Crossing Svalbard - 8 Day Ski Expedition from East to West

Have you ever dreamed of crossing Svalbard on skis — self-supported, surrounded by raw nature and silence only the wilderness can provide? This is your chance. 

Join our experienced guides on an 8-day expedition across Spitsbergen. We'll ski from coast to coast, pulling all we need in our pulkas, camping in the snow, and moving through some of Svalbard’s most pristine valleys. This is a team journey — challenging, but deeply rewarding. You don’t need to be a polar explorer, but you do need to be fit, motivated, and have some prior experience on skis. If you're looking for a slow-paced, meaningful adventure in the High Arctic, this one’s for you.

Day 1 – Preparation Day
You may have already seen it from the plane: glaciers, snow-covered valleys, and mountains stretching towards the horizon as far as the eye can see. Tomorrow, you'll be dropped off in a remote bay, far from civilization.

Before the adventure can begin, today is all about the preparations.

We’re excited to finally meet you and get ready for the big adventure. You’ve probably spent weeks preparing your gear. Now, we gather everything and make sure we're ready to be self-sufficient for eight days. We practice setting up tents, using the stoves, and review safety routines for traveling in polar bear territory. We go over the route, the weather forecast, and how we’ll organize ourselves as a group. Do you need some last-minute items? Longyearbyen has a good selection of outdoor shops.  In the evening, there is time for you to meet your teammates for a dinner in town.

Day 2 – Agardhbukta to Passbreen
Today’s the day. After one last hotel breakfast and a final message home, we get ready for departure. Snowmobiles or a belt wagon will take us deep into the wilderness. Signal bars disappear. Buildings disappear. The landscape opens – white, silent, endless. We will pass Svalbard reindeer calmly grazing in the valleys and after a few hours, we reach Agardhbukta – our starting point. The driver waves goodbye, and a deep silence settles over us.

We click into our skis and set off. It takes a little time to get used to the cold and pulling a sled, but the pace is easy. We ascend towards the first glacier, where we set up our first camp. When the tent is up and your sleeping bag unrolled, you will feel the joy of finally being on your way.

Day 3 – Passbreen to Kjellstrømdalen
You wake up to total silence, far from hotel breakfasts and city noise. Maybe you were on polar bear watch last night – or maybe one of your teammates kept watch while you slept. The smell of coffee and hot porridge fills the air. Your body needs fuel – today is our first full day of skiing. We pack up camp and continue from Passbreen. Skiing starts to feel natural. We take turns in breaking trail, have regular breaks, and find our rhythm. Today's goal is the entrance to Lundstrømdalen – a side valley of Kjellstrømdalen. Snowmobiles are forbidden here, and the silence is absolute. We set up camp again, build a snow kitchen, a simple toilet of snow, and melt snow for drinking water. After a long day on skis, you will fall asleep quickly.

Day 4 – Through Lundstrømdalen
Another morning in the wilderness where you look forward to what the day will bring. Today, we stay in Lundstrømdalen . This is a bit more narrow, untouched valley where every track in the snow tells a story from Arctic wildlife - perhaps an Arctic fox on the run, a ptarmigan taking flight, or a reindeer passing through. One thing you won’t find here are snowmobiles. We follow the frozen river between steep mountainsides towering 500 - 800 meters on each side of us. We catch glimpses of snow-covered inland glaciers. We take our time, enjoying a good lunch break with a spectacular view. Later in the day, we approach the entrance to Reindalen – which marks a whole new chapter of our journey.

Day 5 – Reindalen
The routine feels natural now – get up, have breakfast, pack down camp and start skiing. Ahead of us lies Reindalen, one of Spitsbergen’s largest valleys, and part of Nordenskiöld Land National Park. We start by crossing a mountain pass. Behind the pass the landscape opens up wide – vast, endless, timeless. It is strange to think that all of this was shaped by glaciers more than 10,000 years ago. Our compass needles point west as we trace the frozen rivers. Along the way, we pass "pingos" — ice-cored hills that rise like small volcanoes, found only in the frozen landscapes of permafrost. Setting up camp feels easier now. The tents go up fast, the food tastes delicious, and the team spirit is growing every day. 

