ski morning with a return to Kågen Island with photographer Grant Gunderson, pro skiers Sven Brunso and Matthias Giraud for a shoot of midnight skiing for the Ski Journal magazine USA. The snow is becoming more compact and the skiing early morning around 3am was really great corn snow and we managed to shoot the skiing against the fjord lit by the low sun over the ocean. Here are a few shots of the night showing Sven and Matthias in action. We arrived back at the boat at 5am and went for a swim off the boat... super psyched up for some dive action off the Spirit. Simon headed up to climb the Svartfjellet and reported great snow at 5am down the east face, see his photos below the Kågen sequence.
"Frenchie" Matthias first time skiing the midnight sun
Sven Brunso cranking a few turns at 3am down Breidkågen
In coming from above - if anyone finds a pair of underpants in the fjord please return to Lyngen Lodge
View to the north next stop Greenland
Simon's group
The view up towards Svartfjellet in the Rotsund
Susan and Simon on the summit at 4am
May 17: Norway's Independence day - Hipphipp Hurrah. The summer has arrived and temperatures are very warm so all ski days have been moved to the night time, we have 24 hrs sunlight now so it is perfect for night skiing. The best snow is out at Kågen Island accessed by boat. So this morning we boarded the Spirit of Lyngen and headed to the eastern side for some excellent morning soft snow under the midnight sun. Photos today from Christoph.
Simon, Marianne and Susan climbing up the east face of Breidkågen with the midnight sun light over head
Pick up at 4am
The route south back to the lodge down the Lyngen Fjord was lit with this incredible light from the low rising sun.
Left to right Team Swiss/USA - Christoph, Marianne, Simon (guide) Solina and Susan
May 13: Well.. you all know we're about skiing during May but today I have to tell you about the fish that was landed on the boat as Glen was waiting to collect my group of skiers from the Strupbreen glacier. One of our guests on the boat landed a 22+ kilo Cod mamma that is large enough to feed a family of 10 for about a week, it's the biggest we've landed. Of course Ruth was in on the action and it's the first time I've seen a fish bigger than Ruth! Now for the skiing, another memorable day on the ski-licious Strupbreen glacier and the summit of Tafeltinden 1395m in super spring snow conditions. Manfred headed to Kågen and his group loved the scenery. Photos from Ruth the fish...
The cod fish is the one wearing the red jumper... Hans one of our guests caught the fish ... but Ruth is seen here taking all the glory.
Ruth is Lyngen Lodge's bookings manager read more on Ruth here>>
My guys heading up above the scenic bay of Strupen
Just heading over the glacier moraine with our planned summit for the day in the back ground - Tafeltinden
Just below the summit - I liked this mood of fast moving clouds and the sun burst just off the top of the summit tower
We skied down the glacier just behind the rocky spire summit - this is not a staged shot, they are genuinely happy to be there :)
May 12: A perfect "blue bird" day for a Kågen island traverse to Storesandnestinden. The boat Spirit of Lyngen left the harbour at 8am and headed north for a beach landing on the west shore of Kågen. This tour is a journey into kind of a hidden world of peaks, valleys and lakes. The views are amazing and from the summit you're just surrounded by water on all sides. Manfred's group headed up Sorbmegaisa for some corn snow down the west face. Photos from Kågen.
The Spirit of Lyngen dropping off at the Kågen beach
Steve making meters up to the first col
The first of two descents down to the kidney lake in compressed powder
There are so many ridges and routes on Kågen - the possibilities are endless
Michie cruising the first descent in nice snow
May 11: The snow didn't freeze so much over night due to a cloud covered sky so the snow conditions where a little wet already by midday, but never the less we had fun skiing Sorbmegaisa. Manfred's group headed to Uløya and Blåtinden and reported the same snow but also had a funny day on the boat with some waves on the beach pickup.
