Imagine a long weekend - 4 days of sailing, guided summit hikes, food experiences, deep fjords and delicious dramatic mountains covered in powder snow. This is what Explore 62 North can offer you and your friends. The sailboat Westland is the basecamp for four days packed with experiences for us who are going on a trip. Here we live and sleep. In the morning the crashing of waves, the sound of seabirds and the smell of freshly brewed coffee awakens us.

2023 season we plan 5 ski and sail trips in the Sunnmøre Alps. Since we sail and can pick up our guests by the fjord, we can climb even better mountains. We pretty much get the mountains and the landscape to ourselves. The Sunnmøre Alps is one of the most beautiful areas for ski touring in Norway. White-clad mountains plunge into the deep fjords, and from the mountain tops you can enjoy panoramas of alpine peaks and glaciers. Spend the evening by the coast and you can watch the sun sink down into the Atlantic.

We eat breakfast, spread lunch, and plan the day with the local ski guide. Together with Explore 62, you are in good hands. Safety is given great attention. Skilled guides, good equipment and focus on safety are crucial for the summit trip to be successful. Our ski guides know local weather, wind conditions and knows where and how the snow settles. When our guests don`t have to worry about safety, they can enjoy the mighty Sunnmore alps. Wild mountains and salty sea air are something different from everyday life. Here there is untouched nature and fresh air in abundance. We sail off into the fjord, without leaving a trace. A low climate footprint and the least possible local environmental impact is something Explore 62 sets high. With the boat we get around to peaks that are off the beaten track.

"Getting up and down the mountains gives a feeling of mastery. The excitement vibrates in the body, and this experience is nailed in the memory »

Our concept is not just skiing, and not just sailing. When skiing is over for the day, we offer local, short-distance food and drink. Almost all meals are served on board, but one evening we visit the wonderful Rekkedal Guesthouse, where the main menu, dessert and a unit of alcohol are included in the price. During the dinner, we evaluate the day and the good conversations come naturally.

Base for the trip is the harbor at Sagafjord Hotell in Sebo. Here is a great sanitary facility where we can shower, take sauna and, if necessary, wash clothes. Bed linen and towels are of course included. Explore 62 North wants to create memorable trips in unique surroundings. We hope this is perfect for a group of friends, you are so welcome to us!

About us - Explore 62 North wants to be a company that explores and creates enthusiasm with exciting skiing and sailing adventures along the coast of Norway. We are concerned with leaving as few footprints as possible and we want to create joy and mastery in nature on nature's own terms. Now we welcome you on board the sailing boat Westland. The boat is not a luxury yacht but more like an expedition boat. The bunks are good, the boat is warm, we have 2 lounges, WIFI, 220-volt power and relatively good comfort on board. We have invested hundreds of thousands in safety equipment such as life rafts, vests, emergency beacon transmitters, VHFs, map machines, radar and so on. The skipper Robert has all the necessary certificates and Tore as sailor and steward has the recipes ready :)

Skill level - what is required of you - You must be in good shape, ready to climb around 1400 altitude meters 4 days in a row. We would recommend that you have reasonably good skiing skills, from medium and upwards. This is not a trip for beginners. You need to be social and like to live close with other people.

Snow conditions - We got many questions about the snow conditions in the Sunnmøre Alps. To be honest, it is hard to know. We are at the west coast of Norway so the weather, temperature and snow conditions are very fast changing. The last years there have been best snow in January and March but April was very good as well. January and February is to early and to dark for ski and sail adventure, but there are local skiers in the mountains with headlight. In March we can go skitouring from 9 o'clock in the morning to at 5 o'clock in the afternoon. In April there are more daylight and slightly warmer, the spiring is on it's way. The last week of April and the first week in May the snow can get a tiny bit slushy in the afternoons but it is still ok for good skiing. So yeah, both March and April is good period for skitouring in Norway.

Our plan for this ski and sail trip

The trip starts and ends in the beautiful coastal town of Aalesund. There are direct flights from Oslo, Stavanger and Bergen to Vigra Airport Aalesund. We sail from Aalesund harbor on Wednesday evening 19:00. The program below is our proposal. Our guests (ski skills) and guide as well as current snow conditions and upcoming weather forecasts can customize the program.

