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 journey begins! We load all our equipment onto the boat and head north towards Magdalenefjorden. Depending on ice conditions, we are dropped off either on the sea ice or on the beach and begin our journey in the polar bear’s hunting grounds. There may be walrus resting in the fjord. From here, we move away from the fjord and start our ascent onto the glacier. Miethebreen is a long uphill climb, but at the top we find a spectacular location for our first camp. Our first night is spent on the glacier, with a polar bear watch in place.

 

Days 4–8

Over the next days, we travel through some of the most beautiful landscapes Svalbard has to offer — it truly has to be experienced. Sharp nunataks rise from an intricate network of glaciers. Out here, we are completely alone. We continue climbing over Teltpasset and onwards toward Monacobreen. For safety, we rope up in glacier teams along parts of the route. Our routines begin to settle in, and we find a steady rhythm. Eventually, we reach Isachsenfonna, and the character of the expedition changes.

 

Days 9–12

A new phase of the journey begins as we enter the vast glacier plateaus. Here, we move through the great white in our own thoughts, perhaps catching glimpses of distant mountains on the horizon. The days feel much like a Greenland ice cap crossing. After Holtedahlsfonna, we pass through three striking peaks known as Tre Kronor. Dana, Nora, and Svea are distinctive mountains located between Isfjorden to the east and Kongsfjorden to the west. We continue towards St. Johnsfjorden, descending all the way to sea level before once again climbing onto the glacier system.

 

Days 13

Esmarkbreen is the final glacier arm of the expedition, which we follow all the way down to Ymerbukta. There will still be some sea ice here, and we may spot ringed seals resting in the sun. From Ymerbukta, we are picked up by boat and transported back to Longyearbyen, having completed more than 185 km through some of the most spectacular landscapes Svalbard has to offer.

 

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

- Accommodation while in Longyearbyen.