FAQs

Svalbard Snowshoe Adventure Camp

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Travel

  • Flights to Longyearbyen Airport run from Oslo Gardermoen. Once there, an airport shuttle will drop you at your guesthouse so you can check in and settle before meeting your group.

  • Flights to Longyearbyen Airport run from Oslo Gardermoen. Please book yourself in for Day 1 and fly out on the final day.

    There's no group transfer, but the airport shuttle bus is timed to meet every flight. It'll drop you at the guesthouse on arrival and pick you up when it's time to leave.

    Aim to arrive at the guesthouse by 8:30pm on Day 1, in time for the welcome dinner and to meet the group. On the final day, book any flight that suits you. There are no activities scheduled, so you're free to head off whenever.

    Shuttle tickets cost around £8/€10 each way and aren't included in the trip price. For more information, including bus stop location, visit the website here: Airport Shuttle Bus.

    We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers delays, cancellations, and missed connections. Arctic weather can be unpredictable, and it's worth having that backup.

  • There is an airport shuttle that connects with all flight arrivals and departures and will drop you at your guesthouse. The airport shuttle is not included in the trip price and costs approximately £8/10€. Guests can pay by credit card on the bus.

    More information can be found on the Airport Shuttle in Longyearbyen website.

  • Once you join the trip WhatsApp group, you can discuss travel plans with other guests. Due to limited daily flights, you'll likely be on the same flight as your trip mates.

Accommodation & Food

  • You'll stay at a comfortable guesthouse in Longyearbyen with shared twin rooms and shared bathrooms. Hot showers, WiFi, and warm beds.

  • Yes, so you'll be able to keep in touch with friends at home and share all the incredible photos you've taken that day.

  • Towels and hairdryers are available at the guesthouse.

  • The guesthouse sits about 2km from Longyearbyen town centre, so takes about 30 minutes to reach on foot. On the way back you're heading uphill so it could take a little longer.

  • Laundry can be done at the guesthouse for approx. €20 for a wash and dry. Contact the team at reception on arrival for more information, including timings.

  • For two nights, you'll camp in two-person tents in the Arctic wilderness. These tents are designed for the sub-zero temperatures and we’ll provide sleeping bags to match the elements too. There's also a heated communal tent for meals and a toilet tent. No running water, no electricity, no showers – just you, the snow, and the mountains.

  • Yes, all meals from dinner on the first day to breakfast before your departure are included. On the expedition you’ll eat basic, filling meals, whilst back in Longyearbyne food will be served at the guesthouse and local restaurants.

  • Yes, we cater for vegans, vegetarians, and most food allergies with advance notice. Please get in touch with our Bookings Team before you book to check your dietary requirement can be provided for.

    Please note that options may be more limited than you’re usually used to.

  • Drinks at restaurants are not included in the trip cost. At camp, hot drinks are provided with meals.

Activities

  • Not at all. Our guides provide full training and instruction. You just need decent fitness and determination.

  • March in Svalbard is cold, but can be sunny. Sub-zero temperatures that can freeze your eyelashes and Arctic conditions that change fast. Layer up and embrace it.

  • We provide sleeping bags, sleeping mats, sleds, snowshoes, poles, and all necessary safety equipment. You bring your own warm clothing, hiking boots, and personal gear. Full packing list provided on booking.

  • Your sled will weigh 20–25 kg and you'll pull it on the first and last day of the snowshoe expedition (Days 3 and 5). On Day 4, sleds stay at camp while you hike.

  • This trip is rated 4/5 for difficulty. You need good fitness, stamina for 5-6 hours of daily activity, and the ability to pull a heavy sled over snow. If you're not sure about your fitness level, reconsider whether this trip is right for you before booking.

Safety & Practical

  • Svalbard is polar bear territory, and so safety is a top priority. We take the following precautions:

    • 24-hour watch: At camp, we take turns keeping watch for any wildlife activity.

    • Expert guidance: Our guides are highly trained in polar bear safety and carry deterrents, including flares and rifles (only for emergency use). The guides have been operating tours for 25 years and have never had an incident with polar bears, so we are in good hands.

    • Strict food storage: We follow strict protocols to avoid attracting bears to camp.

    • No approaching wildlife: We observe from a safe distance and never seek out or disturb polar bears.

  • Yes, absolutely. Polar bears are fully protected under the Svalbard Environmental Act, which prohibits luring, pursuing, or actively seeking them out. All encounters must be passive, ensuring we do not disturb their natural behaviour.

  • Arctic weather changes rapidly, so our guides adjust daily plans for the best and safest experience. You'll still get your full adventure, but specific routes depend on conditions. The safety of guests and wildlife is always our highest priority.

  • If polar bears are present near the camp, the route may be adapted to avoid disturbing them and to ensure guest safety. In rare cases, this may mean returning to Longyearbyen and conducting day trips instead.

Environmental Responsibility

  • The Arctic is fragile, so must be left exactly as it’s found. We follow Leave No Trace principles, carry all rubbish and waste back to Longyearbyen, observe wildlife from safe distances, and use local guides who minimise our impact.

  • Never leave litter, even biodegradable waste harms the ecosystem. Don't disturb wildlife or pick plants. Respect Longyearbyen as a unique remote community. Be prepared for rapidly changing conditions and stay flexible.

Other

  • Yes, please see our full packing list here.

  • Cards are widely accepted in Longyearbyen, but you can also bring Norwegian Kroner for personal expenses like extra drinks or souvenirs. The airport shuttle (£8-10) isn't included in your trip cost.

  • There is no upper age limit for our adventures - we have women up to 70 years old join us.

    The Gutsy Girls community is filled with fun, friendly and supportive women from 18-70+. We never ask your age, just that you are up for an adventure!

    As a rough guide, most Gutsy Girls guests are 24-60 years old, with around 60% in their 30s-40s. After a day learning to ride, mountain biking over the hills, hiking to peaks for incredible views or exploring remote locations by paddleboard and kayak, everyone’s ages become irrelevant as we bond over our experiences.

  • Absolutely! Many of our participants join solo, and it’s a great way to meet new, like-minded friends. We’ll connect you with other participants via a WhatsApp group before the trip.

  • Whenever possible we use female instructors and guides, however we cannot always guarantee this, simply because there are fewer female instructors available!

    Our first priority is to work with the most highly experienced and considerate instructors and guides, who are patient, friendly and as passionate as we are about building women’s confidence in the outdoors.

    We sincerely hope that as more women are introduced to adventure sports and activities, the amount of female guides and instructors in our industry will increase.