Ice Climbing

Visit a frozen waterfall

Ice climbing and snowmobile adventure

Visit the hidden gem of this frozen waterfull wonder to challenge yourself and do something out of the ordinary combined with the scenic and exhilarating snowmobile adventure.

Conquer the frozen hights ice climbing a waterfall

Climbing frozen waterfalls immerses you in a breathtaking winter landscape, offering a unique experience like no other. Armed with crampons and ice axes, you’ll ascend stunning ice formations, always secured by a rope for safety.  We’ll take you to a hidden gem – a remote, untouched area – where the ice is perfect for Arctic ice climbing.

HIGHLIGHTS

Who is this tour for

Who is this tour for?

This tour is not for you if you:

What our guests say
Stories from the Arctic
"An amazing day of ice climbing"
Katie T • March 2026
An amazing day of ice climbing with our guides. Me and my partner had never ice climbed before, but our guides explained everything really well and made us feel safe all day. We snowmobiled to the ice fall for the climbing which was an adventure in itself and then got to experience ice climbing a frozen waterfall which was amazing!
"Absolutely EPIC ice climbing experience"
"Absolutely EPIC ice climbing experience"
Alex Mignal • March
5-star memories deserve 5-star reviews. We went ice climbing with our fantastic guides. While we had somewhat challenging snowmobile driving conditions to get to the icefall that day, our guides did an excellent job finding the best route. They were extremely prudent and did their absolute best to make us feel comfortable and safe during the trip. The icefall was gorgeous, inside a sort of canyon, we had a nice lunch there and then the guides prepared the route. Coming back from an >20y fear of heights that kept me away from continuing climbing, I was a bit anxious but all that magically went away. Even as a beginner, I still made it to the top of the icefall so don’t be scared! They were so friendly and professional, we fully trusted them to keep us safe and coach us, and we had such an incredible time. They brought such a great energy, and it felt very cosy as we were a small group. They took many videos and pictures of us, what a great Arctic influencer! I can only highly recommend this epic experience in Svalbard, and big thanks for making that day 100% unforgettable.
Incredible day ice climbing!
Incredible day ice climbing!
Chiara H • UK • March
I had such an amazing trip ice climbing with Backyard Svalbard - I would 100% recommend it! The plans had to change a couple of times due to the conditions of the frozen waterfall that we were planning to climb, but the company always kept me informed via email, and they offered amazing alternative plans so that we could organise a great trip. I was travelling solo and had never ice climbed before, but our guide made the group feel really comfortable and talked us through everything so we could climb the waterfall successfully. Luckily we had incredible weather and perfect conditions which only made it even better! It was such an unforgettable day! It was lots of fun and a great (small) group - there were only 4 of us which meant we had plenty of time to climb. Thank you for everything 🙂

ICE CLIMBING & SNOWMOBILE TOUR

  • NOK 6250

    / per person as driver

  • NOK 4750

    / per person as passenger

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Ice climbing program

Frequently Asked Questions
about ice climbing on Svalbard

Yes. Our ice climbing experience is suitable for beginners and first-time climbers. You do not need previous ice climbing experience. Your guide will introduce you to the equipment and basic climbing techniques before you start climbing the ice. 

You do not need climbing experience but please be aware that it is suitable for those in above-average physical condition. Not recommended for those with limited mobility (uneven, steep, and challenging terrain). Whether you’re trying ice climbing for the first time or are a seasoned pro, our experienced ice climbing instructors will tailor the experience to suit your skill level, ensuring a safe and exciting climb.   

Snowmobile boots are included for driving the snowmobile.

We recommend mountainerring boots but you can also use a pair of warm hiking boots with a stiff high ankle. 

For mountainerring boots it should be Semi-Automatic or Full-Automatic.

Otherwise if you do not have mountaineering boots you can rent hiking boots from us. These boots are also good for climbing because they are very stiff around the ankle. Just contact us for information regarding price when booking.

You need an above average  physical fitness level as it requires you to use your arms, legs and core while climbing on vertical or steep ice. It also requires balance, coordination and a moderate level of strength.

You will be sharing a snowmobile, but to drive a snowmobile in Svalbard, you must have a driver’s license for passenger car/class B. In addition, a physical driver’s license is compulsory.

All driving licences from EU/EEA countries meet this requirement.

If you do not wish to drive yourself then contact us directly to see if we can arrange a driver (for added extra cost).

Climbing equipment such as ice axes, crampons, helmet and necessary safety equipment is provided as part of the experience. Your guide will show you how to use the equipment before you begin climbing. 

Dress in warm, windproof Arctic clothing and use several layers so you can adjust your clothing throughout the day. You can’t climb in the snowmobile suit so we recommend you to bring some windproof jacket with room for layers underneath. Warm gloves, a hat and suitable winter clothing are essential. You should also bring sunglasses. 

Rarely. 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.

Safety is our top priority and the guide will be bringing polar bear protection on the tour. 

Our experienced ice climbing instructors will be with you every step of the way, providing expert instruction and safety measures. All the necessary gear, including ice axes, crampons, and harnesses, will be provided. We focus on safety while ensuring you get the most out of the climbing experience.

All our Arctic guides are professionals with extensive Svalbard experience in Arctic terrain and 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. 

Yes, we offer fully custmized private tours for families, solo, groups or corporate teams etc. looking for an exclusive Arctic adventure. 

Booking a private ice cave tour gives your group several distinct advantages: 

  • 100% tailored pace and ability

    Unlike open groups a private guide designs your trip to your physical fitness. 

  • Flexible itinerary
    You can combine more experiences or add in extra dreams for your day. 
  • 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

This tour is not recommended for pregnant people or those with back problems. Children within the age limit can be a passenger on the snowmobile and must be accompanied by an adult.

For safety reasons, all passengers must be able to understand and communicate in either Norwegian or English. If this is not possible, the passenger must be accompanied by someone who is fluent in one of these languages. Safety is our top priority. 

High-quality gear rental

High ankle warm hiking boots
are one of the most important things for this tour.
You are welcome to use your own.
We also have rental available.

  • Backcountry skiing from summit to sea in untouched wilderness of Svalbard
    "Hiking boots"
    NOK 150 /per person
    per pair
    Warm high ankle hiking boots.
    This is rental for the one excursion from pick up to drop off.

Day tour at a glance

Snowmobiles parked in the Arctic landscape to a frozen waterfall for an ice climbing adventure on Svalbard
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Gear list

Gear you should have

  1. Mountaineering boots (Semi-Automatic or Full-Automatic)
  2. Down jackets
  3. Shell-Jacket and Pants
  4. Warm underwear (Merino wool, top and bottom base layer, fleece / wool sweater)
  5. One pair of Very warm gloves + 1 pair thinner gloves

Gear we provide

  1. Harness + prusik + carabiners
  2. Crampons
  3. Ice axes
  4. Rope
  5. Sitting pads

Terms of participation and payment must have been done in advance to run this trip.

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Enjoying the stunning view of Longyearbyen from the mountain returning from our ice cave hike

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