The cross over from south to north summit of Sorbmegaisa - there's a big 500m drop straight down on the left side so good visibility is helpful here
Mark dispite his blisters is enjoying these turns
May 10: This week is like hitting the jackpot - sunshine everyday, no wind, still fjord and mega spring snow like I've never seen it before. Lots of positives about the day and especially the early starts I love the most.... We're leaving the lodge at 7.30am.. hey that's early enough for a skier my age! We took the boat to Uløya and made a traverse of Blåtinden east / west to the beach. The snow was immaculate. Manfred took his group up to Kjelvågtinden and was jumping with joy at the end of his day.. Photos from Blåtinden today. Enjoy :)
Michie skiing the smooth lines down to the beach - a mixture or powder and spring snow
Boat drop off - best you don't slip off this one... without the life jacket you'll sink with the ski boots.
The only green pine tree breaking the white
Michie leading the lads up the mountain
The summit party hipphipp hurrah
Any guesses where Mark and his hat comes from? I'm expecting the kilts to be broken out at some point! Mark skiing towards the boat moored at the beach at skjeret beach.
The pink devil has returned and as expected she's still a little rebel. Ruth from our bookings office is here for a extended visit
May 9: Hello and welcome to the end of the weekend and the start of a new ski week. We had a little fresh snow overnight that fell low down into the forest. It was just a covering but at 5cm it was perfect on top of the smooth hard base under foot. So we welcome a full lodge this week and introduce into the ring our group of 7 Scots and our next a mixture of German and Austrian skiers led by guide Manfred Lorrenz from Austria. What a day to start, fresh snow and sunshine - everyone ws fully motivated and I hardly had time to eat breakfast as my Scots were fired up on porridge and ready with skis on. We headed up first day to Storehaugen and performed our weekly avalanche safety training. We made the summit by 2pm and enjoyed fantastic skiing that ended in the jacuzzi by 4pm.
Steve in full swing on day uno
On the summit ridge amongst broken cloud creating a real sky lofty atmosphere
First experience skiing down to the water
The broken clouds and glimpses of mountains through them create a sureal atmosphere on the climb to the summit
My team from Left to right: Steve, Michie, David, Colin, Mark, Ben and Angus
May 6: Sensational weather and 3 top destinations skied today. Thomas headed over to Tafeltinden, Paul and his ladies traversed Uløya and Blåtinden and I skied with Tim journalist from Big Lines in Canada skied Store Kågtinden west to east. Incredible day all round and photos from all over today:
The Spirit of Lyngen in action pulling away from the Strupen today.
Photo: Gary Goodman
Paul and his ladies week. Out of 6 gorgeous girls it was a surprise that no one helped Paul pack his rucksack today. Anyone have a spare pair of skins for Paul please...
Tim moving up and away from the west beach on Kågen
Tim dropping into the east face of Store Kågtinden
Great sunlight and shadows deep inside the east face
Skiing down to the sea - there is nothing else quiet like it.
May 5: It turned into a swimming day - first swim off Uløya island for the season, the charge led by Jim and Andrew. Thomas's group headed to Blåtinden and Paul's group to Sorbmegaisa for a round trip and down the central ridge in great powder. So without any further delay lets see some Arctic swimming shots in +4 degrees water.... good on yer lads.. some ski shots will be added after dinner!
Andrew - wishing he could change his mind
How cold...
Monster from the seaweed
May 4: Sunny day, calm sea and perfect skiing conditions on the mountain, it's already May but the snow conditions are like end of mid April with good powder on the top half of the mountains. Paul headed over to Storesandnestinden for a west east traverse of Kågen and came back with big smiles. Thomas Hallen's group loved the Sorbmegaisa traverse above the lodge for that priceless combination of powder snow and scenic therapy. Photos from Paul's group.
It's important for safety that we check the depth of the snow daily
On route up to Storesandnestinden
Eveyln and Julia from Austria, St.Anton skiers visiting Lyngen for the first time
Group photo over a summit lunch stop
May 3: Happy new month! We're into our May skiing and soon the midnight sun will be here where we ski through the night and take breakfast in the jacuzzi! This week we welcome our US/Canadian/Swiss group led by Swedish guide Thomas Hallen and our second group led by our own Guide Paul who is leading the Euro mixed group including one Kiwi! It was a sensational day to Uløya with different ascent routes and beach pick ups. The highlight was not the skiing but the dolphins playing with boat on the way home. Photos today from Andrew Goodman.
