Ski Newtontoppen, Svalbard

Overview

Book now »

A 10-day ski journey culminating in an ascent of Svalvard's highest mountain

Introduction

Join us on this fantastic wilderness polar expedition, travelling to the highest point of Svalbard – Newtontoppen at 1712m. This time of year is perfect for a trip, which will give many opportunities to experience the remote high mountains and glaciers of the Atomfjella, whilst also enjoying 24 hours of daylight in the midnight sun.

This route gives us an opportunity to see some wonderful experiences of nature - seals, walrus, arctic foxes, birds and polar bears, and to experience the incredible and dramatic scenery of Svalbard. The trip also has a quirky ending, as we stay the night in the recently renovated Soviet hotel in the old Russian mining ‘ghost town’ of Pyramiden – the most northerly settlement in the world!

The expedition comprises 10 days on skis. Everyone will haul their own equipment in a sled, as well as their share of the communal group equipment. 8 nights will be spent in tents, and all take part in the work required to complete the journey.

Start point: Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Grade: 2C

What to expect

To get the most out of this trip, we recommend physical training 3 times a week and some previous skiing skills are required. Running, walking in the mountains, walking with a backpack or dragging tyres is the best way to prepare for this trip. We can also suggest a training programme for you. Every day our goal is to ski about 15-18km where you will experience everything from snow, glaciers, sea ice, cracks, and mountains.

We will be in a part of the world where correct equipment is of vital importance. Most of the equipment for this trip will be provided by us. A complete equipment list will be distributed when signing up for this trip.

Accommodation

We use Guest House 102 in Longyearbyen as a starting point for all of our expeditions. Here the service is good and our equipment store is located a stone's throw away. On our journey, we overnight in 4 person winter tents from Hilleberg, which are specifically designed for winter and harsh conditions.

Share this on Facebook We can organise this expedition on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. Depending on your skiing experience, you may want a Jagged Globe leader or go ‘self-led’ with the assistance of local guides. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable, particularly if you take the self-led option. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the expedition or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

Know Before You Go

Jagged Globe supports the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign. We recommend that you read the FCO Travel Advice for Norway on the FCO Website.

What the price includes

• Economy class return flight from UK to Longyearbyen (Unless joining 'Land Only')
• Snowmobile transport from Longyearbyen – Lomonosovfonna dropoff point
• Charter boat pickup from the sea ice near Pyramiden - Longyearbyen
• All common equipment - sledges, harness, sleeping bag, etc.
• 1 nights' bed and breakfast accommodation in Oslo (Unless joining 'Land Only')
• 2 nights' bed and breakfast accommodation in Longyearbyen
• Bed, breakfast and evening meal at the Hotel Tulpen, Pyramiden (Russian style twin rooms with shared basic washroom facilities)
• Use of skis, poles, boots
• All expedition food on the trip
• Burners and fuel
• Medical and repair equipment
• SAR insurance for the group, and permits when ‘out of town’
• Experienced polar guides
• GPS, satellite phone, emergency beacon, weapons and tripwire (polar bear protection)
• Jagged Globe kit bag

What the price does not include

• Food and drink in Longyearbyen
• Evening meal in Oslo
• Airport transfers in Oslo
• Personal equipment
• Costs of changing the air ticket due to late return to Longyearbyen
• Bus transfer to/from Longyearbyen airport – B&B (approx. 130nok return)
• Excess baggage charges
• Bar bills and laundry
• Travel insurance
• Optional trips
• Tips

We can organise this expedition on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. Depending on your skiing experience, you may want a Jagged Globe leader or go ‘self-led’ with the assistance of local guides. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable, particularly if you take the self-led option. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Insurance

You will need a travel insurance policy that caters for the activities you will undertake on your trip with Jagged Globe. It is a requirement of our booking conditions that you have such a policy. For a list of insurers who specialise in mountaineering, trekking and skiing, please see our Travel Insurance page »

Itinerary

Here is an outline itinerary for this trip. A more detailed day-to-day itinerary is available as a downloadable PDF »

Outline Itinerary

Day 1:	Flight to Oslo Overnight hotel.
Day 2:	Fly Oslo Longyearbyen Morning flight from Oslo - Longyearbyen – the only settlement permanently inhabited all-year round on Svalbard. Briefing, kit check, issue of group equipment and expedition food in our indoor equipment store, just across the road from the guesthouse. Overnight in Longyearbyen.
Day 3:	Travel to Lomonosovfonna to the north of Longyearbyen Departure from Longyearbyen to travel 110km by snowmobiles to Lomonosovfonna glacier at the top of Nordenkioldsbreen glacier.
Day 4 - 10:	Ski journey heading up to the highest peak of Svalbard – Newtontoppen, before crossing the main Mittag Leffler glacier towards Ragnarbreen Every day our goal is to ski approx 15-18km where you will experience everything from snow, glaciers, sea ice, and mountains. There is abundant wildlife, the terrain is incredibly fascinating, hopefully we will reach the summit of Newtontoppen, there may be an opportunity to go inside an icecave, or hike up to the Tarantellen sandstone rock feature on one of the ridges (without skis).
Day 11:	Down Ragnarbreen and across the sea ice to Pyramiden Today we descend down the main glacier into the Ragnar valley, and out onto the sea ice in Petuniabukta bay.
Day 12:	Boat journey back in Longyearbyen Overnight in Longyearbyen.
Day 13:	Return flight home via Oslo.

Photos & Videos

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Reports & Reviews

Have you been on this trip? If you'd like to contribute a trip report then we'll post it up on the site.

Team Member Reviews

There are currently no team member reviews for this trip.