Pure Heliskiing Swedish Lapland
Heliski Trips Skiing Powder Above the Arctic Circle in Northern Sweden
Explore an incredible, wild location on a heliski trip focused on great skiing above all else. With no fancy 5-star hotels or opulent dining, this is a trip where everything is 'decent' and set up so the price remains reasonable and skiing the best powder & fresh tracks on stellar terrain is the main goal. This is heliskiing above the polar circle based in traditional Sami village of Nikkaluokta - a place with a special atmosphere, that will make you want to come back....
Heli skiing packages are available on six fixed-date tours from late March to the end of April, ensuring optimal snow & weather conditions. In small groups of 4 skiers/snowboarders & 1 guide, you will ride the best lines in a vast expanse of Swedish Lapland.
This tour is for everyone who loves off-piste skiing and is eager to experience (again or for the first time) the feeling of unlimited riding possibilities. All you need to do is look, point your finger, persuade your guide and dream comes true in a few minutes... Are you ready for this?
Highlights
The tour is a highlight in and of itself, but here are a few specifics….
• Awesome freeride powder skiing (& snowboarding) across over 5,000 square km of alpine ski terrain.
• Each day explores a new part of this mountainous region.
• Long polar days allow for maximum flexibility to ski as much as possible.
• Experience the special atmosphere of life in a remote Sami village.
• Fun loving expert guides that now how to find the best snow & provide the best experience for each guest.
• Small groups with a maximum of 4 riders (plus your guide!) on each flight.
• Incredible 'down-day' activities included.
• Possibility to see the northern lights.
• Life-long memories, new friends and a strong urge to return!
Program
Each fixed date tour follows the same basic program. Day 1 is arrival day where are picked up at the Kiruna airport, driven to Nikkaluokta with a possible stop at the supermarket (for beer/wine etc.). After arrival at 'Nikka' you will be taken to your room and handed all necessary material. The evening will end with a short briefing about the following days heliskiing.
Days 2 to 5 are designated heliski days. After a 30min briefing about movement around the helicopter, start your heli ski adventure. There will be two groups of 4 guest plus a guide rotating on the same helicopter in order to make things more efficient. To make the best use of the snow and weather, thanks to the lengthening polar days it is possible to stay out very late and leave very early. However, on a normal day the group will usually leave the helipad around 9am and come back around 4pm. A 45 min lunch break will take place after a few hours of riding where hot drinks and snacks will be served. More riding after lunch until your guide decides to fly back.
Day 6 is departure day. There is no skiing on the departure day unless late departure is arranged. After breakfast you will be driven back to Kiruna for your flight home.
Rolled up in their passion for providing great skiing, another thing Pure Heliskiing values the most is a satisfied client. Whilst they have got the great riding covered, sometimes the weather simply won't let the helicopters fly. They have dedicated a fair amount of time to prepare a down-day program to fit anyone & everyone. And the result? Snowmobile, ice climbing, ice fishing, ski touring, and the Jukasjarvi Ice Hotel. There is no way you will get bored waiting for the weather, they will make sure of it!
Ski Terrain & Vertical
In terms of ski terrain, the heliski area consists of over 5,000 square km of mountains. A typically good heliski day will involve about 10 runs. Up to 1,400m vertical can be skied in one run, and the longest run is about 5½km, but most are less 2 & 4km long.
Some of the ski locations include the following:
- The Abisko Alps are located 18 minutes with the helicopter. The area includes Keron, Pallentjåkka, Tjåmuhas, Ballingbogicohkka and Adnjetjårro. The freeride skiing is characterized by big open faces. Highest skiable vertical: 955m. Longest run: 2,200m.
- Kåtotjåkka is located 12 minutes by helicopter. The area includes Kåtotjåkka, Höktopparna and Vassacorru. The freeride skiing is characterized by alpine terrain, several long and steep first tracks. Highest skiable vertical: 1,250m. Longest run: 5,500m.
- Nallo is located 10 minutes with the helicopter. The area includes Nallo, Påssustjåkka, Räitastjåkka, Sielmmacohkka and Unna Vistascohkka and constitute high alpine terrain. The freeride skiing is characterized by massive variation. Highest skiable vertical: 1,400m. Longest run: 4,000m.
- Sälka is located 8 minutes by helicopter. The area includes the mountain Sälka. The freeride skiing is characterized by alpine terrain and long first tracks. Highest skiable vertical: 1,000m. Longest run: 3,000m
- And finally Kebnekaise, located 5 minutes with helicopter. The area includes Kebnekaise (the South Peak of Kebnekaise is 2,107m and Sweden’s highest mountain), Singitjåkka, Tarfalatjåkka, Kaskasatjåkka, Vaktposten, Pyramiden, Ceakcahjälmen, Nibals and constitute the highest alpine terrain. The freeride skiing is characterized by big variation. Highest skiable vertical: 1,000m. Longest run: 3,800m
Helicopter & Flight Time
The helicopter used on the tour is an industry standard Eurocopter B4. It can carry up to 5 clients + guide + pilot. There will always be 2 groups per one helicopter in order to maximise efficiency, with 4 riders in each group.
A total of 3 heli hours are included in the tour tariff. This equates to approximately two average heli-days, but it also depends a lot on how far the group's fly to reach the various destinations. Additional heli-time can be purchased on the basis of €650 per hour per person in a full helicopter (4 skiers+guide).
The tour guides are professionals with many years of experience with guiding clients and a lot more with riding powder themselves. They don't wear tight clothes [:-)] and they don't make short turns! They surf powder and search for the best lines for you. All guides are internationally accredited with expert local knowledge. Guide to guest ratio whilst skiing is 1:4.
Ski Ability & Equipment
The Pure Heliskiing Swedish Lapland tour is suitable for fit, strong upper-intermediate or better skiers with previous off-piste powder & mixed snow conditions experience. Where possible you will be placed in a group of similar ski ability.
Participants should bring their own ski and snowboard gear, suitable for powder & mixed snow conditions. All avalanche safety gear (Airbag, shovel, shovel, probe & beacon) is provided.
Lodging & Meals
Accommodation on the tour is in a lodge in the heart of Nikkaluokta village, and right next to the helipad. Bedrooms are twin-share, and the lodge has shared lounge, bathroom and kitchen facilities, plus a sauna. All meals on the trip are included once at the lodge. The first three tours have a private chef included to prepare meals, and the final three tour dates are catered but self-cooking (for a decreased tariff). The chef can be included on all tours if requested.
Location & Transfers
The lodge & helipad are located above the Arctic Circle in the mountains of Swedish Lapland at the village of Nikkaluokta. The closest major town & airport is Kiruna. From the airport, you will be greeted and driven to Nikkaluokta, 70km (1hr drive) away to the west. All ground transport from/to Kiruna airport & the lodge is included in the tour tariff. Kiruna Airport (KRN) can be reached by direct domestic flight from Stockholm (STO), or direct from Düsseldorf (DUS) & Copenhagen (CPH).
Tour Bookings
Make a tour enquiry via the various dates listed above, or make a General Tour Enquiry ->