Singla Backcountry Creative Retreat (deposit) April 2025

The Island of Arnøya is roughly a 25km x 25km square with a couple tiny villages and 300 total residents. The entire mountainous interior is tree-free open roaming through alpine meadow dotted with icy lakes and steep slopes that fall into long fjords all around the coast. There are 2 tiny grocery/post offices on the island and that is all. Sheep sleep in the road and reindeer roam the mountains and mudflats in the summer. In winter we see Arctic hare and ptarmigan, with the occasional fin of an Orca spotted off the beach. The weather is dynamic with a marine climate, storms blowing through often and spring daylight that stretches into long pink sunsets.

The Place, called Singla by locals, is a historic homestead that is in the process of being re-imagined as a base for arts, research and adventure. First homesteaded in the 1850s it consists of a handful of buildings from generations of fiskerbonde or the fisherman-farmers life, including an old pier, boathouse, barn, cottage, and small working lighthouse, complete with all of the tools and treasures of years gone by.

The small farmhouse cottage has snug double occupancy rooms and a kitchen and living room for eating group meals and relaxing by the cozy woodstove. The house provides rustic accommodations, trading modern conveniences for the rich stories and charm of the spaces. We have running water for cooking and washing, and encourage sea dips paired with sauna bathing (no shower or laundry facilities are available). The bathroom contains a mountain hut-style incinerating toilet. The kitchen is small but mighty and we look forward to sharing Scandinavian traditions like Fika (afternoon coffee with fresh baked treats) and foraged wild favorites from fjell and fjord. We make family style food in a small kitchen are not always able to accommodate all dietary needs. If you are considering this retreat and require accommodations please contact us in ADVANCE to discuss details and see if this retreat is a good fit for you.

Our Days will include guided backcountry ski tours to explore the islands' high snowfields and summit to sea routes with stops for writing or sketching with prompts and suggestions. More involved art exercises will take place in mountain huts along our path or back at the house. There will also be plenty of free time worked into the schedule to relax, read a book, nap, follow your own interests in the studio or take a salty swim. Breakfasts and dinners will be family style, offering plenty of time to connect with the other members of our group.

Getting there: You will be above the Arctic circle in the farthest northern region of Norway. The nearest major airport is in the delightful city of Tromsø. From there you can take a passenger ferry most days of the week direct to the island in 2-4 hours (recommended), or there is a more roundabout car route that includes an undersea tunnel and a small car ferry. We encourage you to thoughtfully consider a trip such as this and if possible plan in time to explore further in the region before or after your week with us. We are happy to make suggestions for travel planning and will provide ferry and logistics information before the retreat begins.

Cost: $1850 per person. To reserve your spot, we require a $450 deposit.

The retreat runs over 7 days/6 nights with all meals, lodging, and on-island transportation included in the price, as are all class materials and a curated travel art kit to take home. Participants must bring along their own skis and touring/avalanche safety gear, but rentals are available in Tromsø if needed. We will focus on moderate, avalanche safe terrain, but ask that you have the skills you need to be comfortable touring in a variety of conditions and experience using the gear that you bring.

Cancellation Policy: Deposits are non-refundable, and the remaining balance is due by January 1. Because of the nature and location of this retreat, we have a strict cancellation policy, please consider purchasing your own travel insurance if needed. For cancellations made after fees are paid in full, we may be able to offer you a partial refund (50%) if someone from our waitlist is able to take your place, if this is not possible the fees will not be refunded.

Questions!?!? If there is anything further we can tell you about the retreat, the accommodations, the island, or travel concerns don’t hesitate to write to us via starlightandstormsingla@gmail.com

After you have paid your deposit and reserved your place we will contact you via email with a welcome packet including arrival and departure specifics, travel tips, packing suggestions and more.