When Thea Kopala Rhøme and Lisen Strøm set off for a four-day traverse of Loppa, an Arctic peninsula in northern Norway, they knew they would be entirely alone. 

The northernmost county in Finnmark, Loppa is only accessible by boat, with a population of less than 900 people. With massive glaciers, deep fjords and steep couloirs that run right down to the sea, it’s heaven for skiers—if you can get there. 

Enthralled by the possibility of exploring seldom-traveled terrain, relying entirely on their own mountain skillsets, Strøm and Rhøme dreamed up a four-day traverse of Loppa, linking together ski lines and hauling overnight gear on their backs.  

Steep terrain and heavy packs. An arduous combo. Photo: Rab/Anders Vestergaard

Strøm, a ski racer turned big mountain skier, has honed her skills in the mountains to bring fast and powerful skiing into the backcountry. Rhøme is an experienced ski and climbing guide, currently training to become IFMGA-certified. The two had met not long before planning the trip, but knew that their unique backgrounds would compliment each other well on a big adventure in the Arctic. 

“Oddysey of Loppa” chronicles Strøm and Rhøme’s ambitious traverse (alongside filmmaker Anders Vestergaard), skiing almost 40 miles and 15,000 vertical feet of technical terrain, all while carrying 65-pound packs. The journey was filled with long days, cold nights, uncertainty about the route and conditions, and steep, aesthetic couloirs—an odyssey through and through. 

Home in the Arctic for three nights. Photo: Rab/Anders Vestergaard