Newtontoppen Svalbard@MatsErikSvendsen (1)
Newtontoppen Svalbard@MatsErikSvendsen (4)
Newtontoppen Svalbard@MatsErikSvendsen (5)

Highest mountain at Svalbard

Newtontoppen with skis and sled

Highest mountain at Svalbard

Newtontoppen with skis and sled

From USD 3179

Are you one of those people who just can't get enough of snow and ice, and would like to continue skiing even after the snow has disappeared for the season? Don't despair, in Svalbard, the ice cap awaits all year round with its endless white expanses and snow-covered nunataks.

Highlights

  • Svalbard's highest mountain
  • Spring ski trip
  • See Isfjorden from the seaside
  • Glacier experience

Join us in the realm of the glaciers using skis and sleds. You will visit Svalbard's highest mountain Newtontoppen amidst the midnight sun. Explore Spitsbergen's untouched icy wilderness with us and create memories you will never forget.

The day before the expedition, everyone will receive an introduction to the various elements of expedition life. We will go through the trip, practice setting up the tent, firing up the primus, and we will pack the sleds together - making sure everything is ready for departure. Despite our team preparations on site, we expect that you have prepared in advance, are in good shape, and are accustomed to outdoor winter activities.

Long days of skiing await us, and we experience Svalbard's nature slowly passing by. The "goal" for the trip will be Newtontoppen, Svalbard's highest mountain, and the way there will depend on weather and conditions. There will be many nice days skiing in different terrain. The goal of the trip is the total of all the days we spend in untouched nature, either skiing or camping.

12

6-8

6-14

4/6

3/6

NO/EN

Dates and booking

Fri 31. May - Tue 11. June 2024

USD 3179Available

Send request
This trip is also offered as a private tailormade trip. Travel alone, with your friends or family whenever you want.
Send request

Opening hours Phone
Mon-Fri : 08-20
Sat-Sun : 14-17
Opening hours Chat
Mon-Fri : 07-23
Sat : 10-18
Sun : 13-21
CET

Safety

  • 24 hour emergency contact available
  • Guides with training in wilderness first aid
  • First aid equipment available
  • Cooperation with Turlegen.no for medical advice in the field

On this trip, we are moving through remote areas far from civilization. A rescue operation  might take longer than on other trips we arrange. It is therefore important that all participants are well prepared and ready to deal with unforeseen situations. We have the safety equipment an expedition like this requires with us.

Safety and grading of trips

Physical level

4/6 Physical

To participate on a level 4 trip with us, you must prepare well and be ready for a real challenge! The trips are often longer than at lower levels, and the accommodation is often of a simple standard. Along the way, it will be both physically and mentally demanding, and it presupposes that you are prepared for this. You should do targeted training well in advance of departure. If the trip includes technical elements such as kayaking, cycling, climbing, glacier, skiing / summit hiking, you should have good skills in the relevant activity.

Safety and grading of trips

Risk level

3/6 Risk

Activities / trips with some risk. Some incidents may occur, and they may be of such a nature that they require professional help.

Safety and grading of trips

Training and preperation

You should be used to outdoor activities and must be in normal good physical shape to participate. The trip also requires the participant to have experience of skiing off groomed slopes.

Prior knowledge of Arctic expeditions is not necessary, but you must have some experience sleeping  and camping in a tent in the winter. Previous sledding experience is not mandatory, but some specific training is recommended. It is necessary that you have tested your personal equipment/clothing before the trip, footwear being particularly important. Shared equipment will be distributed between the participants. Setting up the tent, cooking and melting snow is done by the individual tent team (2-3 people). The sled will weigh 30-40 kg. The daily stages are approx. 15-25 km.

Participants who are unsure whether their personal skills are sufficient are recommended to take part in our Winter course in Jotunheimen prior to the trip.

Accommodation and food

We will sleep everynight in tents on the ski trip. The day before the actual ski trip starts and the last day in Longyearbyen are not included. We recommend staying overnight at Mary-Ann's Polarrigg before the trip, as it is in close proximity to the warehouse we use to pack everything for the trip.

