If you are looking to extend your winter ski season into May, 72 meter charter yacht Nansen Explorer will venture to the end of the world on his very first visit to Greenland.
“It’s off-piste – no resorts, no groomed runs, none of that,” says Ben Lyons, general manager of EYOS Expeditions. The former captain of National Geographic Endeavor and National Geographic Explorer describes the backcountry skiing experience of southwest Greenland, where EYOS has announced two new onboard charter routes Nansen Explorer.
Nansen Explorer will sail in Greenland until the end of summer 2022
Credit: Mike Moore
The recently refitted superyacht will test her polar capabilities in the frozen wilderness of Greenland until late summer 2022, beginning and ending charters in the fjord town of Kangerlussuaq. The EYOS team began researching new destinations more than a year ago before settling on Greenland, which Lyons says is “particularly suited to Nansen.”
The former commercial vessel was transformed into a luxury exploration yacht in 2021
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With her rugged Ice-1A class hull and expedition characteristics, this 72 meter superyacht is perfectly suited for such an off the beaten track destination. “We wanted to focus on the polar regions, and the first thing we wanted to do was take advantage of this huge, well-protected, commercially certified helipad that’s at the back of the ship,” Lyons says.
Greenland’s rocky coast was a perfect fit with its combination of ice-water cruising and helicopter-accessible trails. “Greenland is one of the best places in the world for heliskiing because you can ski on pristine slopes. There is stunning scenery and there is the possibility to ski from the slope to the sea – an amazing experience. So we thought that was a really interesting area to focus on and take advantage of the ship’s capabilities.
Read more/The ultimate guide to heliskiing
The living room has a fireplace and animal photographs
Credit: EYOS Expeditions
But a sturdy shell is certainly not the only selling point for Nansen Explorer charters. After a full refit in Spring 2021, the yacht’s rugged exterior hides a luxurious interior with seven spacious cabins, a formal dining room to enjoy Michelin-starred meals, and a lounge with a cozy fireplace to warm up after a day outdoors. . The spaces are decorated in an elegant Scandinavian style, with a palette inspired by the natural hues of the Arctic and complemented by a collection of animal photographs from the region.
The parental suite
Credit: EYOS Expeditions
A ‘hybrid’ is how Lyons now describes the superyacht, which was originally delivered as a commercial vessel in 1983: ‘She’s got this kind of tough hull that’s battle-scarred after pushing through ice flows for many years, but inside you have this totally new and refurbished interior which has been designed for 60 people and now only seats 12 – and with a superyacht crew and superyacht level of catering service Other new onboard features include a gym, expedition kit locker room and a shed for toys ranging from kayaks and zodiacs to paddle boards and scuba gear.
Read more/Exploring Iceland aboard the 72m superyacht Nansen Explorer
Guests can prepare for expeditions in the locker room
Credit: EYOS Expeditions
Heliski charters will run until May, after which Nansen Explorer will continue cruising in Greenland, venturing further north for what Lyons called the “classic” charter. This itinerary “will focus more on kayaking in beautiful fjords, cruising spectacular icebergs and visiting small local villages”.
The helipad will be used for sightseeing from above, with toys taken for land and sea excursions in areas such as Maniitsoq, Sisimiut, Ilulissat, Aasivissuit, Eternity Fjord and Kangaamiut. From cultural trips to potential wildlife sightings, the area is ripe for superyacht exploration.
Resident wildlife in Greenland includes whales, seabirds, caribou and musk oxen
Credit: Christopher Scholey
“The west coast of Greenland has amazing landscapes, it has a wonderful culture in charming little villages where you can go and see great local art,” Lyons says. “At the same time, there are incredible icebergs in Disko Bay [but] that the unpredictability of the ice in Disko Bay is there. So you want to have a ship that you know will be able to navigate ice.
Eternity Fjord is a stopping point on EYOS’ classic Greenland charter route
Credit: Mike Moore
With a growing fleet of exploration yachts currently under construction, Lyons remarked that “there is definitely a demand” for remote cruising within the superyacht industry, which is moving closer to the charter realm. “I think more and more now people are seeing these yachts heading to these unusual destinations. So there’s an awareness of these remote destinations that just didn’t exist 10 years ago,” he says.
Greenland Charters on Nansen Explorer are quickly booking for this summer, says Lyons.
Credit: Christopher Scholey
The goal of Nansen Explorer new itineraries is to seduce this adventurous clientele. And it works. “The second half of the summer is already full with charters,” confirms Lyons. But if you’re worried about missing the boat to Greenland this season, there are still plenty of other polar cruises on the horizon for Nansen Explorer, with voyages to the Canadian Arctic and Northwest Passage scheduled for August, followed by a return to Antarctica in October 2022.
Nansen Explorer is available for charter through EYOS Expeditions, with a weekly charter rate starting at €295,000.
Single cabin charters in Greenland are available in June 2022, from €15,000 per person.
For heliski rentals between April and May 2022, individual cabins are available from €20,000 per person.
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