Ice Axe Expeditions

Overall Rating

Ice Axe Expeditions

Ice Axe Expeditions5.0/52
Ice Axe Expeditions5.0 out of 5 based on 2 reviews
Backcountry Books Ski & Snowboard Guide Books & Maps

Ice Axe Expeditions

Overall Rating

Ice Axe Expeditions5.0/52
Ice Axe Expeditions5.0 out of 5 based on 2 reviews
Ice Axe Expeditions has been guiding teams across the frozen Arctic Ocean, Antarctica and other remote places on the planet for over twenty years. Ice Axe Expeditions is under the leadership of Doug Stoup, who has been instrumental in pioneering polar adventure exploration. Doug Stoup has numerous firsts to his name and has skied to both the North and South Poles more times than anyone on the planet, and has taken ski adventure expeditions to a whole new level.

The Ice Axe team has more than a decade of Antarctic expedition experience and are specialists in Antarctic ski trips, whether via polar capable cruise ships or small sailboat charters. The Antarctic Peninsula Ski Cruise is one the most popular offerings of Ice Axe Expeditions.

Ice Axe Expeditions also leads adventure ski trips to Svalbard north of Norway on an Arctic Circle Ski and Sail trip, and other unique backcountry skiing destinations around the globe.

Like skiing on another planet

24/05/2018

Andrew Henderson

Powder Enthusiast
Powder Enthusiast

Andrew Henderson

Powder Enthusiast
Powder Enthusiast
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Age
    51-70
  • Rider Type
    Skier
  • Country
    Australia
  • Month:
    November
  • Admin Rating
    4

Like skiing on another planet

24/05/2018
The Antarctic peninsula is like nowhere have ever seen. Weird rocky peaks and spires, blue skies and crystal clear water. Unearthly blue icebergs and huge walls of glacial ice ready to break off into the sea. Glaciers as far as you can see and weird and endearing creatures that think you are the strange and interesting one. Antarctica is not the best skiing I have ever had, but it is the best place I have ever skied. Even if you regard this as a one off, once in a lifetime trip, you will be conspiring to return again before you have crossed the Drake Passage again for home.
This tour is run by an American touring company, but attracts guides and clients from all over the globe. It’s a good group of people. You will meet kindred souls and rub shoulders with a who’s who of international guides, climbers and outdoors people.
We skied with our kiwi mate Mark Sedon a typically understated New Zealander, but an immensely capable and indefatigable guide. You can choose to ski with a guide you know who is going, or be teamed up with a guide on the trip, with a group of three or four other clients who have the same abilities and targets as you do.
The skiing is varied. We met almost every possible snow condition, from fresh powder to breakable crust. The skiing ability required is not huge, but some experience with a range of off piste snow is a prerequisite. Obviously there are no ski lifts. It’s all touring. But if that is not your bag, don’t let it put you off. None of the ascents are very difficult and the days tend to be made up of several shorter targets rather than a single big climb. Our biggest day was 1800m of ascent, but many groups opted for shorter days. You can brush up on your touring technique and on the specialties required for glacier travel over the couple of days before the trip leaves from Ushuaia, on the local Martial Glacier
There were skiers using frame bindings and downhill oriented skis, but we enjoyed having lightweight ski touring gear.
We spent the first week in Argentina, and checked out some of the spring skiing opportunities in Patagonia around Ushuaia, with the local guiding company Backcountry Patagonia. Actually this was amazing in its own right and a really nice and well run guiding company. We are planning to ski in Patagonia again!
See our video here

Absolutely Sensational

15/11/2017

POWDERHOUNDS.COM

Powderhounds Ambassador
Powderhounds Ambassador

POWDERHOUNDS.COM

Powderhounds Ambassador
Powderhounds Ambassador
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Age
    36-50
  • Ability
    Expert
  • Rider Type
    Skier
  • Month:
    November
  • Admin Rating
    5

Absolutely Sensational

15/11/2017
Climbing the "It Doesn't Matterhorn"
The skiing provided superb views
So many spectacular vistas
A "friendly" leopard seal popped up to say hello on the way to skiing
So many penguins
The Powderhounds have visited many very special ski destinations around the world, but the Antarctica ski tour would definitely be the most amazing trip we’ve ever been on! Our anticipation was pretty high for this trip as we’d heard Antarctica is an exceptional place, but our expectations were completely blown away.

