Longyearbyen, Norway:
Britain's Prince Harry hit the slopes on Tuesday - far above the Arctic Circle.
Days after hosting his brother's bachelor party, the 26-year-old prince joined wounded soldiers training in Norway for a charity hike to the North Pole.
The third in line to the British throne plans to train for three days before accompanying the team on the first five days of their four-week expedition.
Harry was all smiles as he spoke to reporters during a brief break from training - despite the minus 20 degrees Celsius temperature.
He said he was ready for the challenge - although perhaps not as ready as his colleagues, who have been training for the arduous journey for months.
The prince is joining the hike in his role as patron of the Walking With the Wounded charity.
It's hoped the 320 kilometer trek to the Pole will raise two million pounds to help injured military personnel.
The charity's co-founders are taking part in the trip, as are four servicemen wounded in Afghanistan.
Harry, who is training to be an Apache helicopter pilot with the British Army Air Corps, is scheduled to return home on 5 April to continue his military work.
That should leave him plenty of time to prepare for the role of best man to his brother, William, who is getting married to Kate Middleton on April 29.