3-day Ski Touring Camp

Join us for a three-day ski touring camp in the mountains surrounding Longyearbyen. This trip is for those who already have ski touring experience and want to experience what it is like to live right in the middle of the Arctic mountains – with your skis ready outside the tent and the day’s touring objectives close by.

Svalbard offers a different setting for ski touring. The landscape is vast and open, the views stretch for miles, and we often have the entire mountain to ourselves. We establish a basecamp in a snowmobile-free area in the mountains outside Longyearbyen and head out on ski tours directly from camp. No daily transport and no drive from town – here, we wake up right in the mountains and can spend our days doing what we came for: skiing.

Camp life is an important part of the experience, and everyone helps with the practical tasks that come with it. In the evening, we prepare dinner together and gather in the heated communal tent. At night, participants and the guide take turns keeping polar bear watch, while the midnight sun keeps the mountain landscape light around the clock.

Day 1 – Trollsteinen and setting up camp

The trip begins at 09:00, when we pick you up and meet at our base. Here, we go through the plan for the trip, get to know one another and check everyone’s personal ski and avalanche safety equipment. We pack what we need for three days in the mountains and review the current snow and avalanche conditions, as well as our routines for travelling safely as a group.

While our luggage, food and camping equipment are transported to camp by snowmobile, we put on our skis and set off towards Trollsteinen – one of the classic ski touring peaks around Longyearbyen. The route (about 5km) crosses the snow-covered Larsbreen glacier before continuing towards the summit at 850 metres above sea level. As we gain elevation, the landscape opens up with views across glaciers, valleys and the mountains surrounding Longyearbyen.

From Trollsteinen, we leave the town behind and ski down the opposite side of the mountain. From here, the descent takes us all the way to camp, where our luggage is already waiting for us.We pitch the tents, organise our equipment and prepare camp for the night. Then we make dinner, divide the polar bear watches between us and settle into our sleeping bags.

Day 2 – A full day on skis

We wake up surrounded by mountains, have breakfast and prepare for a full day of ski touring. One of the best things about having a basecamp is that the day’s tour begins right outside the tent. While drinking your morning coffee, you can already study the surrounding peaks and possibilities for the day. There are several potential objectives in the area, including the 915-metre Bingtoppen. The guide makes the plan based on the weather, snowpack and avalanche conditions. We may head out on one longer tour or have time for several shorter laps. Flexibility is essential in the mountains of Svalbard – the best plan is the one that suits the conditions we actually encounter.

Ski touring in Svalbard is about more than reaching the summit. It is just as much about travelling through a vast Arctic landscape, surrounded by glaciers, valleys and snow-covered mountains. With no trees blocking the view, on clear days you can see for miles. And when the skins are packed away, it is time for some great turns back towards camp. After a good day on skis, we change into dry camp clothes, prepare dinner together and gather in the communal tent. Here, we warm up before we get ready for another night in the tents – and another round of polar bear watch.

Day 3 – A final summit and return to Longyearbyen

A new day brings a new summit. We want to make the most of our time, so we get ready for one final ski tour while our luggage is safely transported back by snowmobile. 

One possible objective is Lars Hiertafjellet, at 878 metres. From the summit, we can point our skis towards Longyearbyen and finish the trip with a long descent back over the glacier. As always in Svalbard, the exact route depends on the weather, snowpack and avalanche conditions, and the guide will adjust the objective if necessary.

We return to Longyearbyen in the afternoon. After three days of ski touring, tent life and polar bear watches, a hot shower will feel especially good – perhaps followed by a small celebration in town.

Three days not enough? Continue the adventure with two days of ski touring & snowmobiling. Check out the 5-day version of this trip!

Difficulty Level: 4 / 5

Dates:  

   16.04.–18.04.2027 

   29.04. - 01.05.2027 

Optional Extension: 2 extra days with ski & snowmobile

Participants: 4 -10
Minimum Age: 16 years (if at least 4 participants are over 18)
Overnight included: 2 nights in tents
Departure: 09:00

Who  is this trip for

This trip is suitable for those who have previous ski touring experience, are in good physical condition and are comfortable skiing in varied snow conditions in unprepared terrain – from hard-packed and icy snow to powder. Experience from skiing on groomed slopes alone is not sufficient. Most of the skiing takes place on terrain with a slope angle below 30 degrees, although we may encounter steeper sections depending on the route and snow conditions.

No technical ski mountaineering skills are required, although ski crampons may be useful on some tours. You should be prepared for long days in the mountains, changing weather and Arctic winter conditions. 

The focus is on enjoying great ski touring in the Arctic wilderness, exploring untouched mountainsides and sharing the experience with like-minded people.

Included

• 3 days with an experienced ski guide
• 2 nights in a tent camp
• All meals, snacks and drinks during the trip
• Tent and sleeping mat
• All transportation related to the trip
• Search and Rescue Insurance 

Minimum number of participants and booking

The trip requires a minimum of 4 participants.

The trip can be extended with two days of ski touring & snowmobiling, using snowmobiles to reach ski touring areas further outside Longyearbyen. See our 5-day version for the full programme.

Mandatory avalanche equipment*

• Avalanche transceiver
• Shovel
• Probe

*Can be rented from us for NOK 450

You Must Bring

• Touring skis*
• Ski boots
• Poles
• Skins
• Ski crampons – if you have crampons that fit your skis, we recommend bringing them
• Helmet
• Sleeping bag*
• Personal clothing suitable for Arctic winter conditions

A detailed packing list will be sent upon booking.

Ski equipment can be rented for NOK 1,100. Sleeping bags can be rented for NOK 600. We currently do not have ski crampons available for rent.

Disclaimer

In Svalbard, weather, snow conditions and safety always determine where we can go. The itinerary is therefore indicative, and both routes and objectives may change at short notice due to weather, wind, visibility, snow conditions and avalanche risk. The guide chooses each tour based on the group’s skiing ability and the current conditions. 

We also travel in polar bear habitat. If a polar bear is present near the camp or in an area we plan to travel through, we will adjust our plans to avoid disturbing the animal and to maintain a safe distance. In rare cases, this may mean moving or leaving the camp and completing the remainder of the programme as day trips from Longyearbyen.

© Photos by Chris König, August T. Gautun, Giancarlo Gallinoro, Mirko Chiappini