Svalbard Travel Forum

I cannot find the website of Svalbard Arctic Sport/Skandinavisk Høyfjellsutstyr. .
Svalbard Arctic Sport/Skandinavisk Høyfjellsutstyr lies in Longyearbyen (city centre) according to this page http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/6ed8c/4eb/c/

Svalbard Arctic Sport/Skandinavisk Høyfjellsutstyr lies in the rectangle on the right side of the Longyear Elva (river) at this map http://www.svalbardbutikken.no/img/longyearbyen_map.pdf
Regards Jesper

I am currently planning a short visit to Svalbard in December. I understand that it is the dark period but may I know if there are any activities that can still be done then? Thank you!

Hi

Many thanks for the nice website and the details therein. I will be comming to Longyearbyen in May I wish to know as to what are the clothes that will be required to be brought there to protect myself from the severe cold there and whether these are available on rent as I am from a place where I will never require this once I leave Svalbard. Please inform I will be thankful.
Thanks
Mr. Vijay

This must seem like a bit of a shallow question, but can anyone give me an idea of the cost of a bottle of beer in Longyearbyen. Ditto for wine etc. Just curious. Am planning a summer holiday to Longyearbyen with some friends, and while we aren't drunken students, it would be good to get a ball park figure for our evenings' frivolities. Many thanks.

hi
how long does the snow last for as i am looking to travel in mid march

cheers andy london

How frequent are flight delays/cancellations from Oslo to Longyearbyen and vice versa and usually how long they are delayed? I mean in mid-year (end of May, June, July).

This is very important for me (especially regarding flights FROM Longyearbyen) as I have to acommodate my further flight home from Oslo after returning from Svalbard.

Many thanks!

Hi, folks!

I would like to know about atmosphere in this camping site, for example, is not the proximity of airport too disturbing when aircrafts arrive or depart and have any bears spotted nearby in recent times? Actually any impressions and observations about life there will be gladly read by me. :)

I know official Longyearbyen camping site - it's great with plenty of useful information but I would like to know visitor experience, as well.

I hope to spend 4-5 days next July in Longyearbyen (using Norwegian airline - any experience, are this company's aircrafts good?), if all will go accordingly.

P.S. How far one can go out of Longyearbyen without a rifle, I mean, even 100 - 500 meters outside town borders it is mandatory to have someone with a rifle? And how often bear have been spotted in the town or nearby? Actually, I love to walk around, so I would like to avoid any bear being too close. :)

Thank you very much for any good responses and have a nice "day". :)

Hi,
I was just scrolling through the countries in the European area,
and I spotted Svalbard.
I know it belongs to Norway.
Is it similar to Greenland, mainly made of ice and snow?
How big is the population and how do you get there?

Hi

I´ll fly to Longyearbyen for 3 weeks in August.

1. I´ll stay at Longyearbyen Camping most of the time. What´s to do nearby???

2. I´m flying in at 1.25 i the night and out at 5.05 in the morning. Is there any posibility to sleep in the airport and save two days camping fee???

3. How big is the realistic chance to have a "polar-bear-meeting"?? Everybody warns but if someone asks about bear-watching I allways get the answer: Bad times during the summer months...

4. I think the information that there is an ATM in Longyearbyen acepting Maestro is still up to date, isn´t it??

5. I´ve read everything is expensive in Svalbard exept alcohol and Cigarettes, so what´s for example the price for a) one bottle of the cheepest beer b) one packet cigarettes and c) one litre of milk???

6. Anyone else up there in august???

Thx Philipp

hello

does anybody know a reasonable cruise to the longyearbyen region from bergen or somewhere else from norway... if yes, is it also possible to go by this in the mid of august? i could'nt find so far any, may be the season is not suitable... if it is, pls do notice me...

actually, i want to see the north cape before svalbard if it is possible... may be there is a cruise between north cape and longyearbyen, is it?

thank you

selmah

Hi everybody!,

I've planned to go to svalbard this year. Currently I've the hotels and flight but I don't know what are the best trips to do there, and that's my problem. I'd need to book a trip there with an agency and that's the reason because I ask for your advice. I only have 1 day and half to make trips in Svalbard, so, What are the best agencies? What are the best trips where we can see wildlife? Is possible to see a Polar bear in a guided trip? Well, any recommendation will be wellcome.

