A man standing in front of a body of water

What to pack for your stay in Svalbard

Here you will find what you need to bring on our expeditions. There are some things that are standard for all excursions with variations among dogsled tours, kayak tours and snowmobile tours.

Ski

Compulsory equipment: 

  • Small rucksack for daily use and on day tours
  • Dry bags or plastic bags of various sizes for packing personal equipment and clothing
  • Sleeping bag suitable for temperatures to -20ºC. Comfort temperature down to -10C.  (Helsport down sleeping bag is recommended)
  • 1 pair of sturdy and comfortable ski boots (not new)
  • 1 pair Nordic mountain touring skis with steel edges and strong bindings (NOT narrow cross-country, track or to heavy/broad Randonnée skis). Åsnes mountain skis with short skin system is recommended.
  • Skins for the skis (Long and short if possible)
  • 1 pair of strong ski poles for mountain use
  • 1 set of gaiters
  • Mountain jacket (windproof, waterproof, breathable)
  • Mountain trousers (windproof, waterproof, breathable)
  • Warm hat and possibly headband
  • Scarf or buff
  • 1 pair of windproof gloves
  • 1 pair of windproof mittens, and a pair of woolen mittens to wear inside the windproof mittens
  • 1-2 pairs of inner liner gloves
  • 2 sets of long underwear as base layer (long johns and top, we recommend wool e.g. Devold
  • Warm woollen sweater or fleece jacket as mid layer
  • Down jacket (for use during stops and in camp)
  • 3-4 pairs of warm woolen socks
  • 1-2 thermos flask (Minimum 1 litre together)
  • nking bottle Minimum 1 litre together. (Nalgene bottle recommended- can be used as heat bottle in the sleeping bag)
  • 1 pair of sunglasses with side protection
  • 1 pair of ski-goggles
  • Sun block (non-water based)
  • Lip protection
  • Pocket knife/Leatherman
  • Toiletries, wet-wipes, a small first-aid kit with sports tape and blister plasters
  • 1-2 sets of casual indoor clothing for the stay in Longyearbyen before/after the trip


In addition we recommend: 

  • Thermarest sleeping mat (to use on top of the insulating mat)
  • Insulating trousers (down or Primaloft) for use in camp  
  • 1 pair of down or insulated winter boots (for use in camp) (Ex. down boots with cover)
  • 1 pair of trainers or light boots (for use in Longyearbyen before/after the expedition)
  • Camera with waterproof bag, spare batteries and memory cards
  • Map and compass (you can buy a map in Longyearbyen or at www.npolar.no)
  • Ski wax (1 stick blue extra and 1 stick red special)
  • Big insulated drinking cup for soup etc.
  • Baseball type hat with a peak for sun protection
  • Notebook and pencil

Dogsled

Compulsory equipment: 

  • Wind and waterproof jacket and pants (GoreTex or similar)
  • Small bag/backpack for personal equipment
  • 2 sets of long underwear (shirt and long johns, wool is recommended)
  • Warm woollen jumper or fleece jumper/jacket
  • 3 pairs of thick woollen socks
  • Toaletries
  • 1 pair of gaiters
  • Scarf or buff
  • Warm hat (and headband)
  • 1 pair of windproof mittens
  • 2 pairs of woollen mittens or gloves
  • Sunglasses (with side protection is recommend))
  • Sun and cold block cream (non-water based)


In addition we recommend: 

  • Binoculars
  • Camera in waterproof case, extra memory card and battery
  • Down jacket
  • 1 pair bivouack shoes (to keep feet warm)
  • Ski goggles if you wish to use your own
  • Map, compass and waterproof map case
  • Simple sewing kit
  • Wet wipes
  • Personal medication
  • Sleeping bag if you prefer to use your own (must be suitable for temperatures to - 35ºC)
  • Thermarest sleeping mat if you prefer a thicker mat
A group of people standing on top of a snow covered mountain A group of people standing on top of a snow covered mountain

Kayak

Compulsory equipment: 

  • Backpack or bag for personal equipment
  • Small backpack for day tours (if the weather is bad, we do trekking on land instead)
  • Sleeping bag tolerating temperatures down to -5ºC/-10ºC
  • 1 pair of well broken in hiking boots
  • Mountain jacket (waterproof, windproof and breathing)
  • Mountain trousers (waterproof, windproof and breathing)
  • 2 warm hats (one for paddling)
  • 2 sets of long underwear (long johns and sweater, we recommend wool e.g. Devold of Norway)
  • Warm woollen sweater or fleece sweater/jacket
  • 2-3 pairs of warm socks (wool or similar quality)
  • Thermos flask
  • Drinking bottle for cold water
  • Sunglasses
  • Toiletries


In addition we recommend: 

  • Thermarest sleeping-mat (if you prefer thicker mat)
  • Down jacket for late evenings by the campfire
  • Binoculars
  • Camera with waterproof bag, extra memory cards and battery charger

Hiking

Obligatorisk utstyr: 

  • Backpack or bag for personal equipment
  • Small backpack for day tours (minimum 30 litres)
  • Sleeping bag suitable for temperatures below -5ºC / -10ºC
  • 1 pair of well ‘broken in’ hiking boots (in order to prevent blisters)
  • 1 pair of gaiters
  • Mountain jacket (waterproof, windproof and breathable. GoreTex or similar)
  • Mountain trousers (waterproof, windproof and breathable. GoreTex or similar)
  • Warm hat/cap and possibly headband
  • 2 sets of long underwear (long johns and sweater, we recommend wool e.g. Devold of Norway)
  • Warm woollen sweater or fleece sweater-/jacket
  • 3-4 pairs of warm socks (wool or similar quality)r
  • Scarf or buff
  • 1 pair warm mittens (we recommend wool)
  • 1 pair warm gloves
  • 1-2 sets of indoor clothing for the stay in Longyearbyen and MS Nordstjernen
  • 1 pair of light shoes/ trainers/ sandals for indoor use
  • Thermos flask
  • Drinking bottle for cold water
  • Sunglasses
  • Toiletries, towel, and small first-aid kit with sports tape and blister plasters


In addition we recommend: 

  • Thermarest sleeping-mat (should you prefer a thicker mat)
  • Down jacket
  • Binoculars
  • Camera with waterproof bag, extra memory cards and battery
  • Small siting mat for the day trips