Overview
This trip is about place. It's about terrain. It's about skiing in one of the most remote and visually stunning regions on Earth. Svalbard sits between 74° and 81° north — roughly halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole. The west coast of the archipelago is full of icy fjords, glaciated peaks, and rugged couloirs that drop straight to the sea. It's wild, it's remote, and it's unlike anywhere else you've skied. You'll skin through glaciated valleys, descend couloirs above the sea, and sail beneath the midnight sun. You'll share meals with fellow adventurers, swap stories on the sky deck, and wake up each day in a new fjord with new terrain to explore. Expect 6–8 hour ski days with 3,000–7,000 feet of vertical gain. The skiing is often excellent — a mix of corn snow and boot-top cold powder depending on conditions. But this trip isn't about chasing blower — it's about skiing in a place that feels like the edge of the world. This trip is staffed by two IFMGA-certified guides with decades of experience skiing and guiding in Arctic environments. Because polar bears inhabit the region, guides carry firearms as a precaution. We've never had to use them, but we're prepared. Weather in Arctic spring can vary drastically between 11°F (-12°C) and 40°F (4°C). Come prepared for anything.
Highlights
Gallery
Itinerary
Arrival & Departure from Longyearbyen
Fly into Longyearbyen (LYR) via Oslo. Take the city bus to the public docks where the Ulla Rinman awaits. Meet Captain Karlis and crew, stash gear on the foredeck, and explore town. At 5pm sharp, board, briefing, and set sail up the coast.
First Ski Day
Wake up anchored in a new fjord, surrounded by peaks rising straight from the sea. After breakfast, load the zodiac around 9am and head ashore. Expect a full day of skiing in wild alpine terrain — stunning views, inspiring runs, and the kind of descent you'll be talking about for years. After skiing, we motor to the next fjord for a family-style dinner and spend the night at anchor.
Ski, Sail, Repeat
Daily rhythm: buffet breakfast, zodiac transfer to shore, ski tour with guides, return to vessel, sail to new anchorage, family-style dinner. We begin moving north along Svalbard's west coast.
Deep Arctic — Northward Push
Conditions permitting, we push further north — possibly crossing the 80th parallel. Terrain becomes more remote, more wild. Shared with very few other skiers on Earth.
Prime Ski Terrain
Mid-expedition, guides select the best available terrain based on snowpack, weather, and wildlife reports. Expect long couloirs, glaciated approaches, and big descents to the sea.
Ski & Wildlife
Every ski day carries strong potential for Arctic wildlife encounters — reindeer on the ridgeline, Arctic foxes, seabirds circling overhead. There's no formal evening naturalist presentation, but the evening cruise is prime time: scan the water for whales, walrus hauled out on ice floes, and other wildlife as we motor to the next anchorage under the midnight sun.
Final Ski Day
Last full ski day. Guides choose terrain to close out the trip. Evening celebration dinner aboard the Ulla Rinman.
Return to Longyearbyen
Wake up docked or arrive early morning. Breakfast aboard, pack gear. Afternoon flights home via Oslo. Time to explore Longyearbyen and pick up souvenirs.
Apr 30 – May 7, 2027 | May 7 – 14, 2027
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