QUEEN MAUD LAND IN ANTARCTICA
SKIING THROUGH MAGIC
Queen Maud Land, in Eastern Antarctica, is rarely visited. Its mountains have mostly drawn climbers — and kiters using the wind systems to launch their crossings.
In November 2025, Lars and Roland became the first to ski from Wolf's Fang to the Norwegian station Troll: a 250km crossing, technical and visually overwhelming, that left them raving about the area.
Now we are heading back.
Get a feel for the trip by reading our diary!
Meet-up: mid-November 2027
Price: US$ 75.000
Duration: 3 weeks
Team: 1 leader, 3 participants
Departure point: Cape Town
In Antarctic: Ultima Airbase (xNovo)
Ski from: Wolf's Fang to Troll Station
Challenge: Technical and polar
Return: home well ahead of Christmas
EXPEDITION SUMMARY
EXPEDITION DETAILS
Be in no doubt: this is Antarctica. In one way, it's as different from a South Pole trip as you can get. In another, it might be one of the most visually daunting ski expeditions there is.
East of our starting point at Fenriskjeften (Wolf's Fang) lie clusters of mountains that stand out of the ice like rugged teeth. A series of dramatic icefalls drops down between them to the ice plain, some 1000 metres lower, that runs all the way out to the Polar Ocean, some 200km away.
This is the heart of Dronning Maud Land — Queen Maud Land. The mountains have been the dream of extreme climbers for decades. We believe the terrain is just as spectacular to a polar ski trek.
We will head west towards the Norwegian station Troll. The reason for choosing this direction is to keep the catabatic winds mostly on our side or back, opening our window of opportunity. It is cold — but as we go in the second half of November, the summer high-pressure should be settling in, giving us the best possible frame to maximise our stay.
ROUTE
ROUTE
This is not a fixed-route trip. We have a lot of options — even a choice of pickup spot.
This isn't a "reach this point or the trip has failed" expedition. We want to involve the team, stay open, and shape the route around conditions, weather, and creativity in the field.
This is what it will look like:
Phase 1
We fly into Cape Town four days before departure. There, we check equipment, do any last shopping, attend information and Antarctic briefings — and enjoy a bit of this great city.
When ready, we're driven to the airport and go through security like any flight. At the plane, we disinfect boots and gear against bacteria, then board a genuinely unusual aircraft: the Ilyushin Il-76 — a Russian-built transport plane, with a handful of seats up front and cargo filling the rest of the hull.
The flight takes 5–6 hours. It's a beutiful sight as the seaice starts building beneath us, before we in over land and touch down at Novo.
Phase 2
Novo is the old Russian base, Novolazarevskaya Station, now bought by the private company Ultima. It has an ice runway and services science stations from a number of countries in the area.
We're placed in a container house for final preparations and the go-ahead from the weather guys. While there, we eat in the staff cafeteria.
Phase 3
As soon as our Twin Otter is in the air, we can see Ulvetanna, and its 1000m vertical face, in the Wolf's Fang mountain range, 200km away. The flight that takes us straight into the heart of this wild mountain range.
From here we head east, passing standout peaks like Rakekniven, Trollslottet, Gessnertind, Sagbladet, and Hoggestabben, among others.
We'll set a route, but there's every chance we'll improvise — mixing between open ice and cutting through passes as conditions allow. And if weather permits, we'd like to ski-climb Jøkulkyrkja — the highest mountain in this part of Antarctica, with a view worth the effort.
Exactly where we end up isn't fixed. Lars ended up by Troll Station in 2025, but the Norwegians won't let us in there— so we have a few other areas in mind that we think will be just as interesting.
Phase 4
After pickup and the return to Novo / Ultima Airfield, we get everything ready and fly the same way back to Cape Town. From there, everyone heads home — well ahead of Christmas :-)
Phase X
Lars and Roland added an excursion to see the Emperor Penguins on their trip — a highlight, by it’s own account. This may be possible to add on to the ski expedition. If that interests you, we'll help facilitate it.
THE PRICE
The final price for this Queen Maud Land expedition isn't set yet. It's driven by the cost of polar flights, Antarctic logistics, permits, safety backup, and insurance.
SIGNING UP & DEPOSIT
The first step is signing up: fill out the booking form and apply for a spot on the team. We like a chat before confirming, to make sure the team composition is right.
Once you book, we send a Deposit Invoice — paid immediately to secure your place.
When we have all the information we need from you, we send the Final Invoice.
The Final Invoice must be paid in full no later than 90 days before departure (minus the deposit already paid).
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Flights, transport, shelter and food at Novo station.
We do all the paperwork and cover the fees — applications, crossing permits, radio and communication, Search & Rescue, and team evacuation.
We supply a guide, food, sledges, tents, stoves, fuel, and safety equipment: Iridium satellite phone, emergency beacon, VHF radio, GPS units, maps and waypoints. We're responsible for the medical kit and spares and repair kit — and we'll answer any questions you have.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
You bring your own personal equipment: clothing, skis, boots and poles, sleeping bag, mattress and stuff-sacks, toiletries, thermos, Nalgene bottles, cutlery, skin and face protection, books, camera.
You choose and pay for your own flights, and for board and lodging in the days right before and after the ice, and the training weekend.
You must have your own travel / cancellation / medical evacuation insurance for personal accidents or injuries.
With food allergies or intolerances, you may be asked to help build your own rations so we're sure your food is sufficient, safe and good quality.
Unforeseen delays or a group change of plan can mean extra cost. We recommend changeable return tickets.
All payments and deposits are subject to our travel terms and conditions.
