BACKCOUNTRY SKIING
Dark season ski touring
The light will decide what the Arctic will like like when ski touring in the beginning of the season. You might ski beneth the northern lights, in polar night, or under the soft glow of the blue hour light. No days look quite the same.
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DURATION:
5 hours
Pick up at 10:00am
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SEASON:
February 1st
to February 15th
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GROUP SIZE:
Max 6 guests
per guide
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DIFFICULTY LEVEL: 4/5
Intermediate to
advanced ski level
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EXPERT GUIDES
Led by certified
Svalbard ski experts
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PRICE
NOK 2990
per person
Skiing in the twilight of the dark season
Welcome to the magic of the Arctic winter awakening!
The unique winter light, the absolute silence in the mountains, and the raw wilderness create an unforgettable backcountry skiing experience.
Although it is still dark a lot of the time, it’s also the time where the sky is starting to become blue during day time, but the sun is not yet above the horizon, and the dark northern lights sky will light up the afternoon and evening. The air is crisp, and the guide will choose the safest and terrain with best snow conditions for the specific day to ensure a premium and unforgettable experience.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Skiing in the magical Arctic twilight
- Breathtaking panoramic view over fjords, glaciers and Arctic wilderness.
- Beautiful winter days with cold crisp air
- No trees, no tracks and absolute stillness
- Small group with expert ski guide who know the terrain and conditions
Who is this tour for?
- You have off-piste skiing experience
- Comfortable skiing in variable snow conditions
- Enjoy climbing with skins
- Have a good fitness level
- Want a real Arctic experience
This tour is not for you if you:
- Are a complete backcountry beginner
- Are looking for ski touring lessons
- Are uncomfortable in steep terrain
- Have limited physical fitness
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SKI TOURING – DARK SEASON
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NOK 2990
/ per person
- Secure booking
Ski touring program
Ski touring briefing
Your day starts at your accomoodation in Longyearbyen, where your guide picks you up, followed by a safety briefing and an equipment check to ensure all backcountry ski gear fits perfectly.
Instead of choosing a specific mountain your guide have selected the ideal location for the day accordingly to the Arctic weather. We choose our routes with flexibility to ensure you experience the absolute best skiing conditions for the season.
Ascending in the twilight time
After a short drive to the base of the selected mountain, we attach our climbing skins and begin the steady trek upward. We maintain a comfortable, relaxed pace, giving you plenty of time to absorb the absolute silence and the uniqe shifting colors of the February sky.
As we skin up through the wild landscape, we will also have small breaks meanwhile your expert guide will share local stories about life, history and nature in Svalbard. At the summit, we take a well-deserved break to enjoy hot drinks and snacks while surrounded by endless pristine Arctic peaks.
Carving Arctic lines
Once at the top, it is time to remove your skins, lock your boots, and get ready for the reward.
The February light adds an entirely new dimension to your descent. As you glide down towards the valley, you will have spectacular views that make this backcountry experience truly extraordinary.
From the valley we will transport you back to your hotel in Longyearbyen.

Ski touring recommendation
Since we vary our routes daily to find the ultimate snow and light conditions, you can easily book multiple days of ski touring with us to explore different peaks around Longyearbyen.
Note: We will be happy to help you arrange accommodation in Longyearbyen pre- and post your ski adventure.
- Guided ski touring adventure
- Pick up/drop off at your hotel and at the excursion start/end
- Snacks
- Coffee/ tea
- Sitting pad on the tour
- SAR-insurance (Search & Rescue)
- Expert ski touring guide with safety gear and polar bear protection
- Ski and avalanche equipment (Available for rent - see rental)
- Flights to/from Longyearby
- Hotel in Longyearbyen for pre/post arrival
- Travel & cancellation insurance
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The itinerary is always weather dependent.
The tour/activity can be modified or cancelled due to safety concerns.
Please see conditions. -
All tours are with english speaking guides.
You need to be able to communicate in English. - We have a 0‰ alcohol tolerance. If this is not respected, you cannot participate in the tour and you are not entitled to a refund.
Frequently Asked Questions
You are welcome to bring your own ski and avalanche equipment
- Ski touring equipment
(Alpine or telemark touring skis, high traction climbing skins, poles, boots, helmet, - Avalanche gear
A modern transceiver (beacon), a sturdy aluminum shovel, and avalanche probe. - Backpack
A 35-45 liter backpack for your gear and personal belongings.
Rental for ski- and avalanche package is also available. You can add this as an extra in the booking process. We will need to know your ski, boot and helmet size.
You need intermediate skiing skills and good physical fitness to manage a good climb and have enough energy for a controlled, safe descent.
Required skills:
- Comfortable skiing off-piste in variable snow conditions
- Be able to ascend using climbing skins
- Have good stamina and good level of control for your speed
- Be able to handle unpredictable situations.
This is not the tour for you if you need an introduction to ski touring and backcountry skiing.
