What is your favorite moment from a trip you have guided?

– I am obsessed with skiing in the best light at the oddest times of day, and I love making crazy plans and shenanigans to make it happen. Once, in Finnmark, Norway, we paddled kayaks with all our ski gear across Øksfjord late in the afternoon, had a fire and barbecue on the opposite shore, and started hiking at 9 p.m. We reached the peak by midnight and then had to wait another hour for the light to be perfect. At 1 a.m., we began our descent on perfect corn snow, under pink light, with amazing views of the fjord. It was so unreal and perfect that everyone was silent, just taking it all in.

Whats your funniest memory with a guest?

– Oh my god, so many moments like this! One that stands out was in Greenland with the SkyDancer. It was a windy, white-out day, but the group was game anyway and the snow turned out way better than expected. When it was time to head back, the SkyDancer crew arrived in a dinghy, with Estella and Nick onboard, blasting a weird techno-pirate mix and bringing snacks, drinks, and pure energy. We lost all sense of time, laughing, sharing stories, and soaking in the long May light. The guests still talk about it—it was one of those unforgettable, perfect days.

Worst weather you’ve experienced on a trip?

– During a Kebnekaise Haute-Route, we toured Jojoleden from Nallo to Tarfala. We started under heavy snowfall, moving through deep snow across mellow terrain to Unna Räitastugan. From there, the clouds closed in and visibility dropped to zero. The winds picked up as we crossed the lake to Tarfala, with gusts sweeping us off our feet multiple times. Reaching the hut that evening, the sauna was pure bliss.

When was your gear really put to the test?

– On a trip to Loppa, Norway, last year, a polar low hit the region. The worst storm in a decade. Roads were closed, and power was out for more than 24 hours. For several days, we faced howling winds, heavy snow, and rain. But the group was strong, so we adjusted the program and went out anyway. In the end, we all had a blast. It was a real-life demonstration of the Swedish saying: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.”

Head of Experience Design & Guides

Fred Buttard

Fred is a French IFMGA Mountain Guide with 25 years’ experience leading ski trips and expeditions around the world, with a focus on northern Scandinavia. He has been guiding in Finnmark since 2007 and also pioneered trips in the Swedish mountains. At KMX, Fred designs our journeys and oversees our team of guides. You can contact him with questions about destinations, local conditions, weather and snow, history and culture, or technical advice on skiing and kit.