Ski touring under the midnight sun – Backyard Svalbard

About

During summer the Arctic landscape comes alive during midnight as the sun never sets.
We will make use of the extra golden light and go on a ski touring adventure.  

Svalbard is the northernmost ski touring destination on earth! The Arctic air is crystal clear, and hopefully it will be accompanied by the midnight sun (this is not a guarantee though). This time of year the sun never sets so even if the sky is cloudy, we will still have daytime light to enjoy the beautiful views. There’s no rush to beat the dark, no noise, no traffic. Just ski touring at its most elemental: raw, clean, untouched. 

The ski touring adventure begins in the evening, as the rest of the world appears to rest, but the Arctic landscape comes alive.
The silence is magical.

We will only have small groups and the guides are experts within ski touring in Svalbard and the Arctic, and understand that true luxury lies in untouched nature and stories written in snow. They know how to find the best ski touring spots.
At the summit, time seems to still and step by step the descent will unfold stunning panorama views of fjords, glaciers and mountaintops (hopefully) glowing in the soft light of the midnight sun.
At the summit we will savor the moment with a warm cup of coffee or tea in hand before you drop in, carving through the velvet snow. 

5 highlights of this skiing experience:
- Only a few people on earth can say that they’ve done skiing in Svalbard
- The remoteness – you’re skiing in one of the most untouched and wild places on the planet 
- Experience skiing at midnight during the midnight sun season – The golden light on endless glaciers.
- Led by expert ski guides with specialized arctic knowledge
- Experience the absolute stillness and wilderness with reindeer, foxes and seals.

Frequently asked questions
What requirements and level do I need to be to join the tour? 

You need intermediate skiing skills and good physical fitness for ski touring in Svalbard. You should be comfortable skiing off-piste in variable snow conditions, be able to ascend using climbing skins, have good stamina and good level of control for your speed, and be able to handle unpredictable situations. This is not the tour for you if you need an introduction to ski touring and backcountry skiing.

What can I expect from this time of year: Polar summer: Midnight Sun (May)
The Backyard will be our playground, and we will have endless daylight. The snow conditions are normally good and the light is soft and golden, casting long shadows across the mountains and fjords.

The average temperature is approx.  -6 to -11 

Who are the guides? 
We only have expert and professional ski guides who take safety to the highest level. We have the best ski guides, who are experts with different certifications within skiing so they make sure you will get an unforgettable ski touring adventure.

Will it be safe to ski in the backcountry with polar bears?
Our ski guides will also be bringing polar bear protection.
We will try our best to avoid a polar bear on our tours but hope to spot wildlife like reindeer, foxes, seals and maybe walrus.

Do I need to bring my own ski equipment?
No, you can rent our equipment (Skis, boots, ski poles, helmet and avalanche gear) but you can also bring your own. You can add ski rental in the booking process or send us an email: booking@backyardsvalbard.com  

Practical Information:
Distance for the ski tour: approx. 8km 
Difficulty level: 4 out of 5 (Intermediate skiing skills and good physical fitness)
Minimum: 1 person
Maximum: 6 persons
Minimum age: 14

Included in the price:  
Professional Arctic guide with extensive skiing experience.
All necessary safety equipment.
Transport to and from the starting point of the tours.
Thermos with hot water
Snacks and coffee/ tea
Sitting pads
SAR-insurance.

You need to bring the following: 
Backpack (30-40L) with spare clothes. 
Ski equipment (Skis, ski boots, poles and skins)
(you can rent this from us. Just add this during the booking process or contact us on booking@backyardsvalbard.com)
Avalanche equipment
Warm layers (merino wool, fleece, wool sweater)
Down jacket
Shell jacket and shell pants
Hat, buff, mittens and gloves

Not included in price: 
Flight tickets
Accommodation and food 
Personal skiing equipment (Skis, poles, boots and skins)
Clothing
Personal cancellation and travel insurance