Dolphins surfing some boat waves
High above the fjords and as the weather cleared, the first real views of the week can into view
Climbing up with the Lyngen Peninsula on the opposite side of the fjord
April 30: To finish the week off we couldn't have woken up to better weather. The Lyngen Fjord was calm and the sky had only slight wisps of cloud moving from the south. After all the heavy snow this week we finally had good visibility and a chance to get high on the mountain. Two groups headed in the Spirit of Lyngen to Uløya for a traverse of the island to Blåtinden. Hannes headed up from Havnnes and I made a direct ascent from a beach drop off to the north and then a boat pick up from the old fishing houses at Skjeret. The snow was quality powder... Paul headed up for a traverse of Sorbmegaisa and reported super snow which dried out overnight to leave the snow smokey light :) Photos today from Blåtinden. A wonderful week, thanks to all groups especially the Austrian's who made sure there wasn't a dull or quiet moment ;)
This was the summit goal for today - Blåtinden on Uløya
The action started early :) A new beach drop off on a sandy bank meant that Glen had to carry the ladies so their toes wouldn't get wet... Marie Astrid in absolute heaven...
Good skiing but I loved these wisps of cloud in the sky today
Climbing up through the rolling terrain and intricate small valleys systems above the beach
The lower half for Blåtinden with Reindalstinden in the back ground.
Photo: Hanne
Marie Astrid skiing under the waterfall ice in fantastic powdery snow
Happy dayzz... you're never sure where to look.. at the sea of where you're skiing
April 29: A mixture of snowfall and sunshine today as a gentle breeze from the north brought showers in off the ocean. We've really had a lot of snow falling with 60cm on the mountain. The avalanche risk is quiet high at the moment so we're keeping to low angled terrain for the moment. Hannes headed round to Heligeli forest, Paul on the Spirit of Lyngen to Uløya and I headed up to Storhaugen to dig a snow profile and ski a little just above the forest. A morning ski for Paul and Hannes enabled them to fish this afternoon from the Spirit and catch some super sized Cod fish...
Hanne getting those knees working
Marie Astrid with Store Reindalstinden behind on the opposite side of the Lyngen Fjord.
Hanne on the way up for the second time - any chance for a rest ladies
It was one of those lunches! Snooze time... (I sooo wasn't snoring Hanne!!!)
Trudy catching a whopper cod - that'll feed us for a week :)
Phillipe getting amongst the fishing action
April 28: The heaviest snowfall of the season is now... and it's dumping snow like there is no tomorrow. All groups skied the forest above the lodge keeping to the safe tree lines. The snow was deep, light and YES.. it's the reason why we ski :)
The forest is silently frozen in time when the snowfalls
Still life left in these legs I can tell you... I'm so pleased with my ladies this week-Marie Astrid jumping because I asked her to :)
Hanne on her 4th run of the day
Maria Astrid cruises the powder
April 26: Well how about that... winter has returned today with some nice choppy sea and some fresh snow up top. We headed over in the Spirit to Uløya and headed up to Kjelvågtinden, at about 850m the soup hit and visibility was about 10 meters. Just below the summit we turned and headed back home. The attraction of a hot-tub was greater than that of hanging around in the fog :)
The trusty old Spirit of Lyngen provided some fun action on the way home in some big waves :)
Havnness historic fishing harbour below
Hanne and Mad heading through the forest on the way home
Back at the harbour, Glen skip, Marie Astrid and some old fisherman in the back claiming to be a guide ;)
April 25: We welcome 4 groups this week. Returning to the stage after 12 months away is Hanne De Morra and Marie Astrid aka "master of disaster" she is uncontrollable this year - they are skiing with myself and I need luck! Guide Hannes is back in town and skiing with a Euro mix group and Guide Paul is also back skiing with his Austrian dream team. A magic day of powder on three summits skied by our groups today, Store Haugen, Blåtinden Uløya and our unnamed peak (now nik named Austigiasa) aghh - lots of names flying around there.. See photos from a great first day.
