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7-day Svalbard Skiing and Sailing Tour in Norway (Spitsbergen)

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Come on the adventure of a lifetime with Tom, an IFMGA-certified guide, to the remote Svalbard Islands and spend seven days ski mountaineering by way of a yacht around the western coast of Spitsbergen and experience some of the most isolated and undiscovered terrain in the world.

Group

Svalbard Islands

7 Days

May

Fit

Intermediate


Highlights

  • Immerse yourself in one of the world’s most isolated regions.
  • Learn from an expert certified guide with a deep local knowledge.
  • Develop your ski mountaineering skills on immaculate terrain.
  • Catch a glimpse of a polar bear in its natural habitat.
  • Add three extra days for the ultimate Svalbard ski trip.

Description

Enjoy a wild and woolly ski mountaineering trip in the delightful wilderness of Svalbard! This week-long extravaganza features incredible remote skiing from the comfort of a yacht, allowing us to reach every nook and cranny of Spitsbergen!

The archipelago of Svalbard is in the Arctic Ocean, nearly halfway between mainland Norway (1,000 kilometers away) and the North Pole (1,200 kilometers away). This group of over 60 islands is one of the furthest reaches for immaculate snow conditions. It is sparsely populated, with Longyearbyen as its largest settlement with just over 2,000 inhabitants.

Spitsbergen is its largest island, with a multitude of terrain to explore and discover. Wildlife includes the polar bear, a symbol of the region. The rare nature is a definition of remote terrain and a particularly interesting aspect of a Svalbard expedition.

Your program includes the best parts of this amazing wilderness. For easy access to the many runs and routes, we will be staying on a yacht and sailing around the coast of Spitsbergen. For seven days, we will tour the shores and seamlessly transition into unforgettable runs and routes. This is the land of the midnight sun, which means five to nine hours dedicated each day to finding the best spots to ski.

The terrain includes untouched corn snow of the highest quality, stunning fjords protected by the island of Prins Karls Vorland, and incomparable panoramas from the peaks that stretch out of the water up to 1,000 kilometers. Light and dry Arctic powder can also be found in the area for unparalleled skiing conditions.

The yacht provides us unencumbered access to the best features of the landscape. This is undoubtedly one of the greatest ski mountaineering trips you could ever imagine, taking advantage of the unique sea and mountain geography in the unexplored beauty of the Arctic.

You can expect day after day of phenomenal skiing. You will be touring from shore to 800 meters and higher each day. The glaciated terrain presents exciting challenges that are particular to Svalbard and Spitsbergen. Our adventure will cover anywhere from 10 to 20 kilometers a day in distance, and a vertical distance of 1,100 meters to 1,500 meters, possibly even more.

The yacht perfectly blends luxury and necessity, all without compromising the integrity of this rugged once-in-a-lifetime experience. The 50-meter boat is stable and comfortable, a fitting homage to the traditional whaling boats that toured the region over 200 years ago. Heliskiing is forbidden in Svalbard, making our yacht trip the best way to reach the terrain of Spitsbergen.

You should have a high proficiency in ski mountaineering for this trip, both for the isolated region and the terrain. A high level of physical fitness is also necessary for the sustained trip. Five to nine hours of daily skiing can be demanding, so you should come equipped with the mental fortitude to take on the challenges associated with it.

For those adventurers interested in extending the trip and making the most out of their experience in Svalbard, there is an optional three-day pre-trip extension! Come with me to the Basecamp Svalbard Hotel in Longyearbyen, where we can ski tour with or without snowmobile access to the pristine backcountry.

The area contains captivating peaks and glaciers. You will have the rare chance to experience skiing based out of the northernmost town in the world, ending each day in its unique culture and nightlife.

Set off on the adventure of a lifetime NOW and book this seven-day ski mountaineering program in a Norwegian archipelago, exploring the western coast of Spitsbergen in Svalbard!

Price includes

- Guiding fee

- Accommodation included

- Permit and entrance fees

Price details

This is the price to join one of my programs. The current exchange rates (subject to change) are:

- USD: 6,419.00

- EUR: 5,750.00

- GBP: 5,088.00

The price includes seven nights of a rental yacht, harbor and permit fees, and breakfasts and dinners aboard the yacht. See below for a list of group items supplied by guides.

The price does NOT include airfare, transfers, alcohol, lunches and dinners in Longyearbyen, and the hotel in Oslo.


Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Longyearbyen

You will arrive at the airport Longyearbyen. We will embark no earlier than 4:00pm, with associated safety and itinerary briefings. Departure from the pier usually occurs around 6:00pm.

