Antarctica Skiing & Kayaking Expedition

Destination

Antarctica Peninsula

Duration

11 days

Price

15,000 Euros

Trip Type

Difficulty

3/5

Antarctica Skiing and Kayaking Adventure

Embark on the ultimate polar adventure aboard Elsi, a purpose-built schooner designed to explore the most remote and rugged terrain on Earth. Small enough to access hidden anchorages yet spacious and stable for open-sea crossings, Elsi is the ideal base for this immersive Antarctica multisport expedition. Over 11 days, you’ll explore the wild reaches of the Antarctic Peninsula through a combination of ski touring, Antarctica kayaking, and coastal exploration—led by experienced polar guides who tailor each day to the weather and sea conditions.

Our Antarctica ski tour will take you deep into glacier-covered landscapes, where you’ll skin up untouched ridgelines and carve turns down snow-filled valleys surrounded by towering peaks. Wildlife is never far—expect to ski past penguin colonies, seal haul-outs, and seabirds soaring overhead. Meanwhile, our Antarctica kayak expedition offers a completely different perspective: paddling through iceberg-filled bays, navigating around humpback whales and towering glacier fronts, and drifting in silence among sculpted sea ice.

This is unlike any trip—this is your chance to ski Antarctica, kayak where few ever have, and experience one of the last true wildernesses on Earth with Expedition Engineering.

Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.

Gustave Flaubert

Highlights

Experience the antarctic aboard our “Adventure” vessel, where the focus is on outside adventures, as we ski, kayak and hike our way along the Antarctic Peninsula. Ski the Glaciers and rugged mountains of the southern most continent. Tour past vast penguin colonies. Witness awe inspiring vistas of an ocean of icebergs as you descend on skis from rugged peaks. This is the trip of lifetime!

Itinerary

Day 1: Meet Punta Arenas airport

This is an 11 day Antarctica ski trip and multisport expedition that starts and finishes in Punta Arenas. This itinerary is subject to weather and ocean conditions for the duration of the trip.

Meet Punta Arenas airport, charter flight to King George Island. Meet Elsi and the crew and move onboard.
Safety and environmental briefings.

Day 2: Transit to Yankee Harbour

Transit to Yankee Harbour on Greenwich Island. Morning ski and kayak outing. Move across to Livingstone Island afternoon ski and kayak outing.

Day 3: Transit to Deception Island

Transit to Deception Island, discover the history and tales of the old Whale Station, hike up to Neptune’s Window, ski and kayak outing.

Day 4: Transit to Enterprise Island

Transit to Enterprise Island. Ski Nansen Island. Kayak around Enterprise Island and through an iceberg graveyard.

Day 5: Curverville Island

Curverville Island – Visit the Gentoo Penguin colony, ski Mount Tenant, kayak the Errera Channel

Day 6 & 7: Transit to Paradise Harbour

Transit to Paradise Harbour – Lots of kayaking and skiing objectives exist in this area as well a number fun non activity outings

Day 8: Transit through the LeMaire Channel

Day 8 – Transit through the LeMaire Channel – Kayak and zodiac cruise Pleneau Harbour, ski Mt Scott.

Day 9: Visit Vernadsky

Visit Vernadsky Base, Ski Mount Mill, Kayak the Argentine Islands.

Day 10: Port Lockroy

Visit the English base and gift store. Ski Doumer Island or Mount Jabet. Kayak the Neumayer Channel. Transit to King George Island in the afternoon.

Day 11: Disembark in the am

Fly to Punta Arenas

Accommodations

Elsi is 38 meters long, 7 meters wide boat. The boat was built in 1986 at a German shipyard as an expedition training vessel. It went through an extensive refit in 2013 and was used for humanitarian expeditions in remote parts of the world, Elsi started it’s new life as an expedition sail boat in the Arctic and Antarctica in 2022. Elsi is sturdy, comfortable, and perfect for reaching out of the way, unique places

There are two cabin options for guests. The boat has 3, twin share cabins with upper and lower bunks and 3 triple cabins. There are 3 bathrooms with toilet, sink and shower. The dining area is massive and comfortable, our onboard chef will keep us well fed with hearty and tasty meals. The upper deck is huge providing plenty of space to storage equipment and to relax while enjoying the incredible scenery. If you’d prefer to stay warm but don’t want to miss anything there is also a large pilothouse which stays toasty warm.

