About GLØD
Since 2005 we have run activities, expeditions, accommodation and dining in Alta for individuals, groups and companies.
Our goal is to give you the best possible Arctic nature-based adventures. After a trip with us, the experiences will have changed you.
Trygve Nygård founded GLØD Explorer in 2005. In the summer of 2015 we moved into new, purpose-built premises at Jordfallet in Øvre Alta, about 5 km from downtown. Most of our tours start or end here, and pickup in downtown Alta is usually included.
We care about food as much as adventure. Our kitchen cooks with fresh, local ingredients such as game, fish, king crab and berries, and we buy as much as we can locally.
Every year we also arrange Halddemarsjen, a mountain hike and run from Kåfjord up to the Northern Lights observatory on Halddetoppen. The first one was held in 1984.
How we work
Quality
Our tours are the tenderloin of the region, carefully planned. Our guides have completed the Arctic Nature Guide programme at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, and our MTB guides are certified by NMIG. If you only want the lowest price, or a company that takes things as they come, we’re the wrong team.
Safety
Every trip is risk assessed under our HSE plan, and assessed again before departure. Before paddling the Alta River we check water level, temperature and forecast, and shorten the trip or add guides if needed. Every guide has first aid training, and we bring a satellite phone beyond phone coverage.
Environment
We travel without a trace, adapt bike routes after heavy rain, and use our dogs instead of motor vehicles to carry gear. Our electricity is hydro and wind power from Ishavskraft. GLØD has been Eco-Lighthouse certified since April 2021.
Ladies and gentlemen on adventures
The people who have GLØD as their main employer. Freelance guides with the same passion join us for large groups.
Trygve Nygård
Founder, owner, CEO and guide
From Bognelvdalen in Alta. Trained in construction, then took a BA in sports and outdoor life and an MA in tourism. He has cycled and skied the full length of Norway, and skied the length of Spitsbergen.
Fun fact: Lives 30 m from the office, but always manages to arrive late.
Juliette Rouesse
Guide
Traded rugby and an engineering job in Paris for outdoor life in Norway. After a sailboat and sled dogs, she studied friluftsliv in Alta and Svalbard and found her passion for long ski tours.
Fun fact: Her first career-change idea was ostrich jockey.
Emil Telje
Guide
Grew up in Asker. After a year and a half as a border hunter in Finnmark, he took a bachelor’s in Arctic outdoor activities and a master’s in sports science at UiT in Alta.
Fun fact: Usually found on a steep mountain wall, with a shotgun on his back or skis on his feet.
Nikola Galovic
Guide
From Croatia, with a background in computer science and economics. Spent nearly seven years dog sledding all over Norway, from Røros to Tromsø and Alta.
Fun fact: Has never had a headache and doesn’t drink coffee.
Simone Ciancoini
Chef
Originally from Italy, and cooking at GLØD since 2023.
Fun fact: Dreams of taking the Norwegian hunting test.
Tor Even Aas
Chef
The grand old man in the kitchen. Tor has run most of the kitchens in Alta.
Fun fact: A gun dog man who only keeps Pointers.
- Luisa KapfelspergerGuide and breakfast host
- James MalloyGuide
- Zsofia IllaBreakfast host
Working together
We are members of the North Norwegian tourism cluster Arctic 365, and part-owner of Visit Alta with a seat on its board. We work with North Adventure, Sorrisniva, Trasti & Trine, Holmen Husky, Nord Ekspedisjon, Park Gård Husky, Thon Hotel and Scandic Hotel, and with all the mountain lodges on Finnmarksvidda: Jotka, Mollisjok, Gargia, Soussjavri, Suolovuopmi and Ravnastua.
We take interns from UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Campus Alta, take part in research projects with other tourism companies in the region, and work with Alta Upper Secondary School.
GLØD is a member of the Norwegian Hospitality Association and the Norwegian Travel Guarantee Fund.