What you get in this adventure: An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area Eight days of sailing Six days of skiing Seven-night ship rental with professional skipper and chef Standard offshore lifejacket and lifeline Shore landings and tours with the dinghy Bedding and towels Onboard food (breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner), hot beverages and non-alcoholic beverages Fuel and all port dues What’s not included: Ski, trekking or other outdoor activity gear Air fares to and from Longyearbyen Food and beverages on the day of arrival until boarding Alcoholic beverages Voice and data communication using onboard equipment Insurance (personal medical, travel, cancellation, etc)

How fit do I need to be?

This adventure is ideal for intermediate to advanced backcountry skiers. Every day, you will travel 10-20 km (6-12 miles), with 1100-1500m+ (3,609-4,291 ft) of elevation gain. All participants should feel comfortable on black level resort runs as you will be skiing on glaciated terrain with variable snow conditions. Experience with sailing is not necessary.

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's life on board like?

It’s the best ever! You can expect a wonderful blend of adventure, camaraderie, and awe-inspiring beauty of Svalbard. There are two boats cruising the icy waters of this Norwegian archipelago, Varuna and Intrepido , both hosting up to 6 guests. Both sailboats boast the highest standard deck fittings, rig, and sails. They are maintained and equipped above World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations Category 1 standards. A friendly crew and a chef will spoil you every day with a full breakfast, après ski snacks, and a three-course dinner using local specialties with carefully selected wines! Varuna is a 73-foot state-of-the-art sailboat designed for high-latitude activities and easy cruising through the most remote areas. Bespoke wooden interiors are warm and welcoming and the boat’s four double-bed cabins with ensuite showers ensure a pleasant stay. You can relax in the spacious deck saloon, offering 360-degree views of the surrounding environment. The inner hull is thermally isolated, so you can be sure you’ll be shielded from the humidity and external temperatures. Intrepido is a 68-foot sailboat specially equipped for sailing in cold waters and remote spots. The customized wooden interior, the thermal isolation, and double-glass portholes will keep you warm and cozy. You’ll stay at double-bed cabins with ensuite individual restrooms, showers, heating, lighting, and power supply. And if you’re up for some mingling and chatting with other guests, you can go to the spacious central cockpit, two deck cockpits, or a unique deck saloon. You’ll be able to have hot showers both on the Intrepido as well as Varuna.

What equipment do I need to bring?

Here’s what you’ll 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 — optional 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, but recommended 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. Your guides are able to provide any equipment subject to sufficient notice time and availability of gear. Equipment rental will be charged and included in the price. If you wish to rent equipment during your stay (including safety gear), let us know and we can help make arrangements.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group size: Small groups, limited to 6 guests provides comfort, personalized attention and flexibility in the choice of landing spots / exploration or ski areas, and smoothness during embarking and disembarking. Prices are per person in double bed cabins (2 persons). A single cabin (1 person) may be requested with a price surcharge. The cost doesn’t decrease as the group grows. Min. age requirements: If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors as young as 14 may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis. If your group has skiers under the age of 18 , contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

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 the sailboat. During the evening you will have a briefing with your guides and find out the rest of the details.

