Ski touring expedition in the Svalbard islands
Mont of the year: april - june
Duration: 10 days or more
Scheduled departure: see Scheduled Trips page or contact Avalco Travel
The Svalbard islands represent an ultimate frontier of adventureous ski-mountaineering. Here we carry out a true polar expedition in the most absolute wilderness, at almost 80 degress north.
The Spitzbergen island is the largest and the only one offering beautiful mountains of great interest to the ski mountaineer.
From 2007 we regularly visit the island, from april to may, when the snow pack and the climate are ideal for an expedition on land. Later on, june and july are more suitable for a sea expedition with a salboat (Ski and Sail).
Here we propose a program 0f 7 net days, for a visit to the Atomfjella and Newtontoppen ranges, the highest mountains of Spitzbergen, which can be reached by snowmobiles in half a day from Longearbyen.
A base camp is installed on the Veteranen glacier; from the camp there is an almost infinite choice of itineraries to cols ans summist at 1400 – 1700 m elevation. Due to the long sunlight, it is possible to carry out two or more ascents/descents and traverses in the same day.
A ski guide with special experience of the territory will be of assistance at the base camp and during all the outings. The same will take care of the safety with regard to any possible bear encounters.
This is a rather unique adventure, rich in emotions, breathtaking views, and endless snow slopes: a programme suitable to mid expert ski mountaineers ready to face the severe environmental conditions of the Great North.
Northern lights are visible, during the clear nights, only till mid march normally.
*** OTHER SKI TOURING PROGRAMS IN SPITZBERGEN ***
–> Spitzbergen Ski & Sail (7-12 days) on a sailboat with daily coast landing by RIB;
–> Tre Kroner ski traverse (7 -10 days) from Ekmanfjord to Ny Alesund;
-> raid (with pulka) in the Atomfjella and Newtontoppen ranges (10-12 days);
-> raid (with pulka) in the Oscar II Land: Borebukta – St Jonsfjorden – Ekmanfjorden (8 days);
-> the Nordenskjoldland traverse (6-7 days);
-> the Nordenskjold short traverse (3 days);
-> east coast ski traverse – Sabine Land (6-7 days);
-> Wedel Jarlsberg Land (special project, see Notes)
-> integral ski traverse of Spitzbergen from north to south (Verlegenhuken – Isbukta), approximately 650 km in 30 days.
*** OTHER SKI TOURING PROGRAMS IN ARCTIC AND POLAR REGIONS ***
-> Kola peninsula – Murmansk (Russia)
-> Greenland east coast – from Kusukuk: Schweizerland and Mount Forel; from Constable Point: Liverpool Land, Stauning Alps;
-> Greenland west coast: Disko bay
-> Iceland: Troll peninsula, the volcanos of the west, Hornstrandir Ski & Sail, the great Vatnajokull glacier traverse;
-> Jan Mayen island (Norway);
-> Baffin island (Nunavut, Canada);
-> Antarctica peninsula (Ski and Sail);
-> Antarctica: Ellsworth range incl. Mount Vinson
*** OTHER SKI TOURING PROGRAMS IN NORWAY ***
> Lofoten islands;
> Lyngen Alps (Tromso), on land or by boat (Ski and Sail);
> Sunnmore Alps (Alesund fjords) and Romsdalen;
> Finnmark- Lapland;
> the fjords between Bodo and Narvik;
> Jotunheim Haute Route (5 days).
*** IN SWEDEN ***
> Sarek, Abusko, Kebnekaise (swedish Lapland).
Challenge: FITNESS 2 TECHNICAL 2 ADVENTURE 3
Accomodation: hotel or guesthouse, tents
Local transfers: snowmobiles
Services included: airport transfers in Longyearbyen, accomodation in Longyearbyen (hotel ro guesthouse), assistance of expert polar ski guide, transfer of participants and all common and personal equipment and gear to base camo and return (by snowmobiles); fully equippend base camp with mess tent, stove, sleeping tents, kitchen; 3 meals per day during the expedition; rifle and rockets for bear deterrence; satellithe phone; insurance to cover any rescue and first aid operation; special expedition permit from the Svalbard governor.
