Ski Expedition experience at Svalbard

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. Top and bottom.

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 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.

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.

Personal medicines and, for example, band-aids, blister plaster, sports tape, throat lozenges, nasal drops, Paracetamol/Ibuprofen, stomach regulators, etc.
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 conditions (hard and icy or lots of powder snow), long skins often work best.

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.

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.

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.

Thin, ultra light.

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).

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.