FROSTLINE
Polar Expedition Training
Ljørdalen, Norway
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Team Size
Max 7 Participants
Number of participants
RED LABEL
‘Expedition Challenge’
Polar Expedition Training
Frostline Polar Expedition Training
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Topics:
Polar travel, mini-expedition, emergency procedures, expedition logistics, navigation
You are working toward something bigger than just a nice trip.
Perhaps a Greenland crossing. Maybe trekking the Kungsleden independently in winter. Or your own expedition you’ve been thinking about for years.
Whatever it is: you won’t get there without serious preparation.
Frostline is that preparation.
Nine days, one clear goal: to get you ready for the real deal.
One preparation day in the Netherlands with Henk-Jan Geel and Wouter Plaatsman. Logistics, nutrition, equipment, risk assessment.
Eight days in Norway, in the area near Fulufjellet National Park. With Villa Fregn in Ljørdalen as our base.
Four nights on a mini-expedition. One in a self-built snow hole.
Wouter Plaatsman is your instructor in the field.
He crossed the Greenland Ice Sheet, completed solo trips on the Hardangervidda, and knows the Kungsleden and the Vatnajökull ice cap from personal experience.
You will learn what he has learned: ski and pulk, camp setup at -25°C, cooking on snow, navigating in white-outs, and emergency procedures when things go wrong.
At the end of the week, you’ll know where you stand. And what your next step is.
Frostline Polar Expedition Training
- Preparation day in the Netherlands
- Eight days in Norway
- Four-day mini-expedition
- One night in a snow shelter
- Emergency scenarios in real conditions
- Ski, pulk, and polar travel techniques
- Navigation with compass, GPS, and inReach
- Preparation for Greenland and independent trips
- Maximum 7 participants
GO ON AN ADVENTURE WITH THESE GUIDES
Wouter Plaatsman
Wouter Plaatsman is the course leader in Norway. He is a polar guide and an avid outdoorsman. He crossed the Greenland Ice Sheet, completed solo trips in Arctic conditions, and has extensive experience on the Hardangervidda, the Kungsleden, and the Vatnajökull ice cap in Iceland.
On the preparation day in the Netherlands, he works together with Henk-Jan Geel, IPGA Polar Guide and founder of Arctic Adventure.
For us, it’s:”Out of your comfort zone. Within the safety zone. ”
Welcome to Frostline
Frostline doesn’t start in Norway. It begins on Sunday, January 17, 2027, in the Utrecht region.
A full day with Henk-Jan Geel and Wouter Plaatsman.
Expedition logistics, nutrition for longer trips, equipment selection, risk assessment, and trip preparation specifically for winter.
By the end of that day, you’ll know what your expedition looks like and what is required.
On Saturday, February 20, you’ll fly to Sälen Scandinavian Mountain Airport.
We’ll pick you up and take you to Villa Fregn in Ljørdalen, just across the border from Sweden near Fulufjellet National Park.
A former school building from 1921, now a small boutique hotel in detached cabins. Our base of operations.
Sunday is for theory and equipment. Indoors and on the grounds of Villa Fregn.
Packing, pulk setup, clothing layers for -25°C, cold injury prevention, cooking on snow, and satellite communication. You’ll fit your gear and practice the first basic skills.
The mini-expedition starts on Monday. Four days, four nights in the field.
Snowshoes and skis with a pulk, lead-swapping, and tent setup in the wind. Melting snow, fuel management, evening routine. Navigation with compass, GPS, and Garmin inReach.
On Thursday, we’ll build the snow hole. That same day, we’ll practice emergency procedures: storm setup of the tent, navigating in a total white-out, and evacuation procedures. At the end of the day, you’ll sleep in the self-built snow hole.
This is the moment you’ll realize how much you’ve learned.
Friday back to Villa Fregn. Equipment maintenance, a hot shower, dinner, and sauna. We’ll review the week together.
Saturday morning we’ll take you back to the airport.
You now know what a polar expedition demands of you. And you know if you can handle it.
Frostline elevation profile in Norway
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Frostline Polar Expedition Training program schedule.
Nine days, one goal: to get you ready for the real deal.
Preparation day – Sunday, January 17, 2027 (Utrecht region)
A full day with Henk-Jan Geel (IPGA Polar Guide) and Wouter Plaatsman. We’ll dive deep into four topics: expedition logistics for polar regions, nutrition and hydration for longer trips, equipment selection and risk assessment, and trip preparation specifically for winter. You’ll receive homework for the following weeks and, by the end of the day, you’ll know what your expedition will look like.
