Ice Cave Exploration by Snowcat

This tour takes guests into an ice cave inside Longyearbreen, the glacier just behind Longyearbyen. A snowcat collects the group and drives a few kilometres south of town, over the moraine and up onto the glacier.

On the glacier, each guest puts on crampons over their shoes and a helmet with a headlight. The guide then leads the way through a small opening in the ground and down into the cave. Inside, the group walks through narrow passages lit by the headlights and looks at icicles, ice crystals and layers in the ice walls. The walk usually covers a couple of hundred metres, until the cave ends or becomes hard to follow. Afterwards the group is served a hot blackcurrant drink and a biscuit or two before the snowcat returns to Longyearbyen.

The tour lasts three hours. The operator rates it 3 out of 5 for difficulty and says it suits people with average fitness. The age limit is 8 years. The period is January to May.

Included are the transfer from and to accommodation in Longyearbyen, plus crampons and a helmet with headlight. Guests also get biscuits and hot drinks, and a guide brings the necessary safety equipment.