Ski/Snowboard Touring
Home > ‘Your Choice’ Experiences > Ski/Snowboard Touring
Skiing & Snowboarding in Antartica
Ski/Snowboard Touring offers keen adventurers a chance to take on some of the world’s most incredible slopes. Experienced participants will have the chance to enjoy day-trips to traverse across remote, snow-capped peaks to descend into pristine bays filled with floating bergs, penguin rookeries or even a breaching whale! Those interested in a multi-day ski adventure can opt to attempt Shackleton’s route across South Georgia.
From alpine bowls and crevassed glaciers, to long open slopes, join us to summit and ski a range of Antarctic landscapes, venturing to some amazing wild and remote corners. A spirit of adventure is a must. After all, when you strap on your skis, you’ll be exploring places where few have ever skied before!
Required Experience
Our Ski/Snowboard Touring program requires a reasonable level of fitness and previous experience. The snow conditions will be varied and the terrain can be challenging at times. While you don’t need to be a back-country athlete to participate, and there are opportunities to develop skills during the expedition.
Below are the minimum ability requirements:
- Advanced level of skiing or snowboarding ability (ability to ski/ride in advanced terrain-black run resorts runs is required)
- Off-piste experience in a variety of snow conditions
- Previous touring experience is an advantage, but not essential (depending on your off-piste experience and overall ability)
Our guides can teach you the required touring skills from day one, as well as important mountaineering skills including ice axe and crampon use, roped glacier travel, constructing snow and ice anchors, assessing and moving in avalanche terrain, personal avalanche equipment and rescue, constructing emergency shelters, navigation and interpreting weather.
Fitness Requirements
You can expect to tour from two to six hours each day, some of which will include an ascent of a small peak or two. Participants must be fit and prepared for this activity. Ideally, you will have trained with outdoor carry packs, however uphill walks or riding bikes is also ideal for backcountry training.
You will enjoy your touring much more if you have prepared adequately. If you have any queries regarding your suitability or fitness please don’t hesitate to contact us. One of our mountain guides will be able to assess your ability and offer advice on training and preparation.
Age Limit
The minimum age for this activity is 14.
Group Size
Group size is limited to 10 skiers in Antarctica and 8 skiers on the South Georgia Crossing, plus two guides.
Ski/Snowboard Touring Outings
While we aim to get out as often as possible, the number of outings will be dependent on weather and other factors. The average number of outings is usually six or more per voyage depending on your itinerary. Every voyage is different but some of our typical landings spots have been:
- Tour up and ski off Mt Tennant, Ronge Island – 700m descent
- Mt Hoegh down to Andvord Bay – 800m descent
- Mt Pond to Whalers Bay – 540m descent
- Port Lockroy from Doumer Peak – 550m descent
Our Guides
Our highly-qualified guides have many years of climbing, ski and snowboard touring experience. Most of our guides have an extensive knowledge of the areas we plan to ski or snowboard. They aim to provide a personalised and unique experience for every participant whilst managing safety to the highest standards. Group sizes are limited to ten, with the average group size between 4 and 10.
Wind, Ice and Weather in Antarctica & South Georgia
You can expect to experience a variety of weather, from blue skies and sunshine through to snow, rain and grey clouds. The weather in some places can change extremely fast, ranging from sunshine to gale force winds. We usually begin our tours from sheltered landings, however wind and ice build up at higher altitudes may disrupt, change or cancel planned outings.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance, including emergency evacuation coverage, is mandatory on all AE Expeditions voyages. You will need to ensure that your insurance policy covers you for Ski Touring activity and related equipment. An additional policy or premium may be required to ensure you have adequate coverage. Please contact AE Expeditions if you need assistance with your insurance policy.
Activity Surcharge
Touring is available for an additional surcharge and includes your guide, permits, outings and some equipment.
How to Book
If you would like to participate in this activity, please request a Ski/Snowboard Touring Activity Form at the time of booking for submission. Our guides will review your form for suitability and experience before approving your place in the activity.
Featured Itineraries
Spirit of Antarctica
Polar Expedition
Vaccines
AE Expeditions requires all embarking crew, Expedition Team and our passengers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to embarking on any of its cruises.
It is important to note, that all travellers need to check and comply with the vaccine requirements of the country they are travelling to. Some countries have their own vaccination requirements. For example, Greenland; only accepts EMA approved vaccines which are: Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Novavax.
