Agenda

(Times are subjected to change)

TUESDAY MARCH 16:

Arrival at Longyearbyen airport at 14.10 with Scandinavian Arlines

Visit to our Svalbard ground station

Half the group will take the bus to our Ground station, the other half will travel to the hotel for check in, and then we switch

Those who have arrived days earlier will take a bus from Radisson Blu Polar Hotel to join the first group at Svalsat.

Evening:

18.30:

The buss will leave Radisson Blu Polar Hotel, and we are heading to the Coal Mine 3 for the evening. It will be social, it will be food, and it will be possible to step into the history of Longyearbyen and its extensive coal mining industry by also taking a tour into the mine.

Buss will take us back to the hotel in the end of the evening

WEDNESDAY MARCH 17:

Kl. 09.00:

The official tenant meeting

Takes place at Longyearbyen’s House of Culture (Kulturhuset) located in the heart of Longyearbyen city, only a few minutes’ walk from our hotel.

Agenda for this day will come closer to the event.

Evening:

18.40:

Bus departure from Hotel Radisson

19.00:

Traditionally, we welcome you to the KSAT dinner hosted at historical Restaurant Huset, opened since 1951. Nordic flavours in combination with one of Scandinavia’s largest wine cellars.

-There will go two busses back to the hotel at night, we will inform about the time closer to the event. (Taxi is also an option)

THURSDAY MARCH 18:

This day is open for meetings, enjoying Longyearbyen before your departure, or the snowmobile trip if you have signed up for it.

SNOWMOBILE TRIP:

A valid driver's license (car or motorcycle) is required and must be carried at all times during the trip.

Group 1 and 2 for those leaving Svalbard or want a shorter trip.

Kl. 08.00 – 11.00: Group 1

Kl. 08.30 – 11.30: Group 2

Group 3 and 4 for those who want a longer adventure and stay an extra day.

Kl. 09 – 16.00: Group 3

Kl. 09.30- 16.30: Group 4

A shuttle bus to the airport will be arranged for those leaving this day. Timing details will be provided at a later stage.

(Flight leaves 14.55)

Arctic Wilderness Snowmobile Adventure

This snowmobile tour offers a fantastic introduction to our Arctic wilderness. The route takes us through Adventdalen towards “Jernsenga” (The Iron Bed), a well-known landmark near Longyearbyen. Here, you will hear the story behind this unusual little hill, marked by an iron bed that has become one of the area's most recognizable sights.

Along the way, we will also pass Mine 7, the only coal mine still in operation in Longyearbyen today. Throughout the journey, our experienced Svalbard guides will share fascinating insights into the history of Svalbard, life in the Arctic, and the landscapes and wildlife we encounter. No one tells the stories of Svalbard better than our local guides!

If we are lucky, we may spot some of Svalbard’s wildlife, including reindeer, ptarmigan, Arctic foxes, and snow buntings.

This is the perfect excursion for those who would like a taste of snowmobile driving but do not wish to spend an entire day on a snowmobile.

Practical Details

Meeting Point: Outside the main entrance of your hotel, where you will be picked up.

Duration: Approximately 3 hours

Distance: Approximately 40 km

Difficulty Level: 2/5
Suitable for most participants, including those with no previous snowmobile experience. Easy and mostly flat terrain.

Minimum Age: 8

IMPORTANT AND PRACTICAL INFORMATION FOR BOTH TOURS

We will be picked up at our hotel and taken to the expedition center. So please be ready outside the main entrance at the pickup time. Here, you will be provided with a snowmobile suit, boots, balaclava, helmet, and mittens before heading out to the snowmobiles. After a thorough introduction to the vehicle and instructions on how to operate it safely, it is time to set off into the wilderness.

Important Information!

A valid car or motorcycle driver's license is required and must be carried with you throughout the entire tour.
A valid car or motorcycle driver's license is required to operate the snowmobile.
Participants are responsible for ensuring that their driver's license is valid for use in Svalbard and Jan Mayen.
To operate a motorized vehicle in Svalbard, your driver's license must be valid in your home country and comply with the standards of the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic.
The guide will check each driver's license before departure and may refuse participation if the license is not valid.

