Overall Rating

Antarctica Ski Cruise

Antarctica Ski Cruise5/52
Antarctica Ski Cruise5 out of 5 based on 2 reviews
  • Recommend
    100%
  • Would Revisit
    100%
Classic Dolomites Ski Safari Inspired Italy
Antarctica Ski Cruise Enquire

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.
View inclusions & Add-ons
Click here for rates, dates & availability
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.
Enquire
This 13 day tour to go backcountry skiing in Antarctica as part of an Antarctic Peninsula Adventure Cruise will provide the epitome of bragging rights! Your friends might have been heli skiing in Canada and/or skied 6 continents but what about the white continent? Snowboarding or skiing in Antarctica is probably the coolest trip you’ll ever go on and you can do it from the comforts of a cruise ship.

See our skiing in Antarctica page for an overview of why you’d want to take this absolute trip of a lifetime, or see the Powderhounds Ski Antarctica review to see how much we raved about the trip we went on! Powder skiing probably shouldn’t be your number one priority, but visiting this pristine wilderness, exploring the many coves of the Antarctic Peninsula, viewing the wildlife, and gaping at the amazing views, make this an absolutely epic adventure.

Activities during the day may be rather adventurous but thankfully you won’t have to rough it in tents, as you’ll be able to retreat back to the luxury of the ship at the end of the day (and for lunch if you wish) where you’ll be served up gourmet cuisine.

If you have any questions you can make a booking inquiry here.

Antarctica Skiing and Snowboarding

The ship will travel to different coves and islands each day. You’ll head ashore via a zodiac and getting up onto the slopes may be part of the adventure.

With your guide, you’ll explore many amazing mountains and glaciers of this intriguing continent. The pitch of the slopes varies significantly as does the degree of glaciation and the vertical covered with each ascent. On most skinning climbs, you’ll be roped up with your group.

Guests will be grouped according to their skiing/split boarding goals, including the degree of difficulty on the descent and how technical the ascent may be, the skinning speed, and the amount of skiing. Some days you may go ski touring in the morning, return to the ship for lunch, and then go back out in the afternoon or go on a zodiac cruise, whilst other days you may choose to spend the whole day out skiing.

See the Ski Antarctica page for more on the skiing and snowboarding.

Guiding

Each group has a maximum of 4 guests to one guide, and the guides are incredibly experienced and qualified. The guides are the crème de la crème of ski and snowboarding guides from around the world. The guides are coordinated by Ice Axe Expeditions, who have extensive experience in leading expeditions to remote and frozen parts of the world.

Travelling to the Antarctic Peninsula

The trip starts in Ushuaia (nicknamed the “end of the world”) in the Tierra del Fuego at the southern tip of Argentina. You can fly to Ushuaia via Buenos Aires – you can check flight options here. (NB the Buenos Aires international airport is Ministro Pistarini International Airport, EZE, and the domestic airport is Jorge Newbery, AEP. A taxi ride between the two airports may be required).

From Ushuaia the ship heads along the Beagle Channel, past Cape Horn and across the often treacherous Drake Passage (yes you might like to take along some sea sickness tablets!) to the Antarctic Peninsula.

Other Activities

The skiing and snowboarding is a fabulous adventure but it isn’t necessarily the only main event! Exploring the raw magnificence of the Antarctic Peninsula via the ship and zodiacs is a large part of the trip, and presentations will cover the history, biology, geology and politics of Antarctica. The expedition crew also provide information on the wildlife including penguin colonies, bird life, seals, and killer whales. It will be a feast for your eyes but you’ll also hear glaciers calving. And if you really want a sensory overload, you can also do the polar plunge!

And if you have a travelling companion/s that doesn’t want to go backcountry skiing/split boarding, other activity options are sea kayaking and snowshoe trekking.

You’ll also have the option to attend presentations from some of the mountain guides regarding other great backcountry skiing destinations around the world.

Required Ability/Experience

Even though there may be celebrities and pro skiers and riders on the trip, you don’t have to be a pro yourself. However as an absolute minimum you need to be an advanced skier or snowboarder (black ungroomed runs) and have plenty of experience riding off-piste on a range of snow conditions (including challenging snow quality).

