Adapted by:
Rubén Andrés
WriterWriter at Xataka. I've been working remotely for more than a decade and I'm a strong advocate of technology as a way to improve our lives. Full-time addict of black, sugar-free coffee.
Alba Mora
WriterAn established tech journalist, I entered the world of consumer tech by chance in 2018. In my writing and translating career, I've also covered a diverse range of topics, including entertainment, travel, science, and the economy.
Most people are happy to spend their Easter vacations trying to soak up the first rays of spring sunshine or enjoying the tranquility of empty cities. However, the super-rich, like Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, have far more ambitious holiday plans.
As one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, Zuckerberg has taken his vacation to another level. He’s reportedly sailed his fleet of two superyachts on a 5,300-mile journey to Norway to partake in a skiing adventure.
Ski holidays. According to Luxurylaunches, Zuckerberg decided to spend his Easter break skiing in Scandinavia.
His superyacht Launchpad and its support vessel Wingman traveled around the Arctic Circle to anchor in Norwegian waters, where they awaited the arrival of the Zuckerberg family. The plan was to heli-ski, a type of skiing where a helicopter flies you to the top of a mountain and then you ski down.
Skiing by boat. Although it may sound strange, expensive, and environmentally harmful, Zuckerberg had his reasons to sail his two superyachts to Norway. According to Swedish media outlet NRK, the $300 million superyacht Launchpad, measuring 390 feet, served as a luxurious floating residence for the billionaire. Meanwhile, the $30 million Wingman functioned as a support vessel and a heliport for the helicopter accompanying the Zuckerberg family throughout the journey.
During his vacation, Zuckerberg made full use of the possibilities offered by his fleet. Anchored in the stunning Norwegian fjords, he purportedly deployed his helicopter from the yacht’s helipad to practice heli-skiing in the Norwegian mountains.
Heli-skiing with a twist. Heli-skiing involves being flown to the top of a mountain by helicopter and skiing down untouched snow slopes. This experience is reserved for the most adventurous and those who can afford the elaborate logistics.
Heli-skiing requires special landing permits for the helicopter. Due to strict environmental regulations in the area, local authorities are often reluctant to issue them for tourism, according to Børre Johansen, the mayor of Hamarøy, a town in Northern Norway. However, the Meta CEO reportedly discovered a clever workaround. He didn’t need permits if the helicopter landed directly on his yacht without touching land.
This loophole allowed the billionaire to descend Norwegian mountainsides without bureaucratic restrictions. He used his yacht’s helipad as a base to access peaks in Norway and even crossed into Sweden. He skied down slopes inaccessible to most skiers and returned seamlessly to his luxury vessel–all without seeking authorization from local authorities.
Long-distance fleet. This isn’t the first time Zuckerberg has deployed his fleet thousands of miles from his home base in San Francisco for a luxury getaway. In 2024, Launchpad traveled 4,800 miles from San Francisco to Tahiti, where it remained anchored for more than two months in anticipation of Zuckerberg’s arrival. He never showed up, but the fleet was prepared to welcome him anytime.
According to navigation data, Launchpad is currently in Longyearbyen, one of the northernmost inhabited settlements in the Svalbard archipelago in Norway.
Image | Viktor Ritsvall
Related | Mark Zuckerberg Tried to Ride Elon Musk’s Wave to Improve His Image. People Still Hate Him