Ski & Sail Spitsbergen

Take part in the footsteps of Dutch explorer and captain Willem Barentsz who discovered Spitsbergen in 1596 and the early whalers and go on a ski expedition to the infinite white mountains of Spitsbergen / Svalbard! This special Ski & Sail trip is only open to adventurous, experienced ski mountaineers. It is a true expedition to a remote and wild area. You navigate between the icebergs, have the opportunity to see polar bears, walruses, reindeer and pole foxes and ski over rugged glaciers above deep fjords. It's a once in a lifetime trip, an unforgettable journey high on the bucket list of many adventurers!

Spitsbergen is the largest island of the Svalbard Islands group. The archipelago consists of about 60 islands and is located in the northern ice sea at 79 ° north latitude. Not many places in the world are as far away and as wild as Spitsbergen.

Our arctic journey starts in the "capital" Longyearbyen. With SAS, you usually fly from Oslo in the early morning with arrival early afternoon. Longyearbyen is 870 km south from the North Pole and 600 km north of the European Northern Cape. It is a village with around 2,000 inhabitants.

We will sail on a beautiful historical three-master schooner rig which is capable of sailing the seven seas. The vessel provides accommodation for 30 travellers in twin cabins, each with a shower and toilet. There is a bar area, lounge and dining and lecture room, heating, special drying room for the inner skiboots. Food is plenty, usually buffet style, occasionally plated and specially prepared by the chef with our outings in mind. The qualified captain has a lot experience in the polar regions. In collaboration with the mountain guides and the rest of the crew, they will do everything possible to ensure that you have a wonderful and unforgettable journey.

Embarkation is planned at the end of the afternoon. But for your own convenience and safety it is strongly advised to arrive minimum one day (better even more) prior to embarkation. This is a perfect opportunity to explore the area of ​​Longyearbyen and to calmly acclimatise to the Arctic climate and check your gear. Furthermore is this extra time necessary in case of luggage troubles or even flight troubles (due to the wild arctic climate, flights are sometimes cancelled). In the evening you will meet adventurous and very international local people in one of the bars. 

Once we’ve finished embarkation and the extended safety briefing and training are completed, the ship will sail in the early evening out of Isfjorden, where you might spot the first minke whale of your voyage. During the next 6 days we will go ahore by zodiac or occasionally anchor in sea ice and start skitouring on often glaciated terrain. Daily tours usually take 5 to 8 hours with an elevation gain of 1000 to 1500 meters. Given the long days in the spring, we are in no hurry. It never gets dark at this time of year a very special experience. As we ski from sea level, we are not bothered by altitude and acclimatizing. You can expect all kinds of snow from quite often fluffy powder to buttersmooth spring snow and everything in between.

The crew consists of a highly experienced professional captain, 1st officer, AB's (able seaman) bartender and chef. Expedition leader Edward Bekker will be assisted by a wildlife guide and further IFMGA mountain & ski guides. Together, they will run the program in regard to wind direction, fast ice, sea ice, wild life and snow conditions. Landings are subject to to site availabilities, permissions and environmental concerns per AECO regulations. The vessel is equipped with sails to be used in good conditions and to be decided by the captain who has the last word. The guides carry a gun in regard to polar bears who can cross our path. On board you'll find your fellow ski adventurers coming from all over the world often making for good conversations after skiing.

In short, a very special ski expedition in a rugged, arctic environment!

Want to know more about this trip? Then send us an e  mail.