Greenland Crossing Confirmation Details
We are very excited to confirm your participation on the 2026 Greenland Ski & Pulk Crossing Expedition. This expedition is unique and remarkable in many ways and we are confident that you will find it to be an incredible adventure.
Preparation is the key to your success, safety and comfort during the expedition. This confirmation letter is designed to give you easy access to all the forms and resources that will be a part of your preparations along with your personal training and travel arrangements.
For your convenience you can find all the expedition forms and resource links on our website anytime at this link: https://www.polarexplorers.com/greenland-resources. This page is password protected. The password is: greenland (all lowercase)
This Confirmation Letter includes the following important information in this order:
Expedition Dates & Arrival Information
This expedition begins as the team gathers in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland on April 29, 2026 . You should plan to take Air Greenland's direct flight from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq on April 28. This direct flight is only offered once a week and it bypasses airports in Greenland that frequently have weather related delays and cancellations.
Getting to Greenland – An international airport has recently been built in Nuuk, Greenland that has changed most travel itineraries to Kangerlussuaq. As noted above we highly recommend Air Greenland's once-a-week direct flight from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq. Otherwise travel to Kangerlussuaq typically involves a layover in Nuuk, Greenland and has an increased chance of weather delays or cancellations.
Leaving Greenland - The expedition will end at or near the small town of Isortoq on the east coast of Greenland. Our exact ending location depends on several factors including weather, sea ice, lake ice, snow conditions and timing. From Isortoq (or the surrounding area) we will transfer to the larger town of Tasiilaq. A helicopter transfer will likely be required and is not included in the price of the expedition and will be charged separately. A ballpark estimate of the price is $2,000 per person but the exact price will not be known until the pickup request is made. If there is little sea ice we may be able to arrange a boat transfer which would be less expensive but longer.
Most likely everyone will spend at least one night in Tasiilaq. From Tasiilaq you will arrange your own homeward bound departure. Flights out of Greenland depart from the airport in Kulusuk, Greenland which is a short (10 minutes) helicopter transfer from Tasiilaq. Flights to Reykjavik, Iceland are available from Kulusuk with Icelandair. The helicopter flight from Tasiilaq to Kulusuk is with Air Greenland.
When booking travel we always recommend the most flexible tickets that can easily be changed if necessary.
Hotels - In Kangerlussuaq we recommend staying at Polar Lodge. If Polar Lodge is full we recommend the Hotel Kangerlussuaq as an alternative. In Tasiilaq we recommend Hotel Angmagssalik. As we approach the east coast of Greenland our office will coordinate the booking of hotels in Tasiilaq or Kulusuk though you will be responsible for covering the cost.
Passport & Visa - A valid passport (check the expiration date!) is required to enter Greenland. Please check with your travel agent or a Danish Embassy or Consulate to see if you are required to have a visa. A visa to enter Denmark or another Schengen country is not valid for entry into Greenland. Greenland is not a member of the EU and is not a party to the Schengen Agreement. This means that, if you are a citizen of a country with a visa requirement but have a Schengen visa, you still need to apply separately and specifically for permission to enter Greenland.
Additional travel tips – We recommend booking your travel arrangements with a travel agent who can make changes on your behalf with one call from the ice. Alternatively, designating a family member or friend to act as your travel agent is much better than having to deal with lengthy airline phone queues from an expensive satellite phone with a questionable signal.
Immunizations - Although no immunizations are presently mandatory for entering Greenland, travelers are recommended to be current in all their routine vaccinations including Hepatitis A, B and Tetanus-diphtheria.
Schedule
This expedition begins as the team gathers in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland on April 29. This will be a busy day of preparations and packing. We plan to spend two nights in Kangerlussuaq, though this could change based on weather forecasts or various logistics. Arriving a day or two early is encouraged!
During our time in Kangerlussuaq we will be reviewing equipment and expedition logistics as well as packing and repacking our supplies. Also during this time you will send your “street clothes” (all clothing/luggage that you are not bringing to the icecap) to Tasiilaq via the mail (postage fee and pick up fee in Tasiilaq not included). On May 1 we will be transferred by vehicle to Point 660 at the west edge of the Greenland Icecap at which point we will start hauling our sleds. Woohoo!
