Now that we are already starting to prepare for the next season, it's good to sit back and refresh some of our favorite memories from the 2014 season
The wild and rough Lonafjordur is one of our favourite fjords. It has some of Hornstrandir's best ski touring terrain and many steep couloirs that have never been skied. It's always fun to ski something new, something that we've had our eyes on for years.
One day in late March the weather was perfect and snow conditions ideal, so McKenna Peterson from the Shifting Ice - Changing Tides crew was the lucky one to do an amazing first decent of a big and steep line right off the middle of Einbui couloir.
One day in March, the weather did not permit much skiing so the group spent the day inside playing cards, drinking wine and eating cheese. An anonymous Irishman lost a card came and had to run naked around the deck of Aurora during the howling blizzard, wearing only a viking helmet.
Another stormy day a different group had enough of sitting inside and also decided it was time to take matters in their own hands: Go for a swim!
Last winter we acquired two paddle boards from Hala Gear, a small designer based in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. During our first trip we experimented with these new toys, using them to explore and access fun ski lines!
Having 10 guests onboard Aurora from 9 nationalities! Representing the United States, Australia, Russia, Moldova, Poland, Lebanon, Argentina, Chile and Spain.
In some Arctic cultures the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) are believe to be torches leading the souls of those who have just died over the abyss terminating the edge of the world. A narrow pathway leads across it to the land of brightness and plenty, where disease and pain are no more and where food is in abundance. 7
After a perfect day skiing powder in the sun, we had a spectacular northern lights display in Lonafjordur.
During the crossing from Isafjordur to Hornstrandir we sometimes stop to try our luck with fishing. The Westfjords are known for their rich fishing grounds so usually the hook is not more than 2 minutes in the water until a big cod is hanging on the rod.
Our trips start in the beginning of March with very much wintery conditions, with darkness, powder snow and northern lights. We end our ski season, however, in the end of May in good spring conditions when it's bright 24/7. Therefore there is nothing to stop us from sleeping during the day and ski during night just like this group did, doing their last turns of the day at midnight!
Lots of good times indeed - and even more to come. Our season starts on 1st of March and we'd love to have you onboard.