Previous ski touring/split boarding experience is required and crevasse rescue skills advantageous but not essential. A 2 day mountaineering introductory course is held in Ushuaia prior to the trip that covers the basics or if you want a refresher. Skills covered include ropework, travelling as a team, gear adjustments/tweaks and tips of the trade, kick turns, ski crampons, self arrest, knots, crevasse rescue, and more.

Needless to say you’ll need to be very fit. There are no chair lifts or helicopters and you’ll need to earn your own turns.

A gear list will be provided which includes ski/snowboard touring gear, crampons (ski/split board and boot) and ice axe. Gear rentals are not provided.





You'll find more Antartica Ski Trip videos here.
Pre Trip
You have the option of attending the 2 day mountaineering introductory course or having a ski touring warm up on the Martial Glacier in Ushuaia.

A welcome drinks session will be held for those in Ushuaia the night before the trip officially starts.

Day 1
Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina. Orientation with ski or trekking guide at Martial Glacier. Welcome dinner. Overnight in Ushuaia.

Day 2
In the morning board the Ocean Adventurer ship and set sail down the Beagle Channel.

Day 3-4
Cross the Drake Passage. Sperm, fin, and humpback whales, along with skies of seabirds will accompany the journey. Arrive Antartica Peninsula.

Day 5
Ski and trekking objectives at Neko Harbour. Zodiac cruise and visit a penguin rookery.

Day 6
Ski and trekking objectives at Anvers and Wenke Islands. Port Lockroy scientific base and museum. Visit gentoo and adelie penguin habitat.

Day 7
Ski and trekking objectives at Ronge/Island/Mt. Britannia. Visit penguin rookery at Georges Point.

Day 8
Ski and trekking objectives in Paradise Bay. Zodiac excursions. Visit penguin rookery and Almirante Brown Station.

Day 9
Lemaire Channel/ Mt. Scott/ Mt. Demaria/Mt. Mill ski descents. Visit the Ukrainian Vernadsky scientific station. Killer whale and leopard seal sightings.

Day 10
New ski descents and nature cruises of Charlotte Bay; begin journey north in the evening.

Day 11-12
Sail Drake Passage; with the potential to pass the dramatic cliffs of Cape Horn before re-entering the Beagle Channel.

Day 13
In the morning, disembark the Ocean Adventurer in Ushuaia, Argentina.

Flexibility is necessary for all Antarctic travel. This program is subject to change throughout the journey depending on ice, weather and local conditions.

Lodging

The Ocean Adventurer (formerly the Sea Adventurer) run by Quark Expeditions is an ice-capable polar cruise ship that has received a couple of multi-million dollar renovations. The ship is 101 metres in length and caters to up to 132 visitors (approximately 100 guests plus the mountain guides). Rather than being one of those monstrous cruise ships that holds thousands of guests, this small cruise ship is nimble and good at getting into small coves, and offers a much more personalised experience. It’s also small enough to enable multiple zodiac shore landings per day.

The deluxe ship has comfortable cabins ranging from twin cabins with porthole or windows, to suites.

The Ocean Adventurer has a forward lounge (with presentation facilities) and well stocked bar, and a lovely window lined dining room.

Three gourmet meals per day are chef prepared, and there are also après ski appetizers. A drinks service is available in the dining room as well as in the lounge.

The ship also has an exercise room, gift shop, library with polar books, and satellite communications with internet access (data usage charges apply). Other services include laundry (charges apply) and a clinic with a licensed doctor.

With a staff and crew of 87, the levels of service are very high.

Cabins & Suites

All cabins have an ensuite bathroom with hairdryer, bathrobes, safe and TV (with 2 movie channels) and DVD player. An extensive housekeeping service is provided.