Marie Astrid "MAD" is a wild one on the new Kastle skis
Climbing through the forest onwards and upwards
I love good summit congradulations :) Marie Astrid is wild on and off the skis ;)
Hanne blasting the powder north west down to Djupvik
Hannes's Group April 25:
Kristin and Andreas from Norway heading for the summit of Store Haugen
Kristin in the powder
April 24: Snow fall during this week made for good skiing in the Lyngen and Kåfjord region. Today myself and Kolbjørn from Tromsø headed up to the unnamed peak point 1130m (nicknamed Austigaisa) and skied good powder on the north west face. We skied to 580m and skinned again to the summit of Sorbmegaisa and just before the clouds covered the summit we skied down the main west face of the bowl between the cliffs, one of my favourite lines :)
Photo: Kolbjørn Engeseth - good light snow to the sea below
Some nice humps
"Mr Jupiter" Kolbjørn carving some up on sorbmegaisa
On the ascent route with super light from the east refecting off the still Lyngen Fjord today
April 17 - 23 : Due to volcano activity in Iceland no flights arrived in Norway this week.
April 16: What a day! Fresh snow overnight and short heavy snow fall in the morning hours provided great skiing in the steeps. We climbed Sorbmegaisa and skied through thick cloud for the first run in good snow. A quick lunch and sun broke through, clouds opened and we climbed again to ski a line I've been waiting to ski for a few years now. Perfect conditions with around 10cm of fresh sticking well to the steeps. The line was down the central left bowl into Engnesdalen, amazing play terrain with rocks and few small cliffs to drop at speed. Best line of the season so far... A big thank you to Benjamin and all his buddies and Olaf's group too. Thanks for a great week all.
Jens showing just how free ride telemarking is done. Awesome power..
Benjamin dropping into the bowl off Sorbmegaisa
April 15: We woke to a bit of a wet day but none us knew today was going to be the best day of our lives. Why...? Because we had a fishing derby after skiing and my group pulled 4 super-sized cod fish :) Ok, so some skied with Hannes up to Giillavarri, others opted out for the fishing on the Spirit.
The skiing was good over 600m but the vis was a little poor today. However the fishing was great and thanksfully the fjord has provided tomorrow's meal for all our guests. It's going to be fresh codski. See below...
Get a load of this mamma, caught just outside the lodge from the Spirit of Lyngen boat
Benjamin cranking those tele's down the Giillavarri
benjamin, Jens and Gustaf taking 5 on the climb up.
hook, line and sinker the cod is in the bag. Marc and Karoline are hands on
Who is this strange man from the deep? Petter the cod father is back and rubber gloved
April 14: Fresh snow and the sun breaking through the cloud promised a good day ahead. Groups started earlier today and headed with the Spirit of Lyngen to Kågen Island for a traverse and a multi ski from West to East. We beach dropped off on the west side and skinned to an unnamed summit where we accesses a nice open bowl for 400 vertical meters of turns before climbing again to Storesandnestinden and skiing the east face down to beach. The fresh snow of yesterday has now covered the hard layer and we're back to a nice layer of soft snow. Lost of vertical today and there's at this moment a race on into the jacuzzi and beers all round...
Climbing the last cool section to the end of the ridge on the Kveite Hale
Heading up towards Storesandnestinden
Dropping into a new line today down onto the glacier of Storesandnestinden
Gustaf happy to have finally finished skinning for the day...
The big Swede Gustaf smiles in the powder
April 11: We welcome Benjamin Hammero's group from Stockholm and Olaf Swantee's group from Germany. We've skied two good days of spring skiing with an generally overcast sky. First day was Store Haugen and today was a Oløytinden on Uløya. the weather is getting colder with fresh snow forecast this week :)
Benjamin Hammero "old" St.Anton legend telemarker/true dirtbag skibum now turned serious banker, can still crank the tel turns...