Dates & Rates

2025

January 17 to 27 – Full

2026

Please Enquire

Prices from

Starting from $ 15,000 Euros

What's Included

Charter Flight Punta Arenas to Hing George Island (Antarctica)
10 nights onboard Elsi
All meals on board the ship
All shore excursions from the ship including zodiacs
Expedition Guide Services – Ski guides and Kayak Guides
Kayaks and Kayaking Equipment
Port taxes and charges imposed by government authorities

Not Included

Flights to and from Punta Arenas
Single Supplements
Visas, passport and vaccination charges and airport departure tax
Hotels and meals not included in the voyage itinerary
optional excursions not included in the voyage itinerary
Laundry, personal clothing, medical expenses, personal travel insurance and items of a personal nature such as bar charges and phone/email charges
Emergency evacuation charges

Weather

Generally the weather in Antarctica is stable in the summer with sunny days and light winds, it can however be overcast or even stormy. Temperatures hover between -10C and +5C.

Activities

This trip is suited for skiers, kayakers as well as those who do not want to ski or kayak, making it the perfect vacation for couples or families looking to do different things while in Antarctica. Generally the skiers will look to go skiing on days when the skies are clear and the visibility is good, however we will try to go skiing at every opportunity. The kayakers are looking for less windy days, and visibility or some wind isn’t a problem. With the skiers and kayakers out on their own adventure the non-activity based guests will have a dedicated zodiac and driver/interpretative guide to take you to penguin colonies, historic sights, go for a short hike or cruise around in a zodiac getting really close to icebergs interacting with incredible wildlife or exploring glacier fronts.

Ski touring The skiing in Antarctica is almost all done on glaciers, and the peaks are rugged-generally rising to 1500m above sea level. Guests need to be proficient skiers and have previous ski touring experience. With a ratio of 1 guide to six guess, we can accommodate differing abilities with multiple ski groups. We will often be roped up as we ascend the peninsula’s glaciers. The conditions can be anything from powder to spring like corn skiing, depending on the conditions of the week.

Sea Kayaking is another activity option during the trip. Sea kayak with whales, penguins, leopard seals, and icebergs. Truly immerse yourself in the aquatic world of the Antarctic. Minke whales, humpback whales are orca are regular paddling companions.

Zodiac Tours are another option for those looking for slightly less physical excursion but still want to enjoy all the incredible experiences of the Antarctic. Visiting penguin colonies, historical sites, and tidewater glaciers, you won’t miss out!

Trip Map

Pictures & Videos

FAQs

What sort of weather can expect?

Usually the summer brings higher pressure and settled weather but be prepared for everything from dead calm and sunny days to blizzard conditions and lots of snow. The average temperature is 0 degrees C during January.

Is there communication onboard the boat?

There is satellite communications onboard through satellite phones and an onboard satellite email service.

Do we ski really steep slopes?

Generally no, Antarctica is incredible glaciated. Anything that is really steep is normally very crevassed. We look for fun skiing in the 28 to 40 degree rage

Are Split boarders welcome?

Yes, of course as long as you have experience in the backcountry as a split boarder

Can I charge my electronics onboard the boat?

Yes, the boat has multiple 220 volt outlets. There is plenty of opportunities to charge your electronics.

What is the food like onboard?

The Food is excellent. Meals are hearty and made with local Argentine produce and ingredients as much as possible. We are happy to cater for vegetarians and other special dietary requirements. Please let us know at the time of booking. It’s a good idea to bring along some of your own dietary substitutes if you have a specialist diet.

Do I need to be an expert skier?

Skiers should be of an advanced standard and have completed multiple ski tours to feel comfortable on this trip. You should be able ski tour up about 1000 meters/3600 feet per day and be able to ski down black diamond runs comfortably. You should also have an adventurous spirit and recognize that the weather will influence greatly what we can and can't do.

Is the ski gear and avalanche gear provided?

No, all guests must bring their own ski and avalanche gear. Guests should be familiar with their avalanche equipment and have used their ski equipment before the trip begins.

What is the skiing like the Antarctic?

Normally the skiing is very good. The conditions can be highly variable, we can be skiing powder, corn snow and everything in between but with a lot of different aspects and terrain to use we can almost always find some great skiing.

Is there a high avalanche risk?

Not normally. Being a coastal snowpack with mild temperatures most instabilities settle out quickly.

Do I need a Visa to enter Antarctica?

No, we will take care of all the required Antarctic permits.