As of 5th February 2022, Aurora will require all passengers to have also had a booster vaccination prior to boarding, if more than 5 months have passed after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination (and at least 2 months after completing a J&J COVID-19 vaccination).
Officially certified proof of vaccination and booster will be required ahead of travel and we will require that it be emailed to Aurora no later than 15 days prior to departure.
AE Expeditions does not require passengers to undergo tests for COVID-19 prior to embarkation or during the voyage. We do not conduct routine COVID-19 testing unless required by the relevant authorities. However, passengers who report symptoms of COVID-19 to the medical team during a voyage will be tested.
Full vaccinations must occur four weeks prior to the embarkation date of the voyage and proof of vaccination will be required to be provided to AE Expeditions in advance of the voyage.
Acceptable vaccinations are limited to: Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Novavax, Comirnaty, Spikevax, Vaxzevria, Jcovden, Nuvaxovid, COVID-19 Vaccine (inactivated, adjuvanted) Valneva, VidPrevtyn Beta, Sinovax and Sinopharm.
12 Days
Antarctic Peninsula in Depth
Vaccines
AE Expeditions requires all embarking crew, Expedition Team and our passengers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to embarking on any of its cruises.
It is important to note, that all travellers need to check and comply with the vaccine requirements of the country they are travelling to. Some countries have their own vaccination requirements. For example, Greenland; only accepts EMA approved vaccines which are: Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Novavax.
As of 5th February 2022, Aurora will require all passengers to have also had a booster vaccination prior to boarding, if more than 5 months have passed after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination (and at least 2 months after completing a J&J COVID-19 vaccination).
Officially certified proof of vaccination and booster will be required ahead of travel and we will require that it be emailed to Aurora no later than 15 days prior to departure.
AE Expeditions does not require passengers to undergo tests for COVID-19 prior to embarkation or during the voyage. We do not conduct routine COVID-19 testing unless required by the relevant authorities. However, passengers who report symptoms of COVID-19 to the medical team during a voyage will be tested.
Full vaccinations must occur four weeks prior to the embarkation date of the voyage and proof of vaccination will be required to be provided to AE Expeditions in advance of the voyage.
Acceptable vaccinations are limited to: Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Novavax, Comirnaty, Spikevax, Vaxzevria, Jcovden, Nuvaxovid, COVID-19 Vaccine (inactivated, adjuvanted) Valneva, VidPrevtyn Beta, Sinovax and Sinopharm.
Coming soon...
Expert Guides
Tarn Pilkington
IFMGA Mountain Guide - Alpine Program Specialist
Tarn works year round in the outdoors of NZ and is qualified as an IFMGA Mountain and Ski guide. Since visiting Antarctica for the first time in 1994 he has returned over 15 times and admits to being completely addicted.
He is based in Queenstown NZ, his home of 25 years. Tarn spends the winter months heli skiing and ski touring and during the long South Island Summers he guides and works on film and television productions as a safety officer. He is also contracted as the Crew Chief for the local Air Ambulance service and volunteers for the local Alpine Cliff Rescue Team.
In his spare time, Tarn gets out on his mountain bike or skis as much as possible to explore his home patch in the beautiful southern lakes of the South Island.
Peter Wainwright
Kayak Guide & Ski Guide
Peter's career has taken him down several unusual paths, from a stint in the military, to Civil Engineering, to working on TV survival shows, and to life in a Tanzanian National Park working for a well-known wildlife conservation trust. But he now spends his winters heli-skiing as one of the head guides for Bella Coola Helisports and at several backcountry ski-touring lodges. In the fall he spends much of his time guiding guests to view grizzly bears in the Bella Coola valley.
He also guides rock climbing and sea-kayaking trips. Born in Montreal, and having lived and guided for many years in Europe, the lure of endless white-capped mountains and the pristine Pacific Ocean enticed Peter to British Columbia where he can live his passions everyday and share his love of wild untouched places with others. He spends every possible moment exploring and adventuring in the backcountry on skis, in a kayak, trail running, climbing or surfing.
Peter is always up for a new adventure, the more remote, the better. His down to earth, relaxed demeanour and wealth of experience make him a great companion in the mountains or on the sea. Peter loves practicing his Spanish.
He is certified through the British Canoe Union as a 5-star sea kayak Leader and through the SKGABC as a Level 3 guide. He has guided trips all over Canada, Scotland, Norway and Iceland.