The Adventure Of A Lifetime
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Step 1: Watch the Antarctica Trip Video Below (press play in the lower left corner)
Step 2: Ready For The Adventure Of A Lifetime? Only 36 Spots Left for 2024!
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Now that you’ve watched the video and are excited to ski/snowboard, trek and kayak in Antarctica with the ONLY commercially permitted operation on the planet allowed to do those activities, If you feel you’re ready to join our next voyage and experience Antarctica while you still can, click the button above to schedule a call with Doug, the Founder of Ice Axe Expeditions. Use the menu below to learn more about the trip specifics. Remember space is limited.
Expedition Overview
Join us for a unique itinerary to the remote wilderness of the Antarctic Peninsula. Our trips and itineraries are customized for those with an adventure-driven spirit; providing our clients with a unique opportunity to trek, ski and snowboard several of the White Continent’s untamed peaks. Journey deep into the rugged landscape of one of earth’s last frontiers while enjoying the convenience, safety, and comfort of the Ocean Albatros expedition ship. Sail past Cape Horn, across the Drake Passage, and along the Antarctic Peninsula and join an exclusive group of intrepid travelers inspired by the legacy of Antarctic discovery.
Experience true modern exploration as you travel to a land covered by glaciers, never conquered by man. Travel through alleys of icebergs and study the blue mystery of such extraordinary formations of nature. Explore harbors and bays while surrounded by clouds of seabirds and become enveloped in the raw magnificence. Witness the profound beauty and isolation of a land covered by ice. Listen to glaciers calve and observe with wonder minke whales, black-browed albatross, snow petrels, penguins and seals.
Ponder the complexity of the fragile and dynamic ecosystem of the Antarctic Peninsula. Daily shore landings, lectures, and zodiac excursions will cover the history, biology, geology and politics of our Southernmost continent. Actively explore this frontier or contemplate the social structure of a penguin colony-this once-in-a-lifetime trip is for you.
Dates and Rates
| Dates | Duration | Departing From | Adventure Options | Starting From |
| Oct 19 – 31, 2024 | 13 days |     |
$13,995* |
Dates and Rates
| Dates | Duration | Departing From | Starting From |
| Oct 19 – 31, 2024 | 13 days | $13,995* |
Dates and Rates
| Dates | Starting From |
| Oct 19 – 31, 2024 | $13,995* |
What’s Included?
✅ A comprehensive pre-departure information package + Swag.
✅ 1-night pre-expedition shared hotel accommodation in Ushuaia, Argentina. This room includes a continental breakfast.
✅ Group welcome 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.
✅ 13 days aboard a new Polar Code 6 / Ice Class 1A vessel.
✅ Fine dining on-board: breakfast, lunch, and dinners. (unlimited coffee & tea)
✅ Ski guide services, maintaining a 4:1 client to guide ratio.
✅ Intimate group experiences.
✅ Zodiac excursions touring icebergs and glaciers as permitted by weather and conditions.
✅ Two outdoor hot tubs on the midnight sun pool deck for your enjoyment.
✅ Antarctic Ocean Polar Plunge.
✅ Multiple landings at penguin rookeries.
✅ Presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers.
✅ Photographic trip-log shared after the voyage.
✅ A pair of rubber expedition boots on loan for shore landings.
✅ Memories that last forever!
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✔ Optional activities: Kayaking, ski/snowboarding, trekking, a multi day pre-trip glacier travel course, photography workshops, fine art coffee table books (let us know your interested on the call!)
✔ Condition & location-dependent possibilities: Visit and ski in an ancient flooded caldera on Deception Island.
What’s Not Included?
✘ Airfares to or from your home city, whether on scheduled or charter flights.
✘ Passport and visa expenses. Tourist entry fees may apply depending on your nationality.
✘ Any government arrival and departure airport taxes.
✘ Ski or trekking equipment.
✘ Any meals ashore with the exception of breakfast at the host hotel and the welcome dinner on the evening prior to departure.
✘ Baggage, cancellation and travel insurance (emergency medical and evacuation insurance is mandatory. Ice Axe can help you to arrange this insurance if you need assistance.)
✘ Excess baggage charges.
✘ Laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges onboard the ship or at the hotel.
✘ Telecommunications and wifi charges.
✘ Tips for guides, stewards, and hospitality staff.
Itinerary
PreTrip – *Antarctic Prep/Glacier Travel Clinic (optional paid add-on): A 2-day course in Ushuaia on the Martial Glacier before we board the ship. It’s designed for beginner and experienced guests to learn and/or refresh the skills needed to have a safe and successful adventure with us in Antarctica.
Day 1 – Arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina. Orientation with your ski or trekking guide. Welcome Dinner. Overnight in Ushuaia.
Day 2 – Board the Ocean Albatros and set sail down the Beagle Channel.
Day 3 – Cross the Drake Passage. Sperm, fin, and humpback whales, along with skies of seabirds will accompany our journey.
Day 4 – Continue crossing the Drake Passage, possible afternoon ski and trekking objectives at Deception Island in the South Sheltlands.