Food is included on the ski trip. You will pick what you want to take with you from our warehouse - porridge for breakfast, vacuum-packed freeze-dried tour food for lunch and dinner, drinks (coffee/tea/juice), chocolate, nuts, and biscuits. If you would like particular snacks while on expedition, you can bring these along, but please be considerate of the weight.

We will have dinner together the last night in Longyearbyen (not included).

Other information

The periods of polar night and midnight sun vary depending on the latitude you are at. Longyearbyen has midnight sun from the 19th April to the 23rd of August, while in the period from the end of October to mid-February the sun is never above the horizon. The very darkest period lasts from mid-November to the end of January.

Despite Svalbard's northern location, the archipelago has a relatively mild climate compared to other areas at the same latitude. In winter, the average temperature in Longyearbyen is -14°C. It is typical, however, that in winter there are longer periods with temperatures between -20 and -35 degrees. If there is wind in addition, the apparent temperature can be very low. However, in our experience, every winter we get low pressure from the south-west which can bring days of hot temperatures and rain. The weather on Svalbard can change very quickly, and the local variations can be large. You need to prepare for the coldest weather and be ready for any type of weather while we are on expedition.

 

 

Highlights

Reviews

Rated
-
- reviews
(-)
(-)
(-)
(-)
(-)

Day by day

Newtontoppen Svalbard@MatsErikSvendsen (2)

Day 1:Depart Longyearbyen

At 15:00 we meet at Mary-Ann's Polarrigg for an information meeting. We then head to our nearby warehouse to pack up equipment and go over the final details before the evening ends. Bring all your equipment to the meeting place. You can leave personal belongings behind, but try and limit how much extra gear you bring with you on tour. There will be an opportunity to take a trip to the city's sports shops for last minute purchases. If you want to take a map with you on the trip, we recommend buying one at the Svalbard Museum next to the University, or in the town's grocery store. Packing may take a few hours, so bring some food and drink with you. NOTE: Dinner and accommodation are not included, and are arranged on an individual basis.

At 15:00 we meet at Mary-Ann's Polarrigg for an information meeting. We then head to our nearby warehouse to pack up equipment and go over the final details before the evening ends. Bring all your equipment to the meeting place. You can leave personal belongings behind, but try and limit how much extra gear you bring with you on tour. There will be an opportunity to take a trip to the city's sports shops for last minute purchases. If you want to take a map with you on the trip, we recommend buying one at the Svalbard Museum next to the University, or in the town's grocery store. Packing may take a few hours, so bring some food and drink with you. NOTE: Dinner and accommodation are not included, and are arranged on an individual basis.

Not included

-,-,-

Newtontoppen Svalbard@MatsErikSvendsen (1)

Day 2:Transport to Nordenskioldbreen glacier

Early on the first day, we will board a boat in Longyearbyen that will take us to the foot of the glacier. The trip out takes between 2 and 4 hours. The boat trip itself provides a good opportunity to admire Isfjorden from the sea. We will be set ashore at Nordenskioldbreen, watching the boat disappear knowing that now it is just us and the ice for the next 10 days. We will start off by carrying our skis and sled up to the foot of the glacier and through the blue ice where we will begin our ski expedition. We may need crampons in order to get up to the snow. Once there, we´ll strap on our skis and can finally start pulling the sled. Well up on the plateau, 1000m above sea level, the white snow stretches out into the horizon where the sun never sets.

Early on the first day, we will board a boat in Longyearbyen that will take us to the foot of the glacier. The trip out takes between 2 and 4 hours. The boat trip itself provides a good opportunity to admire Isfjorden from the sea. We will be set ashore at Nordenskioldbreen, watching the boat disappear knowing that now it is just us and the ice for the next 10 days. We will start off by carrying our skis and sled up to the foot of the glacier and through the blue ice where we will begin our ski expedition. We may need crampons in order to get up to the snow. Once there, we´ll strap on our skis and can finally start pulling the sled. Well up on the plateau, 1000m above sea level, the white snow stretches out into the horizon where the sun never sets.

