Eric Philips

Dream big. Live bigger. Begin!

Astronaut. Actually, a Cryonaut

A Cryonaut travels over the cryosphere [ˈkrī-ō-ˌsfir the part of the earth's surface characterised by the presence of frozen water). Having skied more than 10,000km across the Arctic and Antarctica, and orbited 2.3 million kilometres over the Earth's poles, I am a...Cryonaut.

I was Mission Specialist and Medical Officer on board the historic Fram2 polar orbital mission.

Launching on March 31, 2025 from Cape Canaveral, the Fram2 crew spent almost 4 days in space, completing 55 orbits over the North and South Poles. Although we see curated photos of these regions on Google Earth and other platforms, there is something quintessentially human about seeing things with our own eyes and yes, they look different.

On April 4 we completed the first human splashdown off the west coast of the USA.

+ More + Buy the CRYONAUT T-Shirt

Polar Explorer

Since 1992 I've been exploring the Earth's high latitudes.

Exploration has been at the core of my instinct. From my inaugural 1992 expedition to Canada's Ellesmere Island, to pioneering new routes through the Transantarctic Mountains to the South Pole, skiing from Russia to North Pole and North Pole to Canada, to snowkiting solo to the iconic peak of Ulvetanna, I've followed the urge to go where others haven't. To explore the path less travelled.

It's what drives me every day of my life.

+ More + Biography

IPGA Polar Expedition Guide

Since 2004 I've been guiding ski expeditions and training in the Arctic, Antarctica and Australia. Any opportunity to introduce people to our wonderful ice environments is a privilege that I will forever appreciate.

In 2011, together with a team of guides spanning 6 nations, I launched the International Polar Guides Association, steering the organisation as President until 2024. Polar guiding is an awesome profession, one that combines my loves of adventure and education.

Contact me if you want to join a trip, need help with your own or are interested in becoming an IPGA guide.

+ More + Chronology

Polar Equipment Designer

Like many of the polar enthusiasts who use my products, I place absolute trust in the ability of my designs to do what's required of them.

Whether I'm guiding a short trip or on a long demanding expedition, I don't want the anxiety of worrying about gear failure or poor performance so I base my design work on a simple credo: Design and build things to perform dependably in the harshest conditions on the planet.

+ More + Buy

Polar Expedition Consultant

In the harsh reality of a polar environment there's often only one chance at success. Don't squander that opportunity with guesswork, assumptions or bad advice.

I offer 4 levels of consultation, giving you the opportunity to balance your growing knowledge with my professional advice to create your optimum polar journey.


+ Show me

Photographs

Most of the images on my website were taken by professional photographers. Martin Hartley, Petter Nyquist, Christian Åslund and Nick Cobbing are widely known for their work in the fields of polar adventure, conservation and science and I've enjoyed working with them immensely.

They all possess the rare ability to render an ordinary moment as an extraordinary event, an ephemeral blur as static motion, a fleeting nuance as an indelible memory.

My sincere thanks to these superlative artists.

+ Photographers

Eric - thank you for making the whole trip possible for us. I've had an absolute blast and have to pinch myself for reassurance that I really did make it to the North pole!

Fiona Johnson. UK (North Pole Flight 2017)

Many thanks for your efforts in getting me there. The whole experience of Svalbard, the activities there, the people I met and finally getting to the North Pole after so much 'hurry up and waiting' was pretty amazing.

Tony Fosgate. England (North Pole Direct 2005)

I learnt a lot about myself and my limitations and how far I can push myself, which is further than I had imagined. I really enjoyed the friendships and the team aspects, it was a trip of a lifetime and I feel I would like to visit the 'backyard of ice' again sometime in the future.

Paul Bonney. Australia (North Pole Extreme 2007)

I had the pleasure of having Eric Philips guide me on my successful North Pole expedition in 2005. His ability, professionalism and knowledge all combined to make my experience in the high Arctic one I will treasure for the rest of my life. I have the highest recommendation for Icetrek and Eric as a guide; his ongoing success rate in an environment where others have failed is a testament to his amazing talent.

Matthew McFadyen. Australia (North Pole Extreme 2005)

Your dedication to do things right is outstanding. In our hearts we know you are the very best guide there is. You gave us such unforgettable, wonderful memories. Within me I still feel the appreciation for you taking such good care of us.

Heinz Fischer. USA (North Pole Explorer 2008)

The Commonwealth Team could not have had a better guide and I think we all reflected along the route how lucky we were and privately happy we had the 'bloke from Hobart'. We all appreciated your guidance and team spirit and certainly I haven't had as much fun with a guide along the route which made it all the more enjoyable, I have fantastic memories which will live for many years to come.

Simon Daglish. WWTW co-founder. UK (South Pole Allied Challenge 2013)
Eric Philips, IPGA Polar Expedition Guide
International Polar Guides Association
  • Email
  • Telephone +61 417 390 490
© Eric Philips 2026. All rights reserved.