Skitour - Crosscountry

Cross-country skiing on fjellski is one of the most authentic and beautiful ways to experience the vastness of Svalbard — gliding across untouched snowfields, past glaciers and peaks, accompanied only by the silence of the Arctic.

Unlike classic cross-country skiing on prepared tracks, here we travel through open terrain — what's known as fjellski, or backcountry cross-country skiing. We use sturdier, wider skis with steel edges, fitted with a binding that secures only the front of the boot and leaves the heel free. This lets you glide in a flowing, even motion and make good progress even across trackless ground. Grip zones beneath the ski — either a scaled pattern or attachable skins — prevent slipping backward and make gentle climbs effortless. All of this makes the fjellski an ideal, energy-saving way to move through Svalbard's broad valleys — and perfect for covering greater distances while hauling a pulka (sled).

Thanks to their width and stability, fjellski carry well even in deep snow, making them excellent for the island's varied terrain. Open plateaus, frozen fjords, and gentle slopes can all be explored alike — always at your own pace and in keeping with the day's conditions. It's a calm, steady way of moving that leaves room to truly take in your surroundings: the crunch of the snow, the clear, cold air, and the endless expanse all around.

We offer tours in four variations, suited to experience, fitness, and appetite for adventure. The half-day tour is ideal for getting started: in just a few hours around Longyearbyen, you'll become familiar with the equipment and technique. The full-day tour takes you out for a whole day to explore further valleys. The two-day tour adds an overnight stay in the wilderness and brings us a little further out still. And the ultimate adventure is the multi-day tour with pulka and tent: we haul all our equipment behind us, set up camp each evening, and take turns on the bear watch — making our way entirely under our own power through the endless expanse.

Safety and good preparation are, of course, part of every tour. Our experienced guides know the terrain, keep a close eye on the weather and surroundings, and lead the group responsibly through a landscape that is as beautiful as it is demanding. With the right clothing and a few simple layers, you'll be well equipped to enjoy the tour to the fullest.

Whichever option you choose, fjellski lets you experience Svalbard as raw and up close as only a few ever will: out in the wide, white landscape, far from everything.

For a ski tour, you can rent the fjellski from us – including skins and poles. The matching boots, however, you bring yourself or rent locally, so they fit perfectly and keep you comfortable over longer distances.

For multi-day tours, we can also provide the rest of the equipment on request, such as a pulka, tent, and camp gear.

In addition, we recommend warm, weatherproof clothing in several layers, a windproof outer layer, a hat, gloves, a face cover (buff), and good ski goggles against the wind and the bright Arctic light. A detailed packing list for the Arctic winter will be sent to you after booking your tour.

Request a private tour

A private tour means full flexibility — in route, breaks, photo stops, and pace. Get in touch — we'd be happy to put together a personalized offer for you.