The first few days will be spent ascending through the icefall. This will be like navigating through a puzzle trying to find the best route. We will likely start on foot with crampons, before we are able to transition to skis. We will be prepared to travel in a rope team if necessary due to crevasses. We hope to have snow or ice that allows us to pull our sleds rather than moraines of gravel but we need to be ready for anything!
Once we reach the top of the icefall we will transition to a daily routine that includes: waking, melting snow and eating breakfast, breaking camp, skiing for 6-7 “marches” or “pushes” with more or less as needed, making camp (which is an additional “push”), making hot drinks, soups and dinner, and finally R&R and bedtime!
Approximately 1/3 of the way across the icecap we will reach DYE II which is a relic of the cold war’s DEW Line (Distant Early Warning). This abandoned radar station is a fascinating structure that is visible miles away in clear weather. Your headlamp will be necessary to tour the inside.
Roughly 2/3 of the way across the icecap we will reach the summit of 2500 meters (8202 feet). Depending on the conditions of the final descent we may switch from skis to crampons and we may travel temporarily in a rope team if necessary. We may have to portage or pull our sleds over terrain if the snow has melted. We will also be on the lookout for polar bears as we approach the east coast and we will keep a rotating watch at night.
Depending on snow conditions and air temperatures we might find it favorable to switch from day travel to night travel, which is made possible by the long daylight and twilight hours.
Our schedule is highly dynamic and needs to remain flexible to accommodate fickle weather and the unique nature of our crossing.
Forms
PE Application Submit along with your registration and deposit
PE Expedition Skills Questionnaire Submit by January 29, 2026
PE Medical Form Submit by January 29, 2026
PE Insurance Form Submit by January 29, 2026
Clothing & Equipment
Greenland weather is extreme and it changes rapidly. You need specific clothing & equipment for this expedition and you need to be very familiar with every item you bring. Click here to see your Clothing & Equipment Checklist and a description of most items. You will also find this information starting on page 6 of your Greenland Handbook.
Temperatures can range from well below zero to above freezing. It can be dry or quite wet, and it is almost always windy. This makes packing the right equipment very important. Keep in mind that your personal internal thermometer and your previous experience with the cold is an important tool to determine the gear that is best for you. People have varying tolerance for the cold (especially with hands and feet and sleeping) and this will play into the items you choose to bring based on the equipment list.
It’s important that new gear is purchased well in advance of the expedition so that you can break it in and become familiar with it. This is especially critical for your boots. Don’t forget that you might want to add modifications, like long zipper pulls, or extra pockets to your gear. There are no stores in Kangerlussuaq that sell expedition-quality outdoor gear so it’s critical that you arrive with everything you need.
Be Prepared, Present & Positive
Showing up for this expedition means a lot more than arriving in Kangerlussuaq with your gear. It also means arriving well prepared, ready to be present, and committed to being a positive member of your team. If your lack of preparedness or other factors mean that you are physically incapable or if your actions, attitude or behavior jeopardizes you or the group we reserve the right to arrange for your evacuation at your own expense. Neither refunds nor credits are given under such circumstances.
About Your Preparation
Every expedition has three phases. The first phase begins the day you commit to doing the expedition and it ends when you embark on the adventure. This phase is called the Preparatory Phase and it is extremely important. Click here to find out what you should know and do during the Preparatory Phase of your expedition.
Helpful resources for your preparations:
-
Click here to read or download the Greenland Ski/Pulk Expedition Handbook. This important handbook includes: what to expect, info about clothing & equipment, FAQ, a reading list, a press release and much more.
-
Click here to watch a short video about five things to consider when planning your training
-
Click here for a tutorial about tire-pulling in advance of the expedition
Training
This expedition will be very physically demanding, it will test your limits and certainly requires that you arrive physically fit. We will be pulling heavy sleds for 575 km across the icecap and moving every day that weather allows. This requires a high level of resiliency and determination, and also, frequently, humor and hope :)
We will gain altitude from around 2,000 feet at Point 660 to around 8,200 feet at our summit. Then as we descend we may traverse fields of sastrugi (wind patterns in the snow) that can make a typical day feel a lot harder than normal. Pulling a tire, hill climbing with a pack, and strength, balance and flexibility training should all be a part of your pre-expedition routine. Working with a personal trainer that specializes in cold weather sled hauling or mountaineering expeditions can be very helpful. Please contact us to discuss your training or for trainer recommendations.
