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Jan - May

3 hours

Shhh! Can you hear that? No? It is the sound of absolutely nothing. As you press the gas, the snowmobile starts moving, but the roaring noise from the motor is not there. The only thing to be heard is "the Arctic silence". The sound of absolutely nothing.

Join us on a whole new way to experience the Arctic. Hop on an electric snowmobile!

Electric snow mobile

The electric motors of our new snowmobiles are completely quiet. The absence of sound is less disruptive to the wildlife, compared to ordinary snowmobiles. So, remember to look around you for animals; The Svalbard reindeer, ptarmigans and polar foxes are something we often see out on tour.

An easier tour

This is a perfect tour if you want to “get a taste" of snowmobiling, without having to drive a full day.

The trip goes out into the Advent Valley, towards "Jernsenga" (the ‘Iron bed’). There you get to hear the story of this strange little mound and the iron bed on top of it, which is a famous landmark near Longyearbyen. We also drive by Mine 7, the only coal mine that is still active. Along the way, you will experience the majestic landscapes, combined with learning a lot about the local history and life on Svalbard. No one is better at communicating this than our Svalbard guides! If we are lucky, we may also meet some Svalbard reindeers, ptarmigans, Arctic foxes and snow buntings.

important information

The participant is obliged to ensure that the driver's license is valid in Svalbard and Jan Mayen. Please contact the responsible authorities in case of any questions. The guide will check each passenger's driver's license and will refuse participation if the driver's license is not valid in Svalbard and Jan Mayen. No refunds will be given due to an invalid driver's license.

Included

  • Transfer from hotel/accommodation place in Longyearbyen.
  • Warm drinks and biscuits.
  • Snowmobile suit, shoes, gloves and helmet to use during the tour. See our introduction video here.
  • Tour leader with weapons and safety sled.
  • Rescue insurance.

Practical information snowmobile tour

Drivers’ licence
A valid driver’s licence for car or motorbike is required to drive a snowmobile. Remember to take it with you on the tour.

Recommendations
We recommend that you dress in warm woollen underwear, warm outer pants and a solid woollen jumper under the snowmobile suit. We also recommend that our guests have extra clothes in a backpack, for example an extra jumper, woollen hat and mittens.

Take a look at our video on how to dress here.

Pregnancy
We advise against pregnant women taking part in snowmobile and dog sledding trips, because a blow to the stomach or a fall entails a risk of injury to the pregnant woman and the unborn child. We recommend that your GP is consulted if you are thinking of participating in these activities.

Possible changes
We reserve the right to change the route of the tour for safety reasons should the weather or snow conditions require it. This will not be grounds for a change in price. The participants agree to follow the tour leader’s directions and instructions. The tour leader will not drive with a passenger.

Alcohol
The ‘Vegtrafikkloven’’ or Road Traffic Act applies on Svalbard. Driving under the influence of alcohol is not permitted.

Language
Safety is our highest priority, and the guide needs to be able to give directions you understand. To participate on one of our excursions, it is required that you speak and understand English or one of the Scandinavian languages.

Safety snow mobile trip

Your safety is our priority. Even if you have experience in winter sports, the Svalbard environment is different to that many might have been in before. Taking a tour with a guide who knows the local conditions is the safest way to explore the area outside of Longyearbyen. As a participant on a snowmobile tour, it is important that you follow the guide’s directions underway. This is both for your own safety, and that of the group. Weather and snow conditions are the big factors on Svalbard, and we reserve the right to change the route or destination to one that is safest for you and the group.

Hurtigruten Svalbard’s guides have different backgrounds and experience, but what they all have in common is that they come to work to ensure you will have the best and safest tour. Some have taken the Arctic Nature Guide study, others are certified mountain guides, glacier guides or authorised Svalbard guides who have taken the Svalbard Guide Opplæring (SGO - Svalbard guide training). SGO study includes fundamental requirements for safe travel on Svalbard, as well as education about tourism, field safety and an understanding of environmental and cultural values. In addition our guides take part in internal training and exercises through the year.

Facts snow mobile trip

Difficulty

2- Suitable for most without any snowmobile experience, very easy and flat terrain

8 years

Minimum participants

1 snow mobile

Distance

40 km

Duration

3 hours

Jan - May

3 hours

What you should know
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