Pulka-skiing on the steps of the Von Post glacier
A unique one week trip in complete autonomy nordic skiing to discover the unusual Arctic, immobilized by ice floes as we dreamt of.
After preparing for half a day in Longyearbyen, here we go at the end of the road of the Adventure valley (or Adventuredalen). We admire the iced stretches endlessly, and then climb to the Flowerscaret pass at 750m. The descent with the view on the Sassenfjord is magnificent. After a few kilometers of crossing under the Arctic sun, the arrival to Templejord along the ice pack looks exactly like a cinema decor. The view on the Von Post glacier from the heights of the camp will end perfectly this intense raid before returning to Longyearbyen.
Itinerary
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Day 1 Flight Paris - Longyearbyen
Welcoming at the airport of Longyearbyen and transfer to our accommodation.
Accommodation : Guesthouse
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Day 2 Longyearbyen - Preparation of the raid
After a good Norwegian breakfast, we prepare our equipment for the raid.
Departure in the afternoon from Longyearbyen : we leave in autonomy and in direction of Tempelfjord pulka-skiing. We start our raid on the "Adventure valley".
After a few kilometers, we settle our camp for the night. 2 person will sleep in a 3 person tent, and a large tent will allow us to have our meals together and with an enjoyable warmth coming from our stove.Accommodation : Camp
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Days 3 to 6 Ice pack in the Tempelfjord
A few kilometers is separating us from the small valley of Geerdalen, that we'll take to arrive to the Krekling pass (250m). We join the Flowerscaret pass (750m), highest peak of our trip. We then join the Flowerbreen glacier. What a beautiful show to discover Sassenfjorden and the surrounding mountains from the very top !
We start our descent on the very nice valley of Flowerdalen. We join the iced seaside. Our progression on the ice pack will depend on the state of the ice : sometimes smooth or spotted with air bubbled, sometimes covered in snow, cracked or undulating with the swell coming into the fjord, the ice pack can take many forms.
Arrived in the area of Fredheim, we stay a day in the Tempelfjord to adventure on the ice pack and approche seals having a sun bath.
According to weather conditions and to the physical conditions of the groupe, we will approche the Von Post glacier : this giant bluish ice cliff high of 30m stopping brutaly on the ice pack.
For weather conditions, our progression can't be planned in advance day by day. Therefore, for safety reasons, we can arrive to Longyearbyen in advance if weather conditions are favorable.Accommodation : Camp
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Day 7 Return journey to Longyearbyen
This morning, we hop on a snow vehicle (3h drive) to join the city of Longyearbyen.
We settle in our accommodation for the night.Accommodation : Guesthouse
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Day 8 Longyearbyen
Relaxing day in Longyearbyen before leaving.
You can use this day to visit the superb polar museum, but also try out some optional activities such as dog sled, snowmobile our exploring ice caves (is there is availability).
At the end of the day, we'll head to the airport. -
Day 9 Back to France
We arrive in Paris in the middle of the day. We'll say goodbye to each other, our heads full of memories.
Please note that this itinerary, including walking distances and times, is indicative. Our guides aim to provide the adventure that is best suited to the weather, your interests and the demands of the group. Please be aware that in order to achieve this, changes to the programme may be made.
Dates & prices
International departures:
No departure for now
Trip code: 66ENSPSK1
Included
A deposit of 30% of the trip’s price will be needed during the booking, the whole price must be paid at least 30 days before departure.
- Flights : Paris / Longyearbyen / Paris
- Flight and safety taxes
- Transfers included in the trip's program
- Full-board accommodation during the trip
- An expert french and english speaking guide
- The night in Oslo in case of stopover
- Lawn of the great cold material : skis, shoes type Dorel, poles, pulks, duvet jacket, polar jumpsuit, duvets, self inflating mattress, camping equipment
Not included
- Registrations fees : 18 euros per person
- Carbon compensation for your trip to Spitzbergen : 8 euros per person
- Insurance and assistance
- Transfer to Paris
- Flights supplement taxes
- Trip extension to enjoy other activities : dog sledding (130€ for half a day), driving a snowmobile (200€ for 3h), exploring the ice caves (90€ for 3h)...
Notes
Comfort 1/5: Camping
This trip involves winter camping and includes two nights in warm guesthouse accommodation at the beginning and end of the trip. Normally we provide a 3 man dome tent per 2 people for maximum space and comfort. For our basecamps we usually set up a fully equipped mess tent for meal times, including a table and stools. We are proud of our high quality camping equipment and take care to monitor and store everything correctly.
