Antarctica ski mountaineering expedition
Join a team of certified guides on this unique 19-day expedition to amazing Antarctica! Skiing the spectacular terrain of Anctarctica is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you cannot miss.
Group
19 Days
Jan - Mar, Dec
High
Intermediate
Highlights
- Sail from the Falkland Islands toward the Antarctic Peninsula aboard the expedition vessel Hans Hansson.
- Explore remote ski touring terrain across the South Shetlands, Danco Coast, Northern Gerlache, and surrounding islands.
- Adapt each day’s plan to weather, sea ice, snow stability, visibility, and permit conditions.
Description
Join us on this unique 19-day expedition to amazing Antarctica! Skiing the spectacular terrain of Anctarctica is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you cannot miss.
Traveling aboard the expedition vessel Hans Hansson, you’ll sail from the Falkland Islands toward the Antarctic Peninsula, using the ship and zodiacs to access isolated glaciers, coastal mountains, fjords, and islands that few skiers ever reach.
Over 19 days, the itinerary combines several days of expedition preparation with an extended window for guided ski touring in Antarctica.
Depending on weather, sea ice, snow stability, permits, and visibility, possible objectives include the South Shetland Islands, Danco Coast, Northern Gerlache, Anvers Island, Brabant Island, and other remote areas of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Ski days may involve zodiac landings, skinning, roped glacier travel, crampon sections, and descents through spectacular polar terrain, with elevation gains ranging from moderate outings to climbs of over 1,000 meters.
Flexibility is central to the expedition: guides and crew continually assess conditions to select the safest and most rewarding objectives. When skiing is not possible, wildlife watching, zodiac excursions, photography, hiking, and historical visits provide alternative ways to experience Antarctica.
Join this once-in-a-lifetime Antarctic ski touring expedition and discover some of the most adventurous ski terrain on the planet. Request your spot today!
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Transport during the trip
- Permit and entrance fees
- Mountain guide expenses
- Group equipment
- Personal equipment
- Local flights during the trips
Price details
- Expedition aboard the **Hans Hansson** in shared double cabins.
- Professional crew and all vessel operating costs.
- Required expedition permits.
- Charter flight from King George Island to Punta Arenas.
- Airportto-port transfer in the Falkland Islands.
- Airportto-hotel transfer in Punta Arenas.
- Two **IFMGA/UIAGMcertified mountain guides** throughout the expedition.
- Maximum guideto-client ratio of **1:5**.
- All meals on board.
- Use of kayaks when conditions and operations allow.
- Personal safety equipment required for expedition activities.
- One hotel night in Punta Arenas in a shared room, with breakfast.
- Pretrip technical and equipment advice.
- * Not Included 0*
- Flights to the Falkland Islands.
- International flight home from Punta Arenas.
- Extra hotel nights required by flight connections or delays.
- Alcoholic drinks.
- Personal ski equipment and avalanche safety gear, including transceiver, shovel, and probe.
- Personal expenses.
- Optional tips.
- Mandatory rescue insurance.
- Travel and cancellation insurance, strongly recommended.
Meeting point
Itinerary
Day 1: Embarkation in Stanley
Arrive in Stanley, Falkland Islands, and board the expedition vessel Hans Hansson. After settling in, meet the crew, attend safety and environmental briefings, and review technical equipment, zodiac procedures, biosecurity, and emergency protocols.
Accommodation: Expedition vessel Hans Hansson Meals: All included
Day 2: Sailing Toward Antarctica
Begin the ocean crossing toward the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula. Onboard briefings will cover rescue procedures, rope teams, and preparation of ski and expedition equipment.
Accommodation: Expedition vessel Hans Hansson Meals: All included
Day 3: Polar Preparation at Sea
Continue sailing south while reviewing glacier travel techniques, weather forecasts, and expedition plans. There will also be opportunities to observe seabirds and marine wildlife along the way.
Accommodation: Expedition vessel Hans Hansson Meals: All included
Day 4: Glacier Safety and Route Planning
Guides will review roped glacier travel, equipment use, and procedures for cold, poor visibility, and emergencies while the crew assesses sea, ice, and weather conditions for the first possible landings.
Accommodation: Expedition vessel Hans Hansson Meals: All included
Day 5: Approaching Antarctica
Complete the estimated crossing and begin assessing possible anchorages, zodiac landings, and glacier conditions. The objective is to be ready to ski as soon as a safe and authorized opportunity arises.
