Ice Cave Exploration by Snowcat
with Hurtigruten Svalbard
About the tour
Explore the sparkling underworld of ice, hidden deep inside one of the glaciers right behind Longyearbyen. You will get to the ice cave in a snowcat, a comfortable and fun vehicle that smoothly traverses its way up and down over the moraine.
You will be picked up by the snowcat, and head directly up onto Longyearbreen (the ‘Longyear Glacier’). It is not a long drive, just a few kilometres south of town. When you step out on the glacier – a seemingly flat plateau of snow and ice – it is difficult to imagine what frozen wonderland awaits under the surface. You will be equipped with crampons to put on your shoes and a powerful headlamp. Then the guide shows you the little opening in the ground, leading you down into the magical world of ice and snow.
Read the full description
The headlight lights up the ice as you walk through the narrow passages. You can expect to see icicles, beautiful ice crystals and fascinating layering in the ice walls. A truly mesmerising scenery. Generally, we can walk a couple of hundred metres into the cave before the cave stops, or becomes difficult to follow.
Once we step back into daylight again, you will be served a hot blackcurrant toddy and a biscuit or two—the perfect end to a magical winter experience! Then we head back down to Longyearbyen.
Physical Requirements/Difficulty Grading System
Suitable for most without any snowmobile experience, through some rugged terrain
Practical information
Included in the trip
Dress in layers – it’s the best way to stay warm. Remember: it is better to be too warm than to be too cold. And also – there is no bad weather, just bad clothing!
- Transfer from/to your accommodation in Longyearbyen
- Helmet with headlight, crampons
- Hot drinks and biscuits
- Guide with all necessary safety equipment
Important Information
- Although the snowcat is heated and the ice cave is “only” -2°C cold, we strongly advise you to dress warmly on this trip. Warm and sturdy winter shoes, woollen underwear, a down jacket, and mittens are good starting points.
- Safety is our highest priority, and the guide needs to be able to give you clear instructions. Therefore, you must speak and understand English or one of the Scandinavian languages to participate in this tour.
- This trip is not recommended for guests with claustrophobia
- Pick-up time: Please note that the scheduled time for the tour is the time when the snowcat begins picking up guests. Please be ready at the meeting spot at this time; however, note that the snowcat may come a few minutes later if they have pickups from several locations.
Cancellation Policy
Individual Activity Bookings & Cancellations:
The full price of your activity is payable at the time of booking.
Based on the start date of the earliest product in your booking, the following cancellation charges apply:
22 days or more before: full refund, minus a cancellation fee of NOK 350
21-8 days before: 50% cancellation fee
7-0 days before or no-show: no refund; if unpaid, the outstanding amount will still be due.
Transfer of Booking:
If you or any member of your party is prevented from travelling, that person(s) may transfer their place to someone else, with the exception of flight tickets, subject to the following conditions:
That person is introduced by you and satisfies all the conditions applicable to the Arrangements.
We are notified not less than 22 days before departure.
You pay any outstanding balance payment, an administration fee of NOK 350 per person, as well as any additional fees, charges or other costs arising from the transfer, and
The transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other requirements applicable to the holiday booking. You and the transferee remain jointly and severally liable for payment of all sums.
If you are unable to find a replacement, cancellation charges will apply as set out in ‘Cancellation by customer’. Otherwise, no refunds will be given for passengers not travelling or for unused services.
Cancellation/Changes to programme
Hurtigruten Svalbard reserves the right to cancel any travel service due to a force majeure event or other unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances outside of our control. We may also make alterations in the travel services, for example, due to local weather conditions, temperature conditions, ice conditions, risk of avalanche, polar bear sight, pandemics, illness and mechanical or equipment difficulties. We reserve the right to adjust a tour programme with the safety and comfort of participants in mind. Changes may also be made to assist other ships, groups or stranded persons. Reciprocal assistance is common practice in Polar Regions and must be seen as a part of the experience, as long as the main content of the tour is not substantially reduced due to the incident.
We also reserve the right to cancel travel services where the minimum number of participants for the travel service has not been reached.
The payment made for the cancelled travel service will be refunded. You are not entitled to any further compensation (for example, we will not cover costs for flight tickets or other travel services booked via other agents or organisers).
