ANTARTICA

CHALLENGE 1

HEAD TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PLANNET

CHALLENGE METRICS

Duration
Duration icon
12 Days
Mode
Mode icon
Skiing
Distance
Distance icon
111Km
Price
Price icon
$82,000 USD
Dates:
Dates: icon
December
Location:
Location: icon
Antartica
Challenge Information:
Challenge Information: icon
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CHALLENGE METRICS

Duration:
Duration: icon
12 Days
Mode:
Mode: icon
Skiing
Distance:
Distance: icon
111Km
Price:
Price: icon
$82,000 USD
Dates:
Dates: icon
December
Location:
Location: icon
Antarctica
Challenge Information
Challenge Information icon
Click for more info
ENQURIE NOW

CHALLENGE METRICS

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Duration: 12 Days
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Mode: Skiing
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Distance: 111Km
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Price: $82,000 USD
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Dates: December
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Location: Antarctica
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Challenge Information
ENQURIE NOW

CHALLENGE HIGHLIGHTS

Ski the last degree of latitude to the most southerly point on Earth – the South Pole. This 12-day expedition is a rare chance to follow in the frozen footsteps of the polar pioneers from the heroic age of exploration. 

 

You’ll haul your own pulk, which carries your equipment and supplies, navigate the polar plateau, and feel what it means to earn your arrival at one of the most remote places on the planet. This is polar travel in its purest form – demanding, unforgiving, and deeply rewarding. 

 

Whether you’re an aspiring adventurer or building towards a full South Pole expedition, this challenge captures the essence of the Ice Domain: physical endurance, mental strength, and the rare clarity that comes from facing extreme environments head-on. 

 

This Challenge demands more than ambition. It requires proven skills in extreme cold weather conditions. At Pole to Pole, we specialise in cold-weather expedition training, preparing adventurers to operate in this harsh and unforgiving environment.


Pole to Pole offers high-quality training at the Pole to Pole Academy in Northern Sweden. Over the seven-day course, you will learn the essential techniques and skills needed to work in -30°C during the Challenge. This is your gateway to the South Pole Last Degree and the first step towards true polar capability.  

ITINERARY

Day 1 - Arrival and Preparation:

On arrival at the airport, the Pole to Pole team will collect you to travel to the Pole to Pole Academy where you will meet everyone and carry out some pre-course formalities. 


Day 2 – Equipment Issue and Lessons:

You will receive your expedition training equipment and begin the classroom and practical lessons on how to work in the extreme cold weather environment. 


Day 3 – Skiing Lessons: 

Continuation of training focusing on skiing technique. 


Day 4 – Deploy on the Expedition: 

After final preparations and a kit check you will deploy on the training expedition with your first night in tents. 


Day 5 & 6 Training Expedition: 

The course will progress with greater distance being skied and more technical training while on the expedition before returning back to the Pole to Pole Academy in the afternoon on Day 6 to de-service equipment.  


In the evening, there is a celebration dinner to mark the end of training.  


Day 7 – Departure Day: 

Final feedback from the instructors and discussions about the Antarctic specifics and equipment requirements before departing for the airport. 


Training Course Price - £2,750

Pre-Challenge:

You need to arrive in Punta Arenas at least three days prior to your flight to Antarctica. In this time you will meet the team and receive welcome and safety briefs as well as pack for the expedition. 


Day 1 :

Fly the four hour flight from Punta Arenas to Antarctica over Drake’s Passage and down the spine of the Ellsworth Mountains before landing on a blue ice runway. You will then be welcomed to Union Glacier camp by the friendly staff and given a tour and shown to your tent. 


Day 2 & 3:

You will spend a couple of days at Union Glacier to test your clothing and equipment and practice hauling your slep on a mini-expedition wiht your team and guide. 


Day 4:

Fly by ski aircraft to 89° South where your team will pack sleds and ski a short distance before setting up your first camp on expedition. 


Days 5 – 9: 

You will ski south, gradually increasing length of time each day as you acclimatise to the cold and altitude.  


Your pulk will weigh approximately 45kg (100lb) and you will be hauling it over steep snow ridges, called sastrugi, which adds to the challenge. 


A typical day will see you have breakfast when you wake before packing and beginning the daily ski routine, which consists of skiing 60 minutes before a 5-10 minute break to eat and drink. You will finish your day of skiing around 7pm, where you will set up camp and enjoy dinner together before going to bed in your own tent. 


Day 10:

The big day. You will ski the final distance to the most southerly point on Earth, the geographic South Pole. 


You will feel the satisfaction and intrinsic reward of having skied under your own power and will have the opportunity to take pictures and celebrate as a team.  


There is a seasonal camp at the South Pole, where you may overnight until you are picked up by ski aircraft.  


Day 11:

Your return flight will depend on the weather. You will either have a celebration dinner at either the South Pole or at Union Glacier, which gives you the opportunity to share stories and celebrate your achievement. 


Day 12:

When the weather and runway conditions allow, you will fly back to Punta Arenas and the staff in Chile will transfer you to your hotel.


Post Challenge:

Your flight back home concludes the Pole to Pole Challenge 1 – South Pole Last Degree.  

You need to remain flexible due to the possibility of weather delays in Antarctica. 


Pole to Pole Challenge 1 – South Pole Last Degree Price - $82,000 

Man in arctic turrain looking out over the woods of snow covered trees

What's included?

  • Airport transfers in Punta Arenas, Chile 
  • Round trip flight to Antarctica from Punta Arenas 
  • Flight to 89°S from Union Glacier 
  • Flight to Union Glacier from the South Pole 
  • Meals and tented accommodation in Antarctica 
  • Expedition Guide in Antarctica 
  • Food while training and on the expedition 
  • Specialist cold-weather equipment 
  • Pole to Pole Challenge 1 Badge 
  • Support in your planning and preparation.  

Plane flying over land

What's not included?

  • Pole to Pole Expedition Course at the Pole to Pole Academy, Sweden - £2,750 
  • Flights to Sweden or Punta Arenas, Chile 
  • Personal clothing and equipment 
  • Personal Travel Insurance 
  • Accommodation in Punta Arenas, Chile 
  • Food and drink in Punta Arenas, Chile 

FAQs

Full details in the information document.


Frequently asked questions we've received for this challenge from previous challengers.

If your question isn’t covered in our FAQs, we’re here to help — reach out below and we’ll get back to you soon.

ENQUIRE

  • Is this for me?

    You do not need any prior cold-weather experience to take part in Challenge 1. Included, is the Pole to Pole Expedition Foundation training course, which will teach you all the skills needed to undertake the expedition in Antarctica. 


    This Challenge is a physically and mentally demanding expedition. You will ski up to 10 hours a day, at altitude, while pulling your own pulk in sub-zero temperatures. It requires good fitness, strong technical skills, and full commitment to pre-expedition training. 


    If you’re ready for it, the reward is beyond words: to be one of the few people in history who has skied to the South Pole. 

  • How fit do I need to be for challenge 1?

    This expedition requires a solid base of general fitness and a readiness to spend several hours outdoors each day. You don’t need to be a pro athlete — just willing to embrace the cold and keep moving in winter terrain.