What you get in this adventure: Experienced, certified ski guides with extensive knowledge of the area Eight days of backcountry ski touring and sailing Seven-night yacht rental with crew (harbour fees and permit fees) Breakfast and multi-course dinners on board, lunch supplies Pre-trip 3-day extension What’s not included: Technical backcountry ski touring equipment Trip insurance Air travel Alcoholic beverages Dinners in Longyearbyen Hotel in Oslo en route

How fit do I need to be?

This Svalbard expedition is ideal for intermediate to advanced backcountry skiers. Every day, you will travel 10-20 km (6-12 miles), with tour lengths ranging from 1100-1500m+ (3,609-4,921 ft). All participants should feel comfortable on black level resort runs as you will be skiing on glaciated terrain with variable snow conditions.

What if I’ve never backcountry skied before?

Due to the terrain, location and length of tour, this adventure is for intermediate to advanced backcountry skiers. If you’re just starting out, we recommend heading out for some intro touring with a guide and gaining some backcountry experience.

What equipment do I need to bring?

Clothing list Wool or synthetic socks and liner socks Long underwear top — synthetic or wool Light fleece or wool sweater Wind shell — nylon or ‘Schoeller’ type jacket Waterproof breathable jacket Warm insulated jacket — down or synthetic Long underwear bottoms — synthetic or wool Multipurpose stretch nylon or ‘Schoeller’ type pants Waterproof breathable pants Warm hat — wool or synthetic Brimmed cap for sun protection Face warmer — scarf, neck tube or balaclava (optional) Light gloves — wool, synthetic or leather Insulated gloves or mitts with waterproof outer shell Spare gloves or mitts Handkerchief for blocking the sun (optional) Snow Safety Equipment Avalanche beacon with good batteries (and spares) Shovel Probe (2.4m or longer preferred) Travel Equipment Skis or split board Ski strap Ski or snowboard boots Poles Climbing skins Skin wax (or a candle) Ski crampons — mandatory Binding repair kit to fix your personal travel setup Ski helmet Personal Equipment Pack (30-40 litres) Sunglasses (both orange and dark lenses help a lot for travel in all conditions) Goggles (orange lenses) Sunscreen and lip cream (SPF 30+) Head lamp with good batteries Insulated water bottle or thermos (1-2 L) Lunch bag or container Personal blister kit (i.e: Leukotape-P and Compeed/Second Skin blister pads) Pocket knife — optional Camera — optional Binoculars — optional Glacier Gear list Harness — fitted for over your ski clothing Locking carabiners (x2) Non-locking carabiners (x2) Prussik cord (5m x 6mm) —optional Sewn sling (120cm) — optional Lightweight ice axe — optional, don’t bring if you don’t have one or don’t like steep skiing If you have any questions regarding the equipment list, feel free to contact us prior to booking.

Can I rent equipment?

All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent: Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel and probe can be rented from Sport Centeret Svalbard Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots and poles can be rented from Sport Centeret Svalbard Ski rental locations are in Longyearbyen and should be picked up the night prior to your outing. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.

What can I expect from skiing with a guide?

A certified ski guide will take all of the guesswork out of your time in the backcountry. From tour planning to route selection, terrain management, avalanche safety, and gear knowledge, your guide’s expertise and backcountry experience will ensure you have an unforgettable ski touring adventure. It doesn’t matter your skill level, whether you’ve never backcountry skied or you’re seasoned on the slopes, skiing with a guide has its advantages. Your techniques will sharpen, you’ll learn how to navigate terrain safely, make smart decisions, and most of all, you’ll remain safe in unfamiliar terrain.

What about group sizes and pricing?

For this adventure, the max number of participants is 17. You can join this adventure on your own or in bigger groups until all the spots are taken. All pricing is per person.

What is the minimum age requirement?

Everybody over the age of 18 is welcome to book this ski tour adventure. Minors may be permitted to join the tour on a case-by-case basis. If you plan to ski with anyone under the age of 18, please contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

What about bad weather?

Mitigating avalanche risk is paramount for any excursion in the backcountry — that’s why it’s best to tour with a guide! Rest assured, your guide will set objectives that are attainable for the weather conditions on that particular day. Of course, inclement weather can always get in the way of backcountry skiing, but your guide will know the best course of action to take if the weather takes a turn. On the rare occasion of truly bad weather, your guide will present you with suitable, safe alternatives. The most common practice is to move to a nearby location if it exists, or to reschedule your backcountry ski tour to a more favorable day. If backcountry skiing is not possible on your scheduled day and no options presented are viable, you will be issued a full refund.

