Antarctic Peninsula

Ski & Sail Expedition

Duration: 20 days
Season: October – December
Mountain Range: Antarctic Peninsula Cordillera

About the tour:

Ski touring on the Antarctic Peninsula is more than a trip – it’s a true expedition to the end of the Earth. Sail past Cape Horn, cross the infamous Drake Passage, and explore one of the wildest, most remote landscapes on the planet. Towering glaciers, drifting icebergs, ancient volcanoes, and untouched ski lines await – all alongside penguins, seals, whales, and history frozen in time.

HIGHLIGHTS:

– Ski on untouched slopes with panoramic views of the Southern Ocean

– Sail through the legendary Drake Passage and Beagle Channel

– Explore Deception Island’s volcanic caldera and abandoned whaling stations

– Ride near icebergs and penguin colonies on inflatable boats

– Visit the British Antarctic Base and send a postcard from the edge of the world

– Spot seals, whales, and possibly orcas in their natural habitat

– Travel aboard an Arctic-ready yacht with a small group and expert crew

PRICE:

13500$ per person for a group of 5-6 people

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MOUNTAIN RANGE:

Antarctic Peninsula Cordillera

SEASON:

October – December

Base camp altitude:

0 m.a.s.l.

Duration:

20 days

Ability level:

intermediate, advanced/expert

Start point:

Ushuaia (Argentina)

meteoblue

Itinerary:

Ushuaia (Argentina) – Beagle Channel – Drake Passage – Antarctic Peninsula – Return via same route

Day by day Schedule:

Day 1

Welcome to Ushuaia! We will meet you at the airport, take you to your hotel and after resting we will arrange a city tour and, of course, try Argentine wine and local cuisine at dinner in one of the restaurants.

Day 2

We will check into the yacht, undergo a safety briefing and begin our voyage. This day we will enjoy calm waters and breathtaking views of the Beagle Channel.

Day 3-6

The most difficult part of the expedition is the Drake Passage. We recommend to have travel sickness pills and download movies and audiobooks in advance. Although the voyage is difficult (we won’t hide it), the memories of it will remain vivid, and you can be proud of yourself, since you personally experienced one of the most difficult sea passages in the world.

Day 7

And here we are in Antarctica! We’ll start with a visit to Yankee Harbor and Halfmoon Island. Here we will see the first Antarctic penguin, and also, if we are lucky, a rookery for sea elephants and seals. Well, of course, if the weather permits, we’ll do a trial warm-up ski touring on the nearby slopes.

Day 8

We will reach Deception Island and anchor in the flooded caldera of an underwater volcano. Once upon a time there was a whaling base here. After the ski touring on the island, we will definitely walk around it in search of ancient artifacts – the remains of huts and boats, a whaling cemetery and the remains of whales.

Day 9

We’ll anchor near Trinity Island, ski touring near a penguin colony and riding an inflatable boat between icebergs and rocks – breathtaking views and photos guaranteed.

Day 10

We’ll spend the night near the sunken whaling ship Enterprise – the bay really looks mysterious and exciting! For ski touring, we will go to the nearest island, where a stunning panorama of icebergs floating in the water opens up.

Day 11

The islands of Orne Harbor and Cuverville are home to colonies of penguins and cormorants. When we ski higher, if the weather is clear, we will be able to see whales and seals and, of course, the huge glaciers located nearby.

Day 12

If weather conditions permit, we will sail through the Lemaire Strait. Its narrowest point is 300 meters. The passage inside the tunnel with 400-meter walls will take your breath away. Sometimes whales and killer whales come here. And the island of Yalour, which awaits us after passing the strait, is the habitat of a colony of Adélie penguins.

Day 13

We will anchor near the port of Lockroy, where the British Arctic Museum is located and where you can send postcards to the mainland. There are excellent ski touring spots on the neighboring island, which we will definitely explore.

Day 14-17

The Drake Passage awaits us again. The good news: as a rule, the road back is smoother. Before returning to Ushuiaya, we will anchor in the Beagle Channel, walk along one of the islands, see the colony of penguins living on the grass, and have a barbecue right on the deck.

Day 18

We will pass the Beagle Channel and return to Ushuaia. We will say “goodbye” to the yacht and its crew and move to the hotel. In the evening we will go to a local bar to celebrate the end of the voyage.

Day 19

We will go to Tierra del Fuego National Park to admire the local landscapes. In the evening we will exchange emotions at a festive dinner.

Day 20

End of the program. Transfer to the airport.

Clothing and equipment

Safety:
– avalanche equipment (avalanche safety kit: shovel, probe, transciever,
– airbag backpack (optionally)
– freeride backpack with ski/snowboard fixation (volume 25-40 liters)
– helmet
– goggles with a spare lens for foggy conditions (better to have 2 goggles)

Personal clothing and accessories:
– thermal base layer
– memrane jacket and pants
– insulation layers, downy sweater or vest
– warm down jacket
– extra set of thermal base layer
– lightweight trekking shoes or boots
– high-leg wellies
– fleece or softshell gloves
– warm mittens
– beanie
– light cap
– neck warmer
– sunscreen with a high degree of UV protection SPF 50+
– sunglasses
– swimsuit, towel and flip-flops for visiting SPA
– personal AID kit (seasickness medication, pain and flu medication, adhesive tape, individual medications in case of having chronic diseases)
– isothermal foil survival blanket
– repair kit (spare parts and tools for adjustment and repair your bindings, duct tape, rubber straps)
– thermos
– water tank
– head lamp
– personal hygienic items
– spare batteries for your electronic devices
– adaptor for outlet charging, if needed (220V 50Hz European outlet)

Equipment:
– ski touring boots
– ski touring/splitboarding set
– climbing skins
– telescopic poles
– ski/splitboard crampons
– ice axe
– mountaineering crampons

Food:
– individual snacks (muesli, protein, chocolate of other bars, dry fruits and nuts, special mount nutrition and etc.)

Services included in the package:

1. Accommodation in the hotel in Ushuaia (Days 1, 18, 19), double cabin on Arctic-class yacht (Days 2–17)
2. All transfers according to the program.
3. Meals indicated in the program in Ushuaia and four-time meals on the yacht.
4. All environmental and ecological fees.
5. All documentation and permits for the sailing voyage.
6. Drinks during sailing on the yacht.
7. Professional English-speaking skiing guide.

Services does not included in the package:

1. Rental of ski and avalanche equipment.
2. Meals and drinks not indicated in the program and/or not included into the tour price.
3. Visa support and registration on the territory of Argentina, if required.
4. Personal expenses and other expenses not indicated in the program.
5. Insurance policy (mandatory).
6. International flights to/from Ushuaia.

Please, note:

Best for intermediate, advanced or expert riders with previous backcountry / alpine touring experience.

Conditions can change rapidly: snowpack stability, weather, avalanche risk will be monitored continuously and the itinerary adjusted as needed.

When sailing to Antarctica, comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory. It must cover injuries and illnesses sustained in remote polar regions, backcountry, ski-touring, ski‑mountaineering and air or sea evacuation from Antarctica to South America (Chile or Argentina).

Apply for the tour