Snowmobile safari from the ocean to glaciers
Feb - May
8 hours
Get ready to explore Svalbard’s great contrasts! Our skilled local guides are out in Svalbard's raw nature every day, and on this trip they are in charge of planning the route with fresh updates on the local conditions and sightings. This means that you as a guest get a exclusive experience. Join us on a beautiful journey in Nordenskiöld Land, from ocean to glacier, with majestic nature and unique wildlife.
From ocean
The trip starts in Longyearbyen and already here we have several route options. The guide chooses the best route for the day that is adapted to the weather and driving conditions. Regardless of which way the guide pick, the direction is set towards Colesdalen. Here we continue out towards Colesbukta and to Kapp Laila, where we stop and enjoy the view over the beautiful fjord. The conditions are constantly changing on Svalbard and we never know what we will encounter. Maybe we will be lucky and experience that there is ice on the fjord. Then we have good opportunities to see seals resting out on the ice. If there is open sea, we will see the waves crash against the edge, which is covered with ice.
to glacier
We will then jump back on the scooter and continue our adventure into the valleys. Enjoy the trip, while you pass beautiful mountains and formations. The landscape on Svalbard is dominated by glaciers that cover nearly 60 percent of the land area. Therefore, our next destination is Passfjellbreen. Every year the glaciers change and we never know what we will experience until the season starts. If we are lucky, we will be able to see beautiful blue ice on the glacier and explore its uniqe formations.
Wildlife
The wildlife on Svalbard has had to adapt to the harsh living conditions in the Arctic. Here the animals are exposed to extreme cold, periods with little food and a long winter without daylight.
On this trip, we often drive past Svalbard reindeer, which is a small subspecies of reindeer, adapted to the harsh climate. They are characterized by their compact body with short legs and neck, small head and ears.
Important. We always keep a good distance from animals we meet along the way so we don’t disturb the wildlife.
Contrasts
The light on Svalbard is constantly changing during the winter and which month you take this trip affects the light you will experience. If you are with us on a trip in February, you can experience the spectacular blue hour. In March, the sun returns to Svalbard and with it comes beautiful pastel colors that will create a magical sky. Later, you will be able to experience the sun shining in the beautiful winter landscape. If you join the trip on a cloudy day, you will experience a more mysterious and raw landscape. Whatever the weather and conditions, this trip will be spectacular and something you will remember forever.
important information
The participant is obliged to ensure that the driver's license is valid in Svalbard and Jan Mayen. Please contact the responsible authorities in case of any questions. The guide will check each passenger's driver's license and will refuse participation if the driver's license is not valid in Svalbard and Jan Mayen. No refunds will be given due to an invalid driver's license.
Included
•Transfer from hotel/accommodation place in Longyearbyen
•Warm drinks and biscuits
•Expedition lunch
•Snowmobile suit, shoes, gloves and helmet to use during the tour. See our introduction video here.
•Tour leader with weapons and safety sled
•Rescue insurance
Practical information
Drivers’ licence
A valid driver’s licence for car or motorbike is required to drive a snowmobile. Remember to take it with you on the tour.
The driver's license must be of the model required by the Vienna Convention of 1968 on road traffic. International driving licenses are not valid in Svalbard. Read more here.
Recommendations
We recommend that you dress in warm woollen underwear, warm outer pants and a solid woollen jumper under the snowmobile suits you will loan from us. We also recommend that our guests have extra clothes in a backpack, for example an extra jumper, woollen hat and mittens.
Pregnancy
We advise against pregnant women taking part in snowmobile and dog sledding trips, because a blow to the stomach or a fall entails a risk of injury to the pregnant woman and the unborn child. We recommend that your GP is consulted if you are thinking of participating in these activities.
Possible changes
We reserve the right to change the route of the tour for safety reasons should the weather or snow conditions require it. This will not be grounds for a change in price. The participants agree to follow the tour leader’s directions and instructions. The tour leader will not drive with a passenger.
Alcohol
The ‘Veitrafikkloven’ or Road Traffic Act applies on Svalbard. Driving under the influence of alcohol is not permitted.
Language
Safety is our highest priority, and the guide needs to be able to give directions you understand. To participate on one of our excursions, it is required that you speak and understand English or one of the Scandinavian languages.
Safety
Your safety is our priority. Even if you have experience in winter sports, the Svalbard environment is different to that many might have been in before. Taking a tour with a guide who knows the local conditions is the safest way to explore the area outside of Longyearbyen. As a participant on a snowmobile tour, it is important that you follow the guide’s directions underway. This is both for your own safety, and that of the group. Weather and snow conditions are the big factors on Svalbard, and we reserve the right to change the route or destination to one that is safest for you and the group.
Hurtigruten Svalbard’s guides have different backgrounds and experience, but what they all have in common is that they come to work to ensure you will have the best and safest tour. Some have taken the Arctic Nature Guide study, others are certified mountain guides, glacier guides or authorised Svalbard guides who have taken the Svalbard Guide Opplæring (SGO - Svalbard guide training). SGO study includes fundamental requirements for safe travel on Svalbard, as well as education about tourism, field safety and an understanding of environmental and cultural values. In addition our guides take part in internal training and exercises through the year.
Facts
Age limit
14 years
Duration
8 hours
Distance
100 – 120 km
Minimum number of participants
2 snowmobiles
4 - Previous snowmobile experience recommended. Long day trip, steep terrain.