Location: Utrecht region
Day 1 – Saturday, February 20 (Norway)
You’ll fly to Sälen Scandinavian Mountain Airport on your own. We’ll pick you up and take you to Villa Fregn in Ljørdalen, on the grounds of a former school building from 1921 on the border with Fulufjellet National Park in Sweden. We’ll get to know each other during the welcome dinner. In the evening, Wouter will discuss cold injury prevention, how to stay warm, and which risks to avoid.
Overnight stay: Villa Fregn
Day 2 – Sunday, February 21
Theory and equipment, indoors and on the grounds of Villa Fregn. We’ll work on packing, clothing layers, pulk setup, cooking equipment, and CO management when cooking in the tent. The basics of satellite communication (Garmin inReach, satellite phone) and navigation will be covered. At the end of the day, you’ll fit your gear and practice the first basic skills.
Overnight stay: Villa Fregn
Day 3 – Monday, February 22 (start of mini-expedition)
We head into the terrain. Today is all about movement: snowshoes, skis, pulling a pulk, lead-swapping, and the basic rhythm of an expedition day. At the end of the afternoon, we’ll set up the first camp. Tonight we focus on tent setup in the wind: main guy line first, vestibule on the leeward side, anchoring with snow stakes or bamboo poles.
Overnight: Expedition tent
Day 4 – Tuesday, February 23
We continue our journey. Today is all about cooking and camp life. Melting snow, filling thermoses, fuel management, caloric intake, and hydration. Full evening routine. You’ll learn how to keep your sleep system dry and how to dry socks and gloves overnight for the next day.
Overnight: Expedition tent
Day 5 – Wednesday, February 24
Focus on navigation. Compass with declination, map reading, GPS, and Garmin inReach. How to record waypoints, how to orient yourself using the sun and snow structures, and how to work together as a group. We’ll practice navigation exercises in the field, including in limited visibility.
Overnight: Expedition tent
Day 6 – Thursday, February 25 (emergency scenarios)
This is the toughest day. We’ll build a snow hole together and practice emergency procedures in full conditions: storm setup of the tent, navigating in a total white-out, and evacuation procedures. What to do if a group member is incapacitated, if your tent blows away, or if communication fails. At the end of the day, you’ll sleep in the self-built snow hole. This is the moment you’ll realize how much you’ve learned.
Overnight stay: Snow cave
Day 7 – Friday, February 26
Back to Villa Fregn. Time for gear maintenance, a hot shower, and the sauna. In the evening, a dinner where we review the week: what you’ve learned, where you stand, and what the logical next step is. For those who want to go to Heroes of Telemark, Kungsleden, the Three-Country Cairn, or Greenland: here we’ll determine together which path is right for you.
Overnight stay: Villa Fregn
Day 8 – Saturday, February 27
Breakfast at Villa Fregn. We’ll take you back to Sälen Scandinavian Mountain Airport early.
From here, you’ll arrange your own transport back home. Of course, we can provide advice on this.
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Preparation day in the Netherlands
On Sunday, January 17, 2027, we’ll meet in the Utrecht region for a full day of preparation. Henk-Jan Geel (IPGA Polar Guide) and Wouter Plaatsman will teach together. Topics: expedition logistics for polar regions, nutrition and hydration for longer trips, equipment selection and risk assessment, and trip preparation specifically for winter. You’ll receive homework for the following weeks. The exact location will be announced after registration.
During the training
Frostline is a Red Label training. Sometimes spicy, sometimes easy. But always together.
At Villa Fregn, we sleep in separate cabins, two people per room where possible. In the field, we sleep in an expedition tent with two people, and one night in a snow cave that we build ourselves. On winter trips, at least two people always sleep in a tent for safety reasons.
Moving, cooking and navigating are done together. The beauty of small groups is that there is always a real and good group feeling.
We keep in touch with each other before (and often after) in a WhatsApp group.
Fitness
Frostline is a Red Label training and requires a good level of fitness. You don’t have to run a marathon. However, assume that you should be able to walk 10 kilometers at a normal pace with a 10 kg backpack for several days in a row.
Running 10 kilometers continuously is also good. During the mini-expedition, the physical strain is mainly on the knees and lower back from pulling the pulk.
Do you have any questions about this? Please contact the course leader.
Sports Medical Examination
Are you over 55 and would like to participate in this training? If so, we highly recommend you get a sports medical examination. Read more about the possibilities here.
Safety
During the training, we are in uninhabited areas. In case of emergency, our position can always be reached by rescue services.
The course leader carries a Garmin inReach and satellite phone. The Basecamp Manager in the Netherlands follows along.
The course leader is trained in Wilderness Advanced First Aid and is certified at WGA I (Wilderness Guide Association).
Equipment
You get to borrow the full polar expedition equipment. Skis, backcountry ski boots, sleeping bags, pulk. By arrangement, you are free to bring your own gear. Provided it meets our requirements.
