Ski touring in Svalbard, Norway’s most awesome skiing adventure?

Are you dreaming about going on a skiing adventure that is out of the ordinary, in an area where few off-piste skiers have been before you?
Here are five reasons why ski touring in Svalbard is even more awesome than other places:

Have the mountains completely to yourself

If you divide Svalbard’s total land area by the local population, you end up with 22 km² per inhabitant. In other words, there are vast expanses of land and very few people. You can have the mountains and wilderness completely to yourself. Most skiers stick to the mountains around Longyearbyen, but if you want to go ski touring off the beaten track there are several local activity providers in Svalbard with professional guides who can show you where to find the best snow. 

Forget “tree hugging”!

If you love freeriding or simply cruising downhill on your randonnée skis without fear of catching your ski in a crooked mountain birch or low hanging pine branch, then Svalbard is the place for you. Without a single tree in sight, Svalbard is an optimal ski touring destination for skiers who want to avoid sudden tree hugs. 

Ski & Sail in the Midnight Sun

Ski & Sail in Svalbard must be one of the most exotic activities possible. Travelling by boat allows you to reach the most out-of-the-way mountains, which are well off the beaten track. Perhaps you will be the first to reach these isolated summits. The Ski & Sail expeditions are held in April, May and June when Svalbard bathes in the golden rays of the Midnight Sun. The Midnight Sun (which arrives around 20 April) enables long days on your skis and summit ski climbs around the clock. Several of the activity providers in Longyearbyen may be able to organise these sorts of expeditions for small and large groups.

Skiing under the Northern Lights, anyone? (during the daytime, too!)

If you visit early in the skiing season (December and January), you can ski during the Polar Night. It’s completely dark here until the end of January – in other words, there is no difference between day and night. Thanks to Svalbard's Polar Night, you may even be lucky enough to spot Norhtern Lights in the middle of the day!  Ski touring under aurora borealis in the middle of the day must rank as pretty epic!

Armed ski guides

Humans are not the only ones who climb mountains in Svalbard. Polar bears can also decide to head up into the mountains. Consequently, it’s important to carry the necessary equipment to handle polar bear encounters. It’s therefore strongly recommended for visitors to hire a local professional skiing guide who can handle polar bear safety as well as guide you to where the snow conditions are the best. Remember that the conditions control everything.
We recommend joining a guided ski touring trip. Several of Longyearbyen’s activity providers specialize in ski touring and can offer you the best advice for your plans.

Important information:

Svalbard’s nature is strikingly beautiful, but it’s also unpredictable and challenging. The weather changes quickly. You should always be accompanied by a local professional guide when travelling outside of Longyearbyen. The guide will tend to your safety when it comes to polar bears, avalanche risk, sea ice, weather and other potential dangers in Svalbard's nature.
We recommend that you read Visit Norway’s “Randonnée safety for beginners” regardless of where in Norway you are planning a ski touring excursion.

The following companies:
Offer pre-organised guided ski-tours: Svalbard Wildlife Expeditions, Poli Arctici, Backyard Svalbard
Offer custom-made guided ski-tours (Contact by email for an offer): Svalbard Wildlife Expeditions, Hurtigruten Svalbard, Basecamp Explorer Spitsbergen, Backyard Svalbard
Offer ski and equipment rental: Sportscenteret, Svalbard Wildlife Expeditions