Level 4/5: Demanding
You should be in very good physical shape and prepared for adventure; a positive attitude and love of the outdoors is essential. Please note that our difficulty levels may vary depending on the weather and ice conditions.
Terms and conditions
Subscription
Subscribe to one of our activities or travels means accepting general sales conditions. Each client must fill a subscription form, which will be accepted only after the payment of a deposit accounting for 30% of the travel’s price and according to the availability. If you subscribe less than 30 days before the trip, you must pay the whole price during the subscription. You can pay by bank transfer (SWIFT/IBAN) or with your credit card directly through our website (available soon). A booking confirmation will be sent to you be e-mail very soon.
Invoice procedure
Once your booking is registered, we will send you an email containing the invoice. Full payment is required at least 30 days before your arrival. If the customer does not settle the payment of the travel price within the period agreed upon, Montagne Expedition has the right to cancel the booking free of charge.
Cancellation policy
If for any reason, you decide to withdraw from a journey, the amount already paid will be refunded subject to the following exceptions:
- More than 30 days before departure, you will be charged for the amount of 50€
- From 30 to 21 days before departure, you will be charged for the amount of the deposit (30% of the trip’s price)
- From 20 to 14 days before departure, you will be charged for 50% of the trip’s price
- From 13 to 7 days before departure, you will be charged for 75% of the trip’s priceLess than 7 days before departure, you will be charged for the whole trip’s price
Particular case :
Whatever the cancellation or contract change date, the following fees will be added to the charges above:
- Airline fixed costs: plane tickets are bought in advance to avoid too high airline prices, however they are non refundable in case of cancellation or plan changes. In that case, the charges above apply to the price of your trip without the plane ticket’s price
- Ground fixed costs: you will be charged for the fees that were paid early
- Insurance fees: Insurance fees will not be refunded if you have subscribed to a multi-risk or cancellation insurance. The specific conditions will be written on your subscription confirmationIf you have no choice but to cancel your trip before departure, you must inform Montagne Expeditions and your insurance provider with a written statement as soon as possible, you will get a receipt.
The receipt date will be taken as the cancellation date to charge cancellation fees.
If Montagne Expeditions has no choice but to cancel a group travel due to an insufficient number of participants, the decision will be taken and the clients informed at least 31 days before departure. Altaï Alpes can also cancel a departure due to exceptional events threatening participants safety (social events, strikes, weather conditions). In that case, the trip’s price will be fully refunded but the participants will not get any compensation.
Changes to travel contract
If any change in travel contract is made at the customer’s request, the customer shall pay any fee that might arise from this change. In any case, every request for changes shall be notified in writing. In case of external events that could not be foreseen, Altaï Alpes might change some aspects of the travel contract. We will inform you of any changes as quickly as possible.
Pricing
All group travel prices on our website have been calculated for the indicated number of participants for each trip. The price list is confirmed after the booking. If the number of participants is lower than expected, an additional payment charge might be applied. For each travel and program, we mention the price per person – valid for the minimum number of participants – and we provide you with detailed explanations about the services included or not. Any change in the exchange rates or in the price of travel services in particular regarding the cost of the fuel, might entail price revision.
Contract transfer
In case of contract transfer by the customer to an assignee, modification and cancellation conditions apply.
Insurance
We recommend you to get your personal insurance before your departure to cover the activities undertaken by Montagne Expedition. If you have not purchased any of our insurances, we ask you to email us your insurance contract information (company, contract name, contract number, phone number) and bring those information with you on your trip.
Practical info
Staff
You will be welcomed at the airport by a representative from our friendly team and accompanied for the duration of your holiday. Armed with an abundance of experience and a wealth of knowledge our professional Montagne Expedition team are experts in polar environments. All activities are lead by our qualified guides who are all English speaking outdoor practitioners with a passion for everything arctic. Please note that this adventure takes place in an isolated, polar environment where around 2500 Polar Bears live - your guide will explain safety rules which must be followed.
Food
Besides one evening meal in Longyearbyen this trip includes full board. For your evening meal on the final day there are shops and kitchen facilities available or local restaurants for you to sample - we have lots of recommendations!
During our expedition, each person is responsible for their own equipment, including food, and will carry everything on pulks therefore light and easy to cook meals are favored. In spite of this, plus the lack of fresh fruits and vegetables in the arctic regions, we are proud of the varied, and frankly delicious food we provide even when camping. You will have the opportunity to try local products and several local delicacies. Each day will start with a hearty breakfast accompanied by plenty of tea and coffee or hot chocolate. You will carry a picnic lunch and plenty of snacks for the day and evening meals will include three courses, soup, a hot main dish and a dessert.
