Svalbard Crossing, 8 Day Ski Expedition from East to West

This is an eight-day ski expedition across Spitsbergen, from the east coast back to Longyearbyen, covering approximately 120 km. The group skis west through glaciers and broad valleys, pulls its gear on expedition sleds called pulkas, finds its way with map and compass and sleeps in tents on the snow. In the evenings everyone shares camp tasks and cooks dinner, and during the night the members take turns on polar bear watch. The page names April as the time of year, with long daylight and the midnight sun.

Day 1 is spent in Longyearbyen: the group meets the guide, goes through equipment, packs the sleds, checks the forecast and reviews the route. Skis can be rented in town and collected that day. Accommodation on Day 1 is not included, and the operator suggests arriving 1 to 2 days early to allow for delays. On Day 2 the group meets in the morning, loads the pulkas, and a belt wagon drives about six hours to Agardhbukta, around 70 km from Longyearbyen. Skiing starts there, with 8 km to a first camp at Passbreen Glacier.

The route then runs through Kjellstrømdalen, Lundstrømdalen, a snowmobile-free valley, and Reindalen, which is 7 km across at its widest and holds three camps. It continues via Semmeldalen, Skiferdalen, Colesdalen and Fardalen, with a last camp at the foot of Bingtoppen. Most days cover between 15 and 20 km, varying with the terrain, the weather and how fast the group moves. Svalbard reindeer, ptarmigan and Arctic fox live along the way. If polar bears are in the area, the route may change.