Spitzbergen Reisen

Fabienne was born and raised in Switzerland - near Zurich. From an early age she spent a lot of time in nature. Skiing and snowboarding or hiking and climbing in the Alps. The perfect balance to her everyday life with education, work and synchronized skating.

After ten years in the financial industry, she decided to quit her job and fulfill a long-awaited dream: Backpacking around the world. Fabienne visited 13 countries on this trip - and fell in love with the world even more. New countries, cultures and languages arouse her curiosity and fill her with joy. Following the call of the Nordic nature, Fabienne worked as a diving guide in Iceland for one year before she was drawn further and moved to Svalbard.

The indescribable peace and vastness of the Arctic still captivates her. Sharing this experience with others, being part of making people's dreams come true, is something very special for Fabienne and a unique experience every time.

Born and raised in Bonn, Sylvia traveled north for the first time in 2012 - and she planned to spend a lot more time there.

After her studies, she finally turned her back on Germany in 2017 to live and work permanently in the Arctic. So she already has two winters behind her as a dog sled guide in Finland, lived in remote East Greenland with the Inuit, sailed in the pack ice and wintered at 78°N in a tent.

In 2019 she finished her one-year study to become an Arctic Nature Guide (ANG) on Svalbard and when she is not on ships in the Arctic and Antarctic, she takes guests on journeys into the depths of Svalbard and likes to share her fascination for the vastness, silence and magic of the far north.

Marie grew up in Lübeck, Germany close to the Baltic Sea. In the summer she would spend her time there or at the North Sea. From an early age, she enjoyed being near the water and exploring the life in and around it. During her studies in Biology and later in Biological Oceanography, she expanded her knowledge about the amazing world around us, especially in the ocean. She started diving and soon became a scientific diver, opening a new perspective to the amazing underwater world.

Her first contact with northern latitudes was by visiting Iceland and Canada working and traveling for 9 months after finishing school. Based on that experience, she wanted to learn more about the Arctic and get involved with research. This brought her to Svalbard where she worked as an intern in the biology department at the University Centre in Svalbard, taking samples from a boat around the archipelago. Being so fascinated by the unique environment, she stayed and continued to work at UNIS. In her free time, she enjoys being outside with her camera, hiking, kayaking, skiing, or ice climbing. Svalbard changes from season to season and has such different facets that she want to share with her guests.

Jan originally comes from the area near Lübeck, Germany. His passion for nature started early — he spent ten years with the Scouts and took part in numerous camping trips and outdoor expeditions.

After completing his training as an interior decorator, his path led him further north. Drawn by his fascination for Arctic regions, he moved to Svalbard, where he began working at the northernmost carpentry workshop in the world.

When Jan isn’t in the workshop, you’ll find him out exploring the Arctic tundra — on foot, by dog sled, or snowmobile. With great enthusiasm, he shares the breathtaking nature and rich history of Svalbard with visitors from around the world.

Patrick grew up near Munich and thus had the Alps almost in his backyard. Accordingly, he was often drawn south to pursue various sporting activities - be it hiking or mountain biking. During his sports science studies in Munich, he already started working as a guide: in winter, he led his guests on snowshoes through snowy winter landscapes, and in summer he exchanged the snowshoes for (rafting) boats.

After some travels - among others through Canada and Iceland - Patrick slowly but surely turned his head towards the beauty of Nordic landscapes and the nature there. Therefore, he first completed a semester abroad in Oslo, where he studied "Friluftsliv" (outdoor life) and travelled through Norway. After studying sports science, he then went to the far north to study to become an "Arctic Nature Guide" on Svalbard.

Since then, he has been able to share his passion for the north and its unique nature with his guests, making these unique experiences in a unique environment possible. Patrick loves being out and about in the breathtaking beauty of the Arctic wilderness, whether on foot, kayak or ski. But it is also the moments of silence and tranquillity in the wonderful nature that he cherishes and enjoys.

Josephine is originally from northern Germany and is currently writing her master’s thesis in Marine Geology. Although she always thought she came from the "true North," her journey took her even farther north in 2023 – to Svalbard. There, she quickly fell in love not only with the stunning nature but also with the people. Whether ski touring, hiking, exploring ice caves, or riding a snowmobile – she loves discovering the island in the company of great people.

Having grown up on a ship, she’s always been a true “water child” – and by now, she’s found out that water in its frozen form isn’t all that bad either.

Judith grew up in the beautiful region of Swabia (Germany) and moved to North America for a year and a half after graduating from high school. Between jobs and adventures, she discovered her passion for the mountains—and especially for snowboarding.

She then went on to study Wood Technology in Rosenheim, with the Alps practically on her doorstep. However, she wasn’t quite ready to settle into office life straight after graduation. Instead, she was drawn to the far north: Svalbard, where she completed her training as an Arctic Nature Guide.

