Amazing powder ski touring conditions off of Istinden Ridge

There is something special about leaving your accommodations and ski touring from the front door. Istinden behind Tamokhuset is one of those places as it holds terrain for all ability levels as well as perfectly sheltered Northeast facing slopes. This is one of the most popular ski tours in the area and other then one small crux zone it is completely safe from avalanches. When the sun comes out this is one of if not the first place that people will ski tour to. Not a bad place to have as a backyard.

Istinden behind Tamokhuset

After less then an hour ski touring through the gladed forests we were happy to be in the sunshine and alpine.  To the north we had striking views  of Sjufjellet, Lille Russetinden and Blåbærfjellet starting from the right. Our route followed a summer road buried under meters of snow and we could tell that there was good powder snow from the top all the way to the valley below.

Ski touring up the Backbowl of Tamok Husset

Before long we were at the base of the single crux zone of the route. Being a 100 meter convex roller it is small but serious section where we gathered below before doing a low angle traverse one at a time. Looking at the terrain I decided to cut across from where we are in the photo to the lit up ridge on the right hand side.

Preparing to ski tour up the crux zone of Isinden Ridge in the Tamokdalen Backcountry

Once I was able to get to the upper bowl of Istinden I put on my down coat and waited for people to start arriving. A few minutes later Jarkko made his way into view and before long everyone else would start showing up.

Ski touring past the crux zone of Istinden with the Tamok Husset backyard in the background

With the group gathering above the convex roller it was time to start laying down a skin track on the upper bowl of Istinden. Being that it was a nice day I focused on a low angle skin track that we could use multiple times throughout the day.

Looking at Blåbærfjellet while ski touring up Istinden

Laying in the route I did a long sweep with the first switchback as a catch line for riding back to it. With the upper route we kept it off to the side of the gully to preserve the powder snow below.

Putting a skin track up Istinden Ridge

Once we arrived on the summit Jarkko laid out first tracks. Each turn picking up clouds which lit up with the sun. 30 minutes and nearly 3,000 feet later he would be back the hut. That is the beauty of Istinden behind Tamokhuset

Making first turns down the Northeast bowl of Istinden

After riding down to our lower skin track we were back to skinning up to the ridge. From our vantage point we had a great view of the Southwest ridge of Blåbærfjellet.

A closer look at Blåbærfjellet

Once back on the ridge we climbed a little bit higher to access the upper gully. The sun was moving fast and soon the terrain would be in the shade. After quickly transitioning it was time to get going.

Preparing to Snowboard down Istinden Ridge
Snowboarding North facing snow

Not being able to resist riding in the sunlight we made our way down the right side of the gully.

Snowboarding down the shadow line
Two tracks snowboarding down Istinden Ridge with the Tamokdalen Backcountry in the Distance

From top to bottom we found bottomless powder turns soon arriving back at our skin track.

Snowboarding down sheltered powder

For our last run we wanted to attempt the North Bowl making our way over to the lower ridge. This previous season I had rode a chute and wanted to go check it out. Riding onto the lower ridge we found it both covered in rocks and icy. While we thought we saw the entrance we weren’t 100% sure. In the end we decided to turn back and ride back down our first run all the way to the valley below.

Once at the Tamokdalen Valley we got into a car and drove out to take some pics of the North Face of Istinden. We had been in the right place but wanted to go to the left of the prominent rock ridge on the right.

Looking at the North face of Istinden behind Tamok Husset

Here is a zoom in view of the Northern face of Istinden behind Tamokhuset.

A closer look at the North face of Istinden

It had been a great day making the most out of Northeast facing slopes. If there is a classic ski tour in Tamokdalen it is this one.

Thanks For Reading this and here is a link if you want to check out more

Ski Tours in the Tamokdalen area

Options for Other Ski Tours Tours Abroad

Snowboarding in the Cascade Mountains

Japan Powder Pilgrimage

Ski Tours in New Zealand

Exploring the Khibney Mountains of Russia

Lyngen and Lofoten in Northern Norway

And Other Random Places

Huge Thanks to Jarkko, Christel and Aadne for having me take care of the Tamokhuset.

Thanks For Reading this and here is a link if you want to check out the area

Ski Tours in the Tamokdalen area

Options for Other Ski Tours Tours Abroad

Snowboarding in the Cascade Mountains

Japan Powder Pilgrimage

Ski Tours in New Zealand

Exploring the Khibney Mountains of Russia

Lyngen and Lofoten in Northern Norway

And Other Random Places

Huge Thanks to Jarkko, Christel and Aadne for having me help take care of the Tamokhuset.