WHY NORWAY IS MY SPLITBOARDING HEAVEN

A word from MINT Snowboarding founder Tammy Esten on why she loves splitboarding in arctic Norway and thinks they’ve created their best backcountry course yet. 

Arctic Norway is without a doubt my favourite place to snowboard on the planet (and trust me, I’ve ridden a lot of places!). But why you might ask? Firstly, I could never ever tire of the endless terrain, you could spend a lifetime splitboarding in the far north of Norway and never ride the same line twice. Then, of course, there’s the breathtaking views as you ride down from yet another summit feeling like you might just drop into the sea at the bottom. Another highlight for me is the incredible scope for adventure as you commandeer a tiny boat to take you to an uninhabited island with a 1000m summit just for you and your friends. Then there’s the sheer emptiness when you go days without seeing any other skiers or snowboarders. This arctic wilderness is my absolute splitboarding paradise.

Having been on many splitboard trips to various areas of arctic Norway; the Lofoten islands, the Lyngen alps, Senja, Finnmark, the Troms archipelago – I can honestly say that they are all fantastic. Whilst many of these trips have been with friends we have also run numerous splitboard trips through MINT to share this fantastic experience with our backcountry loving clients. On our MINT arctic Norway splitboard adventure in March 2024 I felt that we delivered 110%, with the dream combination of location, guiding and accommodation. For 2025, it’s a no brainer, we are hitting repeat!!!

The accommodation alone could not be more ideal. We stayed on a luxury floating home, nestled in an isolated fjord, created from an old car ferry. During our stay on Volda Floating Home we also dined in style, with meals included which would give any catered chalet in the alps a run for their money. And yes, we had daily cakes to return to just in case the 3 course meals were not adequate!

This dream home also comes with the perfect pets, a family of sea otters! Enjoy a post snowboarding beer in the hot tub on the roof of the boat as you watch the otters skittering around the shoreline or swimming past the boat. Or once it’s got dark enjoy one of nature’s best shows on earth, the northern lights.

Having the legendary Merrick Johnston as our guide is another big win. Merrick, a Tromso local who was born and bred in Alaska, has endless energy, passion & knowledge. Whilst taking into consideration all the safety aspects of being in the backcountry, she will have you hooting away with laughter as you chip away on the uphill, before finding you a dreamy untracked descent down to the sea. Myself, I also act as a tail guide offering extra safety & flexibility to the trip.

From our floating home, 30 mins from Tromso, we have endless splitboarding options within easy access, allowing us to make the most of daily conditions. We can drive inland to access higher summits where the snow may be dryer, we can stay local and ride the peaks behind our home or there are plenty of options to take a boat to one of the hundreds of tiny, remote islands and be the only people there that day.

If this too sounds like your idea of snowboarding heaven then take a look at our 2025 arctic splitboard trip. If you have any questions, then just ask away. Whether it is regarding your level or what kit to take, I can help advise.

If you are wondering what experience is necessary to join this splitboard course in Norway, then you do not need previous splitboarding experience. The most important is to be a strong, rounded rider with a reasonable amount of previous off piste experience. A good level of fitness, in particular cardio fitness, is a must to make the most of this trip of a lifetime. Just drop me an email if you are unsure if your previous experience is sufficient.

I hope to you join me in this arctic paradise in March 2025.

Tammy, Founder of MINT Snowboarding