Tent

-,L,D

2-4 hours

17-23 km

Newtontoppen Svalbard@MatsErikSvendsen (3)

Day 3-10:Along the way

There will be long days of skiing and we will have the opportunity to experience Svalbard's nature slowly passing us by. The "goal" for the trip will be Newtontoppen, Svalbard's highest mountain, and the way there will depend on weather and conditions. There will be countless days of stunning skiing in a variety of terrain. The true goal of our trip is to enjoy all the days we spend in untouched nature, either skiing or camping. Every afternoon, after skiing sessions of around 20 km, we will spend time making elaborate camps in truly fantastic surroundings. Everyone will participate and contribute, and after finishing our "work" for the day, we will eat dinner together, reflecting on the day that has passed. In the evenings we can enjoy ourselves in camp and relax in our tents. In Svalbard, there is always a certain risk of encountering polar bears, which is why we will have a polar bear guard on duty every night. Everyone will have a polar bear shift, typically 1 to 2 hour shifts at a time. This is a special aspect to traveling in arctic terrain, and most people learn to appreciate it. It's just you, alone in endless wilderness, staring out to appreciate where you are.

There will be long days of skiing and we will have the opportunity to experience Svalbard's nature slowly passing us by. The "goal" for the trip will be Newtontoppen, Svalbard's highest mountain, and the way there will depend on weather and conditions. There will be countless days of stunning skiing in a variety of terrain. The true goal of our trip is to enjoy all the days we spend in untouched nature, either skiing or camping. Every afternoon, after skiing sessions of around 20 km, we will spend time making elaborate camps in truly fantastic surroundings. Everyone will participate and contribute, and after finishing our "work" for the day, we will eat dinner together, reflecting on the day that has passed. In the evenings we can enjoy ourselves in camp and relax in our tents. In Svalbard, there is always a certain risk of encountering polar bears, which is why we will have a polar bear guard on duty every night. Everyone will have a polar bear shift, typically 1 to 2 hour shifts at a time. This is a special aspect to traveling in arctic terrain, and most people learn to appreciate it. It's just you, alone in endless wilderness, staring out to appreciate where you are.

Tent

B,L,D

17-23 km

Newtontoppen Svalbard@MatsErikSvendsen (5)

Day 11:Back to Longyearbyen

After 10 days on the ice, we will be picked up by boat at the same place we were dropped off. Once back in Longyearbyen, after a well-deserved shower, we round off the trip with a lovely in-town dinner. NOTE: Dinner and accommodation are not included, but we plan to have a joint dinner after a delicious, long-awaited shower to celebrate our accomplishment.

After 10 days on the ice, we will be picked up by boat at the same place we were dropped off. Once back in Longyearbyen, after a well-deserved shower, we round off the trip with a lovely in-town dinner. NOTE: Dinner and accommodation are not included, but we plan to have a joint dinner after a delicious, long-awaited shower to celebrate our accomplishment.

Not included

B,L,-

2-4 hours

Newtontoppen Svalbard@MatsErikSvendsen (4)

Day 12:Home

Today its time to travel home... unless you want to stay longer in Svalbard. There are many exciting things to do in Longyearbyen, and we are happy to help you find activities to do if you wish!

Today its time to travel home... unless you want to stay longer in Svalbard. There are many exciting things to do in Longyearbyen, and we are happy to help you find activities to do if you wish!

-,-,-

At 15:00 we meet at Mary-Ann's Polarrigg for an information meeting. We then head to our nearby warehouse to pack up equipment and go over the final details before the evening ends. Bring all your equipment to the meeting place. You can leave personal belongings behind, but try and limit how much extra gear you bring with you on tour. There will be an opportunity to take a trip to the city's sports shops for last minute purchases. If you want to take a map with you on the trip, we recommend buying one at the Svalbard Museum next to the University, or in the town's grocery store. Packing may take a few hours, so bring some food and drink with you. NOTE: Dinner and accommodation are not included, and are arranged on an individual basis.

Not included

-,-,-

Early on the first day, we will board a boat in Longyearbyen that will take us to the foot of the glacier. The trip out takes between 2 and 4 hours. The boat trip itself provides a good opportunity to admire Isfjorden from the sea. We will be set ashore at Nordenskioldbreen, watching the boat disappear knowing that now it is just us and the ice for the next 10 days. We will start off by carrying our skis and sled up to the foot of the glacier and through the blue ice where we will begin our ski expedition. We may need crampons in order to get up to the snow. Once there, we´ll strap on our skis and can finally start pulling the sled. Well up on the plateau, 1000m above sea level, the white snow stretches out into the horizon where the sun never sets.

