Lofoten Skimo // 1000+

Welcome

In the unique surroundings of the Lofoten Islands we offer you an amazing race: The Arctic Triple Lofoten Skimo. The organizers provide all support; no external support is accepted.

Back to nature

The Arctic Triple has a strong environmental focus. We want to organize the most environmentally friendly races in the world. The course is marked with removable flags so the mountains stay as natural and untouched as possible, both during the race and after. We also avoid producing items that would end up as trash or at the back of a closet.

Throwing trash anywhere along the course is strictly forbidden. Use the bins at the service points, and nowhere else.

Leave nothing but a "thank you" behind.

Summary

• 12 km from Vestpolleidet to Svolvær · about 1 200 m of gain and loss
• Age limit 16 years · classes: women and men
• Start Saturday 12:00, and transport to the start can be booked at registration
• No external support. Only The Arctic Triple crew supports you
• Checkpoint and service station at the Red Cross Center/Stranda
• Maximum time 7 hours
• Mandatory equipment, see the full list below
• Every finisher earns the finisher shirt

Event venue in Svolvær

Everything centres on the harbour in Svolvær: registration and start kits at RETUR, briefings at Thon Hotel Lofoten, and the start/finish on the town square.

Tap a location in the list to zoom to it. The finish is plotted from the official race GPX; the square outline and the other places from OpenStreetMap and Kartverket.

What's included

• Start kit and The Arctic Triple buff
• Early breakfast for athletes staying at the event hotel
• Time tracking and live GPS tracking
• First aid and evacuation transport
• Drink and food stations
• Warm meal after the finish, with a Lofoten fish burger at the finish line
• Finisher shirt

Course map & GPX

Explore the course on the live map. Drag, zoom, and slide along the elevation profile to see exactly where every climb hits. Numbers are measured from the official GPX track.

Course & marking

Start: Vestpolleidet, Austvågøy · Finish: Svolvær · Distance: 12 km · Gain/loss: about 1 200 m

The complete track is marked with flags in accordance with international regulations and must be followed at all times:

▲ Green flags going up · ▼ Pink flags going down

Every athlete is responsible for studying the entire route in detail. A detailed map and GPX file are available for download before the race.

Mandatory equipment

• Identification (driver's license or similar)
• Skis: min. 60 mm at the waist, 80 mm at the tip, 70 mm at the tail, steel edges on 90% of the length; min. length 160 cm (men) / 150 cm (women); bindings with free heel for climbing, lockable for descent, with lateral and frontal release
• Climbing skins: 1 pair on the skis, plus 1 spare pair in the backpack (4000+ only)
• Boots covering the ankles, Vibram sole, two tightening devices, crampon-compatible; lug depth min. 4 mm over 75% of the sole
• Backpack with two straps for carrying skis
• Poles: max. 25 mm diameter, plastic baskets (metal baskets not allowed)
• Survival blanket, min. 1.80 m², unmodified
• 1 litre of water in a bottle or drinking system
• Upper body: min. 3 long-sleeve layers that fit, one windproof (a 4th warm layer may be required depending on the forecast)
• Lower body: min. 2 full-length layers that fit, one windproof
• Goggles or sunglasses, gloves, ski hat, whistle, and a working headlamp
• Avalanche transceiver worn on the body, 457 kHz (EN 300718, UIAA/CE)
• Snow shovel, unmodified, min. 20 × 20 cm
• Crampons: min. 10 spikes, two at the front, with safety straps (UIAA 153)
• Probe: 2.4 m length, 10 mm diameter
• Ski mountaineering helmet (UIAA 106 / EN 1077), mandatory for the whole race

(1000+ requires one pair of skins, no spare pair needed.)

How to gear up: tap a dot on the photo, or an item below.

1. Helmet and eyewear

   A ski mountaineering helmet (UIAA 106 / EN 1077), worn for the whole race, and goggles or sunglasses with UV protection.

2. Backpack

   With two straps for carrying the skis. Inside: snow shovel, probe, crampons, survival blanket, whistle, headlamp, 1 litre of water and your food. On the 4000+ the spare pair of skins goes in here too.

3. Upper body

   At least three long-sleeve layers that fit, one of them windproof: thermal underwear, a warm second layer and a windbreaker. A fourth warm layer may be required if the forecast is cold.

4. Gloves and hat

   Gloves that cover the whole hand up to the wrist, and a ski hat.

5. Avalanche transceiver

   Worn on the body, safely inside the outer layer, for the whole race. 457 kHz (EN 300718, UIAA/CE).

6. Poles

   Carbon or any other material, and any length. Maximum 25 mm diameter, with plastic baskets; metal baskets are not allowed.