Day 2 to 7: Ski Mountaineering in Spitsbergen

Our excursion will begin in Isfjord, Ymerbukta, and other similar destinations. The midnight sun will be a constant feature, thanks to our northern location, and we will have a relatively wide spectrum of possible departure times. Each day of skiing culminates in a relaxing evening on the yacht with meals and incredible views.

Our final evening will return us to Longyearbyen, with a farewell dinner on the boat. The following morning, we will end our trip and head to the airport to return home.

 

Details

Accommodation

We will be staying on the yacht for the duration of our program. For those participating in the additional pre-sail skiing trip, we will be staying three nights in a hotel / B & B in Longyearbyen.

More info

Polar bears present hazards, so I will carry deterrents and firearms as a safety measure.

If you would like to participate in the pre-trip skiing portion based out of Longyearbyen, please let me know so I can plan accordingly.

The necessary items include, but are not limited to: • Backpack (30-40 liters) • Wool or synthetic socks, bottoms, and tops • Base-layer tops and bottoms • Waterproof shell (top and bottom) • Insulated tops and bottoms (including warm hat) • Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, lip balm, etc.) • Two pair of gloves (light and insulated) • Avalanche safety gear (beacon, shovel, and probe) • Ski equipment (boots, skins, poles, skis, etc.) • Mountaineering equipment (crampons, harness, helmet, ice axe, carabiners, slings, etc.) • Goggles • First aid kid • Lunch container • Headlamp • Personal clothes for the boat • Personal toiletries and medications (as necessary) • Duffle bag for personal items The guide / boat will provide: • Duvet • Pillows • Ropes for glaciers • Emergency tarp and toboggan • Altimeter • Map, compass, and GPS • Radio and satellite phone

Please contact me for a complete list of necessary equipment.

Meeting point

Contact me upon booking to establish an exact meeting point.

About the guide

Guiding has been my lifelong passion. I have lived in the Rocky Mountains for most of my life, guiding since 1995.

My main focus these days is on running winter ski touring trips at the best heli-accessed ski lodges in British Columbia. This winter I'll be at Selkirk Lodge, Burnie Glacier Chalet, Mount Carlyle Lodge, and Sunrise Lodge -- each lodge providing a very different experience for my guests. While I do like to return, year after year, to my favourite lodges (like Burnie Glacier) I also like to provide new and interesting options for my clients.

When ski season ends here in Western Canada and the rest of my colleagues are putting away their skis for the summer, I will be once again heading to Svalbard in the Arctic for another Ski and Sail trip in May. This is the only trip I still have openings for now -- maybe you would like to join me there?

Languages

German | French | English

Certificates

ACMG | UIAGM | IFMGA


What people are saying about Tom Wolfe

CLAUDE MONGEON

5.00

October, 2019

The Bow-Yoho Traverse April 1 to April 7, 2019. Tom, the guides (Mel and Ken) and an assistant (John) led this trip with care, kindness, humour and expertise. When conditions required it, we were able to form 2 or 3 groups according to abilities and motivation. That was fabulous. Staying the first night in Field with supper and breakfast provided is a great way to begin the trip. The shuttle at the start and at the end was well-planned. When I signed up for the trip I had concerns about the quality of the food. Tom reassured me. He was right. Michelle Heerchop's 'Touch of Love" provided the food. It was varied, tasty and nutritious. I am very very pleased that I was able to be part of this trip. I highly recommend Tom's Sawback Alpine Adventures.

Daniel Bourque

5.00

February, 2019

Went to Burnie Chalet near Smithers BC with Sawback Alpine Adventures in April 2019. Had an amazing ski week in a breathtakingly beautiful landscape. The logistics, the accommodations, the food, the people and the skiing were all outstanding. One of my best touring trips ever. I highly recommend Sawback and Tom Wolfe.

BRYAN REDMOND

5.00

January, 2019

Amazing week of powder skiing at Selkirk Lodge. Tom is a fantastic ski guide and treated us to memorable days of excellent skiing and exploring the surrounding terrain.

Martin Labrie

5.00

September, 2018

I met Tom Wolfe for the first time when I joined him on a trip to Sorcerer Lodge in April 2018. It was one of the most interesting and enjoyable trips that I have been on. Tom kept us up to date with organizational planning and schedules, and everything was well organized for the departure date. The transfers were smooth and coordinated. Tom and the team were great at including everyone in the discussions and planning, and were always happy to answer questions and provide teaching. The late-season trip was blessed with great snow but the rapidly warming temperatures and fluctuating snow conditions presented quite a few challenges. I felt very confident with Tom's route choices and his attention to safety. The group was made up of skiers and boarders with varying skill levels from intermediate to advanced, and Tom was very good at supporting all of us individually as well as helping us to function as a group. I am very much looking forward to my next trip with Tom.


 

 

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