As the sun returns after the long polar night and dark season, the Arctic landscape is blanketed in snow and bathed in soft pastel light. With brighter days leading us towards the midnight sun in April, it’s the perfect time to head into the wilderness. Whether you're dog sledding across frozen valleys or snowmobiling over glaciers, adventure awaits around every corner.
How to Winter on Svalbard
Bright days, sparkling snow and endless adventure. Winter on Svalbard is anything but ordinary.
Ready to start planning?
Follow our step-by-step guide to build your perfect package, and enjoy up to 30% off your stay when you book hotel and activities together.
Start planningHere is what to expect:
The return of sunlight. The start of adventure. This is the sunny winter on Svalbard.
Changing Light Conditions
Svalbard’s sunny winter is marked by ever-changing light conditions that transform the snowy landscape throughout the day. The clear Arctic air and sharp mountain silhouettes create striking visual contrasts, while soft pastel tones shift with the light. You can experience the “blue hour,” and when skies are clear, the northern lights may still appear in the evenings until late March. By mid-April, the midnight sun returns, and daylight continues uninterrupted.
Winter Adventures
Travel across snow-covered plains and through narrow valleys, experiencing Svalbard’s raw, untouched nature up close. Snowmobiles make it possible to cover long distances and take in the dramatic Arctic landscape. Dog sledding is another well-loved way to explore, being pulled by eager huskies through the snow is a unique experience that many locals consider essential.
Unique Wildlife
Svalbard’s wilderness is home to some remarkable Arctic species, and winter offers excellent chances to spot them. Keep an eye out for Svalbard reindeer, ptarmigan, and Arctic foxes, often seen roaming the snowy terrain. Reindeer are known to wander through town, so it’s worth keeping your camera close to capture these animals in their natural surroundings. Observing wildlife in this stark, quiet landscape is a memorable part of any winter visit.
Popular activities
See all
What to pack for your trip to Svalbard
Prepare for the Arctic conditions of Svalbard with this essential packing guide, covering layered clothing, winter gear, safety equipment, and expert tips for an unforgettable adventure!
Read moreFun facts about the sunny winter on Svalbard
The sun’s return is a major event on Svalbard. On 7 March, it rises above the mountains in Longyearbyen for the first time since the polar night, and the occasion is marked with local celebrations. It’s traditional to wear sunglasses (regardless of the weather) and enjoy solboller, sweet buns filled with vanilla custard, made specially for the day.
On Svalbard snowmobiles are a vital mode of transport during the winter months. Remarkably, there are more snowmobiles than residents on the archipelago. They’re a familiar sight, parked outside homes, businesses, and along the streets, and are used for everything from daily commuting to thrilling adventures.
Two items that might not typically be associated with one another, sunglasses and cold cream, are essential during the sunny winter months on Svalbard. The sun can be intensely bright, especially when reflecting off snow and ice, so sunglasses are a must if you’re spending time outdoors.
Cold cream, meanwhile, helps protect your skin from the biting Arctic chill. On windy days, the cold can be particularly harsh on exposed skin, making a good protective cream an important part of your winter routine.
At the dog kennel Green Dog on Svalbard, the dogs enjoy long, happy lives. Each year, new litters of puppies are born and raised to become future sled dogs, trained for both work and adventure.
When the dogs grow too old for daily tours, they’re lovingly adopted by families on Svalbard or on the mainland. These retired sled dogs remain active and enthusiastic, often joining their new families on shorter outings, making them ideal companions and cherished pets.