Wednesday - Meeting day

Our meeting point is downtown Aalesund in Brosundet guest harbor. All our guests must be in the harbor Wednesday evening at 17-19:00. We set sail and head against the fjord already Wednesday night, that means we get more time in the mountains. The bunks have been prepared, and there are large and small towels on the berth. The cabins are very small, so please travel light with soft bags and not big suitcases :) Sailor and steward Tore makes us a good evening meal.

Brosundet guest harbor before 18:00

Thursday - Mount Nordre Sætretind

The guide comes on board around 08:30 and we take a short briefing. Planned summit trip for the day is Nordre Sætretind, 1365 meters above sea level. Nordre Sætretind is the neighboring peak to the king, Kolåstinden, and this is a summit trip with great views and the best quality. All planned summit hikes will of course be continuously revised based on snow conditions and local weather forecasts. Safety will always comes first. After the summit hikes we sail to Sæbø. Dinner is served either while sailing or just after we are moored.

Nordre Sætretind - 1365 m.a.s.l

Friday - Mount Skårasalen

Skårasalen is one of the best mountains for summit skitouring. Most skiers go up and down the same line, but since we sail, we can climb up from Sæbø and enjoy a never ending run all the way down to the fjord in Skår. This is a fantastic experience with a magnificent view of Hjørundfjord and the Sunnmøre alps. We set sail and cross the fjord to the old farm Christian gaard where we grab some beers and an excellent handcrafted burger made with meat from local deer.

Skårasalen - 1542 m.a.s.l

Saturday - Mount Blæja

We sail from Sæbø to Urke, and we drive with van true the valley to Villa Nordangsdal. Blæja is a beautiful and quite easy skitour with amazing views and scenery. Bjæja is considered as a safe ski tour as the terrain is mostly under 30deg inclination. It is great for medium skiers and on days with higher avalanche risk. The view towards Hjørundfjorden from the summit is nothing short of spectacular looking into the heart of the Sunnmøre Alps. Since we sail you will ski all the way down to Viddal (no road) where the crew at Westland is waiting for you. We sail back to Sæbø and get ready to visit the beautiful courtyard and excellent food at Rekkedal guesthouse.

Blæja - 1420 m.a.s.l

Sunday - Mount Fingeren

We have already reached the last day and the last summit trip. Today we make a shorter trip to mount Fingeren. A short but sweet skitour from Standaleidet. Already from the road you can see the characteristic pointy shape which inspired its name, the finger. This is a north facing mountainside which has snow both early and late in the season. The guide drives you to Barstavik where we sail directly to Aalesund. We aim to be in Aalesund no later than 18:00 so everyone will catch their planes back home.

Blæja - 1180 m.a.s.l

Sagafjord hotel & marina

Sagafjord Hotel is the small and cozy hotel located in the middle of the magnificent nature in the Sunnmøre alps. Outside the hotel you will find a guest harbor where we often dock our sailboat. The marina provide us with excellent sanitary facilities like clean toilets and showers. We also use a drying room for our ski and boots. We are greatful to collaborate with this excellent hotel and the nice people working there.

Sæbø fjordsauna

Sæbø fjord sauna will provide you with a feeling of self-care, wellness, and a lot of fun together with your friends and other skiers. Sauna and a plunge into the fjord are quite popular in between ski tour and late dinner. The sauna have to be booked as early as possible and cost about euro 20 per person for 2 hours. There is also a sauna where we dock our boat in Urke.

Afterski at famous Christian gaard

Christian Gaard is a super cozy farm crammed to the hillside. It's here we find peace and unity glazed with astonishing views towards the pointed peaks that rises straight up from the fjord. A view you can admire in eternity. At the farm we grab some homemade burger based on local dear, accompanied with brew and a remarkable atmosphere.

The old farm Rekkedal

Saturday evening we will bring you guys to the old farm Rekkedal. This is an old family farm where some of the buildings are dated back to the 15th century. Karen the owner of the farm makes excellent local food and serve us their own wine from Italy. This is a lifetime experiences in a cultural-historical environment. Everything about this place is special, and the food is impeccable. Let’s have some fun this last evening!

What is not included in price

• Flights to and from Aalesund Norway
• Alcohol and other personal needs
• We accept alcohol in moderation
• You can rent our Mamut safety equipment (Nok 500 for 4 days)
• Skis, ski boots, helmet, etc. must be brought with you, otherwise it can be rented in Aalesund