Her deep connection to nature was shaped early on through the Scouts, where she spent much of her youth. In her free time, she is happiest outdoors—splitboarding, hiking, climbing, camping, skateboarding, or surfing.

This passion has taken her to many parts of the world, including the Alps, Norway, Canada, the United States, New Zealand, Israel, and Fiji.

Nora comes from Stockholm, Sweden. Although she grew up in a city, she has always loved spending time outdoors. Skiing, hiking, and exploring new places have long been among her favourite activities.

She is currently completing her Bachelor's degree in Economics remotely, which gives her the flexibility to combine her studies with travelling and outdoor adventures.

Ironically, Nora dislikes being cold and is not particularly fond of the dark winter months. Despite that, she somehow ended up living in Svalbard—and absolutely loves it there. The unique nature, abundant wildlife, and the feeling of being far away from the rest of the world are what make the place so special to her.

When she is not working or studying, she is usually outside on skis, exploring the surrounding wilderness, or planning her next adventure.

Although Katja is a native of southern Lower Saxony, she has always had a keen interest in getting to know and discovering other exciting places, people and cultures.

Professionally, she was first drawn to Great Britain, before a chance encounter during a business trip brought her to Spitsbergen. A holiday turned into weeks and later a move to Longyearbyen, where Katja felt truly at home for the first time.

Being outdoors and in nature is simply the greatest thing for her. Katja finds it especially great to go on long hikes or to observe animals from the ship and to let her eyes wander across the wide landscape.

She likes life reduced to the essentials, with a little comfort and a lot of nature - because what does it take to be really happy?

Sibylle grew up in the rural region of Sauerland, Germany, where she spent a lot of time in nature. Every year, she and her family would go on a two-week cycling trip through Germany. Later, during a student exchange year in Mexico, she discovered her love for the mountains—a passion she was able to share with her family as well.

After finishing school, she chose to study geophysics, which first brought her to Svalbard in 2023. The landscape immediately captivated her—and still does to this day. She’s always excited to explore new mountains and valleys on foot, with touring skis, or by snowmobile. What brings her the greatest joy is sharing this fascination with others and helping them discover the magic of Svalbard—especially in those moments when she sees their eyes start to sparkle.

Ronja grew up south of Munich, with the mountains right on her doorstep. Even as a child, she loved being outdoors—hiking, climbing, or skiing.

Her passion for nature and travel led her to study Leisure and Tourism Management. After completing her bachelor's degree, she moved to Sweden to work as a guide—her first step toward the North. There, she discovered her enthusiasm for Scandinavia. A year later, she continued on to Norway, where she studied Friluftsliv, the Norwegian philosophy of outdoor life.

Her journey north didn’t stop there: in 2024, she moved to Svalbard to study Arctic Nature Guiding. Since then, Ronja can be found out in the wide open landscapes of Spitsbergen—by kayak, on foot, or on touring skis. She loves sharing the peace, power, and beauty of this environment with others.

Anja is originally from Lübeck (Germany), so her connection to the North has been part of her life from the very beginning.

What started as an exchange semester in Norway unexpectedly turned into a bachelor’s degree in Friluftsliv (Outdoor Life Studies), and she never returned to her home university in Germany. After studying to become a physical education teacher and spending several years embracing the outdoor lifestyle in the Lofoten Islands, she was eventually drawn even farther north, where she completed her training as an Arctic Nature Guide.

Whether it’s skiing, climbing, hiking, kayaking, or dog sledding, Anja is always ready for the next adventure!

Sven grew up in Duisburg (Germany) before moving to the Thuringian Forest, where he spent his time outside of university climbing, hiking, and cross-country skiing.

After completing his Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, he moved to Svalbard to pursue training as an Arctic Nature Guide and International Mountain Leader.

What fascinates him most is discovering new places and routes, especially those that blur the line between hiking and mountaineering. Sharing this passion and sense of exploration with his guests is what motivates him in his work as a hiking guide.

Mary Ann Alvez has worked as a seasonal employee in Frosta, on the Trondheim mainland, for six years. During this time, she was responsible for maintaining 24 hotel rooms and six cabins as part of the hotel staff. In addition, she prepared meals for her employer's family.

In 2021, she arrived in Svalbard and was employed by ISS as a housekeeping staff member at the Radisson Blu Hotel for one year. She then decided to join Fruene, where she worked for two years in a multitasking role as a waitress, cook, and dishwasher. Although the work was demanding, it was also highly rewarding, and she gained valuable experience and skills.

In 2024, she worked as a Meetings and Events Coordinator at the Radisson Blu Hotel. The responsibilities exceeded her expectations, but she embraced the challenges and successfully adapted to the role.

Throughout her journey and work experience in Norway, Mary Ann has remained grateful for the opportunities she has received. Her professional experiences have helped her develop strong self-confidence, resilience, and a solid work ethic. She is especially thankful for the unwavering support of her husband and family, who have encouraged her throughout her career.