On the map you find in the link below you can see where the ski expedition will tak you. The exact route will depend on the weather and snow conditions. A dotted line indicates transport with snowmobile or boat.

MAP SKI EXPEDITIONS (PDF)

Day 1 - Thursday
09:00 Briefing, preparation and packing for the expedition. We will go through the gear and instructions for use of the cooking gear, sled, ski equipment, tent, food and drinks.

During the afternoon we will be transported from Longyearbyen to Tempelfjorden by snowmobile. This transportation leg is approximately 65 km. We begin our skiing adventure here deep in Tempelfjorden, heading east towards the Von Post Glacier where we will make camp for the first night.

Day 2 - Friday
The expedition continues up the large glacier and we reach 650 metres above sea level at the pass. From here we head to our second campsite on the Hayes Glacier.

During the journey east we will meet massive glaciers, with beautiful nunataks such as Panoramabreget and Skinnluva rising out of the ice.

Day 3 - Saturday
This day’s stretch takes us down Hayes glacier and we will make camp for the last time by the Königsberg Glacier. If we are lucky we will also meet the king of the Arctic, the polar bear, somewhere along the route. 

Day 4 - Sunday
On the last day we will meet the sea ice in Mohnbukta and follow the coast until we reach Georg Bjørne’s old trappers cabin. Here we will be met by the snowmobiles that take us back to Longyearbyen.

All times are subject to change.The travel schedule will be altered should the weather conditions deem it necessary. The tempo of the expedition will be adapted to the conditions and the participant’s physical strength.

This expedition requires the participants to be physically fit, as we cover 10-15 km a day carrying a backpack or pulling a sled with equipment. Each participant should be an experienced skier and be familiar with camping outdoors in tents during the winter.

Be aware that the weather can change fairly quickly and the temperature can drop dramatically. The participants are normally split into teams of two and you will either get a sled each or one per team. The sleds contain collective equipment such as tents, portable stoves, food and fuel for the whole trip. The sled weight is about 20 kg. In addition you will have your personal equipment which can either be carried in a backpack or packed in a sled. Participants are expected to take part in setting up camp and cooking.

The prices include
Meals during the trip, shared equipment, tent, sleeping mats, and experienced guide with all necessary safety equipment, as well as search and rescue insurance. Transport to and from the starting point of the trip.

You share tent with another person. Single tent only on request.

The prices do not include
Airfare, accommodation and meals in Longyearbyen, beverages, sleeping bag, skis, personal travel insurance, clothing and equipment.

There are a lot of exciting excursions and activities you can try in Longyearbyen before or after the trip. You can book additional nights through one of our accommodation providers in connection with your expedition.

Room price in connection to the expedition:

Required equipment:

• Bag or backpack for personal equipment
• Sleeping bag suitable for temperatures to -30ºC (Helsport down sleeping bag is recommended)
• 1 pair of solid, sturdy and well-adjusted/comfortable ski boots
• 1 pair mountain skis with steel edges and strong bindings (NOT narrow cross-country skis. Randonee skis are not recommended)
• Adhesive skins for the skis
• 1 pair of solid ski poles for mountain use
• 1 set of gaiters
• Mountain jacket (windproof, waterproof, breathable)
• Mountain trousers (windproof, waterproof, breathable)
• Warm hat and possibly headband
• Scarf or buff Balaclava
• 1 pair of windproof mittens
• 1 pair of gloves
• 2 pairs of mittens (we recommend wool, to have inside the windproof mittens)
• 2 sets of long underwear (long johns and sweater, we recommend wool e.g. Devold of Norway)
• Warm woollen sweater or fleece sweater/ jacket
• 3-4 pairs of warm woollen socks
• Down jacket
• 1-2 sets of casual indoor clothing for the stay in Longyearbyen before/after the trip
• 1-2 thermos bottles
• 1 drinking bottle
• 1 pair of sunglasses with side protection
• 1 pair of ski-goggles Sun and cold block cream (non-water based)
• Pocket knife/Leatherman
• Toilet articles, towel, and small first-aid kit with sports tape and blister plasters

In addition we recommend:

• Thermal-rest sleeping mat (should you prefer a thicker mat)
• Down trousers
• 1 pair of down shoes (to use inside the tent to keep feet warm)
• 1 pair of indoor shoes or sandals (to use before/after the expedition)
• Map and compass (you can buy a map in Longyearbyen or at www.npolar.no)
• Binoculars
• Camera with waterproof bag, extra memory cards and battery charger
• Ski wax (1 tube of red wax, 1 tube of universal wax, 1 box blue extra and 1 box red special)
• Reading material in case we get stuck in bad weather
  

Spitsbergen Travel provides the following equipment:

• Tent Sleeping mats
• Shared equipment for the camps
• Cooking equipment
• Provisions
• Sleds
• Snow shovels
• Climbing/glacier rope
• Equipment for the glacier
• Portable stove
• Fuel
  

Note:
Pack in plastic bags – bring extra plastic bags, as the equipment may become wet during the tour.

• C8 Billefjorden
• D8 Negribreen
• D9 Agardhfjellet