You should also be preparing yourself to be an effective and positive team member. This includes sharing your strengths with the group and allowing others to share theirs. It includes providing emotional support to others when needed, whether that’s lending an ear, giving a smile or a hug, taking weight or allowing others to take weight from you if necessary. It means being attentive to the group relationships in positive ways. The success of an expedition of this nature relies heavily on the group being able to support each other and share all the good times and challenging times in a positive way.
Insurance
Trip cancellation and medical evacuation insurance are both required on this expedition. We can help you get quotes for these insurances. Please keep in mind that medical evacuation insurance only covers evacuations for medical reasons. In addition Greenland requires search and rescue (SAR) insurance. This insurance can be very difficult to find and for this reason PolarExplorers will arrange a policy for the group but the cost of the SAR insurance is not included in the expedition price. This exact amount is unknown but in 2025 it was roughly $2,000 per person.
Medications You Need To Bring
Every participant needs to bring at least one course of a broad spectrum antibiotic (for skin infections, urinary tract infections, etc.) and any personal medications that you may frequently use including epinephrine if you have severe allergies. We also recommend a respiratory antibiotic if you are prone to having respiratory illnesses or infections. Women may also want to carry an antifungal medication for yeast infections. If you do not have a personal physician who can write these prescriptions you can contact companies that build medical kits for travelers such as Wandr and Runway (both USA based) or you can use resources like this Global Clinic Directory from the International Society for Travel Medicine. Also plan to bring a small first aid kit with items you frequently use such as blister care, ibuprofen, etc.
Expedition lunches
During the expedition we will stop periodically to snack on high energy food and drink fluids that you bring. PolarExplorers does not provide any snack or lunch items to eat during the day. Plan to bring a minimum of 1500 calories of your favorite energy snacks per day for six days. Your snacks should have both quick burning and slow burning calories (for example, chocolate AND nuts). Also, some people like to bring their own favorite powdered drink. If you find drinking flavored water easier than drinking plain water, consider bringing such a mix. How much? You will likely be drinking at least 2 liters (or quarts) of fluids each day while on the go. Additionally you will be drinking hot drinks in the evening and mornings (coco, tea, etc. provided by PolarExplorers). For more information on expedition snack food check out this short video (https://youtu.be/KHAd5AUAtl0).
Baggage & Weight
Important! This expedition is not resupplied which means that we will be carrying all our food and supplies for the duration of the expedition. Each person’s sled will likely weigh a minimum of 70 kg / 155 lbs. This includes personal clothing and accessories, gear, toiletries, camera equipment, personal communication devices, sleeping system, food as well as a portion of the group gear and fuel. It is imperative that you bring only the items on the clothing & equipment checklist because each additional item will add more weight to your sled. There is an old saying that goes “ounces = pounds = pain!” and it’s accurate!
Please be aware of weight allowances on your flights. It is likely that you will require additional baggage or incur excess weight fees on your flight(s) into and possibly out of Greenland.
Expedition Blog
We will be posting an expedition blog with frequent dispatches from the expedition. This is a great way to share the adventure with your family and friends. The blog can be found here or by clicking the yellow “Dispatch” button on our homepage menu bar. We encourage you to participate by writing one of the blogs or sharing an audio dispatch.
Gratuities
Tipping your expedition guide is customary and always appreciated though it is not obligatory. The tip amount is at your discretion. Here’s a helpful resource about guide tips from Outside Magazine.
Inclusions and Exclusions
What is included?
-
Pre-expedition support and assistance with planning & preparations
-
Permitting
-
Guide(s)
-
All group gear & all group expedition, safety and communication gear
-
Welcome reception in Kangerlussuaq
-
All dinners on the ice, breakfasts on the ice, and hot drinks (if you have specific allergies or food requirements you may be asked to bring some of your own food choices.)
What is not included?
-
Commercial flights to and from Greenland
-
Pick up helicopter flight on the east coast as necessary
-
SAR insurance
-
Meals and accommodations in Kangerlussuaq, Isortoq, Tasiilaq or Kulusuk
-
Personal lunch snacks during the expedition
-
Personal equipment and clothing including skis, bindings and boots.
-
Additional expenses incurred in Greenland due to delays
-
Additional expenses incurred from transfers or unplanned in-town expenses
-
Medical evacuation and trip cancellation insurance
-
Helicopter or plane transfers of any kind
Again, thank you for registering for our 2026 Svalbard Ski Expedition. We look forward to working with you as you prepare for this exciting adventure. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can assist you in any way.