Lower Deck Twin

- Averaging 133 sq. ft. (12 sq. m)
- Two single beds
- Porthole



Main Deck Twin Porthole

- Averaging 118 sq. ft. (11 sq. m)
- Two single beds
- Porthole



Main Deck Twin Window

- Averaging 139 sq. ft. (13 sq. m)
- Two single beds
- Two windows



Upper Deck Superior

- Averaging 142 sq. ft. (13 sq. m)
- 2 single beds
- windows



Deluxe Room

- Averaging 160 sq. ft. (15 sq. m)
- 2 single beds
- windows
- located on upper deck or captain’s deck



Suite

- Averaging 215 sq. ft. (20 sq. m)
- double bed



Owner's Suite

- Averaging 290 sq. ft. (27 sq. m)
- oversized double bed
- private sitting room
- One suite features a large panoramic window facing aft, & the other two suites face port & starboard

Rates 2024

If this amazing adventure is of interest and you have any questions, you can make a booking request here

Ship
  • French Balcony: $13,995 per guest
  • Main Deck Balcony: $14,495 per guest 
  • Balcony Stateroom: $16,495 per guest
  • Balcony Suite: $17,995 per guest
  • Junior Balcony Suite: $20,995 per guest
  • Premium Balcony Suite: $21,995 per guest 
  • Non-skier package: $13,995 per guest
Adventure Activity Options
  • $2,200 fee per guest for ski mountaineering
  • $2,600 fee per guest for ski mountaineering + kayaking
  • $800 fee per guest for 2-Day Ushuaia Ski Tour — Antarctic Prep Clinic (October 16-17th)
  • Kayaking + Snowshoe Trekking included for non-skiers selecting the Antarctic Adventurer Package

Rates Notes

  • Rates are in USD
  • Rates are for twin share accommodation. Ice Axe will do their best to accommodate all passengers traveling alone by finding the best roommate match possible. Some flexibility may be necessary. If IceAxe is unable to find a suitable roommate then you will be invoiced for a single supplement price.
  • Please inquire to discuss accommodations for children.

Inclusions
  • 11 nights onboard polar explorer ship, 4 gourmet meals/day
  • Cross the Drake Passage to Antarctic Peninsula
  • 6 days guided ski/snowboard touring (1:4 guide:guest ratio) or trekking or kayaking
  • Scenic cruising, shore landings & wildlife spotting from zodiacs
  • Presentations by expedition team re wildlife etc
  • 1 night pre-expedition shared hotel accommodation in Ushuaia & continental breakfast.
  • Group dinner in Ushuaia
  • Group transfers from the hotel to the ship on embarkation and from the ship to the airport on disembarkation and all miscellaneous service taxes and port charges
  • Photographic DVD chronicling the voyage
  • Comprehensive pre-departure information package
  • Loan of a pair of rubber expedition boots for shore landings
Add-ons
  • 2 day mountaineering introductory course in Ushuaia
Not Included
  • Airfares to/from Ushuaia - flight options here
  • Skiing or trekking equipment
  • Baggage, cancellation and travel insurance (emergency medical & evacuation insurance is mandatory)
  • Laundry, bar, beverage & other personal charges onboard the ship or at the hotel
  • Telecommunications charges
  • Gratuities for ship staff
  • Gratuities for mountain guide

Conditions

  • A 50% deposit is required upon booking to reserve your place. The final balance is payable 95 days prior to your departure date.
  • If any trip must be delayed due to bad weather, cancelled or delayed transportation, sickness or any other situation for which Ice Axe Expeditions cannot make provisions, all costs incurred during such delays must be borne by trip members.
  • All requests for cancellations must be received in writing. Cancellations received up to 150 days prior to departure are refunded less an administrative fee of $500 per person. If cancellation is received between 149 and 95 days prior to departure, the deposit is forfeited. Please note that for cancellations received within 94 days prior to departure, all deposits and tariffs are forfeited. If cancellation occurs within the 94-day period and full payment has not yet been received, the full penalty will still apply and unpaid monies are due immediately. For these and other reasons mentioned below, you are strongly encouraged to obtain trip cancellation insurance.
  • Prices quoted are based on group participation and no refunds will be made for any part of the program in which you choose not to participate.