When we wrap up the ski season on the mainland, it continues in Svalbard. Where the snow is cold, the sun is back in full force, and the desolate landscape lies before us. With the midnight sun all night long and bustling wildlife.
Content:
We will experience and explore raw nature, ski and use our bodies, and eat and drink well – that’s all. We take the dinghy ashore, put on our skis at the beach, climb up, ski down mountain sides almost no one has been before us. May is a fantastic month in Svalbard, and Ski & Sail is the best way to experience the archipelago!
The expedition feeling
Just below the North Pole, we are sailing in the wilderness, endless areas without roads, buildings or civilization. We are far from people on a real expedition. Sailing day and night, in midnight sun, fog and snow, to find the most spectacular peaks along the west coast of Spitsbergen. Svalbard consists of a vast landscape, and long distances, both at sea and on land. And the reward is looking out over a wilderness of mountains, snow and ice from the top of some of the most beautiful and desolate mountains you will ever visit.
It is the feeling of being in unexplored areas we are hunting together. With poor maps, without phone coverage, and at the very edge of our modern civilization. We rarely find meters of powder snow in Svalbard, but if we are lucky we have good spring slush down to the fjord, and dry snow on the glaciers. What we can also experience is a rich wildlife, eternal views of untouched mountains and, not least, ice. In all formations: sea ice on which we can start the ski trip straight from the boat, to glacier fronts 100 meters, straight up from the fjord.
Life on board a Ski & Sail expedition
On board we provide a skipper, crew and up to two ski guides; a team with good knowledge and experience from Svalbard. We plan the ski tours and sailing routes together according to weather and conditions. On this trip, we usually use a full day for sailing, to get to/from the good mountain areas. While the rest of the days are skiing days. We look at the weather and conditions, and if it’s windy and snowing one day, so the mountains don’t tempt us, we use that day for sailing. If anyone wants a resting day, that is also fine. After skiing during the full day, we sail on to the next anchorage and prepare for a new peak for the day after.
With varied groups on board
In Svalbard we mostly sail one boat at a time, but preferably with two ski groups onboard. We use one ski guide per 6 participants, and if there are several ski groups, we divide according to skill level, wishes and experience. We also often set up two different trips of different lengths per ski day. So you can choose whether you want to go on the long or short ski tour that day. With open groups, there will of course be a difference in experience level in the group, but we quickly become a good team on board and are all flexible!
A little less ambitious?
This trip is one of our more advanced Ski & Sail trips. If you are less experienced with ski touring, we recommend that you check out our trips in Lyngen or Lofoten:
Day 1: Ship o'hoi - we meet and cast off
Welcome on board! We meet at the dock in Longyearbyen at 14:00, settle into the boat and get to know each other. Before we hoist sails, we get to know the boat and equipment, and we go through safety routines on board. We eat food on the way out from the harbor. On the very first evening, we sail a few miles to get ready for the next day’s ski trip.
Day 2: Ski touring in the outer Isfjorden
Day 3: St. Jonsfjorden and Forlandsundet
Day 4-5: Kongsfjorden and Ny-Ålesund
Day 6: Sailing day south
Day 7: Last day of skiing and bye for now!
Changes to the program
In Longyearbyen
What is included?
• A trip experience with sailboat – experienced skipper and guide with local knowledge on board
• Guided backcountry skiing trips every day
• Small groups – 6-7 participants per ski guide
• All food you eat on board during the trip
• Our Comfort Package which consists of accommodation on board in a shared double cabin (bunk or double bed) with a ready-made bed (warm and nice duvets and pillows!)
• An environmentally friendly, local, sustainable, unique, exotic and exclusive Norwegian adventure holiday
• A shared experience and friendship with like-minded adventurers from around the world
• A lot of time outdoors – raw and honest nature experiences
• Use of our shared equipment if available: dinghies, kayaks, fishing equipment, etc.
• All boat-related costs such as diesel, propane and harbor fees
• Personal safety equipment; Helly Hansen inflatable lifejacket
• Instruction, advice, guidance and practical training in boating and sailing
• Overlevelsesdrakt og Søk- og Redningsforsikring (SAR) for alle om bord
What is not included?
• Travel to and from the start/end location
• Ski and avalanche equipment (beacon, shovel, probe)
• Personal goodies for the evening and hiking snacks for excursions on land
• Optional meals at cafes/restaurants during the trip
• Entrance to galleries, museums, or other alternative activities that you/we may want to do
• Rental of equipment, transport or activities from external operators if you want to do things outside the program
• Drinks such as wine, beer or exclusive apple juice and other luxuries (yes, we drink beer and wine on board, bring your own)
• Travel insurance and/or cancellation insurance – (up to you, but recommended!)