So where is this green phenomenon that everyone is obsessed with? Tromso is a flurry with foreign faces, all hunting for a chance to see the lights. But some cards are best kept close to your chest, the lights from the city make the optical night time show less vivid, and on Firebird we have the ability to find remote nooks in the fjords, unspoilt by artificial lights, where the Northern Lights are even more spectacular. On the first night of our first trip – guests topped off their evening meal with a show right above their heads, away from the tourists.
Tromso
Being met by glistening bright white fjords made the windy winter sail in the North Sea worth it as Firebird arrived in Tromso, the furthest northern city in Europe. The boat having been specially modified to be used as a mobile base for ski tourers meant we were more than ready for minus figures and several feet of snow on the deck and docking in this part of the world in February sometimes means you need to go hunting for posts to tie your lines to! *Picture Ollie*
So why Tromso as the base? Well as well as being Northern Norway’s hub, it also has plenty of amenities for those who want to ski and sail. We use a local rental shop – Tromso outdoor, for reliable equipment for our guests who are unable to travel with their own kit, and for those who do not already have an ice axe, shovel and probe it also comes in handy!
Fortunately for us, the sun finally made an appearance after 3 months of darkness, shortly before our arrival so as well as being able to see the decadent snowy fjords as we arrive, we also get an instant taste of the local food – sonnenbrot, sun bread, a jam filled doughnut to celebrate the return of the sun.
Time to look North
It's not just Alex Thompson Racing hitting the bay of biscay in January! Firebird have just completed the first part of their trip from Palma to Hamble, UK, with the final destination of Norway.
The boat will be heading into the arctic circle, 69 degrees north, to Tromso to explore the fresh powder of the Lyngen Alps. The 90ft boat will be exploring the fjord water ways with an experienced mountain guide, summiting the fjords with guests daily for gleaming untracked powder.
The luxury ski and sail charter guests will ski directly to the boat, welcomed by the crew and comfortable interior, for warming evening of fine food whilst moving to the next location.
You have the chance of taking in the breath taking scenery of Northern Norway, charters are still available for the following dates:
19th March - 26th March 2017 & 2018
8th April -15th April 2017 & 2018
19th April - 26th April 2017 & 2018
For charter enquiries please contact your preferred broker.