Thanks in advance

Jose Manuel.

Hi

What´s the best (cheepest) way to go from Longyearbyen to Ny Alesund???

Philipp

Hi,

I plan to stay at Longyearbyen for a couple of months. I have a couple of questions and would appreciate any replies.
1) Mobile phone: Where and what sort of a prepaid SIM card should I get for my tri-band mobile phone that would work in Longyearbyen? I will be in Oslo first and would be able to get one there.
2) I know that there is a bank in Longyearbyen. Is there an ATM that accepts Cirrus/Maestro cards (i.e. I could withdraw money from my home bank)?

Thank you.

Hi,

I am looking at staying in Longyearbyen for a couple of months.

I have done some basic enquires on accommodation. I could only afford guesthouses. Could someone who has stayed at:
1) Mary-Ann's Polarrigg
2) Spitsbergen Guesthouse
3) The '102' Guesthouse
please tell me a bit more about these places?

Thank you.

I've just been reading about Svalbard and was fascinated to learn there is a Russian Community there.

Can anyone explain more - how have the Russians got permission to firstly live, and secondly mine coal there? Are they subject to Norwegian taxation? Must make for an interesting juxtaposition between the wealthy western Norwegian culture and the developing Eastern Russian culture.

Hello everybody,

I'm planning a trip to Svalbard next summer and am thinking of going from there to Murmansk. Does anybody if there are regular flights?

Greets,

birgit

I'm offski to Svalbard working on a boat for 2 month and the only time on shore is aprox. once a week on Sundays. My question now is - Is there an internetcafé open on Sundays (or at all) or is there any other possible way to access the net on Sundays in Longyearbyen?

Also, have anyone on VT any experience in using a mobile/cellphone in Svalbard/Spitsberg calling to the more southern parts of Europe? Does it work?

Many thanks for any reply!
Malena

We will be in Longyearbyen from June 11 - 13, 2005 and hope to spend two unforgettable days there. But since it is not really high season, it might be difficult to find something exciting to do!

Any suggestions and/or anybody there at the same time who would like to meet?

Looking forward to your replies!

We will be in Longyearbyen from June 11 - 13, 2005 and hope to spend two unforgettable days there. But since it is not really high season, it might be difficult to find something exciting to do!

Any suggestions and/or anybody there at the same time who would like to meet?

Looking forward to your replies!

Which of the various 2-4 day sea kayak tours on offer by travel agents in Longyearbyen has most value for money and which is the cheapest? The agents seem reluctant to post their prices. I notice Svalbard Wildlife Service has some August tours that cover some of the inner fjords of the Isfjord system - are they good at this, and priceworthy?
Thanks for any indicative advice,
Olav

I really want to travell to Svalbard after my graduation, but I have few money.
I want to spend some days there and walking with my pack...
What I have to do? Which are the best ways to go there.
Thank you and please answer me!

Hi
I am thinking of making two trips to Svalbard, one in the summer to experience the midnight sun and one in the winter to experience the winter night and hopefully see the northern lights.
i have never been before but I have the brochures from Spitsbergen travel at home. I have a couple of questions:
1/ i assume there is less to do in the winter, should I make this a shorter visit?
2/ Do I need to plan my whole trip before I go or can I sign up to treks etc once i am there?
3/ I will be travelling alone so is it a friendly place for a lone traveller?

many thanks
Kieron

I will be going to Svalbard for the second time from August 21st - 30th 2005.

With this being my second trip I am considering somewhat more ambitious endeavours such as going hiking without the assistance of a guide.

I am currently looking for advice and people, who might like to join me for a relatively undemanding outing of maybe four days' duration starting out from Longyearbyen.

One trip I'm considering would be to go from Longyearbyen to Barentsburg and return by boat.

I have the maps from NPI, GPS and am a subscriber to Svalbardposten. I am skilled with a hunting rifle. I have most of the major equipment that I think I would need (i.e. wind-proof tunnel tent, -10C sleeping bag, good 75L backpak, decent footwear, warm clothing), which has been proven already under arctic conditions. I know about most of the safety precautions regarding wildlife and glaciers.

I would be interested in a hiking trail that could be traversed in about four days under good conditions and not requiring any glacial walking or climbing with good possibilities for setting up a tent and a low chance of polar bear encounters. Can anyone in here recommend a particular route?