Obviously we didn’t go to Antarctica for thigh deep powder but we really enjoyed the skiing, and the skinning was a great opportunity to get to even better vantage points to appreciate the vistas. And we didn’t travel to Antarctica just for the skiing or snowboarding. It was the whole package of experiences that made it extraordinary: the boat trip and cruising around to enjoy the vistas; staying on the deluxe ship; the awesome people we met; the abundant wildlife (so many penguins!); and the further appreciation we gained of the wondrous white continent, thanks to the scientific and expedition staff and the mountain guides.

It’s part of our job to review man-powered and mechanised backcountry skiing operations and we’re usually pretty good at critiquing even the smallest potential shortcomings, but with this Ice Axe Expeditions trip, we completely struggled to find any inadequacies. It was phenomenal – definitely add it to your bucket list!

You can check out a more detailed review of the Antarctica ski trip from the Powderhounds.
See our video here
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Antarctica Ski Cruise DETAILS

ANTARCTICA SKI TOURING CRUISE
13 Days | 12 Nights

Location: Antarctica | Tour Focus: Guided | Terrain Focus: Backcountry
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Price p/p From price based on twin share French Balcony plus backcountry skiing for 2024 trip.
USD 13,995
Backcountry skiing in Antarctica is ideal for those who’ve ticked off lots of bucket list adventure skiing destinations, and are looking for the next ultimate trip that’s even more unique, remote, and off the Richter scale for being way cool. Travel to Antarctic Peninsula by polar cruise ship & head ashore via zodiac. More
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Fixed Date(s)
Days
Price
Availability
Fixed Date(s): Oct 19 - Oct 31, 2024
Days: 13
Price: USD 13,995
Availability: Available
Future rates & dates are currently not yet available for this operator. Click here to enquire.
DETAILS
Svalbard Ski and Sail DETAILS
Price p/p Price based on 9 days/8 nights, twin share
Base invoice is $USD
Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 8,500

SVALBARD SKI TOURING CRUISE
9 Days | 8 Nights

Location: Europe | Tour Focus: Guided | Terrain Focus: Backcountry
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Price p/p Price based on 9 days/8 nights, twin share
Base invoice is $USD
Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 8,500
Head way up north to Svalbard for this incredible ski touring/split-boarding experience. Cruise the Arctic Sea on a sailing boat & head ashore to ski amazing mountains in the land of the polar bear. Only 8 guests/trip. Join as a solo traveller or small group. More
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Fixed Date(s)
Days
Price
Availability
Fixed Date(s): Apr 30 - May 08, 2024
Days: 9
Price: USD 8,500
Availability: Available
Fixed Date(s): May 08 - Feb 16, 2024
Days: -81
Price: USD 8,500
Availability: Available
Future rates & dates are currently not yet available for this operator. Click here to enquire.
DETAILS
Iceland Ski and Sail DETAILS
Price p/p Price based on 8 days/7 nights, twin share on a boat
Base invoice is $USD
Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 6,800

BOAT BASED GUIDED SKI TOURING
8 Days | 7 Nights | 5.5 Ski Days

Location: Europe | Tour Focus: Guided | Terrain Focus: Backcountry
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Price p/p Price based on 8 days/7 nights, twin share on a boat
Base invoice is $USD
Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 6,800
This trip is to the beautiful Hornstrandir Nature Reserve in the West Fjords of Iceland, close to the Arctic Circle. The focus is on backcountry skiing between the remote fjords, anchoring in a different harbour each night. Join the fixed date tour. More
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Fixed Date(s)
Days
Price
Availability
Fixed Date(s): Apr 06 - Apr 13, 2024
Days: 8
Price: Enquire
Availability: Enquire
Future rates & dates are currently not yet available for this operator. Click here to enquire.
DETAILS
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