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.

Wool, 2-3 paris.

2-3 pairs. Wool or synthetic material.

Fleece or wool. 

Down or synthetic insulation, featuring a hood and ideally long enough to cover the butt.

Gore-Tex or similar. Must have a decent hood, and hold out wind and rain. Should have space for midlayers underneath. Ventilation under the arms is recommended. 

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

Warm hat for cold days.

The overmittens should be roomy and extend well up the forearm. They should be windproof and ideally handle some moisture. They need to provide a good grip, even with the inner mittens inside. The inner mittens should be thick and warm, preferably made of wool.

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. 

Warm ski boots for binding type BC (with manual closure), 75mm/3-pin, or Xplore. Slightly large, so that there is room for thick socks (or even two pairs). The shoes must be well used to avoid blisters. May have integrated gaiters. Make sure that your bindings and boots are compatible.

Flat type made of closed-cell foam, e.g., Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite. Designed to be used underneath an inflatable sleeping mat.

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.

A solid pair, with dark glass. 

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

Nordic backcountry skis, preferably with steel edges. The binding type can be BC with manual closure, 75mm/3-pin, or Xplore. Make sure that your bindings and boots are compatible. The poles should have large baskets.

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.

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

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.

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).

Down or synthetic insulation. Should be roomy, making them easy to wear over shell pants, preferably with a full-length side zipper. 

Thin, ultra light.

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

High gaiters for protection against wind, snow, moisture, and icing on boots and laces. Mandatory if you don’t have ski boots or pants with integrated gaiters.

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.

To increase the comfort temperature in your sleeping bag.

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

Nuts, chocolate, energy bars, etc.

If youre a light sleeper.

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).

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

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