Svalbard Summer Ski Crossing

Overview

Book now »

7 days skiing across Svalbard

Introduction

Are you ready to join us on our newest trip…crossing Oscar II land on a ski adventure from Longyearbyen to Ny Alesund? This is the place where, in 1926, Amundsen started his journey by airship to the geographic North Pole. It is the most-northerly permanently inhabited settlement, where 30-35 International scientists reside all year.

This linear journey is for those wishing to experience untouched Svalbard – away from the traditional tourist areas. This tour gives us an opportunity to see some wonderful nature - seals, walrus, arctic foxes, birds and polar bears, and to experience the incredible and dramatic scenery of Svalbard.

The expedition comprises 7 days on skis (approx. 90km), leaving the fjord edge to head into the Trollheimen mountains, crossing the glaciers of Oscar II Land, before returning to the sea edge on the western side of Svalbard at Ny Ålesund. Hopefully there will be a short time to explore this quirky scientific settlement before we set sail back to Longyearbyen.

Start point: Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Grade: 3B

Accommodation

We use hostel accommodation in Longyearbyen as a starting point for all of our expeditions. Here the service is good and our equipment store is located a stone's throw away. On our journey, we overnight in 4 man winter tents from Hilleberg, which are specifically designed for winter and harsh conditions.

Share this on Facebook

Tailor Made Trips

We can organise this expedition on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the expedition or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

Know Before You Go

Jagged Globe supports the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign. We recommend that you read the FCO Travel Advice for Norway on the FCO Website.

What the price includes

• Economy class return flight from UK to Longyearbeyn (Unless joining 'Land Only')
• 1 nights' hotel accommodation in Oslo on a bed and breakfast basis on the outbound journey (Unless joining 'Land Only')
• 1 nights' hostel accommodation in Longyearbyen*
• RIB transport from Longyearbyen across Isfjord on the west coast mountains
• Overnight boat transport (with cabin) from Ny Alesund back to Longyearbyen
• 7 nights' camping/boat accommodation
• All meals whilst on the expedition
• GPS, satellite phone and emergency beacon
• Experienced Polar guides
• All common equipment, skis, poles, ski boots, sledges, harness, sleeping bags, etc.
• Burners and fuel
• SAR Insurance
• Medical and repair equipment
• Jagged Globe kit bag

*We can upgrade to hotel accommodation if you would prefer - please ask at the time of booking.

What the price does not include

• Lunch and evening meals in Oslo
• Food and drink in Longyearbyen
• Personal equipment
• Costs of changing the air ticket due to late return to Longyearbyen
• Bus transfer to/from Longyearbyen airport – B&B (approx. 130nok return)
• Excess baggage charges
• Bar bills and laundry
• Travel insurance
• Optional trips
• Tips

Tailor Made Trips

We can organise this expedition on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Insurance

You will need a travel insurance policy that caters for the activities you will undertake on your trip with Jagged Globe. It is a requirement of our booking conditions that you have such a policy. For a list of insurers who specialise in mountaineering, trekking and skiing, please see our Travel Insurance page »

Itinerary

Here is an outline itinerary for this trip. A more detailed day-to-day itinerary is available as a downloadable PDF »

Outline Itinerary

Day 1:	Flight from London - Oslo Overnight hotel.
Day 2:	Flight from Oslo - Longyearbyen Morning flight from Oslo - Longyearbyen – the only settlement permanently inhabited all-year round on Svalbard. Briefing, kit check, and start to pack the pulks. Overnight hostel in Longyearbyen.
Day 3:	Travel across Isfjord to the start point of our ski journey We finish off the packing in the morning and then set off to the quayside for our late afternoon departure from Longyearbyen using rigid inflatable boats (RIBs). The RIB trip out across the fjord towards the west coast Trollheimen mountains takes approx. 2-3 hours. This first night we ski a short distance away from the coastline before setting up camp. Dates in the itinerary from this point can be a little uncertain, due to snow and sea ice conditions, weather, speed of travel etc and also the final route approval from the sysselmann (chief of police who issues the permit).
Day 4 - 8:	Ski journey to Ny Alesund Set off on our journey heading up Borebreen, Sveabreen, and Centralen area, passing close to the ‘Tre Kroner’ (three crowns) nunatak peaks, as we cross over Oscar II Land and descend Kongsvegen. The fjord comes alive with the sound of birdlife returning to the island after the long winter. Weather permitting, we may even manage a summit peak too.
Day 9:	End of our ski journey and boat journey back in Longyearbyen We ski alongside Kongsfjorden to Ny Alesund for our pickup transfer and evening meal on board the boat M/V Nordstjernen. Our 9 hour boat trip sails back around the stunning coastal scenery of Prins Karls Forland to Longyearbyen, arriving back in the middle of the night. Overnight in a twin cabin with shared shower/WC and we stay on board until 7am on Day 10.
Day 10:	Fly home We return to our equipment store, where we have left our personal bags. Unpack the pulks and sort kit. Fly Longyearbyen – UK, via Oslo.

Photos & Videos

• 
• 

Reports & Reviews

Have you been on this trip? If you'd like to contribute a trip report then we'll post it up on the site.

Team Member Reviews

There are currently no team member reviews for this trip.