Martin, Sebastian, Marc and Gustaf heading up to Kjelvågtinden
It's blowing a big one, hang onto your skis....
April 9: Spring skiing conditions on Sorbmegaisa south face down to Engnesdalen, good conditions for steeper skiing. Hannes's group headed to Giilavarri further south and came back raving about the snow. All in all a great week and the first week now of spring skiing. Photos today from Sorbmegaisa. Thanks to all for another great week.
Veronica and Siggi heading up to Sorbmegaisa
Siggi and Kastle
Great open slopes down to Engnesdalen
Matt going for the obligatory post sauna cool down....
A fine colour rich bunch, words getting out that Graham dislikes the colour black for photos!!
Left to right: Sharon, Mary, Glen, Jenny, Veronique, Katia, Siggi, Tracy, Veronica, John and Hannes
April 8: An early start to make the most of sunshine before a change in weather is forecast later in the day. We're now getting very good spring snow conditions and the steeper lines are now possible to ski when you plan early in the day. Today's mountain for my group was Peppartinden located on the northern end of the Lyngen Peninsula. It begins with boat journey to Yt. Gammvika and a glacier crossing before a steep climb up to the summit. We skied the south face down fantastic terrain to where the Spirit was waiting at In. Gammvika. Hannes's group skied Svartfjellet in the Rotsundalen behind the lodge and reported good snow. Photos today from Peppartinden.
First turns down the south face of Peppartinden 1252m straight to the sea :)
Siggi needs lunch and it's waiting on that beach below..
Climbing to the col, crampons where needed today
Veronica cranking turns mid mountain
Veronica heading up onto the Gammvikblåisen Glacier from the boat drop off at Yt. Gammvika
Hannes's group
Sharon smiling as always.... :)
Tracy made it... :)
Reaching the summit of Svartfjellet. Steep climb and everyone on top
April 7: Another sunny spring day with promising firn corn snow on the east and south slopes. We headed up to Rissavarri south along the lodge ridge line towards Nordmannvik and climbed through forest and open mountain to reach the summit at 1pm. A little windy today on the summit which held the snow hard until about 900m. We skied the east, south east face and skied steep perfect corn snow. Hannes's group headed up too and all had a ski down.
Veronica dropping in just off the summit of Rissavarri
Fjord view looking over to the southern Lyngen Peninsula
Hopefully the snow won't give way... John straddling the fence into the forest
April 5: Sun sun and more sun, great spring conditions and also Northern Lights. We headed for a traverse of Uløya Island taking in 3 summits and finally skiing from the summit of Blåtinden for a beach boat pick up on the west side. Super Nice...
Siggi carving the spring snow
Jenny on Blåtinden
Surreal walk, skis, snow and sand...
John boarding the Spirit for a beach pick up and cold beers on board :)
April 4: Amazing day... it's now freezing in the night and super warm in the day, spring arrived quick giving spring corn snow on all east, south and west faces. It's only for this week though as winter will return and I'm sure back to powder shortly... Again super nice groups this week with Siggi from Kastle skis (our ski sponsor) and a group form UK, Switzerland and again one South African joining the crew. Today being the first day we headed up to Store Haugen after some avalanche training. Great first day in spring...
Siggi from Kastle skis cranking down to the sea
John from Newcastle UK was told there was a pint at the bottom... and he bombed it down
Super reflections in the fjord today with zero wind
Katia from Switzerland telemarking
Our group this week from all over the place UK, switzerland, Austria and South Africa...
April 1: Fine weather and still good snow east of the lodge inside the Rotsund Valley. Daniel's group headed up to Storetinden and crossed over to Nordmannvik down the Kipperdalen. Peter's group took the boat to Blåtinden on Uløya for a beach drop and pick up. Photos from Daniel's group on Storetinden.
