Mark Zuckerberg sent his superyachts 8,000 kilometers to Norway to take a helicopter to a remote mountain peak and go skiing there. The billionaire used a trick.
Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Meta and one of the richest people in the world, sent two superyachts on a 5,000-mile (approx. 8,047 kilometers) journey. The goal was to take a helicopter to a remote mountain peak and go skiing there. According to Xataka, his yachts sailed around the Arctic Circle to Norway.
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From the West Coast to Norwegian Heights
What was the journey like? The “Launchpad,” a $300 million superyacht, and its support boat, the “Wingman,” left Zuckerberg’s base in California and sailed across the Atlantic to the Norwegian fjords. The yachts were meant to serve as a floating luxury residence, while the “Wingman” acted as a helicopter landing pad to transport Zuckerberg and his family for heliskiing.
The concept of heliskiing is simple: A helicopter takes skiers to a mountain peak to ski untouched slopes. Usually, special permits are required for this. However, Zuckerberg had a clever trick: the helicopter landed on his yacht, allowing him to bypass the permit requirements of local authorities.
What is the reason for the effort? Zuckerberg did not want an ordinary ski vacation, but rather an adventure that went far beyond that. According to Luxurylaunches, skiing was the centerpiece of his trip, but it was also about shaping the trip in his own way. Exclusive, away from the crowds, without restrictions.
A legal trick played a major role: As the Norwegian news portal NRK reports, helicopter flights in the Norwegian mountains are strictly regulated and often require permits. Zuckerberg’s approach was in a legal gray area.
Since the helicopter never landed on Norwegian soil, the regular permit procedure for heliskiing on land does not formally apply. According to Norwegian law, helicopter flights require a permit when they take off or land on the mainland.
How do the locals react? Zuckerberg’s ski vacation and the arrival of his superyacht “Launchpad” caused a stir in Norway. Especially in Bodø, where the yachts arrived on April 2, 2025, the reactions were mixed, according to the Norwegian newspaper VG. Locals expressed their amazement: “It’s huge, it takes up half the harbor.”
But there was also criticism. Not only about the environmental impact of such luxury trips, but also about the potential disturbance to the indigenous Sámi and their culture. Børre Johansen, the mayor of Hamarøy, expressed concerns that the activities surrounding heliskiing could impact the sensitive alpine ecosystems.
While Mark Zuckerberg made headlines with an extravagant skiing trip through the Norwegian fjords, he is showing unbeatable ambitions in video games. Unlike Elon Musk, Zuckerberg is said to be unbeatable in a game without cheating. With 1,000 hours in the game, he wants to prove his performance.
