The reindeer kick in the snow to find their fodder, and the foxes slink around in the dark. We will stop and enjoy the scenery, and the guide will serve hot drinks and biscuits. During the stop we may be able to see the impressive Northern Lights, which, due to the Polar Night, are often visable during the daytime hours.

In Svalbard we can see dayside Aurora. This is Northern Lights that occur during the day. Typical features of the dayside aurora is that they are less intense than nightside aurora. This is because the particles that enter directly are slow and have less energy, than those coming in from the nightside. The dayside aurora appears green to the naked eye, but in reality it is red. However, the human eye is much less sensitive to red than green light, so seing the red light with the naked eye is very rare. Cameras, on the other hand, can capture it!

Safety is priority

Several of Hurtigruten Svalbard's guides have done the Arctic Nature Guide study and most are also authorized Svalbard Guide, through the Svalbard Guide Education (SGO). The SGO education contains the basic requirements for safe travels in Svalbard Arctic nature. It contains training that the Svalbard Tourist Destination and the authorities in relation to the Svalbard guideline's general knowledge of the archipelago, field safety and understanding of environmental and cultural values. In addition, our guides have training within our company throughout the year. We want you to have fun when you are driving, but safety is number 1 priority.

Difficulty

1. Suitable for all. 2. Suitable for most without any snowmobile experience, very easy and flat terrain. Distance up to 40 kilometers. 3. Suitable for most without any snowmobile experience, through some rugged terrain. Distance up to 160 kilometers. 4. Previous snowmobile experience recommended, long day trips up to 180 kilometers. 5. For those with previous snowmobile experience, very long day trips more than 180 kilometers.

Driving license

You will need a valid driving license for either car or motor cycle to drive a snowmobile. Make sure to bring this along for the entire duration of the trip.

What’s included?

Included in all organised snowmobile tours are: Briefing, snowmobile, fuel, snowmobile suit, snowmobile boots, mittens, helmet, balaclava, goggles, search and rescue insurance and an experienced tour guide with snowmobiles, security equipment and a safety sled.

Clothing

We recommend you to wear warm underwear, warm outer pants and a wool sweater under the snowmobile suit. We also recommend that you have extra clothes in a backpack. For example, an extra sweater, hat and gloves.

Pregnancy

Longyearbyen hospital discourages pregnant women to attend snowmobile and dog sled rides, because it involves a risk to harm the pregnant women and the unborn child.

Changes

In the interests of the safety of participants, we reserve the right to change the route in relation to weather and snow. This will not affect the price of the tour. Participants need to follow the tour guide directions and instructions. Our tour leader takes no passengers.

Alcohol

Driving under the influence of alcohol is not accepted.