Northwest ski-expedition

Svalbard offers an incredible variety of Arctic landscapes — from vast glacier plains and endless valleys to steep alpine mountains rising above frozen fjords. Some regions are busy with snowmobiles; others remain silent and untouched all year round.

On the northwestern corner of Spitsbergen, we find a unique combination of everything that makes Svalbard so extraordinary. Here you can cross frozen fjords, wide glacier plateaus, and narrow passes guarded by sharp nunataks — all within one journey. This area sees few visitors, giving a rare sense of solitude and true wilderness.
If you’re only going to do one ski trip in the Arctic, this should be the one.

We travel in May, under the midnight sun, avoiding the harshest cold. Transportation to and from the route is by boat — far more comfortable than snowmobiles — and perfectly suited for spring conditions.

By the end of this expedition, chances are you’ll have followed fresh polar bear tracks, skied through total whiteouts, pulled your sled through sunlit mountain passes, and crossed crevassed glaciers roped together with your teammates — the essence of Arctic adventure.

Itinerary

Day 1

We meet in Longyearbyen to go through the plan for the expedition. We provide advice and guidance on equipment and routines to ensure everyone is prepared for the journey ahead.

Day 2

The day before departure is used efficiently. We review how to use stoves, set up tents, and cover other practical matters that should be ready before the trip starts. We also pack the food into the sleds and double-check that all safety equipment is in place.

Day 3

The expedition begins!

We load all our equipment onto the boat and head for Yoldiabukta and Wahlenbergbreen on the northern side of Isfjorden. Depending on the sea ice conditions, we are either dropped off on the sea ice or directly on the beach, where we begin our journey through the polar bear's hunting grounds. If we're lucky, we may even spot walruses resting on the ice or along the shoreline.

From the fjord, we gradually make our way up onto Wahlenbergbreen. The lower part of the glacier features spectacular ice formations and a beautiful, partially crevassed icefall, where we travel roped together through varied and exciting glacier terrain.

Days 4–8

Having climbed the glacier from sea level, we continue across the extensive glacier system. Some sections offer easy travel over broad, gentle ice, while others are shaped by the glacier's powerful advances in years gone by. In several places we travel roped together as we negotiate more complex terrain.

Towering mountains surround us on every side as we make our way towards Vintervegen and Austre Osbornbreen. This is true wilderness—there is virtually no one else here.

As the days pass, we settle into the rhythm of expedition life. The landscape changes constantly. We pass beneath the iconic Tre Kroner (The Three Crowns), one of the region's most distinctive mountain groups.

Further north, the expedition enters a completely new phase as we cross the immense ice fields of Holtedahlfonna and Isachsenfonna. On clear days the mountains remain visible on the horizon, but otherwise the landscape stretches out in endless, flat white for mile after mile. After several days we reach the highest point of the expedition before descending onto Monacobreen.

Days 9–13

We now enter one of the most spectacular regions of Svalbard. To the east, the mountains are broader and more rounded, while to the west they rise as dramatic, jagged peaks.

Gradually we turn west, following Louetbreen towards Teltpasset. If time and conditions allow, we may spend an extra day here. Sharp mountain ridges, narrow glacier passes and occasional crevasses surround us in every direction. This is truly one of Svalbard's hidden gems.

The following days are what make this expedition one of the world's most beautiful ski journeys. It simply has to be experienced.

Our traverse continues towards Magdalenefjorden. Down Miethebreen we enjoy an exhilarating 500-metre ski descent as the landscape opens up before us. We see Waggonwaybreen, with its dramatic crevasses and striking blue ice, before reaching Magdalenefjorden, regarded by many as Svalbard's most beautiful fjord.

Day 14

There is time to relax, enjoy the scenery and reflect on the journey while we wait for the boat that will take us back to Longyearbyen. Loading all the equipment aboard takes a little while, before we begin the return voyage south.

Back in Longyearbyen, a hot shower awaits before we gather for a final group dinner.

The world's most beautiful ski expedition?

Included:

- Tents, stoves, fuel, pulkas

- SAR insurance

- Emergency communication

- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

- Boat transport to and from Longyearbyen

Not included:

- Personal travel insurance

- Personal equipment such as skis, boots, sleeping bag.

- Flights to and from Longyearbyen