Ten days in Svalbard, the Arctic archipelago between mainland Norway and the North Pole, riding your own snowmobile across glaciers, frozen fjords and valleys without roads. Two multi-day stages take the group to Pyramiden, a Soviet mining town abandoned since 1998, and to Barentsburg, a Russian mining town of about 400 people. Every night is spent indoors, in a heated room with a bed.
An expedition, not a tour
The trip is led by an expedition leader with more than ten expeditions in Svalbard. The group travels together on routes the leader prepares and checks before each stage, with two GPS units, a satellite phone and radios: outside Longyearbyen and Barentsburg there is no mobile coverage. The leader carries a rifle for protection against polar bears.
Everyone takes part. You drive your own snowmobile, and you help to check and refuel the machines, carry luggage, fix small problems and look out for the rest of the group.
Routes follow the weather, the snow and the ice on the day, not a plan written months earlier. When a stage has to be changed, shortened or cancelled for safety, it is. Cold, wind, poor visibility, sea ice, glaciers and distance are real risks, and in the remote parts of Svalbard help can be slow or impossible to get, so the trip is built on preparation, self-sufficiency and caution. The aim is to come back together, safe and sound, and to enjoy one of the most spectacular places on Earth.
Itinerary
Distances and times are for good conditions. The order of the days can change with the weather.
- April 5: Longyearbyen. Flights arrive around midday. Check in at Mary Ann's Polarrigg, a look around town and the supermarket, and dinner at Kroa. An optional tasting at Svalbard Bryggeri, the local brewery.
- April 6: snowmobiles. Collect the snowmobiles and snowmobile suits, practice driving, and ride about 60 km (37 miles) toward Grumantbyen, an abandoned mining settlement, to test the equipment. Back in town: refuelling, a briefing and packing for three days.
- April 7: to Pyramiden. About 150 km (93 miles) and seven hours, over glaciers and, depending on the route and the ice, 15–25 km (9–16 miles) of frozen sea. Night at the hotel in Pyramiden.
- April 8: Pyramiden. A tour of the ghost town, and the snowmobiles cleaned, checked and refuelled.
- April 9: back to Longyearbyen, leaving early, most likely by the same route.
- April 10: to Barentsburg. About four hours, weather permitting. Barentsburg has Wi-Fi and mobile coverage.
- April 11–12: Barentsburg. One free day, with the swimming pool, a visit to the mine or dog sledding, depending on availability. On the other, if conditions allow, a demanding ride to Isfjord Radio, the old radio station at the mouth of Isfjorden, and back in the day.
- April 13: back to Longyearbyen along the coast. Snowmobiles returned, and a last dinner at Kroa.
- April 14: departure. Flights from Longyearbyen to Oslo, midday to afternoon.
Where you sleep
| Where | Rooms |
|---|---|
| Longyearbyen, Mary Ann's Polarrigg | single or double with a shared bathroom; double suite or family room for 3–4 with their own bathroom |
| Pyramiden and Barentsburg hotels | single, double or two-room suite, all with their own bathroom |
Breakfast is served every day.
Price
The price for April 2028 isn't set yet. Get in touch and we'll tell you as soon as it is.
It will include your hotel room for all nine nights, with breakfast, and your own snowmobile and snowmobile suit for the whole trip. Flights to and from Longyearbyen are not included: you book them yourself, and we'll tell you which ones match the itinerary.
Who it's for
No Arctic or snowmobile experience is needed: the first day on the snowmobiles is for learning. You do need good general fitness, a valid driver's license, and to be ready for long days in extreme cold: driving, waiting, carrying, repairing and cleaning, as part of a team. You'll need to know your limits and to speak up straight away about tiredness, cold, an injury or a breakdown.
Before you travel
- Passport. Svalbard has no border control, but you need a valid passport or travel document to enter and leave Norway. Svalbard is outside the Schengen area: if you need a Schengen visa, it must let you re-enter the Schengen area when you fly back to mainland Norway. Norway isn't in the EU and Svalbard is outside the EEA, so check the requirements for your nationality.
- Driver's license. Everyone drives, so everyone needs one.
- Money. Everything in Svalbard is paid by card in Norwegian kroner. Bring a physical card, not only your phone, and check what your bank charges for foreign transactions.
FAQ
- May I join on my own?
- Yes. You can come alone or with friends, and choose a room of your own or share one. The whole group stays together: at meals, in briefings and on the snowmobiles, always within sight of each other.
- What about meals?
- Stages leave little time for lunch, so days start with a late, big breakfast and end with an early dinner.
- What if I have food allergies or intolerances?
- Svalbard is remote and supplies are limited. Expect meat and fish. Vegetarian and gluten-free food is sometimes possible, but not guaranteed.
- What should I bring?
- A thermal bottle of at least 1.5 L (about 50 fl oz) that keeps its temperature for many hours.
- Very warm clothes: you'll be outside in freezing temperatures for many hours.
- A thick winter jacket.
- Winter hiking boots.
- Ski gloves, and thin thermal gloves to wear underneath.
- Ski goggles and sunglasses.
- At least 3 thermal base-layer tops (wool or synthetic, not cotton) and 4 regular T-shirts.
- A fleece or similar warm layer.
- At least 4 pairs of thick, warm socks, ideally one of wool.
- Thermal base-layer pants, regular pants, and ski pants.
- Snowmobile suits come with the snowmobiles, so there's no need to buy an expedition suit.
- Is the itinerary fixed?
- No. Weather, snow and ice decide the routes, and the leader decides each day. In practice the days get reshuffled more than the plan changes.
Want to join? Get in touch.