Svalbard

SKI & SAIL - SVALBARD

Backcountry Skiing

What you'll do

Sail through the fjords of Svalbard and ski some of the most remote Arctic peaks. Each day, you’ll climb untouched mountains rising straight from the sea and enjoy long descents back to the shore. Life on board is simple and adventurous: sleeping in shared cabins, eating together, and moving with the wind to find the best skiing. Between ascents, you’ll spot glaciers, wildlife, and the raw beauty of the High Arctic before returning to Longyearbyen with unforgettable memories.

Itinerary

Day 1 - All Aboard: The Journey Begins

We’ll meet at the dock in Longyearbyen at 14:00, where you'll settle into the boat and have a chance to get to know the crew and fellow travelers. Before setting sail, we'll introduce you to the boat and equipment, and walk through the onboard safety procedures. As we depart the harbor, we’ll enjoy a meal together. On this first evening, we’ll sail a few miles to position ourselves for the next day’s ski adventure.

Day 2 - Ski touring in the outer Isfjorden

Isfjorden is the most famous and frequently visited fjord in Svalbard. Its many branches are home to settlements like Longyearbyen, Barentsburg, and Pyramiden, as well as several smaller, uninhabited areas. This vast fjord is framed by impressive ski mountains, offering spectacular terrain. Today, we’ll explore and ski among these peaks before continuing our journey north.

Day 3 - St. Jonsfjorden and Forlandsundet

Just north of Isfjorden, we enter Forlandsundet, a strait flanked by mountains on both sides, offering a wide range of skiing possibilities. If the weather turns rough or the wind picks up, we can seek shelter in St. Jonsfjorden, where we’ll find broad, beautiful mountain faces perfect for skiing. On calm days, with flat seas, we might even be able to land at Prins Karls Forland – a unique and remarkable destination in its own right.

Day 4 - Kongsfjorden and Ny-Ålesund (1)

Today we continue our journey along Svalbard’s northwest coast, making our way toward Ny-Ålesund – a remote research town located at an impressive 79°N. Nestled in the Arctic wilderness, it’s one of the northernmost permanent settlements in the world. To reach this far, we’ll undertake a longer evening sail, pushing deeper into the polar landscape.

Day 5 - Kongsfjorden and Ny-Ålesund (2)

Surrounding Ny-Ålesund is the stunning Kongsfjorden, a fjord system framed by vast glaciers and impressive ski terrain. The glaciers here calve directly into the sea, creating an awe-inspiring backdrop for our day of exploration. If conditions are right, we'll enjoy some exceptional skiing in this dramatic Arctic setting – a true highlight of the expedition.

Day 6 - Sailing Day South

After a few hopefully fantastic days of skiing along the northwest coast, we set sail and begin heading south. If the weather is better earlier in the week, we may shift this leg to the beginning and take a slower route back. The beauty of an expedition like this is our flexibility – we follow the weather and make the most of every opportunity.

Day 7 - Last Day of Skiing and Bye for Now!

On our final morning, we wake up at anchor somewhere in the beautiful Isfjorden. We’ll enjoy a few last hours of skiing before sailing the final stretch back to Longyearbyen. As we approach the dock, we’ll pack up, clean, and freshen up on board, aiming to be ready to disembark by 16:00. Thank you for being part of this unforgettable Ski & Sail adventure!

Important stuff

From the highest peaks to the hidden trails, we've got your back

100% Guaranteed Departures

Once you book, your trip is guaranteed to run, allowing you to book your flights with confidence.

Flexible Changes

Want to change your departure date or trip? No problem—enjoy maximum flexibility to make changes up to 60 days before departure.

Comprehensive Insurance & Assistance

Travel with peace of mind. Our insurance package covers accidents and rescue during outdoor activities, medical expenses, and luggage protection, as well as trip cancellations and 24/7 medical assistance from our insurance partner.

100% Guaranteed Departures: Once you book, your trip is guaranteed to run, allowing you to book your flights with confidence.
Flexible Changes: Want to change your departure date or trip? No problem—enjoy maximum flexibility to make changes up to 60 days before departure.
Comprehensive Insurance & Assistance: Travel with peace of mind. Our insurance package covers accidents and rescue during outdoor activities, medical expenses, and luggage protection, as well as trip cancellations and 24/7 medical assistance from our insurance partner.

see more on How it works

What's included

Accident insurance

Medical and luggage insurance

Travel cancellation insurance

Skiing Instructor

Skipper

Lunch

Dinner

Breakfast

Use of boat-shared equipment (dinghies, kayaks, fishing equipment...)

Boat-related costs (fuel, propane and harbour fees)

Instruction, advice, guidance and training boating and sailing

Accommodation in a boat

Flight

Visa (if applicable)

Transport from airport

Transport to airport

Extra food and drinks

Everything not mentioned in the “What’s included”

Tips

Ski and avalanche equipment

Expenditure of personal nature

Optional activities not mentioned

Accomodations

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Valiente Boat

You will sleep and live in a boat for 6 days with your group, the skipper and the ski instructor. Accommodation on board will be in a shared double cabin (bunk or double bed) with a ready-made bed (warm and nice duvets and pillows!).

Guides

Emil & SeilNorge Team

Emil is a skipper, founder of SeilNorge, the country’s leading organizer of inspiring sailing, hiking, ski-touring, climbing trips and expeditions. We sail between islands, fjords, mountains, and the open oceans to see, experience, and learn. In addition to the skipper, you will be accompanied by a local trekking expert, not a certified guide. Norway legislation doesn't make mandatory having a certified guide for hiking trips mandatory.