​

We're offering you the chance to go skiing on the island of Spitzbergen, located at latitude 80°North (just 1100km from the North Pole!), the most northerly land accessible by boat and home to the polar bear. Skiing under the midnight sun is an unusual experience... The period from the beginning of May to the end of June is the only time with good quality snow and accessibility by boat, previously impossible because of the ice pack.

​

Spitzbergen

​

Spitsbergen is the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, north of Norway. Very mountainous, the island of Spitsbergen (which means "pointed mountain") has all the characteristics of a polar environment. It offers breathtaking panoramas, with gigantic glaciers plunging into the sea, steep mountains, but also flowery plains and welcoming tundra. It's home to a huge variety of Arctic wildlife, which we'll be showing you: polar bears, bearded seals, walruses, reindeer, polar foxes, whales (belugas and minke whales), as well as a huge number of birds: common eiders, Arctic terns, puffins, guillemots, mergulas, buntings, geese, ivory gulls, phalaropes, etc.

​

Course of the trip

​

Spitsbergen is naturally suited to mountain skiing in all its forms. Relatively flat glaciers with few crevasses that flow slowly, sharp peaks streaked with couloirs where even the most demanding skiers will be able to express themselves, and large expanses that wind between the mountains offer excellent access. Immense fjords carve up the country. Located all along the coastline, these are ancient glacial valleys that have been filled in by the sea, and few regions have the privilege of combining these two natural environments in such a picturesque way. Departing from Longyearbyen, the Polaris will take us to the north-western part of Spitsbergen. This region is virtually untouched, with very few skiers. There are many different itineraries to choose from, to suit all levels of skier: loops, circuits, fjord-to-fjord crossings, you name it. We've already identified and tried out a number of routes, but there are still entire massifs to explore.

​

The aim of this trip is to reach the north of the archipelago via the NW coast. One-week trips will take us as far as Baie du Roi and Baie de la Croix, while longer trips will allow us to reach the north-west corner, particularly Baie de la Madeleine.
Throughout the trip, depending on the conditions and our desires, we can climb any peak we like.

​

Day 1 : Flight from Paris to Oslo and Longyearbyen. Boarding of the boat anchored in the port and first night on board. Bear and safety briefing.

​

 

Days 2 to 11 : Route along the north-west coast, with stops and hikes at Trygghamna, St Johnsfjorden, Prinz Karl Forland, King's Bay, Cross Bay, Magdalen Bay, Smereenburgh, Hamilton bukta.

This list is not exhaustive, as there are many other possibilities, depending on snow and ice conditions.

​

 

Day 12 : Longyearbyen/Oslo/Paris
Flying home, your head full of superb images...

​

The great advantage of the boat is that skiers can be dropped off and picked up anywhere. Where possible, there is often no need to return to the starting point. There are many promising, unexplored areas waiting to be discovered. The POLARIS is fast and has a great range. A very comfortable roving refuge, the POLARIS travels every day in search of a new race, in grandiose and remote places where it is possible to trace virgin terrain. Sailing takes place in calm seas or generally sheltered waters. The daily sailing time from one anchorage to the next is usually less than 5 hours. This navigation, from fjord to fjord or along the pack ice, is an opportunity to discover some very beautiful landscapes.

​