Telemarking gets you closer to the powder...
Team Switzerland
Way up to Stortinden from Helgeli
March 30: Amazing day and the snow is in top quality. Daniel headed to Kågen for a traverse of Sandnestinden and Peter headed into the Rotsund to ski Svartfjellet. Both reported good snow mid mountain with a little wind blown on the summit regions. I'm having a week off skiing, but just to stretch the legs headed up to Sorbmegaisa for a descent down the main front face. The steep skiing conditions are really shaping up and myself and visiting mate Christian from Oslo bagged a sweet line straight down the main face, the steepest line this season so far. Photos from Daniel's group.
March 29: Two new groups arrived at the lodge this week both with visiting mountain guides. One group from Switzerland led by Daniel Schliefsteiner and the other from Austria led by Peter Gebetsburger. The snow has stabilized and now all descents are in good condition with plenty of powder still on all aspects. Both groups began on sunday with an ascent of Store haugen for a warm up and for the 29th March both groups headed to Uløya for a Kjelvågtinden and a Blåtinden ascent. Powder on both descents and happy campers.
Team Austria on the summit of Kjelvagtinden
March 24: The heavy snows have cleared up and more settled weather is here so groups now get a real chance to see what the Lyngen mountains look like! Our Belgium visitors enjoyed a powder snow skiing day through the forest lines under Store Haugen at the lodge. Marie's group headed to the summit and reported great snow from top to bottom. Photos today from Phillippe.
Route planning for the day
Just above the trees the powder was very light
Benedikte in the lead following Paul the guide.
March 23: A heavy snow day with intense periods of massive snow fall. All groups headed for the trees on Sorbmegaisa middle and south regions and reported deep snow. I was shoveling snow at the lodge and as I was moving the snow it was filling in just as fast...
March 22: A snowy day at the lodge with a huge snow storm blowing in from the North which actually looked like a scene from a Hollywood film set...
Photos again from Dawn.
March 21: A great thanks to last weeks guests for an excellent skiing week. We now welcome two new groups and visting guide Marie from Verbier Switzerland and our own Belgian group who are joining an introductory ski touring week. The first day was spent on Store Haugen with snow avalanche safety training and an ascent of the mountain and a descent in powder. The snow continues.... :) Photos from Dawn Sarasin.
Ascending Store Haugen - a little wind up top
Big smiles as the view opens up
Elg country
March 18: Kagen Island on the cards today for a ski up and down the magnificent west face. Hallelujah... it was just that magnificent from top to bottom, the sun was shining, reflections off the fjord, cold powder blowing. Glen even caught two fish for the lads while we were skiing... A perfect day on planet Lyngen...
Konrad - he ain't waiting, there are cold beers on that boat down there...
Surreal reflections on the Lyngen Fjord below
Volker's turns mid mountain
Pat skiing the steepest slope of the week
Thanks Konrad it's a rare moment on the otherside of the lens...
Mark earning his turns and has forgotten about heli skiing ;)
One more time...
Rocking the boat for an on board apres ski :) DJ's in the boat...
March 17: Sunshine and there's plenty of powder to be skied, so my group led by Elisabeth today headed up Sorbmegaisa. It's St.Patricks day today and luckily we have 3 Irish lads in the group all week, see if you can spot them in the photos below!! The snow was sensational again from top to bottom. Paul's groups took the boat across the fjord and skied Tafeltinden on the Strupbreen glacier.
Climbing up towards Sorbmegaisa just next to the lodge
Where do you think these fine lads are from...? Anyone for Guinness :)
Ewen on the dance floor
Mid mountain on Sorbmegaisa
March 16: Another great day with some fresh snow early morning. My group headed to Svartfjellet located inland to the east. The snow was sensational and the and scenery absolutely dramatic. Paul headed to Sorbmegaisa middle ridge and reported again great snow top to bottom.
Heading towards the imposing walls of Svartfjellet
Three small figures heading up behind. Konrad, Liam and Pat
Reaching the upper section after 40 switchbacks
Very cold on the summit today so a quick deskin and a no sandwich ski....
