Ski touring in the heart of Arctic
Starting from Longyearbyen, capitale of Svalbard, a boat will drop us off in the national park of Bünsow in Spitzbergen for 5 ski touring days.
Itinerary
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Day 1 Flight Paris - Longyearbyen
Flight Paris - Longyearbyen and arrival in the middle of the night in Spitzbergen. We settle into the guesthouse for one night.
Accommodation : Guesthouse
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Day 2 Preparation day and first adventure
Briefing morning on the skiing practice in a remote area. The Arctic cold, the bears, the avalanches... many aspects that we need to handle at 78° north latitude.
We start our first walk in direction of Nordenskjoldtoppen to test out our equipment and give a chance to our bodys to get used to the real conditions. Then, we'll prepare our pulkas and our belongings to be ready for the great start tomorrow.
After a nice diner, we'll have a good night sleep at the guesthouse. Tomorrow, the wild Arctic is waiting for us !Accommodation : Guesthouse
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Days 3 to 6 Travelling from the base camp
In the morning, we leave by boat to the Great White. We load our pulks for a small step to get started and first camp settling. We alternate steps pulka-skiing in direction of the ice cap named Lomonosov (Russian scientist from the 18th century). The circuit is varied and the environment relatively gentle. The biggest pass has a 500m positive difference in altitude.
We end this itinerary of different summits at the start of the camp (difference in altitude between 500m and 1000m every day). We have the advantage to be at 78° North latitude, with days filled with permanent sunlight, we have the opportunity to choose the best time slots.Positive difference in altitude : 800m | Accommodation : Camp
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Day 7 Back to Longyearbyen
We join the shore skiing. There, the boat taking us back to civilization is waiting for us. We find with joy the warmth of the inside of the boat and take advantage of the return journey to try and sight one last time the typical wild fauna of Svalbard.
Once back at the guesthouse, a nice and warm shower is just what we need ! We enjoy this evening and remember the highlights of our adventure.Accommodation : Guesthouse
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Day 8 Spare day in Longyearbyen
Today we have the opportunity to have our last ski run from Longyearbyen, depending on our physical conditions ! Otherwise, it will be a relaxing day and the occasion to visit Longyearbyen and its polar museum.
Departure for France in the night. -
Day 9 Return flight to Paris
We arrive in Paris in the middle of the day. We say goodbye, our heads full of memories !
Dates & prices
International departures:
No departure for now
Trip code: 66ENSPSKR
Included
- 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
Terms and conditions
Subscription
Invoice procedure
Cancellation policy
- 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
- 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.
Changes to travel contract
Pricing
Contract transfer
Insurance
Practical info
Staff
Food
Accommodation
Transportation
Budget & exchange
- 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
Tips
Supplied equipment
Group Equipment
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
Our advice for keeping warm
- 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
- 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
Medicine
- 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
Passport
Visa
Mandatory vaccines
Health information & recommendations
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
Local time
Topography
- The Norwegian 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
- 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