Info About Spanstinden
Being directly off E6 which is the main highway in Norway Spanstinden is possibly the most popular ski tour in the Narvik area. With a summit elevation of 1,457 meters and a starting point of just over 400 meters there is no approach to the peak. With easy access and great views the area is also considered one of the calmest places in the area weather wise. The mountain itself offers mellow slopes all the way to the summit which just adds to the reasons of its popularity.
Going Crazy With the Weather
The weather was raging for days as we waited in a small fishing hut on the Norwegian and Swedish border waiting for conditions to improve. Every hour we looked at the weather forecasts looking in all directions for which spot had the promise of descent ski touring weather. We had now been in Norway for over 2 weeks and been skunked day after day. Finally we spotted a forecast which called for a small bit of sun but we would have to go North of Narvik.
Heading out to Spanstinden
Driving up E6 we parked at the Southern Base of Spanstinden and started climbing. We were finally back in the sun after a few days and wanted to make the most of it. While climbing the conditions went from bad to worse with the snow on the upper slopes being wind blasted rime ice.
It seemed luck wasn’t on our side as the clouds moved in once on the top of Spanstinden. We had been in the hut for 3 days so we decided it was better to wait for conditions to improve up there then to go back to the hut.
Finally after 30 minutes the clouds passed by and we were back in the sun. Not wanting to loose our weather window it was time to head back down. The first handful of turns off the summit of were the worst kind but at least we were riding something.
Not wanting to follow our ascent route we traversed a bit over to the more sustained south facing bowl before riding down to the car below. From what we could see the snow conditions were much better over there.
Conditions Improving in the South Bowl
Finally on the lower slopes the snow conditions improved dramatically. It had cone from Icy rime to soft corn snow as we rode all the way to the flats below. Making our way into the basin the clouds came back again and it seemed there was no reason to go for a second lap. While it was a short ski tour we were all happy to be out of the confines of the hut.