March 15: Amazing!! Powder top to bottom, zero wind... Lyngen at it's best... Blaatinden Uløya. Thanks :)
Mrk Chitty powder bound to the sea.
Konrad Bartelski... no race gates here...
Liam from Ireland in full swing
Summit of Blåtinden - hip hip hurra
Island traverse East to West
March 14: We welcome our new groups to the lodge this week Konrad Bartelski's group of friends including Mark and Vicky, Ewen, Pat, Liam, Brian and Volker and in Paul's group USA powder magazine Steve Casimiro journalist and photographer, Caroline, Sam, Laura, Stephan.
It was a perfect weather day and the powder is outstanding. We skied Store Haugen for the first day and it's powder top to bottom and even the Northern Lights are out tonight so someone's been good :)
Volker heading towards the trees as the sun begins to set
Konrad happy to be visiting again..
Volker again deep in the mid section of the face of Store Haugen
March 11: The best powder day of the season. We headed up Store Haugen behind the lodge, first working through the forest and up onto the main face of the mountain. At about 800 meters the sun broke through for the first time in over a week and we reached the summit with incredible views acorss the fjord and down the untracked slopes streching down to the beaches. It was only a short spell of good weather as we began to ski down the clouds and snow closed the mountain behind us.
Mandy fromMattias's group on the bottom section just above the forest
Reaching the summit of Store Haugen
Simon and Colin on the last stretch
A short but great moment of clear weather at the top
March 10: Dumping snow like no tomorrow... I had to try a boat day so we headed to Uløya island to try and make our way up to Kjelvagtinden but as soon as we reached the top of the forest the winds kind of beat up back into the trees. We headed down and back to the lodge to ski again through the great trees behind the lodge. It was white, deep and everyone was smiling...
Nola loving the powder..
Andrew May skiing on Uløya
Can you ski anyone...
Back to the boat and back to Base, Colin climbing down
Susan
March 9: Cold powder, trees and birthdays... it's all happening today. Both groups skied to 700m on Sorbmegaisa, after the continuing heavy snow the avalanche risk is high up top so we're lapping the tree lines in super powder :)
Welcome to the mountain birthday ice bar
Andrew's birthday
Tree lines
Head plant of the day... or season?? ;)
Don't worry it's alcohol free champagne.... yer right :)
Hot- tub antics
March 8: Colder temperatures and heavy snow have returned :) It snowed all day long and only tree skiing lines were possible so we lapped the Dalbergen trees and took fresh lines between the Birches behind the lodge, there were some motivational issues within the group and the hot-tub was the preferred activity of the day ;)but as soon as the powder flowed under the skis there were smiles and whoops all round :)
Gordon definately prefering this to the hot-tub
Colin crashed the party
Winter has returned covering everything in deep white
Greame (not me... another one) snowboarding
March 7: We welcome our new Group from South Africa and the UK led by Mr. Andrew May. Most are doctors of sorts so no need to say more about their behaviour... ;) We've had a bit of a weather change as it's warmed up for just today and the snow was the consitancy of porridge... but anyway we made the best out of it and kicked off the week with the group snow safety training and then headed up to Store Haugen but turned before the summit due to strong winds. Well the snow was lets say a little challenging but nevertheless we had fun and back at the lodge the beers are cold and the hot-tub warm... tomorrow the temps are dropping to -5 degrees again and we're expecting 5 days of snow... :)
Hey, wet powder snow is still better than no snow.. keep smiling
Avalanche training - make sure you find the buried...
...Sheep - no one tell Elisabeth... it's hers
Mattias is breaking out the photography skills - it's game on Matty!
We have a guide photo contest...
Mattias leading his group... hmm is it my camera lens or are you guiding a group of small people this week??