It seems to me the best option would be to walk past Hotelnesset into the Björndalen, walking west at Grumantbreen through the Grumantdalen, then once at Grumantbyen head southwest along the Rusanovodden (I've heard there is a disused railway along this trail) to Colesbukta crossing the Coleselva and then just generally following the coastline to Heerodden from where Barentsburg should be easily within reach?

Is this the best route to take bearing in mind my preferences and limitations listed in the above? Are there any special issues to keep in mind? Specifically:

1) How easy is it to cross over the southern mountain ridge of Grönberget (at Grumantbreen)

2) Is it possible to hike along the shore from Grumantbyen to Colesbukta in late August?

3) Where is the suggested point of crossing the Coleselva and is there a recommendable technique for doing so?

I will be going to Svalbard for the second time from August 21st - 30th 2005.

My last trip up there was in July, 2004. I camped in a tent at Longyearbyen Camping and went on guided tours to Foxfonna and went with a party for three days to stay in a camp at Ymerbukta.

With this being my second trip I am considering somewhat more ambitious endeavours such as going hiking without the assistance of a guide.

I am currently looking for advice and people, who might like to join me for a relatively undemanding outing of three - four days' duration starting out from Longyearbyen.

One trip I'm considering would be to go from Longyearbyen to Barentsburg and return by boat. Can anyone recommend this trip for a relative novice?

I have the maps from NPI, GPS and am a subscriber to Svalbardposten. I am skilled with a hunting rifle. I have most of the major equipment that I think I would need (i.e. wind-proof tunnel tent, -10C sleeping bag, good 75L backpak, decent footwear, warm clothing), which has been proven already under arctic conditions. I know about most of the safety precautions regarding wildlife and glaciers.

I would be interested in a hiking trail that could be traversed in about four days under good conditions and not requiring any glacial walking or climbing with good possibilities for setting up a tent and a low chance of polar bear encounters. Can anyone in here recommend a particular route?

I will not be going on my own under any circumstance so you don't need to point out that I should not be going out alone.

We are travelling to Svalbard in the first 2 weeks of August next year. Circumnavigation by ship with numerous landings, some hiking etc.
How cold does it get.What do most people wear. We are thinking thermal underwear, t-shirt polartec fleece and a wind and rain proof jacket, beanie, scarf, gloves.

thanx

Due to connecting flights in Oslo I worry about notable delays and cancellations flying to/from Svalbard. Does the Longyearbyen-Tromso flight differ from others because of its extreme location or weather (in early summer)?

Is Longyearbyen accessible on foot (or by bicycle) from the camping without weapons, or the nearby airport bus is suggestible/mandatory due to bear danger?

Thank you very much.

Dear VT's,

I'm organising a trip to Svalbard in the end of March-Beginning of April 2005, to meet the returning sun.

I've made a website with a description of Svalbard as well as my calculations of the Expenses and Itinerary.

The trip is starting from Luxembourg, so if you're from the BENELUX, West Germany or Lorraine, you're welcome to join us. Other travellers are also more than welcome to join us in Oslo or Tromso.

The site is http://svalbard.eu.tt

Please bear in mind that my group of people is young and active and this trip requires a certain resistance to cold :)....

Hope to hear from you,

Lexy

Hi,
first week of May we, Roy + Lenny +2 sons Chris and Niels, have the chance to vist Longyearbyen.

We are eager to find a bed-and-breakfast alike accomodations for 5 nights.

Any suggestions??

Thanks!

greetings
Roy
netherlands

Hi All,
I am looking for accomodation in Longyearbyen in 2004 july. I've found info on the web about 4 or 5 hotels .
But I don't know that is there in Longyearbyen any place for tents? Or any chance for cheaper lodging in Longyearbyen?

Thanks in advance,
koadam
Hungary

Hi, we are planning a travel to Norway this summer.
We vould like to go to Spitzbergas/Svalbard.

I searched the net for available flights or ferry routes, but i did not succeded.

My question is: can someone tell where can I find an acceptable (cheap) way of getting to Svalbard?
(We are 2 young hungarians, flying with SAS for 10.000 NOK is not so good)...

The very best thing would be to go there by a ferry.
Or is it reserved just for millionaires....?

Thanks in advance for any information.
Koadam