Top Five Things To Do in Svalbard in Winter
Top Five Things To Do in Svalbard in Winter
Winter in Svalbard is unlike anywhere else in the world. As the Polar Night settles over the archipelago, Longyearbyen becomes a gateway to thrilling Arctic adventures, from snowmobiling across frozen valleys and spotting wildlife in the wilderness to witnessing the northern lights dance overhead. It's a destination that feels wonderfully remote, yet surprisingly welcoming.
Our Head of Regent, Andrea, travelled to Svalbard to experience this extraordinary season first-hand. From wrapping up against the Arctic chill to discovering just how much there is to see and do beneath the glow of the Polar Night, she found that winter in Svalbard is every bit as magical as its reputation suggests.
"Visiting Svalbard in winter completely changed my perspective on Arctic travel. From dramatic landscapes and remarkable wildlife to adventures under the Polar Night and exploring the archipelago with Hurtigruten, every day brought a new experience. These are my five highlights from this incredible destination."
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Andrea Godfey
Head of Regent
1. Arctic Floating
Arctic Ice Floating
"There are few places in the world where you can experience the Arctic quite like this. Wrapped in a specially designed immersion suit, I float effortlessly in the icy waters while staying warm, dry and surprisingly comfortable. No swimming experience is needed – you simply lean back, relax and let the sea carry you.
Surrounded by mountains and the vast Arctic wilderness, the experience is incredibly peaceful. The silence, crisp air and strange sensation of weightlessness make this a completely different way to experience Svalbard. During the Polar Night, there is even the possibility of seeing the northern lights dancing overhead.
Afterwards, warm drinks and light refreshments provide a welcome end to an experience that is both exhilarating and unexpectedly calming. Floating in the Arctic is certainly not something I ever imagined doing, but it is one of the most unique experiences Svalbard has to offer."
2. Snow Cat Northern Lights Hunt
Snowcat
"The good thing about Svalbard's polar nights is that I get to go out looking for the northern lights in the middle of the day. The 24-hour darkness means the aurora borealis can dance across the skies at any time. It’s hard not to miss the huge red Snow Cats, even in the dark.
These immense fully-tracked vehicles almost look comical picking a group of us up outside the hotel. I clamber up into the heated rear cabin, picking a seat next to its huge windows, and enjoy the slow trundle out along Adventdalen away from the lights of Longyearbyen.
Several stops are made along the way and at one point we excitedly think we’ve seen a polar bear in the far distance. Only a few weeks ago a mother and her two cubs had wandered into town. But, after a few minutes of squinting into the distance, we all agree that it is, in fact, a Svalbard reindeer.
I look up and examine the sky for the tell-tale white clouds or flash of green of the northern lights. The brilliant thing about travelling with a local guide are the fascinating stories of life in Longyearbyen that accompany your journey, interspersed with facts about polar bears and, of course, the northern lights."
Spend an evening on the hunt for northern lights by gliding through the Spitsbergen on a snowcat. You'll drive through the frozen Advent Valley and enjoy incredible views back towards the glittering lights of Longyearbyen on our Tromsø & Svalbard Twin Centre tour.
3. Spend a Starlit Evening in Camp Barentz
Camp Barentz
"This is a completely different way to experience the Arctic. Far from the lights of Longyearbyen, Camp Barentz feels wonderfully peaceful beneath the stars and vast Polar Night sky.
Surrounded by the silence of Adventdalen, the experience encourages you to slow down and simply take in your extraordinary surroundings. A guided mindfulness session combines breathwork, meditation and mindful presence, offering a chance to reconnect with your senses and experience the Arctic wilderness in a more grounding and meaningful way.
There is something incredibly special about standing beneath the Arctic sky with nothing but mountains, darkness and silence around you. Away from the noise and distractions of everyday life, you become much more aware of the crisp air, the vast landscape and the stillness that makes Svalbard such an extraordinary place.
Of course, being away from the lights of Longyearbyen also means there is always the possibility of spotting the northern lights overhead. Whether the aurora appears or not, though, this is a wonderfully peaceful and memorable way to experience the beauty of Svalbard's Polar Night."
On our Svalbard Arctic Winter Break at Funken Lodge, allow your hosts to serve you warming and deliciously refuelling dishes whilst you cosy up in front of a bonfire as you keep your eyes peeled for the aurora above on a northern lights evening at Camp Barentz.
4. Into the Coal Mine
Arctic Coal Company, Longyearbyen
"Longyearbyen was originally a mining town founded in 1906 by American John Longyear (hence the name of the town), who worked for the Arctic Coal Company. Mining still happens on Svalbard but in Svea Mine, south of Longyearbyen.
This Svalbard excursion takes us out towards the airport and past the International Seed Bank, which I can't help but think looks a but like a set from a Bond film. Though Mine 3 was closed in 1996, it still looks like the miners have only just clocked out at the end of their shift; their ID tags, overalls and tools are still laying around.
Our irreverent and very funny guide told us about the life of miners throughout the decades as we wandered through the workshops and tunnels. I also had the opportunity to crawl through a narrow passage carrying heavy equipment to experience a little of what it's like to work metres underground. At the end of the tour, we walked into the mountain and to mouth of mine, where we turned our torches off to experience the intensity of complete pitch darkness."
Choose to immerse in this intriguing experience on our Svalbard Light Winter Break this year.
5. Beer Tasting
Svalbard Beer Tasting
"Yes, beer tasting. And it's not just about the booze, there's a fascinating history to be learnt on this excursion surrounding Svalbard's brewery.
Here you find out how world’s most northernmost brewery got started, in just 2011. The founders, husband and wife duo Robert Johansen and Anne Grete, battled for over five years to change the 1928 law, which banned brewing on Svalbard in order to to save the livers of the miners living there at the time.
Well, with tourists visiting now and no need to look after the welfare of non-existent miners, we got stuck in to a brewery tour. Here I tasted two delicious types of beer made with hops imported from Germany and 2000-year-old glacier water from Svalbard's Boge glacier on Svalbard.
This is definitely a great excursion to include on your trip and a welcome respite from the arctic temperatures!"
Enjoy your own warming Arctic beer tasting experience after a thrilling day on a wilderness safari on our Food & Fun at the Funken Lodge- the perfect way to wind down!
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