Ice Cave Sleepover

The ice cave sleepover is an overnight trip into a glacier cave, run by Frostbite Expeditions. The glacier used is Larsbreen, Longyearbreen or Platåbreen. The operator collects guests from their accommodation, gives a briefing and checks equipment, then leads a hike to the glacier and into a natural ice cave inside it. In the cave the group sets up camp and hangs hammocks to sleep in. Guests have time to look around and hear about how glaciers form, local history and how the Arctic is changing.

The tour starts at 16:00 and ends at lunch the next day, 18 to 20 hours in total. The round trip is 7 km with 400 m of elevation gain. Difficulty is rated 3 to 4. Groups have 2 to 4 participants. The season runs from October to February.

Included are hotel pick-up and drop-off, a guide carrying safety gear, warm meals, snacks, hot drinks, and liability and SAR insurance. The operator supplies hiking poles, microspikes, a sleeping bag, an air mattress, a hammock and a headlamp. Guests bring ankle-high waterproof hiking boots, wool base layers, a windproof jacket and outdoor pants, an extra warm layer, a hat, a buff, windproof mittens or gloves, a backpack and a water bottle.

The minimum age is 16. No previous experience is needed, but participants need reasonable fitness. The operator may turn away anyone whose clothing is unsuitable for hiking in the conditions, and the route may change with the weather.