7. Lower body

   At least two full-length layers that fit, one of them windproof: thermal underwear and a ski suit or breathable windproof trousers.

8. Boots

   Covering the ankles, with a Vibram sole, two tightening devices, and compatible with crampons. The lugs must be at least 4 mm deep over 75% of the sole.

9. Bindings

   Free heel for climbing, lockable for the descent, with lateral and frontal release.

10. Skis

    Steel edges on at least 90% of the length. At least 80 mm wide at the tip, 60 mm at the waist and 70 mm at the tail, and at least 160 cm long for men, 150 cm for women.

11. Skins

    One pair on the skis. On the 4000+ you also carry a spare pair in the backpack.

Checkpoint & stations

Register at the checkpoint at the Red Cross Center, Stranda to continue the race. There is personnel along the track you can contact in an emergency. Maximum time to complete: 7 hours.

Every food and drink station has a wide selection of fruit and nuts, with water, cordial, Coca-Cola and Winforce sports drink. What is on the table varies a little from station to station. Drink stations have drinks only, and the stations marked hot meal also serve something warm.

Race support

Race language: English

English is the official race language. All briefings, course markings, manuals and safety instructions are given in English, and our crew must be able to communicate with you quickly and clearly, especially in an emergency in the mountains or on the water.

• Every athlete must fully understand and speak English to start the race
• By registering, you confirm that you meet this requirement

Rules

General

The race follows the international rules for ski mountaineering, and the rules in this manual are kept to a minimum. Use common sense, and act if another athlete needs emergency assistance.

Identity & license

Present a valid photo ID and a valid competition license from your national federation at registration. Athletes without a license sign a release-of-liability form; Norwegian athletes can buy a day license at registration.

Numbers & helmet

Helmet and both race numbers are mandatory throughout: one number on the backpack, one on the upper right thigh. Athletes are checked (numbers and transceiver) at the entrance to the start area.

Time chip & GPS tracker

Wear the time chip on your right ankle, pointing outwards, and the GPS tracker at all times.

Medical & anti-doping

The medical crew may remove a competitor from the race at any time if their health is at risk. Anti-Doping Norway may perform random tests.

Penalties

• Missing objects at gear control
• Race numbers not worn correctly
• Outside assistance during competition
• Abandoning equipment or dropping trash
• Not carrying your own backpack

Penalties range from 30 seconds to disqualification. Disqualification follows from starting early, skipping a checkpoint check-in, reckless behavior, or missing/non-conforming safety equipment. Broken gear may only be exchanged at a checkpoint with the chief controller's permission.

Program changes

The organizers may alter the program at any time for safety reasons. If all or part of the race is cancelled, entry fees are not refunded.

Anti-doping

The Arctic Triple stands for clean sport. All our races are organized under the anti-doping regulations of Anti-Doping Norway (Antidoping Norge) and the WADA code.

• By registering, you consent to our anti-doping policy, and consent is gathered as part of the registration process
• The use of prohibited substances or methods is strictly forbidden, in and out of competition
• Random doping tests by Anti-Doping Norway may occur at any time: before, during or after the race

Do the whole Triple?

Many athletes aim to complete all three races. To get an official Triple result you must complete all three individually within 12 months:

Triple finishers are awarded a Gold, Silver or Bronze jacket by our main partner Klättermusen, plus a spot on the Lofoten Wall of Fame.

You can sign up for all three at once: at register.thearctictriple.no, tick The Triple and choose your distances, and you get 10% off the standard prices.

Cancellation & transfers

The entry fee is non-refundable, regardless of the reason for cancellation.

You can transfer your entry to another athlete until 14 days before the first race day. Log in at register.thearctictriple.no and start the transfer from your registration. The transfer fee is NOK 150.

Last day to transfer for the 2027 edition: 5 March 2027.

Entries bought with a discount code that does not allow transfer cannot be transferred. If an earlier deadline is set for an edition, the registration system shows it, and that deadline applies.

Norwegian law (LOV-2007-06-29-86) prohibits selling tickets to cultural and sporting events at a higher price than the original.

Weather & safety

Thanks to the Gulf Stream, Lofoten's winters are mild for the latitude. Expected air temperature on race day: −5 to +3 °C.

Safety

Our safety crew works closely with the local rescue teams, and there is personnel along the whole track. The mandatory pre-race briefing, including ID and equipment check, is held the day before the race.

Withdrawal

If you withdraw at any point, informing the organizers as soon as possible is mandatory.

Travel & stay

Flights, boats, buses and beds. Everything is gathered on our Travel & stay page: four airports, the express boat, the Hurtigruten coastal ferry, and where to sleep by the harbour.

Open Travel & stay →