Do I need an insurance policy?

We highly recommended that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more. As we’ve recently seen, travel plans can be abruptly halted, so it’s a good idea to purchase travel insurance that covers cancelled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans. For peace of mind, we suggest you consider both options of insurance. If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!

Deposit & cancellation policy

Secure your spot for next year with a 10% deposit! This tour gets sold out very quickly, but with early-bird booking, you will be the first one to know about any new upcoming dates. Pick your preferred dates without the risk of your bucket list adventure selling out! Only 10% of the total amount should be paid as a deposit upon booking. This deposit is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another 57hours adventure any time in case the dates don’t suit you. Confirm your booking by the end of this year by paying another 20% of the total amount. The final balance is due 3 months (90 days) prior to departure. Once the trip has been confirmed, the regular cancellation policy applies. For this year’s dates, deposit of 30% of the total price is due upon booking. Once your guide confirms your booking, your trip departure is guaranteed and second payment is due 90 days before the trip. If you need to cancel a reservation, please do so in writing (best by e-mail). Once your booking is confirmed, you and your Guides enter into financial obligations and they cannot refund payments or release you from your contractual obligations. Therefore, it is highly recommended buying cancellation insurance to cover your losses for the case that you can’t participate or have to interrupt your trip “for any reason”. Your guides do reserve the right to change guides, particular lodging or the itinerary or venue should unforeseen circumstances (guide sickness, hut or route closing etc.) force them to do so or should the physical condition of the participants, weather or mountain conditions make a continuation as planned too risky. Your guides will not be deemed to be in default for any delay or failure to perform their obligations under this agreement resulting from acts of God, the elements, war, acts of government, civil or military authorities, natural calamities, catastrophe, fire, flood, accidents, epidemics, shortage of transportation, or any other like events beyond our reasonable control.

Getting there and meeting location

To get to Svalbard, most people fly into Longyearbyen, the largest city on the Norwegian archipelago where your adventure begins. There are daily flights to Longyearbyen from Oslo, Norway, but we encourage you to book early. Norwegian Air flies from Oslo, while SAS arrives from Stockholm. Your guide will transfer you from the airport to your accommodation. During the evening you will have a briefing with your guides and find out the rest of the details.

Why should I book with 57Hours?

With us, it’s all play and no work for you! 57hours is an open platform that connects you with trained and certified outdoor adventure professionals all over the world. Using our tech-savvy, we make it super easy to find and book adventures worth tackling, with guides worth booking, all gathered from the first-hand experiences of the locals who adventure in these amazing locations.

Covid measures in Svalbard

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Svalbard, please refer to Visit Svalbard . Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

Svalbard - Backcountry Skiing and Sailing Adventure

Skiing at the
Edge of the World

Experience ski touring like never before. Skiing on pristine arctic peaks and voyaging on an expedition boat are just the beginning of this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Ski at the edge of the world, far away from the crowded routes, about midway between the northern coast of Norway and the North Pole. As you embark on this journey along remote, untouched, snowy paths under the midnight sun, your understanding of vastness will change with each passing day.

A sailboat docked at the ice in Svalbard.

A sailor looking at the Svalbard mountains in the distance.

A skier celebrating the arrival on the summit of Svalbard.

Svalbard, the edge of the world

Svalbard is a Norweigian archipelago 6 degrees south from the North Pole, 1,050 km (650 mi) away. Almost 60 percent of the archipelago is covered with glaciers, and the islands feature many mountains and fjords.

This chunk of land in the middle of the Arctic Ocean is where you’ll be skiing & sailing for 8 to 10 days. When you’re that north, we’re no longer talking about a ski & sail trip, we’re talking about a ski & sail expedition. It is one of those places where your imagination wanders to when you’re looking at the world map.

79° TO 84° NORTH
ENDLESS SUMMITS
COBALT SKY
DEEP-BLUE SEA
24 HOURS OF DAYLIGHT

The ski ascent on the Svalbard peaks is challenging yet extra rewarding at the same time.

The location of Svalbard on the full map of Europe.

Unlimited terrain under
the Midnight Sun

UNLIMITED PEAKS FOR UNLIMITED SKIING

Be the first — or one of the first— to ascend and descend epic peaks jutting into the cobalt sky. The endless terrain is remarkably accessible.