Day 5 – Ski and trekking objectives at Charlotte Bay and Bluff Island.
Day 6 – Ski and trekking objectives at Nansen and Enterprise Islands. Zodiac cruises, penguin rookeries, and kayaking.
Day 7 – Ski and trekking objectives at Wenke Island & Damoy Point. Lemaire Channel.
Day 8 – Ski and trekking objectives at Ronge Island, Mt. Britannia. Visit penguin rookery at Georges Point on Cuverville Island.
Day 9 – Ski and trekking objectives on Brabant Island at Chiguano Bay. Killer whale and leopard seal sightings. Zodiac cruises, penguin rookeries, and kayaking.
Day 10 – New ski descents and nature cruises Livingston Island and Half Moon Bay in the South Shetlands. Zodiac cruises, penguin rookeries, and kayaking; begin journey north in the evening.
Day 11 – Sail the Drake Passage; pass the dramatic cliffs of Cape Horn.
Day 12 – Continue sailing Drake Passage.
Day 13 – Disembark the Ocean Albatros in Ushuaia, Argentina.
Important reminder: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy – and excitement – of expedition travel. There are no guarantees that we can achieve everything we set out to accomplish. A measure of flexibility is something all of us must bring to a voyage. There are nearly 200 recognized sites in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetlands and the places mentioned above may be changed to others equally as interesting. This program is subject to change throughout the journey depending on ice, weather, and local conditions.
Cabin Options & Deck Plan
French Balcony
16 sqm. The French Balcony Stateroom is a standard Stateroom with a French balcony, a double bed, floor-to-ceiling windows and a bathroom. All French Balcony Suites are located on Deck 7.
Main Deck Balcony (Deck 4)
22 sqm and located on deck 4. They have a balcony, a double bed or two single beds, a bathroom, and a seating area with a table and chair (some staterooms have a sofa that can be used as a bed for a third occupant). If you desire to book two staterooms with connecting doors, this is also a possibility within this category.
Balcony Stateroom (Deck 6)
22 sqm. The most abundant type of Stateroom on Ocean Albatros is located on deck 6. They have a balcony, a double bed or two single beds, a bathroom, and a seating area with a table and chair (some staterooms have a sofa that can be used as a bed for a third occupant). If you desire to book two staterooms with connecting doors, this is also a possibility within this category.
Balcony Suite
A Balcony Suite has 32 sqm of space. Ocean Albatros has 6 Balcony Suites on board located on decks 4 & 6. The suites feature double or twin beds and a seating area, bathroom, and a large balcony. The balcony suites can host 2 people.
Junior Balcony Suite (Deck 7)
A Junior Balcony Suite has 40 sqm. of space. The 4 junior suites aboard Ocean Albatros have a great view from their location high up on the ship on deck 7. The suites feature a double bed or twin beds, sofa bed, seating area, a spacious bathroom and a private balcony. The suite can accommodate up to 3 people.
Premium Balcony Suite (Deck 4)
Our nicest cabin! A Premium Balcony Suite has 45 sqm of space. This 2-bedroom suite features a double bed (or twin beds), a sofa bed, table and chair, a balcony and a spacious bathroom. Located on deck 4.
Ship Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reserve my trip?
Schedule a call to talk with us here. You will fill out a brief survey and schedule a time to chat with our founder and CEO Doug Stoup. He will call you on the date and time you select.
Are your guests mostly families and couples, or are their solo travelers too?
We get all of the above but out of all the destinations we visit, Antarctica is perhaps the most friendly for single travelers since over 100 people go. So if you’re solo, don’t wait for a travel partner; many single travelers journey to the White Continent so shared cabins are available at great rates. It’s a stellar place to meet adventure-minded friends for life! Most of our clients have similar interests and are on the cruise to tick off a long-standing item on their bucket list. One of our recent solo guests commented “It was easy to sit down next to a stranger at dinner or during the presentations and feel comfortable. So, if you are a single traveler and are nervous about booking a cruise to Antarctica for just yourself, fear not! This will be one of the best things you do in your life.”
I am traveling alone. Can you provide me with a roommate?
We will do our best to accommodate all passengers traveling alone by finding the best roommate match possible. Some flexibility may be necessary. If we are unable to find a suitable roommate then you will be invoiced for a single supplement price.
What is the weather like?
Antarctica is actually the driest continent on earth and is classified as a polar desert. Only 12 inches on average of precipitation falls each year in the interior but along the coast can accumulate several feet. This means that you will likely have some sunny days ideal for skiing down its pristine mountains, wildlife viewing, and taking in the expansive landscape. Be sure to bring your sunglasses and sunscreen! It is also warmer and easier to get burnt than you think! Heavy rainfall is unusual; strong winds are relatively common, so it is important to pack accordingly. The average temperatures on the Antarctic Peninsula during the summer months range from approximately 23º – 40º F. The weather in Ushuaia is a bit warmer but also has the wind and rain characteristics of the Antarctic weather systems.
