8 Day Ski Expedition to Ny-Ålesund
The journey starts with a boat transfer from Longyearbyen to Ekmanfjorden. Once we have been dropped off at the shoreline, there is nothing but wilderness and snow filled mountain landscapes around us. Here, we fasten our skis and start our ski adventure.
On our way towards Ny-Ålesund in the north, we will pass through the most fantastic glacial landscape. We are in an incredible area between Isfjorden and Kongsfjorden, far away from civilisation and everyday life. This region is well off the beaten track, and there is little chance of meeting any other person here. Here you really can enjoy the unique silence that only is to be found in the high Arctic.
At this time of year, the sun never sets. This allows us to take even the longest stretches at a comfortable pace, since we don’t need to adjust ourselves to any approaching darkness. As we will sleep in tents, we will take shifts during the night to do polar bear watch. This is a truly unique and lovely experience. It gives you a moment to sit in peace, under the midnight sun, and just take in the moment.
On our last skiing day, we will arrive at the shoreline of Kongsfjorden. Here, a boat awaits to transport us to Ny-Ålesund and then on to Longyearbyen the next day.
Please note that you must be in Longyearbyen the day before the program starts.
Day 1
Your guide will meet you and your fellow expedition members at the hotel reception at 10:00 am. After a short welcome and information meeting, we head down to our storage. Here, we will go through the equipment, pack our pulkas and receive instructions for the use of cooking equipment, pulkas and tents. There will be time for a quick visit to the shops and adjustment of gear if required. Tonight you will stay in a hotel in Longyearbyen.
Day 2
Breakfast and check out before 10:00 am. Any baggage you are not taking with you can be left in our storage. Be sure to fill your thermoses with hot water during breakfast. At 10:00 am you get picked up and driven down to our expedition centre. Here we will get a briefing of the day, before it is time to embark on our transport over the Isfjord to Ekmanfjorden. Once we arrive at the shoreline, all that is left to do is to fasten our skis and head into the wilderness. Now the adventure really begins, are you ready?
Day 3 to 6
During the next few days we will ski through the magnificent glacier landscape of Oscar II Land. How far we come each day will depend on the snow and weather conditions, but we will generally break camp at around 10:00 am, and set up a new camp at 5:00–6:00 pm in the evening. This means that every day will be a full day of skiing, but we will make some stops along the way to eat, drink, and enjoy the majestic landscape.
Day 7
On the seventh day we will arrive at the shoreline of Kongsfjorden, where we get picked up by boat again. After a short boat transfer to Ny-Ålesund, we will enjoy a guided tour in the little town. Then we embark on a larger ship, where we check in to our own cabins. We spend the night on board, enjoying good food and the comfort of a shower and a real bed.
Day 8
We will arrive in Longyearbyen at 10:00am. Now the expedition is over – unless you wish to stay a little longer, and explore more of what Longyearbyen and its surroundings has to offer.
Please note: All times can be changed. The program may be adjusted on short notice, should weather or snow conditions require it. The tempo on the expedition will be set according to the conditions and the participants’ physical strength.
Included in the price:
One night at Radisson Blu Polar Hotel, Spitsbergen (day 1)
Meals during the tour
Shared equipment: cooking equipment, snow shovels, glacier equipment, primus, fuel
Tent
Sleeping mat
Pulk and pulk harness
Experienced guides with all necessary safety equipment
Search and rescue insurance
Transport from Longyearbyen to Ekmanfjorden
Transport from Kongsfjorden to Longyearbyen
Not included:
Flights
Accommodation and meals in Longyearbyen outside of the programme
Sleeping bag
Personal skiing equipment including skis, poles, boots and skins (randonnee equipment is not allowed)
Personal clothing and equipment
Beer/wine/soft drinks
Travel insurance
You will be sent an equipment list prior to departure. Remember that Svalbard is tax and duty free, so you can always buy quality equipment in our shops in Longyearbyen.
90 kilometres on skis with pulk
Five nights in tent (mandatory polar bear watch)
One night aboard MS Nordstjernen
One hotel night in Longyearbyen
from € 1 983.7
per person