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Tobias Granath

Svalbard Ski & Sail Expedition

Longyearbyen

Svalbard ski & sail expedition is the ultimate arctic ski-touring experience. With help from a vessel we travel from Longyearbyen along the North/West coast of Spitsbergen archipelago.

On this trip you will experience raw natur, wildlife and spectacular skiing from 600-1200m high summits straight above the ocean.

  • Content
  • When
  • Info
  • Equipment

Program

Svalbard and its archipelago with their fjords and Islands offers vast wilderness and an amazing terrain for ski-touring. There’re endless of possibilities along the North/West coast of the Island Spitsbergen. Depending on weather and snow conditions we plan the route. Below is an example.

DAY 1

Wednesday. Meeting in Longyearbyen at 16.00 and transfer down to the harbor. Before dinner is served the captain will tell us about the safety routines on board. The guides will inform about the conditions and plans for the upcoming days. After dinner we sail to our first destination.

DAY 2-5

Depending on current weather conditions our tour-plan is flexible. St.Jonsfjorden, Kongsfjorden, Krossfjorden and Magdalenefjorden are possible destinations. Ski-touring at the Island Prins Karls Forland will also bring unforgettable experiences. Each day we start with a steady skiers breakfast. We prepare sandwiches and thermos for the ski-tour every morning. When we get back from our daily ski-tour lunch will be served. After a debrief and after-ski drink we sail to next destination. During the sailing we have time to experience the arctic landscape and wildlife. This time of the year we also experience midnight sun, which can bring 24hour period of sunlight!

DAY 6

Ski-touring in the nearby fjords of Longyearbyen. In the afternoon we will be back at the Harbor for our last night on board.

DAY 7

Wednesday – departure day. We leave the ship at latest 09.00 AM. Possible flight to home destination from early morning on Wednesday.

Hard facts

7 days of cruise
6 days of Ski-touring/ShipToShore Shuttle
7 overnights
8 clients, 2 IFMGA mountain guides, 3 staff (chef, captain, machinist)
Skiers breakfast/Lunchpackage/Hot After-Ski Soup/2 Course-Dinner
Svalbard has around 2600 inhabitants and ca 3500 polar bears.

Dates for season 2025

21-28/5 Still available! The season starts end of April and ends in beginning of June. The weeks starts on a Wednesday evening and ends at Wednesday morning.

Note:

Please feel free to contact us about requests.

Travel

Flight to Longyearbyen.

Accommodation

Ulla Rinman was built and used as ice going rescue vessel for the Swedish Sea Rescue Association. It has the highest ice class, is built with up to 25 mm thick steel and is able to break sea ice. The vessel was in service to the Swedish Sjoräddningen until the mid 90ies, and since then is in use for research and touristical expeditions, as well as for various film projects.

Level required

Offpist & ski-touring skills. Endurance for Skitouring 5-6h/day and long descents.

Guide/Client ratio

We ski in private groups up to 4 clients per guide. Maximum 8 clients + 2 guides.

Length

7 days of cruise, Friday evening to Friday morning.
6 days of Ski-touring/ShipToShore Shuttle
7 overnights

Period

End of April to beginning of June.

Assurance

The skier needs a travel and accident insurance for the implementation of this activity.

Price

8500 EUR/person. Including 7nights full board(breakfast, lunch, dinner). Soft drinks & water. 6 ski-touring days with UIAGM mountain guide.

Additional costs:

Travel to Longyearbyen. Additional nights in Longyearbyen(optional). Ski-touring equipment. Alcoholic drinks. Travel and rescue insurance.

Guide fee depends on
  • Type of activity and where
  • Course seriousness and difficulty
  • Course length (day tour or bivinights included)
  • If going alone or in a bigger group
  • If booking a single day or several days
  • High season or low season
Note

The price is based on the recommended daily fee by the Swiss Bergführerverband, SBV.

Svalbard equipment list

To save space on the vessel pack your stuff in duffelbags and not hard suitcases. Sheets and towels will be handed. Please contact us if you need to rent anything of the list below.

Technical Equipment
  • Ski-touring equipment; skis, skins, ski-crampons, poles, ski-touring boots
  • Transceiver, probe, showel
  • Crampons, harness, ice-axe

Other Equipment
  • Backpack around 30 liters
  • Warm hat & sunhat
  • Warm jacket
  • Underlayer, mid layer, extra socks
  • Jacket (wind and waterproof)
  • Trousers (wind and waterproof)
  • Thin and warm gloves
  • Ski-googles and sunglasses

  • Water bottle 1 liter
  • Thermos
  • Snacks, Bars
  • Blister kit & painkillers: Including Compeed blister plasters and elastoplast or similar
  • Sunscreen
  • Earplugs
  • Pills for sea sickness
  • Slippers for indoor use on the Vessel
  • Swimming shorts/suit. For an arctic after-ski swim!