Snowmobile to Elveneset - Hurtigruten Svalbard

This is the perfect trip for the snowmobile first timers. Even with a short distance to Longyearbyen, its still an amazing wilderness experience, with the arctic winter scenery and Svalbard landscape included.  

This is the perfect trip for the snowmobile first timers. Even with a short distance to Longyearbyen, its still an amazing wilderness experience, with the arctic winter scenery and Svalbard landscape included.  

We will drive out from Longyearbyen about 70 kilometers eastwards to the outlook point Elveneset, where we’ll enjoy the view over Tempelfjord and Tempelfjellet. The mountain, commonly called ‘the Temple’ is 766 meter high and lies on the North bank of the Sassenfjord. The name derives from the intricate structures in the mountainside that, carved out by the spring melt water, gives associations to ancient temple ruins. 

We will drive through valleys with soaring mountains on all sides, and at our turning point, Elveneset, we will take a nice break with warm drinks before setting a course back to town.

Included
- Transfer from hotel/accommodation place in Longyearbyen
- Warm drinks and biscuits
- Snowmobile suit, shoes, gloves and helmet to use during the tour
- Tour leader with weapons and safety sled
- Rescue insurance

Practical information

Age limit: 8 years
Minimum number of participants: 2 snowmobiles

Drivers’ licence
A valid driver’s licence for car or motorbike is required to drive a snowmobile. Remember to take it with you on the tour.

Recommendations
We recommend that you dress in warm woolen underwear, warm outdoor trousers and a solid woolen jumper under the snowmobile dress you will loan from us. We also recommend that our guests have extra clothes in a backpack, for example an extra jumper, woolen hat and mittens.

Pregnancy
Longyearbyen Hospital advises pregnant women to not participate in snowmobile and dog sledding tours, as a blow to the stomach or a fall may pose a risk of injury to the mother or unborn child.

Possible changes
We reserve the right to change the route of the tour for safety reasons should the weather or snow conditions require it. This will not be grounds for a change in price. The participants agree to follow the tour leaders directions and instructions. The tour leader will not drive with a passenger.

Alcohol
The ‘Veitrafikkloven’ or Road Traffic Act applies on Svalbard. Driving under the influence of alcohol is not permitted.

Safety
Your safety is our priority. Even if you have experience in winter sports, the Svalbard environment is different to that many might have been in before. Taking a tour with a guide who knows the local conditions is the safest way to explore the area outside of Longyearbyen. As a participant on a snowmobile tour, it is important that you follow the guide’s directions underway. This is both for your own safety, and that of the group. Weather and snow conditions are the big factors on Svalbard, and we reserve the right to change the route or destination to one that is safest for you and the group.

Hurtigruten Svalbard’s guides have different backgrounds and experience, but what they all have in common is that they come to work to ensure you will have the best and safest tour. Some have taken the Arctic Nature Guide study, others are certified mountain guides, glacier guides or authorized Svalbard guides who have taken the Svalbard Guide Opplæring (SGO - Svalbard guide training). SGO study includes fundamental requirements for safe travel on Svalbard, as well as education about tourism, field safety and an understanding of environmental and cultural values. In addition our guides take part in internal training and exercises through the year.

Language
Safety is our highest priority, and the guide needs to be able to give directions you understand. To participate on one of our excursions, it is required that you speak and understand English or one of the Scandinavian languages.