For this year’s tours, a 35% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies, and deposits are no longer refundable. The remaining 65% of the amount is paid the latest 3 months (90 days) prior the departure. For short notice bookings, 100% of the travel price is payable upon submission of the signed booking form. Any delay in paying a down payment and/or the balance of the price will be considered a cancellation by you after a short grace period and cancellation fees will be applied. In case you need to cancel the trip, the following cancellation costs would be incurred: 90% of the price of the trip is refundable more than 365 days before departure date 75% of the tour price is refundable if canceled 120 to 365 days before departure date 50% of the tour price is refundable if canceled 90 to 119 days before departure date 25% of the tour price is refundable if canceled 60 to 89 days before departure 0% of the price of the trip if it is canceled less than 60 days before departure. If you are required to cancel your trip before it starts (departure date), you must inform Boreal Adventure Sailing AG as soon as possible in writing (by e-mail). The date of your written notice will be used as the cancellation date to charge the cancellation fee. For any cancellation by the client, costs incurred by the traveler such as transportation to the departure point of the trip and return home, fees visa documents, travel documents and vaccination fees will not be subject to any reimbursement. If cancellation occurs as a result of unpredictable or unavoidable events by the customer or by a third party (e.g. flight cancellations, loss or theft of luggage or personal belongings) other than Boreal Adventure Sailing AG, Boreal Adventure Sailing AG can not be held responsible nor can it be required to reimburse related costs, including cancellation fees. You can request consent for a third party to take your place, up to 7 days before departure. The replacement customer must fulfil all the conditions associated with the contract, including medical health and fitness. The customer and the person replacing them shall be jointly and severally liable for payment of the amounts still owed for the travel. Boreal Adventure Sailing may refuse at its sole discretion the replacement customer and cancellation fees would remain applicable. The prices are definitive. Price changes after the date of the booking form may arise from subsequent material increases in fuel costs, changes in or new fees (e.g. embarkation & disembarkation fees) or introduction / increase of taxes and government fees. Should events beyond guide’s control occur (such as wars, political unrest, strikes, riots, airspace congestion, bad weather, thefts of luggage or other personal belongings of travelers), Boreal Adventure Sailing reserves the right to cancel the travel, change the dates, schedules or itineraries to ensure the safety of travelers, without possible recourse against Boreal Adventure Sailing AG.

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!

Ski and Sail Under
the Midnight Sun

When you embark on these remote, untouched, snowy paths near an ocean and at the edge of the world under the midnight sun, your perspective of vastness will change with each passing day.

Skiing far away from the tourists and crowded routes, you’ll journey towards the midway between Norway and the North Pole. This once-in-a-lifetime Svalbard expedition has it all, from arctic skiing on untouched powder to all the comforts of home with yacht sailing.

Head on a sailing expedition around Svalbard with experienced sailors!

Spotting a killer whale while sailing around Svalbard is not uncommon, especially between May and early September.

About Svalbard

Svalbard is a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean. Almost 60 percent of it is covered with glaciers, and the islands feature many mountains and fjords. Almost everyone who comes to Svalbard gets to see reindeer, walruses, and countless birds and the luckiest visitors on Svalbard tours see a polar bear or Arctic foxes. Although sightings are rare, you can luck out!

During this Svalbard cruise, you can find the world’s northernmost pub, wine cellar, church, museum and the site of the farthest north battle of World War II. The city of Longyearbyen also features a surprisingly bustling nightlife and plenty of dining options.

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

The location of Svalbard on the full map of Europe.

Unlimited terrain under the Midnight Sun

ASCEND AND DESCEND UNTOUCHED PEAKS

Be the first, or one of the first, to ascend and descend the epic peaks. The terrain is remarkably accessible and most of the skiing is consistent with low 30-degree angles.

Steeper skiing can be found for anyone looking to challenge themselves.

Svalbard is full of surprisingly accessible mountains that provide a consistent ski experience.

Polar bears are kings of Svalbard, as their population exceeds the number of human inhabitants on the archipelago.

SNOW AND SKI CONDITIONS FOR EVERY TASTE

During the week, snow can vary from dry Arctic powder to perfect spring corn.

Ski slopes vary from low angle open bowls to spines and technical chutes.

Gazing at the ice-cold sea from the snowy slopes of Svalbard.

Share this trailer with your friends and get them stoked to join you on this adventure.

Schedule a call with our adventure experts and let us help planning your dream adventure.

An expedition on a state-of-the-art 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. 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.

There are two ships available for this Svalbard expedition—Varuna and Intrepido—both hosting a professional and friendly crew, guides, and 6 guests who love ski touring, good food, and epic scenery! You will either stay on the Varuna or the Intrepido boat. Guests are spoiled with an on-board chef and all delicious meals during the tour. Guest number is limited to 6, guaranteeing comfort, personalized attention from the crew, easy walk through the spacious saloon, and easy use of amenities.

