Svalbard (North Pole)

Svalbard covers 70,000 km², the size of Ireland, for just 2,642 inhabitants. So don’t picture a kite holiday. Picture a polar expedition, with a kite.

Each morning we jump on snowmobiles and ride 30 minutes to an hour and a half out to the spot our local guides have chosen for the day’s wind. Then the kite takes over. You glide downwind from the glaciers down to the pack ice, cross wide white valleys and ride terrain that very few people have ever kited. Think of it as ski touring on a polar scale: the snowmobile gets you into the wilderness, the wind lets you explore it.

For an experienced kitesurfer, Svalbard is the ultimate step off the water: your kite, a fifth line for full autonomy, and the high Arctic under your skis.

The wind decides where we go. Svalbard has spots to the south, north and northeast, and our guides know exactly where the wind is hiding. On our last expedition we kited every single one of our seven days. The only stormy day was spent exploring an ice cave under a glacier.

You are in very good hands. On the last trip, four local guides and two French guides led the group, including former snowkite world champion Johann Civel. And however remote it feels, we come back to Longyearbyen every evening for dinner in town.

Home to over 300 polar bears, Svalbard exercises a unique law: it’s forbidden to venture out without a weapon. Consequently, our guides will be suitably armed during your excursions. However, fears of polar bear attacks should remain minimal, with an incidence rate of just one every 10 years. Though a bear can reach speeds of 40km/h, the snowkiting (often wrongly called ski kite) world speed record stands at an impressive 142km/h. Trust us, any pursuing bear is bound to wear out! Still skeptical? Just  Click Here .

In April the night has all but gone. The midnight sun officially starts on 19 April, so during the trip the sun barely sets and the light lasts almost round the clock. That also means this is not a Northern Lights trip. Expect cold days, usually between -5 and -15 °C. Your usual ski clothing is enough, and our guides have warm snowmobile suits if you need one.

If you’re a good kitesurfer and a good skier, you need no previous snowkite experience: those two skills cover everything. And if you’re travelling with a partner who doesn’t kite, there’s a full programme for them too.

Getting there is part of the adventure. Every trip to Svalbard goes through Oslo, so we spend a night there before flying north to Longyearbyen.

Are you set to experience the rush of snowkiting across the undulating expanses of Svalbard? This Norwegian northern haven offers prime snowkiting locations in the South, North, and Northeast. Thanks to a generous snow cover lasting until the end of May, the rocky challenges become a smooth ride under a thick blanket of snow. Glide downwind from majestic glaciers to solid pack ice, and relish the honor of kiting in untouched territories!

Our most recent expedition was a rollercoaster of weather conditions. From brilliant sunny skies coupled with ideal winds to cataclysmic stormy days (just one, thankfully), Svalbard did not disappoint. A not-so-perfect day presents the perfect occasion to delve into one of Svalbard’s mystical ice caves. Despite the varied weather, wind was a constant companion during our seven days of kiting. Our astute local guides were exceptional wind whisperers, unerringly finding the hidden gusts. Each day, we embarked on exhilarating snowmobile journeys lasting between 30 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes to reach our kite spots. The snowmobiles, quite the delight to drive, were easy to handle even for novice drivers. Just remember, a valid driving license is mandatory, and the snowmobiles can be shared.

Our last group were guided by a team of four local experts and two French guides – including the former world champion snowkiter, Johann Civel, your safety is our primary concern. Encounters with polar bears are an extremely rare event, although we were fortunate enough to spot one on the final day of our 2023 voyage. As for the Arctic reindeer, they are a common sight, often spotted as soon as you venture outside the town of Longyearbyen.

Set out on this unforgettable journey and conquer the snowy plains of Svalbard under the watchful guidance of seasoned experts, and perhaps you might just have your own polar bear sighting!