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This is ski touring with a magnificent sense of journey. Aboard the beautifully restored oak boat Örkin, you’ll explore the remote Hornstrandir peninsula in Iceland’s Westfjords, travelling through a landscape of snowy summits, sweeping coastal valleys and deep blue water.
Each morning, the boat brings you to the start of a new adventure. From the shoreline, you climb steadily into the mountains, watching the fjord fall away beneath you. Reach the ridge and another world opens up: white peaks stretching along the coast, the ocean reaching towards the horizon, and your next descent unfolding below.
Then comes the reward. Peel off your skins, point your skis towards the next fjord and enjoy the journey down. Far below, Örkin waits to welcome you aboard — ready for a hearty meal, stories around the table and a peaceful night on the water.
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Ski ability and safety
You must have some previous ski touring experience, confidence skiing off-piste in varied snow and good fitness for consecutive mountain days.
You’ll explore with an experienced ski guide, starting with a safety briefing. Daily routes, crossings and boat pickups are planned around the group’s ability and the mountain and sea conditions.
Contact us before booking to discuss your experience and make sure the trip is right for you.
Terrain and Location
Hornstrandir is a spectacular, uninhabited peninsula in Iceland’s far northwest, where mountains rise between deeply cut fjords and quiet bays. Exploring by boat gives the whole trip a wonderful freedom: your accommodation moves along the coast while you travel through the mountains.
The fjord-to-fjord crossings are the heart of this adventure. Rather than returning along your tracks, you move through the landscape, discovering what lies beyond each ridge. One side holds the morning’s anchorage; the other reveals a fresh valley leading towards your afternoon rendezvous with the boat.
Expect moments that make you stop mid-stride: sunlight catching a distant headland, the curve of an empty bay beneath your skis, or the tiny outline of Örkin giving scale to the mountains around you.
Routes and boat pickups are planned around weather, sea and snow conditions. When everything comes together, it’s a remarkable way to experience Iceland — under your own steam, from shore to summit and down to the sea again.
Weather and Snow conditions
Weather shapes the adventure. Your guide and boat crew adapt the programme to mountain and sea conditions, choosing routes and anchorages accordingly.
Bring a spirit of exploration and be ready for plans to change. Watching the landscape from the deck, sharing a meal aboard and enjoying the stillness of a sheltered fjord are all part of the experience.
YOUR FLOATING MOUNTAIN BASE
There’s a special feeling when the boat comes into view after a day in the mountains.
Back aboard Örkin, take off your boots, warm up and settle in as the crew looks after you. Step onto the deck and look back at the mountains you’ve just crossed.
For five nights, this restored oak boat is your home in the fjords. Accommodation is shared, with bunk-style sleeping arrangements—a cosy expedition base where life aboard is part of the adventure.
Hearty meals, good company and the gentle rhythm of life on the water bring everyone together around the table.
Between outings, relax on deck or try the onboard paddleboards when conditions permit. For the brave, there’s even the prospect of a cold-water dip.
YOUR SEA TO SUMMIT ADVENTURE
Day 1 — Leave the harbour behind
Meet at Ísafjörður harbour at 11:00. After the safety briefing, head towards the remote fjords of Hornstrandir and settle into your floating base. A first ski outing may be possible before dinner.
Days 2–5 — Through the fjords, over the mountains
Step ashore for guided touring journeys through this extraordinary coastal wilderness. Climb from one fjord, cross the mountains and descend towards the next, where the boat meets you when the planned route and conditions allow.
Every crossing brings a different perspective on the coastline. Back aboard, refuel, relax and share the day’s stories while looking ahead to tomorrow’s adventure.
Day 6 — Final turns and the journey home
Enjoy a final ski outing before returning to Ísafjörður. The planned return allows for the afternoon domestic flight; confirm suitable flight timings with us before booking.
This is an example itinerary. Ski outings, crossings, pickups and timings depend on weather, sea and snow conditions.
THE POWDER MAD WAY
A new shoreline. A climb into the quiet. Another fjord waiting beyond the ridge.
This trip is for those who love the feeling of going somewhere — tracing a route through wild mountains, earning every turn and sharing the experience with a small crew of fellow adventurers.
At the end of the day, look back from the deck and follow your journey across the skyline.
That’s Sea to Summit, the Powder Mad way.
Your guides and hosts
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Your guides and hosts
Our partner Sóti provides the experienced ski guide and onboard hospitality. Your guide leads the mountain journeys, working with the boat crew to shape the programme around conditions.
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TRIP SUMMARY
18–23 April
25–30 April
2–7 May — sold out
What's included
What's not included
Please arrange any hire requirements before travelling. Contact us to confirm travel arrangements and any other costs outside the package.
Ready to trade the everyday for mountain mornings and life on the water?
Contact Powder Mad to discuss your experience, departure dates and booking details.
Get in touch
Book a call with Jem (Powder Mad Founder) or get in touch via email or WhatsApp, or use the form below. All fields are required.
