During the winter and spring, the land and sea is all yours. Tasiilaq has plenty of snow, valleys and mountains, frozen lakes and sea. Skiing under a full moon during the winter is a breathtaking experience. Even at mid winter, you will still have some hours of daylight, with the sun rays circling the peaks of the mountains surrounding town. If a combination of skiing during the day and watching out for northern lights in the evening interests you, the spring months are ideal. After mid April you will enjoy stable weather, mild temperatures, and long hours of daylight.
There are many enjoyable day trips that can be made from the hotel. Longer trips of several days will take you into the heart of the beautiful landscape of East Greenland - fantastic views of mountains and glaciers, and gigantic icebergs that are frozen into the fjord for six months of the year. For the more adventurous skier, routes including glaciers, the ice cap and remote mountains await you.
Dogsleds accompanying your group to carry heavy equipment and provisions can be arranged. This will enable you to travel light and enjoy activities to the full, and the best part will be that you have a friend of a skilled hunter by the end of the trip.
King Oscar Fjord
The fjord in front of the town of Tasiilaq offers an ideal field for skiers who prefer day trips from the hotel. You will enjoy easy skiing with a fantastic view of the mountains on the other side of the fjord, possibly an iceberg frozen into the fjord until next summer, and an occasional dogsled passing by with a friendly hunter stopping for a chat. The fjord has inlets, valleys, hills and mountains, and another fjord on the other side which can be reached through a low pass, so this area alone can offer several days of enjoyable trips.
The Valley of Flowers
The Valley of Flowers, the most popular hiking course in the summer, is an easy and enjoyable skiing trip. You can explore some of the gentle hills and the frozen lakes up the valley, or the more energetic skier may choose to scramble up to a nearby hilltop to enjoy a view of the Atlantic Ocean with its ice floes.
Ammassalik Island
There are numerous possibilities for day trips from Tasiilaq to valleys, frozen lakes, and peaks with rewarding views. A ski trip across the island will take a few days to about a week, depending on how much you choose to explore different spots on the way.
Tasiilaq - Tiniteqilaaq
A trip from Tasiilaq at the southern end of the island, to the village Tiniteqilaaq is a popular course. The route traverses the island from south to north through valleys, and then a short crossing of the frozen sea takes you to the village of Tiniteqilaaq. The 42km (26miles) to Tiniteqilaaq can be skied in one long day by an energetic group, but it will be more enjoyable to stop and make side trips to explore the beautiful nature on the way. The Arctic landscape is fantastic with views of glaciers, majestic peaks, and icebergs frozen into the fjord. With luck you will encounter Arctic foxes and ptarmigans visiting your tent site. We recommend support by dogsled to carry your camping equipment and provisions, which will make your trip more enjoyable travelling with a only a light backpack.
Other courses can be taken according to your interest, such as an abandoned village on a small island facing the large Sermilik Fjord, or a trip accompanying a hunter for a first hand experience of life in the Arctic.
Around Kuummiut
For more seasoned skiers, the area north of the village of Kuummiut offers more remote and challenging destinations. Routes that are not technically difficult can be taken through frozen fjords and low valleys, with spectacular views of high peaks and large glacier fronts. If you wish to go closer to the majestic peaks, you can follow the glaciers to venture into the mountainous areas.
Support by dogsled, or helicopter charters are possible.