Most of the skiing is consistent with low 30-degree angles, but steeper skiing can be found for anyone looking to challenge themselves.

A majestic snow field is just one of the environments you will encounter in Svalbard.

Ski touring on the snowy coast of Svalbard.

SNOW AND SKI CONDITIONS FOR EVERY TASTE

During the week, snow covering the untracked lines can vary from dry Arctic powder to perfect spring corn. Committed ski-tourers will find beautiful runs within sight of the town, under 24 hours of daylight.

Ski slopes vary from low-angle open bowls to technical chutes — unique terrain offers something for every ski level.

Skiers boarding the boat after having a blast skiing Svalbard’s snow slopes.

The snow slopes on Svalbard can be rough sometimes.

A surreal experience awaits

Summiting the peaks of Svalbard and skiing their slopes is one of the top highlights of this adventure.

WATCH THE WHOLE STORY IN OUR WEBINAR

A modern expedition on a traditional ship

SAIL ON A FLOATING POLAR BASECAMP

While ski touring out of Longyearbyen is easy, getting deeper into the Svalbard wilderness takes some planning. Boats — sail or otherwise — are key for an adventure like this, providing flexibility and safety.

The boat sleeps up to 25, including a four-member crew, a chef, a couple of guides, and a bunch of hearty guests who love ski touring, good food, and epic scenery!

Scenic climbs give way to long, beautiful runs back to the water, where a comfortable boat and a warm meal await you at the end of each day.

The boat taking you on this adventure around Svalbard has a four-member crew, a chef, a couple of guides, and you - the guests!

A sailor looking at the adventure coming ahead in Svalbard.

THE NOORDERLICHT

You will stay on a 150-foot, three-masted schooner called The Noorderlicht. This magnificent boat boasts over 100 years of history – originally built in 1910, she served in WW2 and is now an expedition boat. With her, you’ll sail countless coves and experience the archipelago the way it’s meant to be experienced!

The top view of the boat taking you on this backcountry skiing and sailing adventure in Svalbard.

The Noorderlicht is the name of the sailboat taking you on a lovely journey around Svalbard.

Your guides

Rob Coppolillo is an AMGA and IFMGA Mountain Guide. In fact, Rob’s one of the first 100 Americans to have earned international certification through the International Federation of Mountain Guides Association (IFMGA).

Tom Wolfe is an ACMG and IFMGA Mountain Guide. He guides year-round, with winters being a mix of ski guiding at lodges, heli-ski operations, and remote backcountry destinations.

Your expert guiding team (up to 4 guides) is experienced in avalanche terrain and trained to handle any medical emergencies. Let your hospitable hosts ensure you have the best experience possible on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Rob Coppolillo is one of the guides for this Svalbard adventure, who is one of the first 100 Americans to have the IFMGA mountain guide certification.

Tom Wolfe is an AMGA and IFMGA mountain guide who guides this adventure on Svalbard.

Tom Wolfe coordinated a fabulous ski and sail trip to Svalbard. It was an amazing trip that took into consideration the goals and capabilities of each of the guests, while keeping safety top of mind. Tom is not only a professional guide, he’s a really nice guy too. I look forward to skiing with him (and the other guides) again in the future.

Rob organized and led a great trip. Skiing, sailing on a tall ship, polar bears, 24hrs of daylight and great people–doesn’t get any better.

When Tom asked me if I wanted to go to the Arctic and ski from a steel hulled yacht I said yes without thinking… Good call. Svalbard was mind-boggling. We always enjoy skiing with Tom, classic Canadian mountain guide, and Phil Wickens ,who was the expedition leader, was also fantastic and a wealth of knowledge! Save your pennies and sign up for 2020 – you won’t regret it…..

I went on two trips with Tom last winter: to Carlyle Lodge in the interior of BC and to Svalbard. The skiing and snow conditions at Carlyle were great and Svalbard was definitely the experience of a lifetime in terms of the terrain, scenery and wildlife. It totally exceeded my expectations. Tom has a knack for picking great destinations and putting together fun, well organized trips.

My family and I had the adventure of a lifetime. It was an incredible experience and Sawback did an excellent job. We would highly recommend the trip and Tom to everyone.

Rob was awesome. He did a great job making the most of our trip despite challenging wheather and a diverse group. The trip was great. The crew made an unforgettable trip even more unforgettable. Great food and amazing crew.

Skiing at the
Edge of the World

Svalbard, the edge of the world