Please let us know about any dietary requirements when you book the trip and we will work with you to cater for your needs. Please be aware that this is a participatory trip, your help cooking and setting up camp is expected. We want you to be a member of our team; not a sheep!
Accommodation
Longyearbyen: warm guesthouse accommodation, double rooms or dormitories of 2,3 or 4 beds, hot showers and heating plus shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. This trip does not include accommodation on the final evening because flights normally require departure at midnight this night.
Camping adventure: normally we provide a 3 man dome tent per 2 people, for our expeditions we use light equipment which is suitable appropriate for Svalbards winter conditions. We will also provide a spacious mess tent for meal times, fully equipped with kitchen equipment including a table and stools. Please be aware that we expect all clients participate when setting up and packing down our camps.
Transportation
This trip involves transfer by Swedish Army tanks
Budget & exchange
The currency in Svalbard (and Oslo) is the Norwegian Krone, NOK
Please budget for:
- Any additional activities
- Drinks and personal expenses
- One evening meal in Longyearbyen, kitchen facilities, shops and restaurants available*
- Food and perhaps accommodation during your transfer in Oslo
*We recommend a budget starting from €30 / 290NOK for a traditional meal in a local restaurant
Tips
Clients usually pay for the guides’ drinks : you might find it practical to make a group kitty at the beginning of your stay (no obligation).
Supplied equipment
We will provide you with all of the technical equipment you will need for this adventure. We are proud of the range of high quality equipment we are able to supply which is suitable for Spitsbergens unpredictable winter climate.
Group Equipment
We will provide the group with...
- A 'Tepee' style mess tent with table, stools and cooking equipment
- A Sarsat beason
- A VHF radioA heavy caliber rifle
- An alarm gun
- Mini-flares and penjectors for each group member
- A copy of Spitsbergens animal records
- A first aid kitBooks about local flora and fauna
Individual Equipment
We will supply you with...
- A large warm down jacket for when you are not participating in activities
- A suitable tent per two people (a 3 man dome tent for maximum space and comfort)
- A self-inflating sleeping mat
- A suitable synthetic sleeping bag ( -25°C)
- Cooking stove
- A thermos flask
Skiing Equipment
- Nordic cross country skis and/or snowshoes
- Ski poles
- Warm snow boots for walking around camp (Sorel)
- Pulks (mini sledges for carrying your gear)
Vital equipment
Please remember that your clothes will be redistributed into waterproof bags with limited capacity and carried on your pulks - try not to over-pack!
- Waterproof jacket (with a hood)
- Waterproof trousers/salopettes
- At least two pairs of good gloves
- Sunglasses (UV 400)
- A ski mask
- A balaclava (fleece)
- Appropriate warm neck wear
- A warm hat (wool)
- A warm jacket (synthetic down)
- Several sets of warm thermal underwear (long johns & long sleeved tops)
- Thin socks and 3 or 4 pairs of thick socks
- Sun cream and protective lipsal (not water-based - water freezes)
- Any personal medication
- Mini toiletry kit and toilet roll
- A thermos flask
- Head torch & spare batteries
Material
We prefer that you do not wear cotton clothing, including underwear, when participating in activities. When cotton gets wet from water or sweat it ceases to insulate and it does not dry fast. The best materials for outdoor activities are fast drying materials like polyester or materials which are warm when wet like wool.
The most powerful materials against the wind and rain are 'breathable' materials like Gore-Tex or Nikwax.
Our advice for keeping warm
It can be humid and cold in Spitsbergen, please think carefully about what clothes you pack especially for our winter trips. We will provide warm outer layers but the layers you wear next to your skin can make the biggest difference. We recommend:
- No cotton
- Bring dry spares of everything, including underwear and gloves
- Wear multiple layers including:
- A warm breathable base layer
- A second thermal layer
- Wind and waterproof protective out layers
Helpful equipment
You may also consider packing
- Your camera (with suitable protective case)
- Binoculars
- A comfortable evening outfit for Longyearbyen
- A small inflatable pillowInsect repellant
- A knife
- A notepad and pencil
- Plastic bags for wet/dirty clothing
Luggage
You may bring a hold bag (up to 20kg) as well as a cabin bag.
For you hold luggage please bring a soft bag like a ruckack rather than a hard cased suitcase because it is more practical when loading local buses and trailers. We also recommend that you pack your clothes in plastic bags inside your rucksack so that they stay dry in the event of bad weather.