Enjoy Our Reviews

         Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Claire H 
 
 
 
  BEST TRIP EVER!!
We did this trip with Angela in May of 2024. First off, Angela was an incredible guide. She's kind, knowledgeable, fun and dialed. Her knowledge of the culture, skiing, navigation of best plan/route is all awesome. Greenland is truly amazing and I highly recommend going with these guys who have such a connection to the place and people. The skiing was also perfect spring corn!!! Don't think about it too much, just GO!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Marcelo F 
 
 
 
  Pristine Greenland
Great trip all around! Views were amazing, pristine location, great guides and tailored service. I highly recommend traveling with Expedition Engineering and this specific trip. There was good skiing, some cultural experience, and adaptability to weather and conditions available to us. They are not your regular tour operators, they deliver something unique and real. Thumbs up to this company, I would go again with them at any time!!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Thomas M 
 
 
 
  Expedition Engineering East Greenland Ski tour
Outstanding backcountry ski trip. Our trip was actually went April 2024. Scenery was amazing, ski terrain had everything from easy to as challenging as you could want, conditions for us were mostly corn with some very firm and some powder, getting a 'taste' of local culture was cool and the guides, Angela and Matt were great. I had the feeling of sharing an adventure with them rather than being taken on an adventure by them. For lots of other reasons too, would strongly recommend.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Enrique D 
 
 
 
  Magnificent ski touring experience
We went there May 2023. If you are willing to rough it a bit, there is no better ski touring experience. Every day we would sail to a glacier terminus into the sea, climb up a peak or two, enjoy sublime unspoilt views on the way to the top, then great powder/corn skiing on the way down.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Cristina M 
 
 
 
  East Greenland May 2023
I took this trip with my partner and another couple in May of 2023. Although, due to weather the trip had to be modified, we were well taken care of with many contingencies ready. Food was plentiful and accommodations were very comfortable. I would highly recommend Expedition Engineering. Trip of a life time. We are hoping to travel again with them in the future. Maybe some where warm!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Mark N 
 
 
 
  Trip of a Lifetime - Never using another backcountry ski operation beside them!
Short summary: this is the best ski trip I have ever been on. If you love adventures and love to travel you need to come here it is one of the most raw and beautiful places I have been. I went with my father and it was an experience I will never forget. The guides are incredible.Now I will touch on why this trip is so special. Guides: Matt and Angela are the guides. They are also husband and wife. They are some of the sweetest and fun people we have met. Our main guide for the trip was Matt. He was extremely calm safe and fun. Me being 24 years old is always wanting to do extreme and fun things. My mom is very cautious. Matt was nice enough to speak with my mom for an hour walking through all the safety procedures and the risks and how they mitigate them. At no point did I feel unsafe or not in good hands. On these trips you spend many hours with the guides so you want to be comfortable with them. I left seeing Matt as a good friend. Scenery: I like to think I am well traveled and have been many places. In terms of scenery and the rawness of the trip nothing compares. You are in the middle of nowhere and there are not people let alone skiers miles around you. You are by yourself and there is something peaceful about that. It is some of the most beautiful mountains I have seen. I would eat my lunch and look at the mountains and get teary eye because it was so beautiful. My dad and I finished a run and he said this is the most amazing ski run I have ever done (with the biggest smile on his face). We completed a hike to the top of the mountain and did a run all the way to the water. Pictures don’t speak for themselves. You are literally skiing to the ocean.Safety: These are guides they are professionals. They take every precaution necessary. Avalanches are not the biggest dangers. But there are crevasses. We take necessary precautions spacing ourselves out and putting harnesses on. We are not putting ourselves in harms way. You are in the middle of no where so you are not going to go down a dangerous run. There are polar bears. No we never saw one. We do carry a gun in case but the polar bears stay by the ice (where the food is) and we are much higher than that. Food: not my favorite but you’re not there for the food. It’s normal food and at the hotel surprisingly decent. Conclusion: this is one of my favorite trips I have ever been on. The picture from the trip is my Home Screen. I am now begging my dad to do another trip with me with Matt and Angela. My mom would never let me go anywhere she did not do her research on she was very scared for us to do this but was able to get comfortable because of Matt and Angela. Matt and Angela thank you for being such calm and nice people but more importantly for creating a trip I will for always remember and a memory I created with my dad that brought us closer together. I really do get teary thinking about how amazing the trip was. Note: if you can do a private trip. Definitely recommend! Had the ability to use the helicopter to get to amazing areas!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Paul Lambie 
 
 
 
  East Greenland Ski touring.
We did this trip in April, 2023. Although 2023 was a low snow year we were able to ski from the village every day. We had great weather and the skiing was amazing. Different tours each day were accessed by skinning directly from our accommodation or by snowmobile or dogsled. The trip is based out of Kuummiit, a small and remote village in East Greenland. Matt and Angela are great guides; highly recommended! A very unique ski experience.
  
 
  
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ANTARCTICA SKI & KAYAK
ADVENTURE