Fred Buttard, co-founder of Klättermusen Experiences and IFMGA guide, shares stories from trips that pushed limits – and others that delivered pure, unforgettable moments of laughter and awe.
– Are you game?
Journal at Nature’s Edge
Turning extreme conditions into unforgettable experiences
It was so unreal and perfect that everyone was silent, just taking it all in
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.
There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing
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.”
Explore All our Trips:
Ski & Sail: SkyDancer across Finnmark
An Arctic setting defines this Advanced level ski and sail trip for skiers who move confidently on challenging terrain and enjoy exploring remote, weather shaped mountains. Six guests stay aboard SkyDancer, a 73 foot schooner, and travel between quiet fjords and ridgelines to climb and ski clean sea facing slopes. Certified guides adjust routes to conditions and choose the most rewarding terrain each day. One week in March is available to book in 2026.
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Untouched Finnmark: A Ski Touring Adventure
Quiet Arctic valleys and wide open slopes define this Intro level journey, created for skiers with off piste experience looking for their first true backcountry adventure. Six to eight guests stay at a cabin site by the fjord and spend the week touring through calm, remote terrain far above the Arctic Circle, climbing under their own power and skiing untracked snow with views across deep valleys. Certified guides adapt the days to weather and keep the experience personal and welcoming. A couple of March weeks and one in May are available in 2026.
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Ski & Sail: Moondance across Finnmark
Sea, summits and silence shape this Advanced level ski and sail experience for skiers comfortable on steeper ground and long days. Six guests live aboard Moondance, a 56 foot expedition sailboat, and tour directly from the shoreline into remote Arctic peaks, skiing varied and technical lines shaped by weather and elevation. Certified guides select suitable objectives each day while evenings on board stay calm and close knit. Two weeks in April are available to book.
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Ski Touring: Remote Peaks of Loppa
Steep coastal peaks rising from the Norwegian shoreline set the tone for this Progressive level journey, ideal for skiers who have completed a few tours and want light expedition elements while developing confidence in remote terrain. Six to eight guests stay at a quiet cabin site and explore mountains that run from glacier to sea, linking steady ascents with long, flowing descents in changing Arctic weather. Conditions guide each day, with certified guides choosing terrain that balances learning, challenge and rewarding snow. One week is still available in April.
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Ski & Sail: Ocean Sherpa (Svalbard)
Frozen fjords, silent slopes and vast Arctic space create a striking backdrop for this Advanced level journey, designed for skiers with strong backcountry experience who are comfortable in remote, weather driven environments. Eight guests stay aboard Ocean Sherpa, a 113 foot expedition yacht departing from Longyearbyen, and travel deep into Svalbard’s quiet valleys to tour long open slopes above frozen waters. Wildlife sightings are possible, and certified guides choose safe routes through complex terrain. Available for one week in April in 2026.
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Untouched Finnmark: Remote Arctic Ski Touring
A sense of complete stillness and untouched Arctic landscape sets the scene for this Intro level trip, suited to skiers ready to step beyond resort terrain and explore their first week of genuine ski touring. Groups of six to eight guests stay at a simple cabin site with views over the fjord and explore quiet ridgelines, sheltered valleys and soft, untracked slopes shaped by shifting weather. Certified guides manage daily choices while you focus on steady climbs, calm descents and the feeling of being far from the modern world. Offered across several weeks from mid February to late April in 2027.
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Ski & Sail with Ocean Sherpa across Svalbard
A longer, more exploratory voyage, this Advanced level crossing of Svalbard suits experienced backcountry skiers wanting extended days on glaciers, ridgelines and untouched snowfields. Eight guests travel aboard Ocean Sherpa and move through distant zones shaped by ice, with long climbs, open descents and a sense of deep Arctic wilderness. Certified guides handle technical decision making and adapt goals to shifting conditions. Two weeks in May are available in 2027.
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Ski & Sail Greenland: West Coast & Eternity Fjord
Huge mountains rising straight from the sea define this Advanced level expedition for strong backcountry skiers seeking long climbs, remote terrain and dramatic Arctic scenery. Six guests stay aboard Aztec Lady, a 63 foot Arctic ketch, and take a short dinghy ride ashore each morning to skin from sea level into wide alpine basins, skiing long, flowing descents that often finish at the water’s edge. Weather sets the rhythm and certified guides choose the most rewarding objectives each day. Two weeks in May are available in 2027.
Read more hereConnect with Fred
Whether it’s choosing the trip that will push your limits, diving into the details of our Arctic routes, or planning a private adventure, Fred can guide you through it all – and share more stories behind every storm we’ve faced.
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.
Contact Fred:
I am available to contact on weekdays.
Contact by e-mail: fred@kmexperiences.com
Contact by phone: +46733745959
If I’m not able to pick up the phone, please leave a voice message or send me a text, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
You can speak with Fred in English, French and Swedish.