We also provide group materials. Cooking utensils, tents, navigation and communication equipment.
Packing List
After your registration (or upon request) you’ll receive a detailed packing list.
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Participants for Frostline 2027 (Course Leader: Wouter Plaatsman)
Frostline is a Polar Expedition Training for people making the step toward serious winter expeditions.
You are preparing for a Greenland crossing, for independent winter trips like the Kungsleden on your own, or for your own expedition.
No prior expedition experience required, but a good level of fitness and clear ambition are necessary.
Participant 1: Available
Participant 2: Available
Participant 3: Available
Participant 4: Available
Participant 5: Available
Participant 6: Available
Participant 7: Available
The training will proceed with 5 participants and is full at 7 participants.
Who Joins our Adventures?
Participants in our trips often sign up alone.
It happens that couples sign up.
The age of most participants is between 30 and 50 years.
There are certainly exceptions. The youngest participant was 23 and the oldest 66.
The male-female ratio is 50/50. The more challenging treks attract slightly more men. 60/40. But often the distribution is nicely balanced.
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Training dates
January 17, 2027 (NL)
February 20 – 27, 2027 (Norway)
Preparation day
Sunday, January 17, 2027, in the Utrecht region. Full day; location will be announced after registration.
Start of training in Norway
February 20, 2027.
Meet at Sälen Scandinavian Mountain Airport. The course leader will pick you up there and take you to Villa Fregn in Ljørdalen.
End of training
February 27, 2027.
Departure from Villa Fregn early in the morning. We’ll take you back to Sälen Scandinavian Mountain Airport.
Transport to Norway
You’ll fly to Sälen Scandinavian Mountain Airport (SCR) on your own. You book the flights yourself.
You can also come to Norway by train or car.
Total Trip Cost
€3,147
This Includes:
- Preparation day in the Netherlands (January 17, 2027)
- Transfers to and from Sälen Scandinavian Mountain Airport
- Guidance by course leader Wouter Plaatsman, experienced polar guide
- Co-instruction for preparation day by Henk-Jan Geel (IPGA Polar Guide)
- 3 nights in a cabin at Villa Fregn (two per room where possible)
- 3 nights in an expedition tent
- 1 night in a self-built snow cave
- All meals in Norway from arrival until breakfast on departure day
- Dinners and saunas at Villa Fregn
- Group gear (tent, stove, fuel, navigation tools, communication devices, first aid)
- Winter gear (-25 expedition sleeping bag, winter sleeping mat, skis, backcountry ski boots, skins, ski poles, pulk, pulling harness, snowshoes)
- Garmin inReach and satellite phone
- Basecamp Manager in the Netherlands
- Down jacket can be rented for €50 if needed
- Contribution to the VZR guarantee fund
- Booking fees
Participants
Maximum 7
This Excludes:
- Travel to the preparation day in Utrecht
- Flight to Sälen Scandinavian Mountain Airport
- Travel insurance with winter sports coverage
- Cancellation insurance
- Drinks at Villa Fregn and personal expenses
- Personal equipment and clothing (see packing list tab)
Please Note.
If during the trip it is collectively decided to undertake extras (Excursions, overnight stays, meals), these costs will be divided among the participants.
We Provide
- Touring skis
- Cross-country ski boots
- Gaiters
- Ski skins
- Ski poles
- Snowshoes
- Pulk and pulling harness
- Luggage bag
- Tent bag
- Dinner mug
- Food in the field
- -25 expedition sleeping bag
- 2 sleeping mats
- Stove
- Fuel
- Pans
- Expedition tent
- Emergency bivouac
- Maps
- Compass
- GPS and Garmin inReach
- Satellite phone
- First Aid
You Provide
Food
- 2 Thermos flasks
- Spoon, mug
Sleeping
- Sleeping bag liner
- Headlamp
Hygiene
- Personal medication
- Toiletries
Clothing
- Socks
- T-shirt
- Down slippers
- Underwear
- Long underwear
- Fleece pants/leggings
- Windshell pants
- Long thermal shirt
- Fleece sweater
- Fleece jacket
- Windproof jacket
- Down jacket
- Pair of gloves
- Thick wool mittens
- Outer mittens
- Hat
- Buff / Balaclava
- Glacier sunglasses
- Ski goggles
You will receive a detailed packing list after your registration, or upon request.
Rent / Buy
Renting an expedition down jacket is possible via Arctic Adventure for €50
As a participant in our trips, you get a 10% discount in Beaver stores. So take advantage of that if you still need to buy stuff.
Check Marktplaats.nl for good used equipment.
Contact us if you have questions about the material.
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