Tent

-,L,D

2-4 hours

17-23 km

There will be long days of skiing and we will have the opportunity to experience Svalbard's nature slowly passing us by. The "goal" for the trip will be Newtontoppen, Svalbard's highest mountain, and the way there will depend on weather and conditions. There will be countless days of stunning skiing in a variety of terrain. The true goal of our trip is to enjoy all the days we spend in untouched nature, either skiing or camping. Every afternoon, after skiing sessions of around 20 km, we will spend time making elaborate camps in truly fantastic surroundings. Everyone will participate and contribute, and after finishing our "work" for the day, we will eat dinner together, reflecting on the day that has passed. In the evenings we can enjoy ourselves in camp and relax in our tents. In Svalbard, there is always a certain risk of encountering polar bears, which is why we will have a polar bear guard on duty every night. Everyone will have a polar bear shift, typically 1 to 2 hour shifts at a time. This is a special aspect to traveling in arctic terrain, and most people learn to appreciate it. It's just you, alone in endless wilderness, staring out to appreciate where you are.

Tent

B,L,D

17-23 km

After 10 days on the ice, we will be picked up by boat at the same place we were dropped off. Once back in Longyearbyen, after a well-deserved shower, we round off the trip with a lovely in-town dinner. NOTE: Dinner and accommodation are not included, but we plan to have a joint dinner after a delicious, long-awaited shower to celebrate our accomplishment.

Not included

B,L,-

2-4 hours

Today its time to travel home... unless you want to stay longer in Svalbard. There are many exciting things to do in Longyearbyen, and we are happy to help you find activities to do if you wish!

-,-,-

What's included in the price

Included

Mainly freeze dried food, and includes a selection of snacks and drinks (coffee, tea, etc) during the ski tour.

Round trip transportation from Longyearbyen to Nordenskioldbreen glacier by boat.

Such as tent, stove, cookware, fuel, snow shovels, toilet paper.

Such as signal gun, rifle, satellite phone, flares, first aid and medication, navigation equipment, repair equipment, and glacier equipment.

Paris Expedition transport sled, hauling rope, harness, and sled bag for use in the sledge - for each participant.

Search and rescue insurance for Svalbard is included in the trip, required by the authorities.

Not included

SAS and Norwegian fly direct from Oslo Gardermoen. Flexible return ticket is recommended.

Reservation

We reserve the right to change prices. The day by day program is a guideline and changes may occur. You can refer to our general travel conditions for more information.

Travel insurance

On all our trips, we require you to have full health and accident insurance which will also cover any emergency transport home. Read more about travel insurance.

Equipment list

This list is intended as a guideline, so that we have what we need regardless of the weather we get on the trip. Remember that you can also get used hiking equipment that works perfectly. Get in touch if you have any questions. TIP: We recommend that you have the most important hiking equipment in your hand luggage, for example hiking boots and gore-tex jacket/trousers.

Obligatory

Clothing

We recommend wool underwear for both men and women. Wool sportstop is recommended for women. A boxershorts with windstopper is recommended for cold days. 

Not too thick, bring more layers if necessary.

2-3 paris. Wool is recommended.

2-3 pairs. Wool or synthetic material.

Fleece or wool. 

With hood, and long enough to cover the butt.

Gore-Tex or equivalent. Must withstand wind, rain and snow, and have a decent hood with room for the climbing helmet.

Gore-Tex or similar. Must be waterproof and windproof,  zips for ventilation are recommended.

Warm hat for cold days.

Wind proof mittens with warm inner mittens. Has to cover the underarm, and must be spacious. Must give a good grip, even with inner mittens. 

Or a face mask.

To protect the face from freezing wind and blowing snow. We recommend neoprene, which provides extra good protection in the wind. Breathing hole in front of nose/mouth for ventilation. Can also be bought in Longyearbyen.

Footwear

Warm BC or 75mm ski boots. Slightly large, so that there is room for thick socks. The shoes must be well used to avoid blisters. May have integrated gaiters.