Yes. Ski touring on Svalbard without a guide is not recommended and can be dangerous. The terrain involves glaciers, crevasses, and potential polar bear encounters. Our guides are trained in glacier navigation, avalanche safety and wildlife protection, ensuring a safe and rewarding experience.
We chase the best conditions and not a specific mountain top. We adapt daily to give you the umtimate Arctic ski touring experience. In Svalbard, nature rules, and flexibility is the key to both safety and great skiing. Every morning out certified guides select the perfect peak based on threee strict criteria:
- Safety first
We continuously monitor avalanche risks and weather patterns to pick the safetest terrain for the day - The best snow
We track wind and temperatures to find where the best powder is deepest and the snow quality is highest. - Maximum fun for everyone
We tailor each tour and route to the group’s energy levels and skills, ensuring a rewarding and memorable day for all.
We don’t promise one exact peak – we promise the most enjoyable skiing available on any given day.
We will access the weather conditions on the departure day as weather forecasts on Svalbard can change from hour to hour.
If the guide decides to cancel the tour we will contact you as soon as we have made the decision and offer you a date change or full refund. We therefore recommend you to have some flexibility in your program and place the ski tour in the beginning of your stay.
Safety is our top priority and the guide will be bringing polar bear protection on the tour.
All our backcountry ski guides are professionals with extensive ski touring experience in Arctic terrain and high-alpine safety.
Every guide has completed specialized Arctic safety training, such as the ANG (Arctic Nature Guide) program or equivalent guide certifications.
All guides are fully certified in firearms handling due to polar bears and Arctic wildlife safety regulations.
Our team also have avalanche safety training, glacier rescue skills and wilderness first-aid training.
Dressing for Arctic ski touring requires a strict three-layer system combined with high-quality insulation for breaks. The key is regulating your temperature to prevent sweating during the ascent and freezing during the descent.
We recommend packing and wearing the following layers:
- Base layer (For moisture)
100% merino wool underwear (top and buttom). Avoid cotton completely, as it retains moisture and cools you down. - Mid Layer (weather protection)
A breatable fleece or wool jacket or a lightweight active-insulation jacket to trap heat while moving. - Outer Layer (Weather protection)
Wind- and waterproof hard shell jacket and pants (e-g- goretex) with good ventilation zippers to shield you from the harsh Arctic wind. - Reinforcement Layer (for breaks)
A thick down jacket to put on immediately when stopping. You can get lightweight versions. - Accessories
Two pairs of gloves (lightweight for touring, heavy/windproof for downhills), a wool beanie (Balaclave), ski googles, sunglasses, and 100% wool socks.
By packing specialized layers, you can easily adapt to Svalbard’s rapidly changing weather and stay comfortable throughout the day.
Yes, we offer fully custmized private ski touring day trips for families, solo, groups or corporate teams etc. looking for an exclusive Arctic adventure.
Booking a private backcountry tour gives your group several distinct advantages:
100% tailored pace and ability
Unlike open groups where you must adapt to the small group, a private guide designs your trip to your physical fitness and skiing proficiency.
- Flexible itinerary
Your guide will still pick the absolute best mountain with best snow conditions and route based on the whether - Logistics
We can adapt start times to fit your travel schedule.
To learn more about private guiding rates and availability for the season, please contact us directly with your group size and preferred tour date.
Contact us here
Safety and high-quality skiing are our absolute priorities in the Arctic wilderness. With a maximum of 6 guests per guide, we can move more efficiently, minimize avalanche risks better, and easily adapt the pace to the group’s skill level. Smaller groups also mean no waiting around in the cold and a much higher chance of skiing untouched fresh powder tracks without crowding the slopes. If you are a solo traveler, you are more than welcome to sign up and join one of our small, open groups.
Our focus is on delivering a premium Arctic backcountry experience. We chase the best snow, not a specifik peak. You are investing in an experience that will have safety, crowd-free lines, and optimal skiing conditions.
High-quality ski gear rental
You are welcome to bring your own ski- and avalanche equipment.
We also have rental available.
"Ski gear"-package
NOK 990 /per person per dayThe "ski gear"-package include:
Skis, boots skins, poles, helmet, ski googles and ski crampons.
"Avalanche"-package
NOK 490 /per person per dayThe "avalanche"-package for this expedition include:
Avalanche tracker/ beacon, probe and shovel.
Day tour at a glance
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SEASON:
Dark season:
February
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DURATION:
5 hours
from pick up to drop off
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DIFFICULTY LEVEL: 4/5
Intermediate to advanced
ski level
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UNIQUE ROUTES:
handpicked terrain based on conditions for the best skiing
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GROUP SIZE:
Minimum 1 guest
Maximum 6 guests
Solo travellers are welcome
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AGE LIMIT:
Minimum 14 years old
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EXPERT GUIDES:
Certified & Svalbard experts
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MEETING POINT:
At 10:00am outside your hotel
in Longyearbyen
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