Arctic Circle Race

View on map
Sports & AdventureSisimiut
DatesDates TBA · Usually MarchCheck locally before booking
Duration1 dayListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCompetition, enduranceThe requirement that all competitors
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: DKK
CategorySports & AdventureFestival type
The story

Arctic Circle Race in Sisimiut

A three-day, 160-kilometre cross-country ski race starting and finishing in Sisimiut, established in 1998 and run through mountainous Arctic backcountry in temperatures as low as minus 25 degrees Celsius, with more than 150 competitors camping overnight at a remote Base Camp between each of the three stages.

The Arctic Circle Race began in 1998, when a group of local visionaries in Sisimiut set out deliberately to create what they intended as the world's toughest cross-country skiing event, and the three-day race that resulted has kept that reputation ever since.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The requirement that all competitors overnight in tents at a shared Base Camp between stages, cooking their own food and drying gear before the next day's leg, is a defining and unusual feature among elite ski races, most of which return athletes to hotel comfort each night

02

The mystery stays covered

Fielding more than 150 participants from over 20 countries, ranging from Olympic-calibre skiers to local Greenlandic citizens on the identical course, gives the Arctic Circle Race a breadth of competitive levels that few endurance events of its difficulty attract

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The overnight tent camp at Base Camp between the first and second stages

Water and renewal

Living ritual

including competitors cooking their own meals and drying gear before the next day

The sacred route

Living ritual

is an established

The local code

Living ritual

defining feature of the race format

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually March

Getting around

For route-based days, arrive early and expect normal streets around Sisimiut to work differently.

What to wear

Full expedition-grade cold-weather clothing is necessary for anyone spending time outdoors at Base Camp or the finish line, given temperatures that can reach minus 25 degrees Celsius...

Safety

Arctic Circle Race is easier when spectators give competitors, vehicles and staff room to work.

Where to stay

For peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Sisimiut.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

DKK

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map66.94 N, 53.67 WOpen in Google Maps

Sisimiut, Qeqqata, Greenland

Nearest airportJHS — Sisimiut
TransportFor route-based days, arrive early and expect normal streets around Sisimiut to work differently.
Stay areaFor peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Sisimiut.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Sisimiut via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Sisimiut, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for March.Compare faresFestival gearFull expedition-grade cold-weather clothing is necessary for anyone spending time outdoors at Base Camp or the finish line, given temperatures that can reach minus 25 degrees Celsius; competitors require technical ski-touring layers suited to sustained multi-day exertion in variable mountain weather.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Greenland and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Arctic Circle Race?

Arctic Circle Race is listed for Past edition: 27 March 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Arctic Circle Race take place?

The festival is listed in Sisimiut, Greenland. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Sisimiut, Qeqqata, Greenland

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLvisitgreenland.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually March
Source statusOfficial source linked
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