METRICS EXPLAINER
Duration: 16 Days
Mode: Skiing
Distance: 160km
Difficulty: 10 (badge placeholder)
Price: £9,995
Dates: 28 April - 13 May 2026
WHAT YOU'LL DO IN THIS CHALLENGE
Ski 160 kilometres across the most northerly inhabited island on the planet. This 12-day expedition gives you the rare opportunity to view stunning scenery that few other people have seen before. You will experience glaciers, mountains, sea ice, and all types of weather and wildlife. The Svalbard East to West crossing is as challenging as it is exciting and beautiful.
You will spend the first two days of the trip meeting your guides and preparing from the crossing, which includes understanding what to do if you come across a polar bear. The expedition begins when you mount the snowmobiles with your equipment to travel to the start point of the route.
The following days you will head to the Bay of Dunér, past the glacier front and turn west and traverse Svalbard navigating through small glacier plateaus, past Ulvebreen (the Wolf Glacier), Bergmesterbreen mountain pass, and beautiful meltwater valleys. Arriving back at Longyearbyen on day 12, you'll have crossed one of the remote and unforgiving islands on Earth.
This is the Arctic as it is meant to be seen: harsh, honest, and unforgettable.
Whether this is your first polar expedition or the experience of a lifetime, this challenge is extremely demanding, but it delivers huge rewards. Svalbard is a true wilderness with beauty that cannot be described in words.
What's included in this package?
- Pole to Pole Expedition Foundation Course at the Pole to Pole Academy, Sweden
- Accommodation and meals while in Sweden
- Airport transfers in Sweden
- Food while training and on the expedition
- All specialist cold-weather equipment
- Support in your planning and preparation.
What's not included in this package?
- Flights
- Personal clothing and equipment
- Personal Travel Insurance
- Accommodation in Longyearbyen, Svalbard
- Food and drink in Longyearbyen, Svalbard
FAQs
Frequently asked questions we've received for this challenge from previous challengers.
Still have questions after reading our FAQs? Use the button below to contact us, and a team member will respond shortly.
Is this for me?
You do not need any prior cold-weather experience to take part in Challenge 12. Included is the Pole to Pole Expedition Fondation training course, which will teach you all the skills needed to undertake the expedition in Antarctica.
This Challenge is a physically and mentally demanding expedition. You will ski up to 10 hours a day, over undulating snowy terrain, while pulling your own pulk in sub-zero temperatures. It requires good fitness, strong technical skills, and full commitment to pre-expedition training.
If you’re prepared for this Challenge, the ability to say that you have skied across Svalbard will last a lifetime.
How fit do I need to be for Challenge 12?
You’ll need steady fitness and a comfort level with long hours outdoors to take on this journey. No need to be a marathoner — just be up for physical activity and the demands of winter exploration.