Accommodation: Expedition vessel Hans Hansson Meals: All included
Day 6: First Ski Touring Day
Begin the main skiing window. Depending on weather, sea ice, visibility, and glacier conditions, the day may include a zodiac landing, skinning and roped travel, crampon sections, and a ski descent.
Accommodation: Expedition vessel Hans Hansson Meals: All included
Day 7: Skiing Among Islands and Fjords
Explore potential ski objectives around the South Shetlands, Northern Gerlache, or Danco Coast. Routes will be selected according to current conditions, with alternative polar activities offered when skiing is not possible.
Accommodation: Expedition vessel Hans Hansson Meals: All included
Day 8: Ski Touring on Glacial Terrain
Make the most of the best weather window for a moderate or longer ski tour across glacial terrain and variable snow, with possible elevation gains of 500 to over 1,000 meters.
Accommodation: Expedition vessel Hans Hansson Meals: All included
Day 9: Antarctic Mountains and Fjords
Enjoy a flexible day exploring the best available terrain among islands, fjords, and coastal mountains. After a zodiac approach, the guides will assess access, snow, crevasses, and visibility before confirming the day’s ascent and descent.
Accommodation: Expedition vessel Hans Hansson Meals: All included
Day 10: Exploring the Danco Coast
Explore possible objectives around the Danco Coast, including areas such as Paradise Harbour, Andvord Bay, Neko Harbour, or Enterprise Island. Final destinations will depend entirely on conditions and permits.
Accommodation: Expedition vessel Hans Hansson Meals: All included
Day 11: Small-Group Ski Ascents
Continue ski touring in small guided groups, with ascents typically lasting three to eight hours when conditions allow. After returning onboard, rest while the vessel repositions toward the next promising area.
Accommodation: Expedition vessel Hans Hansson Meals: All included
Day 12: Adapting to Antarctic Conditions
We'll choose the day’s objective according to weather, visibility, sea ice, and snow stability. Depending on conditions, the group may explore Northern Gerlache, the Danco Coast, nearby islands, or more sheltered terrain.
Accommodation: Expedition vessel Hans Hansson Meals: All included
Day 13: Ambitious Antarctic Objectives
Explore areas around Anvers Island, Brabant Island, Neumayer Channel, Doumer Island, or other accessible locations. More ambitious summits may be considered only when conditions, timing, and group ability provide sufficient safety margins.
Accommodation: Expedition vessel Hans Hansson Meals: All included
Day 14: Skiing, Glaciers and Zodiacs
Another flexible day of ski touring, potentially combining zodiac access, skinning, roped glacier travel, crampon sections, and a descent along the route assessed during the ascent.
Accommodation: Expedition vessel Hans Hansson Meals: All included
Day 15: Searching for the Best Ski Terrain
Continue exploring the South Shetlands, Northern Gerlache, and Danco Coast in search of the best skiing conditions. The Lemaire Channel and Kiev Peninsula may also be considered if exceptional ice conditions allow access.
Accommodation: Expedition vessel Hans Hansson Meals: All included
Day 16: Ski Touring or Polar Exploration
Make the most of the penultimate skiing opportunities on the Antarctic Peninsula. If conditions prevent skiing, alternatives may include zodiac excursions, wildlife observation, photography, historical visits, or authorized hikes.
Accommodation: Expedition vessel Hans Hansson Meals: All included
Day 17: Final Antarctic Activity
Enjoy the final planned skiing or exploration window before the ship begins positioning toward King George Island. Activities will depend on conditions, vessel location, and the charter flight schedule.
Accommodation: Expedition vessel Hans Hansson Meals: All included
Day 18: Flight to Punta Arenas
Arrive in the King George Island area and coordinate the charter flight to Punta Arenas. Flight timing may change due to Antarctic weather. Upon arrival in Chile, transfer to the hotel for the night.
Accommodation: Hotel in Punta Arenas, subject to flight operation Meals: Breakfast
Day 19: Departure From Punta Arenas
After breakfast in Punta Arenas, international return begins to the country of origin, aiming to arrive before Christmas. Flexible tickets are recommended, as the hotel night provides initial margin for Antarctic flight changes but does not guarantee to absorb unlikely delays of multiple days in case of bad weather for the Drake Passage flight.
Accommodation: Not applicable
Meals: Breakfast
Details
Accommodation
During the expedition, you will stay aboard the Hans Hansson, a compact 26.5 m expedition vessel with a reinforced steel hull designed for polar navigation. Final cabin arrangements are subject to confirmation. One hotel night in Punta Arenas is included after the charter flight.