Equipment

Good, warm sleeping bag that can withstand -30°C in comfort temperature. Down is the best. They are lighter, and become smaller in package volume. If you already have a good sleeping bag, but are not sure if it is warm enough, this overbag from Halite could be a good alternative.

For winter use. For example Exped down mat or Thermarest NeoAir. Used together with the "flat" sleeping mat.

Band-aid, compeed, sportstape, Paracet/Ibux, medicine for soar throat, running nose, irritable stomach, etc, and personal medication. 
We need to know about all medicines you are taking, in case something happens. 

Compact and light.

Preferably a spoon with a long handle if you are going to eat freeze dried food.

High SPF, 30-50. Remember chapstick for lips and nose. 

A solid pair, with dark glass. With a cord to hang around the neck.

Alpine snow glasses. To protect your face and eyes in snow, wind and cold conditions.

Svalbard is outside Schengen and the Nordic passport agreement. Everyone must show a passport or national ID card when traveling to and from Svalbard.

"Flat" type made of closed-cell foam, for example Thermarest Z-lite. To use in combination with the inflatable sleeping mat.

Nordic back country skis, preferably with steel sledges. BC bindings with manual closure, or 75mm bindings. The poles must have large baskets. 

For hot drinks in breaks and in camp.

2 x 1 litre bottles, with insulation cover, so they dont freeze. For example Nalgene bottles with wide mouth. They can handle hot water, so you can use them to keep warm in the sleeping bag. If you do not have 2 bottles you can bring an extra thermos instead (must be 3 litres of water capacity all together).

1-2 litre (3 litres all together in thermos and waterbottles).

Robust, waterproof pack bags, important to keep your clothes, electronics and sleepingbag dry. Different sizes and colours is practical. It is important that they are made of strong material so that they do not tear to pieces during the trip.

We mostly use short skins, but should we be unlucky with the route (hard and icy or lots of powder snow), long traps are a must.

Recommended

Clothing

A warm hat that also should be windproof.

For warmer days, and as a hat when sleeping.

To protect your boots against mud, dust and water.

Nice to take it outside the shell trousers. Preferably with a zipper all the way.

Thin gloves/liners can be worn inside your thick mittens/windproof mittens. Also practical when in the tent, handeling the burner etc.

Footwear

Lightweight  and back up very small. Keep your feet warm inside the tent, sleeping bag or while walking around camp. Down or synthetic filling. In addition, warm and good footwear in case of emergency, if your feet are very cold.

Equipment

Tooth brush, tooth paste, small towel, ear plugs, wet wipes, biodegradable soap, etc.

A small bag with antibac, and dog poop bags for used wet wipes etc. Here you can also keep toilet paper, and matches to burn used toilet paper.

Remember new/extra batteries. Lithium batteries are good in the cold. NOTE: A headlamp is only necessary until around mid-April.

Useful

Clothing

Thin, ultra lihgt.

Equipment

To increase the comfort temperature in your sleeping bag.

As light at possible. 

Nuts, chocolate, energy bars, etc.

If youre a light sleeper.

For example Piteraq HD. Be sure to have the right size, that fits your sleeping mats.

Might be a good idea if you're going on a trip when it's bright at night (you can possibly use a buff/neck gaiter).

We provide

We have the following common and safety equipment

Paris Expedition transportation sled.

GPS, kart og kompass.

Food is included on the ski trip, and you pick what you want to take with you from our warehouse - porridge for breakfast, vacuum-packed freeze-dried tour food for lunch and dinner, drinks (coffee/tea), chocolate, nuts, biscuits. If you would like more chocolate/snacks, you must bring this yourself.

Harnesses, ropes, carabiners etc.

One big bag that fits in the sled keeps all your gear away from the snow. NOTE: You will still need waterproof pack bags for your clothes and sleeping bag.

It is important that you pack your clothes and sleeping bag 100% waterproof. Even if you already have a cover on your sleeping bag, it is important that you pack it in a waterproof drybag bag as well.

Here you can find more information about gear & clothing for trips like this.

TIP: Travel in your outdoor clothes. We recommend that you have the most important outdoor equipment in your hand luggage, for example ski boots and gore-tex jacket/trousers.

Similar trips