Svalbard ski touring

BACKCOUNTRY SKIING 

Ski Touring in our backyard

A guided Arctic ski touring adventure beneath the beautiful Svalbard light. Daytime adventure ski touring in the Arctic wilderness near Longyearbyen. Explore pristine mountains and breathtaking Arctic views in the untouched nature.

We chase the best snow, not a specific peak

The sun has returned and the mountains are calling. There are adventures you remember because they were beautiful. And then there are the ones that quietly become part of who you are. This is one of them.

When you look back at your Svalbard holiday this day will stand out as you stood on a snow-covered summit in Svalbard. The light, the silence, the views. It’s something you have to experience to understand.

Ski touring during the sunny winter season brings a crisp air and perfect snow conditions. The mountains near Longyearbyen are wild, untouched, and full of Arctic challenges. As you ski through deep powder and across rugged ridgelines, the landscapes open up in all their raw, untamed glory offering one of the most thrilling ski touring experiences you’ll ever have.

HIGHLIGHTS

Who is this tour for

Who is this tour for?

This tour is not for you if you:

What guests say. Don't just take our word for it.

Couldn't have been better
Niels H • March 2026
I had a really fantastic day skiing with Backyard Svalbard last Thursday (March 26th, 2026). My guide was really fun to be with, professional, helpful, and full of local stories. We skied up Nordenskioldfjellet--which is what I hoped we would do--to incredible views, had coffee and chocolate in the freezing cold but magical views at the top. And we skied perfect snow and great lines down to the ice caves for a more sheltered hot lunch. We were both glowing from the great skiing conditions. It was a full day, and worth every krone! Thank you Backyard Svalbard!
A very nice experience with a very good guide
Terje S • March 2026
Our guide Andi was a very friendly, nice and knowledgeable. The weather had been bad a few days before and the risk of avalanche was probably greater than usual however Andi answered all our questions and concerns about the trip and reassured us we were going to a very safe mountain. He was patient during our uphill climb and took a lot of pictures which he sent us afterwards so we could use the hike up to enjoy the view and the scenery. We were lucky with the weather as it was very nice, no wind, blue sky and only a few minus degrees. We decided to go with the option of using a snow mobile from Longyearbyen which we think was worth it as the guide can then choose which mountain to go to on the day based on weather, our skiing experience etc. All in all a very good experience with a very good guide which I would recommend.
Fantastic Organization
David L • May 2025
Brilliant organization by Backyard Svalbard. We booked 2 private tours ski touring one day with snowmobile and the day after direct form the parking. All was perfect. David

SKI TOURING – DAYTIME

  • NOK 2990

    / per person

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Ski touring program

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 for ski touring in Svalbard. You need to have a good fitness level for the climb as well as having enough energy left for a controlled, safe descent.

You should be 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, and be able to handle unpredictable situations. This is not the tour for you if you need an introduction to ski touring and backcountry skiing.

You should be able to:
  • Ski off-piste in varying snow conditions
  • Climb with skins
  • Have good endurance
  • Have good control of speed and skiing in unpredictable conditions

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 ewarding 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 have a lot of options for mountains for this tour.

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

The main ski touring season on Svalbard is from mid February to mid May where longer days and stable snow conditions create excellent opportunities for Arctic skiing. 

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.

  • Backcountry skiing from summit to sea in untouched wilderness of Svalbard
    "Ski gear"-package
    NOK 990 /per person per day
    The "ski gear"-package include:
    Skis, boots skins, poles, helmet, ski googles and ski crampons.
  • Backcountry skiing from summit to sea in untouched wilderness of Svalbard
    "Avalanche"-package
    NOK 490 /per person per day
    The "avalanche"-package for this expedition include:
    Avalanche tracker/ beacon, probe and shovel.

Day tour at a glance

Ski touring with climbing skins on snowy Arctic mountains in Svalbard during sunny winter ski season
By Jonas Haass
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