Disclaimer
The itinerary is flexible and adjusted daily according to weather, snow, sea conditions, permits, and safety. Potential areas include the South Shetlands, Northern Gerlache, Danco Coast, Anvers, and Brabant, but no specific summit or ski descent can be guaranteed.
If skiing is not possible, alternative activities may include zodiac excursions, wildlife watching, photography, kayaking, historical visits, or short hikes, depending on local conditions and regulations.
The charter flight from King George Island is also weather dependent and may operate earlier or later than planned. In case of delays, the group will normally remain onboard. Flexible onward flights and travel insurance are strongly recommended.
Equipment you will need to bring
Ski equipment
- Skis or splitboard, poles, ski boots, climbing skins, and helmet.
- Ski and boot bags.
- Mandatory avalanche safety gear: backpack, transceiver, shovel, and probe.
Glacier equipment
Required for glacier travel:
- Ski/mountaineering harness.
- Petzl Micro Traxion or equivalent pulley ascender.
- Petzl Tibloc or equivalent emergency ascender.
- 120 cm sewn sling.
- 3 locking carabiners, including one suitable for the Micro Traxion.
- 1 ice screw, 17–21 cm.
- Classic mountaineering ice axe.
- Boot crampons.
- Ski crampons.
- Optional: 5–6 mm auxiliary cord or similar.
Boat equipment
- Rubber boots and a waterproof jacket are recommended.
- Bring a soft duffel bag only; rigid suitcases cannot be accepted due to limited storage space onboard.
Clothing and personal gear
- 20–35 L backpack with ski-carry straps.
- Mountain ski pants and ski socks.
- Thermal base layer.
- Fleece or similar mid layer.
- Waterproof Gore-Tex-type jacket and pants.
- Lightweight down or synthetic insulated jacket.
- Neck gaiter.
- Thin and insulated gloves.
- Warm hat and sun cap.
- Sunglasses and ski goggles.
- Headlamp.
- Water bottle or thermos of at least 1 L.
- Sunscreen and lip balm.
- Mountain snacks such as bars, gels, or nuts.
- 20–35 L backpack with ski-carry straps.
- Mountain ski pants and ski socks.
- Thermal base layer.
- Fleece or similar mid layer.
- Waterproof Gore-Tex-type jacket and pants.
- Lightweight down or synthetic insulated jacket.
- Neck gaiter.
- Thin and insulated gloves.
- Warm hat and sun cap.
- Sunglasses and ski goggles.
- Headlamp.
- Water bottle or thermos of at least 1 L.
- Sunscreen and lip balm.
- Mountain snacks such as bars, gels, or nuts.
Optional items include spare batteries, camera, power bank, and personal first-aid kit.
Onboard power: The vessel has 220V European-style sockets for charging phones, cameras, and other devices.
About the guide
B4Experience
5.0
(5)
Guiding agency
B4Experience was founded in 2021 by a team of professional mountain guides and outdoor enthusiasts.
Our main director and guide is Jordi Tosas, a UIAGM guide with more than 40 years of experience in expeditions worldwide.
Our entire team will organize the best trip or expedition out of the main commercial routes to discover and enjoy the best mountain destinations.
Skiing in Nepal, Karakorum, Svalbard, or trekking the best mountains in the Alps, Pyrenees, and Africa, but also rock climbing or ice climbing, are some of our proposals.
Languages
Spanish | English | French | Catalan
Certificates
IFMGA
What people are saying about B4Experience
Awesome week!! The place, the company, and Núria who gives off such great vibes!!!!
Brutal experience!
An incredible experience led by Nuria Picas, who was excellent in her sporting skills and also demonstrated great knowledge of Montblanc.
100% Recommended! A week-long experience with a group of 15 mountain enthusiasts, led by world-renowned expert Nuria Picas, who stands out not only for her professionalism and talent but also for her warmth and personal touch. She fostered a fantastic atmosphere within the group, making all participants feel included. This activity is highly recommended, both for exploring the Tour du Mont Blanc and for preparing for the UTMB race, as well as for disconnecting for a few days, meeting people with similar interests, and learning from others, which is always incredibly enriching. Special mention must be made of the warm and friendly service from the entire b4experience team, who ensured we had everything we needed so we could focus solely on running and enjoying each day.
The best experience of my life. Superbly organized, Núria Picas gets a 10/10, 100% recommended.
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