When driving into Lyngsedit from Tromsø you follow the edge of a stunning fjord with mountains to the South, Store Fornestinden is one of those peaks. With a summit elevation of 1,477 meters it rises directly from the sea and has one of the better slope angles within the Lyngen Alps. The problem is access with your options being walking 6kms on the shoreline or via a kayak. Once there you are given numerous options for skiable lines from open slopes to couloirs.
Heading Out to Store Fornestinden
Being Mid May the snowpack was quickly melting out and it was near the end of my touring season. David came up with a plan to take his family camping on the north shore of Kjosen fjord where we were directly across from Store Fornestinden. Being a 3 day trip we would bring his Kayak and make a day trip out of exploring the area and hopefully make some great turns along the way.
Taking out the Kayaks
I always get nervous when doing Kayaking as my swimming skills are far from good. Setting out in the water I paddled as quick as I could towards the stream at the base of the mountain. With wind ripping through the fjord it was kicking up waves making me a bit sketched out but I was also excited to do a multipart ski tour.
Arriving at the North shore of Store Fornestinden I was happy to get out of the boat and stretch my legs. We dragged the boats up the shore as the tides were about to rise and we didn’t want to loose our mode of transportation. In the distance we could see Tverelvdalstindan where we went camping earlier in the season.
Once we were past the shore rocks it was time to start skinning. Looking to the South facing slopes they were all melted out compared to a few weeks back. By now we were in the Midnight sun season and getting a consistent melt cycle with the temperatures rarely reaching below 0.
Choosing our Warm up Run
Getting into the open basin we looked at our options for potential ski runs. Directly in front of us was a low col which would be great to test how the snow was feeling before doing a steeper line.
Skinning switched over to cramponing as the slope steepened. The slopes down low were still firm and we decided it would be much faster to just walk up the slopes as we would have to climb up to the low col anyways and I hate transitioning to crampons on steep and firm slopes.
We were surprised to see the snow transition from ice to powder for the last 200 meters. Being a sheltered North facing slopes there was good turns to be had through the tight couloir of Store Fornestinden. I wasn’t expecting to still be riding powder but here we were.
Riding Down the East Col of Store Fornestinden
Before dropping in we came up with a plan of what to do next. We would drop most the way down the valley before heading west to the top of a nice looking couloir that would be our final run. The moment David dropped in and kicked up powder I knew it would be an awesome descent.
Heading up for our Final Run
Making it into the lower valley we switched back to skinning on a low angle traverse towards the Northwest basin below the summit of Store Fornestinden. By now the view of the fjord opened up and we could almost see all the way to Lyngsedit.
Once on top of the sub summit we started looking for our intended ski descent. The slopes dropped off in front of us but we were fortunate that there were no cornices and we walked over to the edge.
The North Chute of Store Fornestinden
I couldn’t help but smile once we looked down our line. It was steep and holding powder on the upper slopes. This would be a great way to finish off my Lyngen Alps spring ski season. Directly below us was the shore line where our Kayaks were waiting to return to camp on the opposite side of the fjord.
Powder turned to corn as we got lower on the slopes but was still perfectly edgeable. Riding down to the end of the snowpack we were around 200 meters above the shoreline.
Once on solid ground we put our gear on our packs and walked back over to the Kayaks. Since the tide had lowered we grabbed some clams to bring back to camp. An hour later we were at our tents and looking back towards the lines we had just rode on Store Fornestinden. It was an awesome trip all planned out by David.
Thoughts on the Area
Store Fornestinden is both a great looking mountain and awesome riding potential. While the access is challenging it is well worth the effort. We had gone there in spring but I can only imagine that it holds powder all winter and having these lines in those conditions top to bottom would be great. Is it worth going there? In my opinion yeah if you have the time to take a few lines or set up camp near the base. This area is close to the Mother of All Couloirs but that is another story all together
Thank you for reading this Trip Report.
Below is the other trips in my 2015 Spring Season attempting to find good snow.