skiSentinel Range, Ellsworth Mountains

Ski Mt. Vinson — Antarctica

ELEVATION16,050 ft

DURATION11 days

GRADEextreme

LOCATIONAntarctica

DATESNov 26 – Dec 6 or Dec 7 – Dec 18

Overview

For those looking to ski Mt. Vinson, it's definitely possible — we have skied right off the summit. Conditions can definitely be rough on the upper mountain, but we have had great skiing just above Low Camp and all around Basecamp. The other big benefit is how easy and quick it is to get from the summit back to High Camp. You are probably not going to ski powder, but a trip like this is not about the skiing — it's about the adventure. Very few people have skied from the summit. If this intrigues you, and you understand that good skiing is about the terrain, get in touch. Antarctica is a stunningly beautiful and unique place. Weather can be sunny and near 0°C or stormy and windy with temperatures plummeting to below -40°C. With 24 hours of sunlight in the summer months (December and January), we set our own schedule based on shade and weather. We employ 3 camps: Vinson Base Camp, Low Camp, and High Camp. This is an unsupported expedition — we carry all food and gear and set up all camps ourselves. We use sleds between VBC and Low Camp, and often do double carries on the move to High Camp. Logistics are contracted through ALE (Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions), flying from Punta Arenas, Chile to Union Glacier on a blue-ice runway, then by Twin Otter to Vinson Base Camp.

Highlights

Ski from the summit of Antarctica's highest peak at 16,050 ft

One of the Seven Summits — a true expedition mountaineering experience

24 hours of sunlight during the December–January summer

IFMGA-certified guide Todd Passey — most experienced Vinson guide in Antarctica

Fly from Punta Arenas, Chile via ALE logistics to Union Glacier

Three-camp expedition with sleds and double carries

Mind-blowing Antarctic scenery and extreme remoteness

Gallery

Group of skiers skinning above Arctic fjord on Ski Mt. Vinson — Antarctica expedition, Svalbard Norway

Ski mountaineers ascending steep couloir above Arctic sea in Svalbard, Norway

IFMGA guide bootpacking with skis on Svalbard summit ridge above ice-filled fjord

Ski touring group beneath dramatic rock spires in Svalbard Arctic wilderness

Ski tourers ascending glaciated terrain toward Svalbard summit with sea views

Arctic glacier calving face viewed from expedition vessel Ulla Rinman, Svalbard

Skier making turns on corn snow with panoramic Arctic landscape, Svalbard

Guides and clients at remote Svalbard ridgeline above frozen Arctic fjord

Sea-to-ski group skinning up Svalbard peak with icy fjord and glaciers below

Svalbard glacier and fjord landscape from ski touring approach, Arctic Norway

Skiers descending open snowfield above Arctic ocean in Svalbard

Itinerary

DAY 1

Fly to Antarctica

Fly from Punta Arenas, Chile to Union Glacier on a blue-ice runway (approx. 4 hours). Transfer by vehicle to the ALE Union Glacier Camp.

DAY 2

Fly to Vinson Base Camp

Board Twin Otter aircraft for a scenic 1-hour flight to Vinson Base Camp (approx. 7,000 ft) on the west side of the mountain.

DAY 3

VBC to Low Camp

5.5-mile approach with 2,000+ ft of vertical gain. Pull sleds up a gently rising glacier with some crevassing. Allow 4–6 hours.

DAY 4

Low Camp Carry to High Camp Fixed Lines

Carry food and fuel to the top of the fixed lines to lighten loads on move day. Fixed ropes climb ~3,500 ft at maximum 45 degrees — mix of snow, ice, and rocky sections.

DAY 5

Move to High Camp

Full carry to High Camp at 12,500 ft. A big effort — prepare for a rest day upon arrival.

DAY 6

Rest Day at High Camp

Rest and acclimatize at 12,500 ft. Final preparation for summit day.

DAY 7

Summit Day

3,700 ft of vertical gain over 4.25 miles — 8.5-mile round trip taking 8–12 hours. Gradually rising glacier, then steepening slopes to the summit ridge. Summit at 16,050 ft. Ski descent from the summit.

DAY 8

Descent to VBC

Descend through all camps back to Vinson Base Camp, enjoying the ski terrain on the way down.

DAY 9

Fly to Union Glacier

Weather permitting, fly by Twin Otter back to Union Glacier Camp.

DAY 10

Union Glacier — Weather Reserve

Buffer day for weather delays, which are common in Antarctica. Explore the glacier camp.

DAY 11

Fly to Punta Arenas

Flight back to Punta Arenas, Chile. End of expedition.

FROM$57,000 / person

Nov 26 – Dec 6 or Dec 7 – Dec 18

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