About
If you fancy a proper Arctic challenge, this is the trip for you. In eleven days, we will take you on a ski trip of about 180 km, from Billefjorden, via the Tre Kroner, to Ekmanfjorden.
From Billefjorden we go up to Hørbyebreen and to Dicksonfjorden before we work our way through the glacier systems and up to Holtedalsfonna. This is the highest point of the trip, and on the way there we pass the nunataks Tre Kroner (three crowns), which protrude from the glacier. If the weather allows it, we build a camp for the night, and try to get up to Nora, which is the middle of the three crowns. In good weather you have a stunning view towards Kongsfjorden and Ny-Ålesund in the north, and Isfjorden in the south.
Day 1: 09.05.2023
The day starts with a nice breakfast and at 10 am the guides will meet you in the reception at Coal Miner's Cabins for some trip information, the latest weather update and an introduction to all the other expedition members.
We then head down to our storage where we will start packing everything, do some equipment testing and familiarize ourselves with the sleds we'll be using.
This is also the day to do some last minute shopping. Dinner is individual but it`s nice if someone wants to eat together.
Day 2: 10.05.2023
The day starts with a nice breakfast, and at 10 am you will have to check out of your room and be ready for pick up. We will drive down to our expedition centre for our safety brief before we get dressed and get ready for an exciting boat trip to Billefjorden. Depending on the conditions we will be dropped off either on the ice's edge, or on land. From that point we are on our own and the expedition starts by moving in towards the Hørbye valley.
Day 3-11: 11.05.2023 – 19.05.2023
We continue up the Hørbye glacier and over to the Hoel glacier before working our way down towards Dicksonfjorden. We follow this fjord until we reach Dickson valley and set our skis on another glacier, the Batty glacier.
Eventually we will reach Holterdalsfonna, which is the highest glacier plateau on this trip. If the weather and progress has been good, there is a possibility to pass 79°N. From Holterdalsfonna the famous mountain range the “Three Crowns” can be seen. If the conditions are right we will set base camp here for the day and try to summit one of the peaks.
The trip continues west in the direction towards the Sveabreen glacier. We descend down Ekmanfjorden before the trip comes to an end.
Day 12: 20.05.2023
From Ekmanfjorden we will again be picked up by boat, either from the ice edge or from land, depending on the conditions. The boat trip will take about one hour before reaching civilization again. Back in Longyearbyen we will need to clean and dry all our equipment before you can check into your accommodation again.
In the evening we will have a celebration dinner (included in the price).
Included in the price:
- Accommodation in Longyearbyen
- Meals during the trip and farewell dinner in Longyearbyen
- Cooking equipment, snow shovels, glacier equipment, stove, fuel
- Tents
- Sleeping pad (not inflatable)
- Experienced guides with all the necessary safety equipment
- Search and rescue insurance
- Transport from Longyearbyen to Billefjorden by boat
- Transport from the end point back to Longyearbyen
The price does not include
- Flight
- Sleeping bag
- Personal ski equipment
- Alcoholic beverage / mineral water
- Travel insurance
- Clothing and equipment
Practical information
The trip requires you to be in good shape, strong and enduring enough to walk longer distances with a heavy pulkas. Please remember that the weather can change quickly and that the conditions can be challenging at times. Bring good, warm winter clothes, mountain skis with skins and steel edges, sturdy ski boots with support, and good bindings. Randonnée equipment or regular cross-country skis are not allowed.
We will send you a complete equipment list before departure. Remember that Svalbard is VAT-free, and if you forgot something, you can buy quality equipment in our store Longyear78.
Language
Safety is our highest priority, and the guide needs to be able to give you instructions you understand. To participate in our trips, you must speak and understand English, or a Scandinavian language.
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