What Should I Bring?

A valid car or motorcycle driver's license is required to operate a snowmobile. Please remember to bring your license with you on the tour.

The guide will check each participant's driver's license before departure and may refuse participation if the license is not valid for use in Svalbard and Jan Mayen. If you have any questions regarding the validity of your license, please contact the relevant authorities before your trip.

Please note: No refunds will be provided if participation is denied due to an invalid driver's license.

What Should I Wear?

We recommend wearing:

Warm wool base layers
Warm outer trousers
A thick wool sweater underneath the snowmobile suit

We also recommend bringing extra clothing in your backpack, such as:

An extra jacket
A warm hat
Extra mittens or gloves

Safety Information

Snowmobile driving is not recommended for pregnant women.
Driving under the influence of alcohol is strictly prohibited. Norwegian road traffic regulations apply in Svalbard.
For the safety of all participants, we reserve the right to adjust the route according to weather and snow conditions. Any route changes will not affect the tour price.
The tour leader does not carry passengers.

Your Safety Comes First

Your safety is our highest priority.

Even if you have experience with winter conditions, Svalbard's Arctic environment is unlike anything many visitors have encountered before. Travelling with a guide who has extensive knowledge of local conditions is the safest way to explore areas outside Longyearbyen.

As a participant on a snowmobile tour, it is essential that you follow your guide's instructions at all times for both your own safety and that of the group.

Weather and snow conditions in Svalbard can change rapidly and unpredictably. Therefore, we reserve the right to alter the route or destination if necessary to ensure the safest possible experience for you and your fellow participants.

Our Guides

The guides at Hurtigruten Svalbard come from a variety of professional backgrounds and experience levels, but they all share the same goal: providing you with a safe, informative, and memorable Arctic adventure.

Some of our guides have completed the Arctic Nature Guide programme, while others are certified mountain guides, glacier guides, or authorized Svalbard guides through the Svalbard Guide Training Programme (SGO).

The SGO certification includes comprehensive training in safe travel within Svalbard's unique environment and covers areas such as:

Tourism and guiding
Field and wilderness safety
Environmental awareness
Cultural and historical understanding

In addition, all our guides receive ongoing internal training and participate in safety exercises throughout the year to ensure they maintain the highest professional standards.

Snowmobile Tour to Tempelfjorden

This is a spectacular snowmobile adventure through the iconic landscapes of Svalbard. The tour takes you through wide valleys, across rolling terrain, and into stunning coastal scenery, while also providing fascinating insights into the region's history. It is the perfect excursion for those with limited snowmobile experience who still want to venture far beyond Longyearbyen and experience the Arctic wilderness on a full-day tour.

The destination for the day is Sassenfjorden and Villa Fredheim, the hunting station of the legendary trapper Hilmar Nøis. Known as the "King of Sassen," Nøis spent an impressive 38 winters on Svalbard. While most trapping cabins on Svalbard were extremely basic, Villa Fredheim was a remarkable exception. Complete with a flagpole, potted plants, and curtains, this two-story "villa" was considered a palace compared to other trapping huts of its time.

Despite its relatively luxurious standard, a visit to Villa Fredheim provides a deep appreciation for the resilience of Nøis and his family, who spent winter after winter living in this remote Arctic wilderness.

During the tour, we will enjoy an expedition-style lunch in the wilderness. If weather and time permit, we may continue to the summit of Fjordnibba, where breathtaking views await over the fjord, the majestic Temple Mountain (Tempelfjellet), and the impressive Von Post Glacier (Von Postbreen).

Regardless of the exact route taken, your guide will share stories about the area's history, nature, and wildlife. With a bit of luck, we may also encounter some of the animals that call this Arctic region home.

Practical Information

Difficulty Level: 3/5
Suitable for participants with a normal level of fitness.

Language Requirement:
All participants must be able to speak and understand English and/or a Scandinavian language.

Duration: 7 hours

Minimum Age: 14 years

Season: February to May