What happens if there are delays due to unpredictable weather?
If any trip must be delayed due to bad weather, canceled 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.
How many vertical feet can I expect to ski/board?
Skiing/Snowboarding in Antarctica is Unlike Anything You’ve Ever Done. Our staff does our best to get everyone out to ski twice a day. Most zones ascend out of the water averaging 1000-1500 ft. (300-500m) Our guides aim to summit peaks for optimal viewing of the amazing landscapes and then ski back to the water to interact with penguins and seals. We concentrate on providing a flexible experience where you can ski as much or as little as you wish. We will ski in about 7 different locations ranging from the South Shetland Islands to the Gerlache Straits and through the Lemaire Channel to around 64 degrees South.
What should my skiing/backcountry ability level and experience be?
If you choose to ski/board, your ability level should be intermediate to advanced but you don’t need to have any touring or glacial travel experience. 30% of our participants have no or minimal backcountry experience. We have groups (4-1) designed for the guide to instruct the basics of ski touring. Most are competent skiers and there is terrain for all abilities. We offer an optional Glacier Travel Course on Mt. Shasta in May and another in Ushuaia, Argentina days before the Cruise. This is a great refresher for those that haven’t traveled in glaciated terrain in a while, and it’s also recommended if you have little or no glacier travel experience so we can get you comfortable. This is a trip of a lifetime where skiing becomes secondary and the overall experience to interact with wildlife and become ambassadors for the Last Frontier will bring memories for the rest of your life.
What if I don’t ski or snowboard?
That is completely fine! Lots of our guests, spouses, and family members either don’t ski/board or want to mix up their activities. Beyond our ski touring option, we offer trekking and kayaking. Many guests choose to sign up for multiple activities to maximize their experience.
What type of wildlife can I see?
The krill and mineral-rich waters bring a wide variety of intriguing wildlife. Ten species of whales swim the Antarctic waters, including killer whales, minke and humpback, offering transformative water-level experiences to those exploring via kayak, or zodiac. Fur seals, crabeater seals, elephant seals, leopard seals, Ross seals, and Weddell seals are all a treat to see lounging along the shore or on ice floes. The birdlife that comes to feed on the fish drawn to the area are a variety of petrels and albatross among the terns, cormorants, and skuas; the skies are never boring. Often a rare bird can be seen far from land while crossing the famous Drake Passage. And of course Penguins! 17 types of penguins live in Antarctica and the nearby islands. We frequently see Chinstrap, Gentoo, Adelie, and Macaroni. They’ve never had predators on land, so they’re confident—and extremely curious and will regularly walk right up to our guests. This is your chance to get up close and personal with everyone’s favorite flightless bird.
Who are your guides?
We bring together 20-30 of the worlds best mountain guides from all over the world. We only use the best of the best because safety is our number one priority. To our knowledge, this is the only trip to bring together this many high caliber guides on one expedition. We keep a maximum Guide to Client ratio of 4:1, and most of the time you will be skiing in a group fewer than 8 people with 2 guides. Our guides have an astonishing list of accomplishments, from climbing & skiing Everest, to pioneering over 200 first descents on all 7 continents, and so much more. They love to share their experiences with you and be a part of your trip-of-a-lifetime. Our guides are our cornerstone, making sure clients are safe in the mountains and to show them the time of their lives. At the end of the day, we want our clients to say “that was the best day of my life,” and our guides live for those moments.
What Our Past Clients Have To Say
My wife and I operate a cat skiing lodge called Mustang Powder in British Columbia, Canada, and a friend and I organized a large group of skiers and sea kayakers to do this trip. The Ice Axe staff were all professional, courteous, helpful, and passionate about Antarctica and the expedition. It is hard to describe what is so special about Antarctica, but it is awe-inspiring and I highly recommend this trip!
This trip is dedicated to skiing and other activities on the continent. Ice Axe uses world-class professional guides and has years of experience with this program. I have several friends that have been on this trip as clients and guides, and I had only heard amazing stories of previous trips. There was so much more than the skiing –- wildlife (could not get enough of the penguins!), icebergs, glaciers, and the non-stop scenery. The Ice Axe clients and guides are fascinating people from all over the world –- the stories and experiences of this group were endlessly entertaining.
We have been on four Antarctic Ski Expeditions with Doug Stoup. He is an excellent leader and has a group of world-class professional ski guides from around the world. There is nowhere on earth like Antarctica and Doug knows it better than anyone on earth.
I am an 18-year-old soon-to-be college student currently on my gap year. I have always loved traveling, but visiting Antarctica was something altogether different. It was the excitement and beauty of experiencing a new place mixed in with unforgettable people and the opportunity to explore the continent in my absolute favorite way of travel in the world . . . snowboarding!! I always want to strive for more and push myself to do cooler, crazier things, but this trip taught me at a young age what it feels like to have a dream come true. It was everything I could have wished for and more.
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Ice Axe Expeditions 12242 Business Park Drive, Suite 4, Truckee, CA 96161
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