A Svalbard sailor preparing the boat for the ice-cold sea of the Arctic.

While sailing around Svalbard, you’ll be treated with beautiful 360-degree views.

VARUNA

You will stay on a 73-foot sailboat called Varuna—Garcia shipyard’s state-of-the-art yacht designed and built for unlimited travel and thoroughly equipped for the high latitude activities. This versatile and comfortable boat easily cruises at double digit speeds and is adapted to host skiers, hikers and their gear, making the entire operation smooth and safe. Sail countless coves and experience the archipelago and Longyearbyen area the way they were meant to be experienced!

This road sign in Svalbard indicates a high chance of a polar bear appearing.

INTREPIDO

The other boat sailing the Longyearbyen area is the 68-foot Intrepido, perfect for high-latitude cruising in cold waters. Its cabins are very comfortable and spacious, but it still remains a very trusty and fast sailboat thanks to her aluminum hull. Just as with the Varuna sailboat, you can be sure you’ll be comfortable in the boat’s welcoming and warm rooms.

The living room on this Svalbard sailboat is extra cozy and modern.

Svalbard is home to some delicious seafood.

On this Svalbard sailing yacht, there is plenty of room for rest.

Your guides

Lionel Lemonchois is a professional racer-skipper—his career spans solo oceanic expeditions, non-stop around the world races, and many more. He is also certified as an offshore commercial yacht master, contributing significant skills in both crew management, safety and medical emergency chapters. As the co-founder of Boreal Adventure Sailing and skipper of VARUNA, he’s dedicated to share his passion for sailing and nature.

Brian Farquharson is a professional mountain and climbing guide, a ski teacher, an Arctic Guide and RYA sailing teacher that has been running Ski & Sail tours for 15 years. In the last 23 years, he has become the lead guide for some amazing companies including the BBC, Pioneer Productions London, Amazon Prime and the top heliskiing operations worldwide. When he’s not leading tours, he tours Europe lecturing about avalanche awareness and rescue!

Andres Scherrer has made his dream a profession—he has been a qualified IFMGA mountain guide for 13 years! Sponsored by Mammut, he carries numerous expeditions all around the world and continuously discovers new terrain around Iceland, Norway, Japan and Alaska. When he’s not skiing, he works as a profiler for the Snow and Avalanche Research Institute in Davos and gives avalanche courses for all levels of skiers every year.

Paul Degonda travels the world year-round. He spends the winter season ski touring, mountaineering, freeriding, heliskiing, ice climbing and snowshoeing across the world, and during the summer he guides for mountaineering, sport climbing, bouldering, trekking and biking.

Your expert guiding team (up to 4 guides) is experienced in avalanche terrain and trained to handle any medical emergencies. The Svalbard expedition is one of the best experiences for any outdoor adventurer, and your hospitable hosts will ensure you have the best experience possible on this once-in-a-lifetime tour.

Lionel Lemonchois is a certified yacht master and the co-founder of Boreal Adventure Sailing.

Brian Farquharson is a professional mountain and climbing guide who will take you on a ski tour adventure around Svalbard.

Andres Scherrer is a mountain guide with 13 years of IFMGA certification, making his expertise extra useful for this expedition.

Paul Degonda is a passionate traveller and the final guide for this epic Svalbard ski and sail expedition.

Fabulous crew, lovely people, great food, fun and accommodating. Excellent well appointed boat with unbelievably experienced skipper.

They are a great professional team. Lionel Lemmonchais is the best skipper I ever met!!

The extraordinary route from Vigo to Artic Polar Circle (paralelo 66 North) in Reto Pelayo Vida 2021 would not have been possible without Boreal Adventure Sailing team and the fantastic sailing boat VARUNA… its performance under extreme weather conditions has been incredible. Sailing with skipper Lionel Lemmonchiois is a privilege and an excellent learning sailing experience… very proud for being able to sail with him. Thanks for your implication in this amazing challenge!