Don't forget to bring a small rucksack to use as a day bag. You can bring this as hand luggage on the plane. You will carry your lunch, water, spare layers and any personal medication with you each day in this bag.
Medicine
Your guide is a trained first-aider and will carry a full first aid kit at all times during the trip. We recommend that you bring a small personal first aid kit containing :
- Personal medicine
- Pain reliever (preferably paracetamol)
- Double skin
- Elastoplast
- Local disinfectant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antispasmodic
- Anti-diarrheal
- Anti-vomiting
- Intestinal antiseptic
- Eyewash
- Light sleeping pills
- Earplugs
- Broad spectrum antibiotic
- Vitamins C
Non-exhaustive list.
Passport
You will need a passport that is valid for at least three months after your return date.
Visa
The Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard is a visa-free zone
Mandatory vaccines
There are no specific health risks
Health information & recommendations
Please be aware that your guide will be carrying a gun along with other safety equipment to alarm/repel any Polar Bears.
Healthcare in Norway can be extremely expensive, we strongly advice all of our clients to invest in insurance before travelling.
Weather
- The weather in the Svalbard archipelago is very changeable.
- The average annual rainfall in Longyearbyen is only 200mm (7.87 inches), in London, England, the annual average is 594mm (23.4 inches) - Spitsbergen is a cold desert!
- Average temperatures in Longyearbyen range from -16°C to -9°C (3.2°F - 15.8°F) in April and -3°C to -7°C (26.6°F - 19.4°F) in May.
- Strong katabatic winds can occur here, particularly near to high glaciers but winds can generally be described as moderate and localised.
- Dark polar nights occur from 14th November to 29th January, the full moon shines across the snow creating a beautiful gliterring winter landscape. Then, from 19th April to 23rd August, the sun shines constantly, uninterrupted, high in the sky.
Electricity
In Spitsbergen the standard Europlug socket with two round prongs is used, 230V with a frequency of 50hz
Local time
Svalbard uses Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) +1 hour and Daylight Saving Time (DST) is observed here.
Topography
- The Norweigian Svalbard archipelago is the closest territory to the North Pole; Spitsbergen is the name of the largest island.
- Svalbard covers an area of around 39146 square miles (63000km2) and two thirds of this polar world are constantly covered by ice.
- The archipelago was deserted by human civilisation for a very long time but today has over 2600 inhabitants.
- The archipelago has 3 National Parks, 3 Nature Reserves, 15 Ornithological Reserves (bird reserves) and 3 Botanical Reserves.
Sustainable tourism
As adventure and wilderness travel experts who run trips to some of the most remote parts of the world, we take responsible tourism very seriously. We respect the ‘Leave No Trace’ outdoor ethical code and try to explore this beautiful location whilst causing minimal environmental damage.
In the Polar Regions the ecological balance is delicate so we ask that you are particularly careful regarding the conservation of the sites we explore. We aim to leave our camping spots even cleaner than when we arrived and, as a company, we participate in the Clean Up Svalbard programme. We support the laws, advice and recommendations which aid the conservation and protection of this unique arctic paradise. This is reflected in our trips, for example, we do not visit Ornithological Reserves during nesting season and never remove historical remains or whales bones from the beaches. We hope that all of our clients will respect our philosophies and embrace these attitudes.
The Leave No Trace policy can be summarized in 7 simple steps which we hope you will follow during our trip...
- Be prepared
- Stick to trails and camp overnight right
- Stash your trash and pick up waste
- Leave it as you find it
- Be careful with fire
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Over the years we have built up good relations with our local suppliers and we are keen to support local businesses as much as possible. We are a small company and we pay our local partners and suppliers directly insuring fair rates.
Our small group sizes not only provide a more intimate adventure but also cause less impact on the environment and local communities.
We expect all who travel with us to support and uphold our Sustainable Tourism philosophies.
My local agent
Sandra
- Technical adviser on all trips.
- Passionate about mountains and particularly with backcountry skiing.
- Region
- Northern countries
- Activity
- Ski Winter trips
- Duration
- 9 days
- Group
- 4 to 8 people
- Code
- 66ENSPSK1
- Price
- From €2,895
- Level
- 2/5
- Comfort
- 2/5
- Language(s)
- English
Strengths
- Very complete trip in autonomy
- Varied itinerary and discovery of Tempelfjord
- Perfect for a first approach of Arctic
- Dogs help us pull our pulks and insure our safety against bears