Day 6 – Reindalen to Semmeldalen
We wake up in Reindalen, now drawing closer to the coast. We keep our eyes open – wildlife could appear at any time on this trip, but we are extra alert in areas of sea ice, where seals haul out for a rest. Maybe we find bear tracks in the snow — a quiet reminder that we are not alone, even after days without seeing another soul. Before reaching Kaldbukta, we turn North again, leaving the coast behind and heading back inland. We find a quiete spot for the night and set up camp.

Day 7 – Semmeldalen to Grøndalspasset
Did you know that a female reindeer in Norwegian is called a simle? That's where Semmeldalen gets its name from. Today, we climb height meters again – over Grøndalspasset and down into Grøndalen. We cross the moraine in front of Tavle - Glacier. The terrain is varied and beautiful. After crossing the pass, we glide down into Grøndalen, where we set up camp and enjoy another evening in camp. 

Day 8 – Grøndalen to Grønfjorden
We head west towards Grønfjorden – the final leg of our crossing. The sea appears on the horizon, framed by mountain silhouettes. Barentsburg is near, and the boat arrives tomorrow. This is our final night in the tent, we enjoy a last dinner in the great outdoors, and get ready for one last round of polar bear watch under the midnight sun.

Day 9 – Barentsburg and return to Longyearbyen
Last night, we saw the first signs – smoke from the chimneys, old cranes, silhouettes of the Russian mining town Barentsburg. It feels like stepping into another time when we are passing through on our way to the pier, where the boat will be waiting for us. We have made it!

From the boat, we look back at the landscape we’ve just crossed on skis – a moment that fills us with a deep sense of accomplishment. Once back in Longyearbyen, you can enjoy a warm shower and, if you feel like it, celebrate the adventure with a team dinner. Then it’s goodbye – or perhaps this is just the beginning of new adventures. 

• Difficulty level: 5 out of 5
• Participants:  4–12
• Dates 2026: 21st of April - 29th of April
• Duration: 1 + 8 days
• Age limit: 18 years (participants aged 16–17 may join on request)

Who is this trip for? 

This expedition is for those in good physical shape with some experience from Nordic skiing (cross-country skiing, longer ski trips, pulling a pulka etc.). You should be okay with pulling your own sled (30 – 40kg) for 15 - 25 km each day, be comfortable camping in cold conditions, motivated to face a physical challenge, and ready to contribute to the group. A positive mindset and team spirit are essential. No previous experience on glaciers required.

What to expect

A real Arctic expedition — self-supported, remote, and unforgettable. You’ll ski across Spitsbergen with a pulk (sled), sleep in tents (shared with another teammate), cook meals together in the snow kitchen, and share the rhythm of life in the wild. Expect breathtaking landscapes, physical challenge, and a strong sense of achievement.

Included in the Price

• Round-trip transport between your accommodation and the starting point
• Snowmobile or tracked vehicle transport to Agardhbukta
• Boat transport from Barentsburg back to Longyearbyen
• Sled, harness, and pulling system
• All meals, snacks, and hot drinks
• Tent, sleeping mat, stove, and cooking equipment
• Experienced guide with necessary safety equipment
• Search - and rescue insurance

Recommended Equipment (bring your own)

• Warm, well-broken-in ski boots
• Nordic skis, poles, and skins*
• Warm clothing
• Camera (optional)
• Sleeping bag**

* You must bring your own ski equipment. If buying new gear, test it well in advance to avoid blisters.
** Sleeping bags can be rented for NOK 600.

A detailed packing list will be sent upon confirmed booking.

Larger luggage can be stored at our warehouse.

Outdoor equipment can be purchased at Arctica in Longyearbyen.

Important Information

The itinerary may change due to weather, ice conditions, wildlife, or the group’s abilities. If polar bears are in the area, we may adjust the route or return to Longyearbyen and conduct day trips from there. Safety – for both people and wildlife – is our top priority. Svalbard Wildlife Expeditions strongly opposes the war in Ukraine. We do not visit Barentsburg or Pyramiden, as they are owned and operated by the Russian authorities.

© Photos: Ross Beesley