icebird ski south georgia

Ski South Georgia

  • Overview
    This year we are planning a longer expedition to South Georgia in order to explore some of the remoter mountains at the southern end of this wonderful island. We shall start the trip by following Shackleton's epic crossing of South Georgia, and then head south, weather permitting, to the Salvesen range to explore some of the island's other glaciers and mountains on ski, in addition to visiting some of the island's remarkable historic and wildlife areas. South Georgia is one of the most remarkable places on earth. Steeped in colourful history, this remote mountainous island is home to a breathtaking amount of wildlife.
    Duration: 36 days
    Passengers: 10 passengers
    Embarkation Point: Stanley, Falkland Islands
    Disembarkation Point: Stanley, Falkland Islands
    Physical rating: Expedition
    Fly/Cruise: Cruise only
    Single Supplement: Unavailable
  • Itinerary
    • Day 1 - Arrive in Stanley; Embarkation Day

      Meet team and spend night on Icebird.

      IMPORTANT: Cabin pricing is based off 5 confirmed passengers. Should the expedition confirm with 6 passengers there may be a reduction in the per person costs, at the operator's discretion.

    • Day 2 - Day in Stanley

      Prepare equipment and practice glacier crossing and crevasse rescue skills.

    • Day 3/6 - Sail to South Georgia

      Today we begin our first ocean crossing en route to South Georgia, this usually takes around 4-5 days.

    • Day 7/8 - South Georgia

      We arrive in South Georgia and sail towards King Haakon Bay

    • Day 9/14 - South Georgia: Crossing

      Over the next 6 days we embark on Shackleton's famous crossing, across South Georgia.

    • Day 15 - Rest day

      Today is a day of rest and recovery.

    • Day 16 - Ski day

      Skiing from Maikviken to Grytviken.

    • Day 17/18 - Cumberland Bay

      Exploration and ski touring days.

    • Day 19 - St Andrews Bay

      Today we are exploring the King Penguin colony at St Andrews Bay

    • Day 20/30 - Exploration & Ski Touring

      For the next 10 days we are focused on exploration and ski tours in Drygalski Fjord and the south-east corner of South Georgia.

    • Day 31/35 - Return to Stanley

      Open ocean crossing en route to Stanley.

    • Day 36 - Stanley; Disembarkation

      Today we depart the expedition.

      IMPORTANT: Cabin pricing is based off 5 confirmed passengers. Should the expedition confirm with 6 passengers there may be a reduction in the per person costs, at the operator's discretion.

    Please consider that our voyages are expeditionary in nature. This means, that there are no concrete itineraries, your Captain and Expedition Leader will utilise their vast experience to chart the best course for your expedition depending on the climatic and environmental conditions. Mentioned highlights and wildlife cannot be guaranteed.

  • Adventure Activities

    Ski Antarctica

    All skiing is on heavily glaciated mountains, above fjords studded with icebergs. Due to the heavily glaciated nature of the terrain we will ascend most mountains roped-up, and will return, un-roped if it is safe to do so, by our route of ascent. While it is unlikely that we will be skiing champagne powder, we will be skiing slopes up to 35° in one of the most spectacular places in the world with truly breathtaking back-drops.

    Included

    Kayaking

    Sea kayaks - great toys for exploring the South Georgia & Antarctic coastline during rest days or when low clouds obscure the mountains.

    Included

    Ski Antarctica

    South Georgia is one of the most remarkable places on earth. Steeped in colourful history, this remote mountainous island is home to a breathtaking amount of wildlife, it makes for an incredible place to explore and ski!

    Wandering Albatross

    Spectacular in flight and on the ground, with the largest wingspan of any bird on the planet; gracefully and effortlessly glides for thousands of kilometres across the Southern Ocean to their nesting site on South Georgia.

    South Georgia; Wildlife Mecca

    One of the true wildlife experiences on our planet, often the wildlife displays here are referred to as the greatest on Earth. Set amongst awe inspiring scenery and home to King penguins, Wondering albatross and Elephant seals, it’s hard to imagine how early pioneers survived in this harsh landscape.

  • Inclusions

    Ushuaia Accomodation

    Enjoy a few nights accomodation in Ushuaia staying in a comfortable cabin.

    Ski Guides

    Your expedition includes highly trained expedition leaders and ski guides. As well group climing equipment, tents and sleds are provided.

    Kayaks

    There are a number of kayaks on board for you to explore when the conditions are right.

    Required Experience

    Although no previous sailing experience is required, all members will need to have ski-mountaineering experience and be comfortable skiing all snow-types on slopes up to 30°. It is also preferable that members know how to rope up to cross glaciers and how to perform a crevasse rescue. If this is new to you we can recommend suitable courses that teach these skills so that you can make the most of your expedition to Antarctica.

    How much technical climbing is there?
    Although most of the ascents will be completed on skis, using skins and ski crampons, there may be short sections, particularly close to the summits, where we may need to fix skis to our rucksacks and use crampons and an ice-axe.

    Inclusions / Exclusions

    Included in your Expedition

    - at the operator's discretion.
    - IMPORTANT: Cabin pricing is based off 5 confirmed passengers. Should the expedition confirm with 6 passengers there may be a reduction in the per person costs
    - A limited amount of beer and wine
    - Group medical and emergency survival equipment
    - Kayaks
    - tent and sleds
    - Group climbing equipment
    - Port charges
    - All shore excursions and lectures
    - All accommodation and meals on board and while ski mountaineering (except dehydrated meals)
    - All yacht charter costs

    Not included in your Expedition

    - Freeze dried meals for multi-day ski-mountaineering trips
    - Use of satallite communications
    - Personal medications
    - Personal clothing and equipment
    - Any airfares or ground transport to/from the vessel
    - Bar & beverage charges
    - Passport & Visa fees
    - Pre and post-cruise land arrangements
    - Arrival and departure taxes
    - Mandatory waterproof gear not provided
    - Baggage / cancellation / interruption and medical travel insurance
  • Map
    Screen shot 2017 07 05 at 3.40.51 pm
  • Gallery
  • Vessel

    ICEBIRD

    Icebird is a specially designed and constructed luxury polar expedition yacht. Built by Trintella in the Netherlands, one of the very best European yards, her aluminium hull has been re-inforced to enable her to operate safely in ice. She has 6 watertight compartments, including the engine room, and is insulated throughout which, together with central heating, makes her ideal for comfortable expedition sailing in Antarctica. Her hydraulically operated lifting keel can reduce her draft to a mere 1.9 metres, allowing access to safe shallow anchorages out of the path of drifting ice, while in the down position the 3.3m keel, with 10-ton foil and 5 tonnes of lead bulb, ensure excellent handling in even the roughest of seas.

    Features & Facilities
    Key Facts
    Luxury star rating: 3
    Guests #: 6
    Crew #: 4
    Ice Class:
    Speed:
    Refurbished:
    Technical Specs
    Year built:
    Length: m
    Width:
    Draft:
    Tonnage:
    Registry:
    Elec Outlets:
Check Voyage Dates, Pricing and Availability
All available dates
Ready to book your expedition?

We understand that the trip of a lifetime takes planning, so we make the financial commitments easy to manage.

  • Confirm your booking today with just USD$ 1,000 per passenger.
  • Pay your 25% deposit 5 day later.
  • Final payment due 120 days prior to departure.

Standard Berth

30 Sep 2017 - 04 Nov 2017
USD$ 28,790pp
USD$ 28,790pp