Susan gliding on top of the wet powder - watch it... if you fall you're stick
March 5: Heavy snow this morning had covered all tracks from yesterday and for the final day we decided to take the boat top Uløya and ski Blaatinden. We headed to the beach drop off but due to extreme full moon low tide and a northerly swell off the ocean we had to choose another location. Seeing the weather and amount of snowfall we opted for the sure bet of quality skiing and headed up Store Haugen for amazing powder turns and fantastic tree skiing lines... That was our last day for this week's skiing and a big thank you to both groups for a swell week of skiing... :)
Patrick in the air
Peter lapping up the powder.
En route up to Store Haugen
March 3: Snowing overnight and through breakfast so we decided to hold off until the weather improved mid morning. There was no wind and the powder was cold, light and smokey... Our home mountain Store Haugen was trackless and so was Sorbmegaisa just next door so my group headed up directly behind the lodge and Mattias's group a little to the south to Sorbmegaisa. The clouds broke, the sun appeared and the skiing was brill...
Stein Erik - The viking telemarker
Pascal lost no equipment today... just cranking great turns
I might get told different but I think this is Brad our Aussie??
This is Brad celebrating the fine Store Haugen summit..
The morning safety check... Checking Pascal for a signal... there's definitely a short circuit in that head... ;)
Mattia's group:
Reaching the summit of Sorbmegaisa with views over
March 2: It was a double sandwich day as it was another perfect day with not a wave to be seen on the fjord. We headed for the northern point of the Lyngen Peninsula to ski the cross over east to west and take in the super summit of Store Galten (one of my big favorites :) Both groups jumped into the Spirit boat and headed for a beach drop off on the east side. My group headed up over the Gammvik Glacier with amazing views over Kågen island and Mattias's group headed round to the west side for an ascent route up the west face of S.Galten. The snow was super hard at the summit giving way to shallow powder on a hard base. They guys cranked and ski like real legends ;) happy days...
Pascal - despite loosing his helmet, gloves and breaking a pole all in one day...
he still thankfully can ski :)
He's off again...
Peter from Vienna ;) has now made his wife happy with his debut appearance!
A bit blowy on top
Over the Gammvikblåisen with Kågen in the background
Gnarly through the squeaky gorge
Jeremy from Mattias's group laying some decent turns down Store Galten
It's a double sandwich day for Jeremy, Sophie, Nick, Andy, Jonathan and Philippa.
Robin's gammi leg is getting better too....
March 1: Happy new month!! Nice to start the month with a ski :) On the menu today was Kågen island and an ascent of Storesandnestinden and an island crossing, taking in a nice little couloir from the summit. We were pretty much in the shade all day so it was a bit chilly but the scenery on this tour is very variable and incredibly dramatic. Mattias's group skied Uløya and had good powder snow and excellent forest combat skiing.
Brad from AUSTRALIA :) you got the mention Brad ;) dropping in....
Summit... yes it feels good
Wow I made it on the daily report... finally on the other side of the camera :)
Philippa has a birthday and it's the lodge's birthday too - 2 years today
February 28: An amazing day skiing powder in Lyngen !!! We welcome two new groups to the lodge this week for skiing 1) Juniors and 2 the seniors!!
Juniors are Austrian, Swiss and Norwegian and the 2's) a uttely mad bunch from the UK! After yesterday's snowfall, we woke to blue skies and powder. First group headed to store Haugen for my group in the boat to Uløya to ski Kjelvågtinden. Both sensational snow and powder top to bottom. what a start!!!
Ben from Austria skiing towards the beach on Uløya
Ben again hogging the modeling for the camera !
Pascal shouldn't have this much energy on day 1!
Fishing boat crossing below in the Rotsund.
Havørn (Sea Eagle) Europe's largest eagle usually preys on the ski tourer at the back of the group ;) ...
February 26: Corporate ski group from Sparbank Tromsø visited the lodge for office relief and some great skiing. We headed up to Store Haugen reaching first the northern summit and then heading along the spectacular summit ridge to the highest southern summit 1142m. The ski down was hard packed snow at the top and great powder below 700m, the best was through the trees down our newly shaped and cleared runs prepared in summer :)
 |
