Svalbard Crossing — East to West
Through the heart of Spitsbergen
A SVALBARD CLASSIC
From the cold, desolate shores of the east coast, through valleys and over glaciers, to the flat, windy plains of the west coast. This trip has become a Svalbard classic over the past few years — and for good reason. It gives you all the Arctic challenges you need to build real experience as a polar traveller.
Over 10 to 12 days you learn the Ousland expedition method and experience the satisfaction of a proper crossing. Be warned: it may leave you hungry for bigger trips to come.
Duration: 11–12 days on the ice, plus travel and preparation days
Distance: Approximately 170 km on skis with pulks
Group size: 1 guide and up to 6 participants
Departure point: Longyearbyen, Svalbard (snowmobile transfer to Dunérbukta on the east coast)
End point: Isfjord Radio, then snowmobile pick-up back to Longyearbyen
Dates 2026: Meet-up 5 March 2026, Longyearbyen
Price: NOK 49,000 per person (deposit NOK 10,000)
EXPEDITION FACTS
Expedition Details
Apart from the logistics at each end, this is a pure ski trip — and one of the best samplers Svalbard offers. In 170 km, the route takes you across most of what the archipelago has on offer: glaciers, valleys, fjord ice, tundra, and the open coast at both ends.
It is also a real crossing. You start at the cold, exposed shore of the east coast, where the polar bears are, and finish at the old radio station at Isfjord Radio on the west — having travelled coast to coast under your own steam. Few places on earth give you that range of terrain in ten days of skiing.
We go in March. Days are lengthening fast at this latitude, temperatures sit around -10°C to -25°C in normal conditions, and the light has the particular quality the Arctic gets in early spring — long pink hours at each end of the day, the sun low across the snow. The east coast is colder and more exposed than the west; expect the temperature and the feel of the trip to shift as you cross.
This is the trip where you learn the Ousland method. Camp routines, sled work, polar bear protocol, glacier travel, navigation in flat light. Nothing here is theoretical. By the end you have done all of it, in real conditions, with a guide who has done it many times before. If your next goal is Greenland, the North Pole, or the south-to-north crossing of Spitsbergen, this is the trip that gets you ready.
The team is small — 1 guide and up to 6 participants — so the trip stays close-knit. Everyone is part of camp routines, navigation, and the daily decisions about route and weather. Polar travel done properly is done in small groups, and we keep it that way.
The Route
The crossing from the east coast to the west coast is around 170 km on skis. We start with a snowmobile transfer from Longyearbyen to Dunérbukta on the east coast. From there we aim for the Agardh valley and on into the Kjellström valley. We follow the shore of Van Mijenfjord, then turn north onto the Fridtjov glacier. We step off the ice facing the western ocean and continue north on tundra to our finishing point at Isfjord Radio.
DAY BY DAY
Day 1. You arrive in Longyearbyen the same day, or the day before if you prefer. We use the rest of this day to pack provisions, sort personal kit, prepare the sleds, and double-check equipment. Anything missing can be bought at the local sports shop. We go through the route, the plan, the predicted weather, and the way the team will handle communications, navigation, and safety.
Day 2. Early start. With all gear and food ready, we saddle up on snowmobiles and drive the roughly 100 km to the east coast. Once the impressive glacier front of Ulvebreen comes into view, we pitch camp and prepare for the first night of polar bear watch.
Days 3–4. Across the glaciers and down into the Agardh valley. Then on to Bellsundpasset and down into the Kjellström valley towards Svea.
Days 5–7. Along the shore of Van Mijenfjord and past the closed mining town of Svea. If conditions allow, we ski on sea ice.
Day 8. At the Fridtjov glacier we turn north, climb up onto the ice, and ski between beautiful mountains.
Days 9–10. Off the glacier and onto the flat tundra of Svalbard's west coast. We continue north until we reach the old radio station at Isfjord Radio.
Days 11–12. Snowmobile pick-up back to Longyearbyen for a proper meal — and maybe a beer :-)
This timeline is an approximation. Weather and conditions will shape how long the trip actually takes.
SAFETY
The route crosses bear country from start to finish. Polar bear protocol applies throughout — including bear watch on the first night near Ulvebreen. The guide carries the safety rifle required by Svalbard regulations, and the team runs satellite communications for the whole trip. We rope up on the glacier sections where conditions call for it.
TRAINING AND PREPARATION
This is a trip you need to prepare for to enjoy properly. How to prepare varies from trip to trip and person to person — we provide individual training advice where it's needed.
As a general benchmark: you should be able to carry a 20 kg backpack for 8 hours, several days in a row. That's an easy thing to measure. Actual training is a mix of cycling, jogging, gym work, hiking with a backpack, and tyre-pulling. It isn't where you train that matters, but that you train. The more hours, the better.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
An experienced guide. All general equipment: tents, navigation, sleds, pulling harness (if needed), communications, and safety essentials including polar bear protection. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner from the moment we leave town until we are back. And all the advice you can use in the build-up. Just call :-)
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
Travel to and from Longyearbyen
Food and accommodation in Longyearbyen before and after the trip — choose what suits you, though we're happy to recommend where we stay
Personal equipment: underwear, jacket, trousers, socks, hoods and mittens, sleeping bag and mattress, personal bags, skis and boots, thermos, drink bottles, cutlery
Travel, cancellation, and medical evacuation insurance — these are required
If you have allergies or intolerances, we may ask you to contribute so we can be sure you have enough safe food. Any unforeseen delays, weather, or route changes may also lead to extra cost.
MEALS
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included from the moment we leave civilisation until we are back in town. Breakfast is Børge's enriched porridge plus coffee or tea. Lunch and snacks during the day come in many short stops — we eat and drink small amounts often, rather than one long break. Dinner is Real Turmat / DryTech expedition food.
SIGNING UP / DEPOSIT / INVOICE
The Booking Form gives you a place in the queue. We then send a deposit invoice — non-refundable per our Travel Conditions. Once paid, your place is confirmed. Three months before the start, we send the final invoice with the remaining balance.