North Pole Last Degree Ski
“This has probably been the one experience in my life that has cemented more than any other that the real fun is the journey and not the destination. Getting to the Pole was brilliant, but the trip there, with some fantastic folks, was what made it. So a huge thanks to you all.”
The North Pole is extremely remote. But everywhere on the planet can be influenced by global politics including the North Pole. Due to the war in Ukraine the North Pole is currently not accessible through Svalbard, Norway only through Russia. We are available to answer your questions about the expedition and your options for getting there. Give us a call or send us a message.
Long days, arduous conditions and difficult terrain. Sound like fun? We think so! The North Pole Last Degree Ski Expedition has historically been our most popular polar expedition and it is an adventure in every sense of the word. Traveling across the dynamic polar pack ice requires patience and agility, not to mention a flexible attitude to deal with the many diversions that pop up over the course of each day. From open water "leads" to huge pressure ridges, there are many obstacles on this expedition that make reaching the North Pole all the more satisfying. On this classic North Pole Ski Expedition you will ski the "last degree" of latitude from 89ºN to 90ºN. That's 60 nautical miles or 111km as the crow flies, but you rarely travel in a straight line. Rather you'll take the path of least resistance, often zig-zagging to avoid open water or areas with significant pressure ridges. During the day you'll travel in one hour "marches" pulling sleds that weigh around 40 kg. At night you'll take to the shelter of your tents to rest and replenish your body. Despite 24 hours of daylight you'll have no trouble falling asleep! The dynamic nature of the Polar Sea keep keeps everyone on their toes, ready for anything and marveling at all that is seen. There's no place on Earth like it! If you've always wanted to travel to the North Pole; if you love a challenge; if you thrive on hard work; if you're adaptable, and can work well within a team; this may be the ideal expedition for you.
Dates & Rates
2025 Tentative Dates:
April 1-14, 2025*
*Contact us for more information about the dates and timing.
2025 Price:
TBA (in 2023 the expedition price was €53,000 per person*)
*Price increases after December 1, annually.
We also have options for "highly supported" expeditions with exceptionally high guide to client ratios. Contact us for details.
Participants receive a discount on our 5-day Polar Shakedown Training. Click here for more details.
Inclusions:
All group equipment, ski system, sleeping system, guide(s), communication & safety gear, North Pole certificate.
A 25% deposit will hold your space. Payment in full is due by December 1, 2024.
Itinerary
This itinerary is subject to change based on the starting location of the expedition, weather, and various logistics.
Pre-Expedition:
Arrive at the starting location for the expedition (contact us for details).
DAY 1 - 2
Review of equipment, pre-flight briefing and travel to the Barneo Basecamp.
DAY 3
Fly to 89 degrees North latitude, strap on skis and head North!
DAY 4-11
Ski north towards the Pole! Days are spent skiing and taking relatively short breaks. Evenings are spent setting up camp, preparing meals and spending time with fellow expedition team members.
Day 12-14: Return from Barneo to civilization. End of expedition.
Qualifications
This expedition is for people who are in good shape, and are eager to push themselves physically and mentally. Though the skiing is quite demanding, it does not require significant skill.You will need to have very good cardiovascular endurance and the ability to pull a heavy sled (between 30-40 kilos) for several hours at a time. Most importantly you need to be able to regulate your body temperature so that you do not get too cold, or too hot while you are on the move.
Towards the end of the day it is critical that you have the energy reserves to set up camp and help out with the basic necessities of camp life including making water, cooking, etc. This expedition will encounter extremely cold conditions, and living in such cold conditions 24 hours a day can be very challenging.You do not have to be a world class athlete to participate in and enjoy this expedition, but every ounce of training and preparation will help to make the expedition more enjoyable and safer.
Please contact us with further questions!
Equipment
Upon registration, you will receive a comprehensive gear guide that explains the importance of each item as well as gear recommendations from our past participants. Please contact us for more information about your personal gear and group gear for this expedition.
Several items on our equipment checklist are available from our store.
North Pole Last Degree Video
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