Optional services: flights to/from Longearbyen; insurance; single room and single tent; hotel upgrade in Longearbyen; hotel in Tromso and/or Oslo duirng the trip in/out; tourist extensions (sleddog excursions, visit to ice caves, visit to ancient mining area; sea tours in motorboat or RIB.
Special notes: The territories south of Van Mjienfjorden are protected area, an expedition there is authorized by the Svalbard governor under special conditions. In particular, the Wedel Jarlsberg Land is interesting for ski touring, with many glaciers and peaks upto 1200 m altitude. As to organize an expedition in these area, we need to be contacted at least 6-8 months before departure, owing to the time required to get the permits and arrange for the logistics.
DAILY PROGRAM
Day 1
Arrival at Longyearbyen. Transfer to the logistic base, meeting with the staff and guide, briefing, delivery of the special clothing for the snowmobile Check of all gear and equipment. Free visit to the village and shopping. Overnight stay in hotel or guesthouse.
Day 2
Transfer with the snowmobiles to the Veteranbreen glacier, where the base camp is established.
Day 3 – 8
Ski touring in the Atomfjella mountain range. It may be possible to ascend and descend the Perriertoppen (1713 m), the heighest peak of the range and second highest of Svalbard, and also reach some unskied summits.
Day 9
Return to Longyearbyen by snowmobiles. Overnight in hotel or guesthouse.
Day 10
Transfer to the airport for the return flights.
REQUEST INFORMATION FOR
Ski touring expedition in the Svalbard islands
Trip code: EX08002
Key Definitions
Trip dates, Duration, Departure
The period of time given in the trip description sheet is indicatively the most recommended for optimun conditions for the planned activities. Different periods are possible, especially during season with special climate situations. Duration is referred to the “standard” programme as per description sheet, however it could change according to the local conditions and/or the team’s requirements. If the trip is included in the Scheduled Trips list (yearly planner), the departure date is the one given in the planner; otherwise it will be decided according to the requests we have received. In any case we suggest to contact us for more precise information. In customized trips, departure date and duration are established according to customer’s request
Challenge scoring
By means of the scores given in the trip decsription sheet we wish to provide an indicative assessment of the challenges to be expected, divided in the following three categories:
FITNESS
Grade 1: adult performing a minimum sport activity (4-8 hours/week), or teenager in medium fitness conditions
Grade 2: adult performing sport activity (8-16 hours/week) or teenager in good fitness conditions
Grade 3: adult performing regular sport activity (16-20 hours/week) or teenager in very good fitness conditions
Grade 4: adult only, regularly performing sport activity and intense training (more than 20 hours/week)
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Grade1: no prior experience in the activity is required, just a natural predisposition
Grade 2: prior experience in the activity as beginner to medium level
Grade 3: prior experience in the activity at medium to high level, with regular practice since min. 3-5 years
Grade 4: excellent technical skills with long experience in the activity (more than 5 years)
ADVENTURE:
Grade 1: no prior experience in adventure travel id required, just a positive attitude to adapt
Grade 2: prior, yet limited, experience in adventure travel, with a strong attitude to adapt and determination
Grade 3: prior experience in adventure travel including remote area and wilderness, or extreme wheather, or uncertainty in route finding
Grade 4: prior experience in adventure travel including remote area and wilderness, or extreme wheather, or uncertainty in route finding, strong determination to overcome unforeseen events
Accomodation
The type of accomodation as planned is indicated in the trip sheet (hotel, lodge, tents, etc..).
Transfers
The means of local transfers are indicated as planned (flight, bus, 4WD vehicle, ferry, etc.). Some changes are possible in relation to the actual availability on site and/or the terrain and wheather conditions.
Service included and Prices
We do not have a price list. Quotes are sent on request only. Details of services included, excluded, or optionally available, will be specified in the quote and confirmed at the time of booking. Prices depend on number of participants and on the specific requirements of the group. They will be definitely set at the time of booking after definiton of all trip details and confirmation of dates. Special prices can be granted according to number of participants, and/or for pre-established groups, clubs and associations, guides with own clients, active athletes, tour operators and travel agents, journalists, physicians, rescue operators, schools, staff of organization running an humanitarian or research project.