Soliciting some quick feedback for my trip in April. I currently have some rugged La Sportiva hiking boots that were amazing in Iceland. Will these be suitable for Svalbard in the sunny winter (April-May), assuming I have wool/merino socks?

I understand our excursions will provide boots specific to the activity so I'm only looking at some local hikes with my current boots.

Hello. I’ll be in Svalbard for couple of days, I got most of the clothing already (base layer, mid layer tops, and jackets). However, some folks in this sub are suggesting hardshell trousers. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any that would fit my size in Oslo. So I was wondering if a thermal layer under the jeans would be fine.

Won’t be doing any “sport” activity, mostly indoors for work purposes or just walk around Longyearbyen for groceries etc.

Or if there is a shop in the town that has good size options please let me know 🙏🏼

Hi,

I am going on a Scandinavian spree in this coming January, particularly Longyearbyen, Svalbard. I wanted to know how far off can I wander out of town without any firearm or guide. I have seen colour-marked maps depicting the areas I can normally walk to without any firearms or guides, but 'explorer-blooded' as I am, I wanna know if I can walk up to the airport side of the island, alone and unarmed.

If not, maybe at least to some extent, far from town?

Also, against my better judgement if I walk to the 'dangerous' areas without firearms, would I get in legal trouble? Just asking. :/

Hey there you lovely people!

I plan to visit Svalbard in the end of February and I have a really weird question:

Is there any pubs / restaurants in Svalbard?

Thank you!

I am looking for a job in Svalbard can anyone guide me

Hi, I’m a 32-year-old guy living in South Korea. I’m interested in polar regions and have previously traveled to Iceland and Tromsø, Norway, during winter. This December, I’m planning to visit Svalbard for about a week, starting from mid-December. Since I’ll be traveling solo, I have a few questions I’d like to ask:

1. I’ll be flying with Finnair from Seoul to Oslo via Helsinki and then taking Norwegian from Oslo to Longyearbyen. My Finnair flight is scheduled to arrive in Oslo at 08:05, and the Norwegian flight departs at 11:10. Since I’ll be clearing immigration in Helsinki, would 3 hours be enough for a self-transfer in Oslo? (I’ll also have checked luggage.)
2. The Norwegian ticket shows a "scheduled stop" in Tromsø. Does this mean I’ll need to clear exit immigration in Tromsø?
3. Are Wi-Fi services available at hotels and public facilities in Svalbard?
4. Can I use a credit card for payments in public transport, taxis, or supermarkets?
5. How do people usually handle meals? I saw there are restaurants, but are they actually open in December?
6. Since it’s polar night, I assume I’ll mostly stay in Longyearbyen, but if possible, I’d like to take a snowmobile tour outside the town to see polar bears or Arctic foxes. Are there any tour programs like this available? (I’ve already applied for firearm rental just in case.)
7. Any other advice for someone traveling alone to Svalbard?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hi! I am a university student studying national identity and sovereignty. Do residents of Svalbard consider themselves Norwegian? Do they feel that their interests are well represented in Oslo?

I would like to visit an ice cave while I'm in Svalbard, but the only ones available at the beginning of January are hiking, rather than having the option to do snowmobiles or dogsledding to get there (though those are offered starting around 10 Jan). I'm wondering if anyone knows why this is? Anything to do with the stability of the routes?

I'm sure I could do the hike to the ice cave, I was just hoping to not have to, haha.

Hey!

I really want to take couple of courses in the university of svalbard, more specifically in the field of biology. I have already the necessary amount of biology studies. The problem is that biology is not my major, but forest ecology is. So I’m wondering is there a chance for me? Svalbard Uni is one of my greatest dreams.

Vorrei tanto lavorare alle isola Svalvbard. Ho visto i video di Giulia su FB, e mi sono innamorato di questo posto. Sono un cittadino italiano. Io sono un Operatore Socio Sanitario e potrei lavorare in una struttura sanitaria che sicuramente c'è a Longyearbyen.

I have a few questions for this festival :

1. Has anyone been to a previous one? Did they find it a well done/professional music event?

2. I don’t recognize any of the artists listed on the website. Are there some favorites to recommend?

3. Is accommodation difficult to find during this time? Is it recommended to book a hotel ASAP? Do the prices rise considerable during this period?

4. For a first timer to Svalbard, is this a good time to visit (given I am primarily interested in winter activities) or would I be better off coming earlier or after the festival to avoid the crowds?

Thank you for any information :)

Hi team Longyear - we are visiting from tomorrow the 18th till 24th. It seems november is smack in the middle of not-summer and not-winter, meaning that some activities are not offered yet e.g. trips to the ice cave.
Definitely we will visit the museum, brewery etc. but what would be available when it comes to outdoor exploration?

I'm having a random middle of the night thought, but how often do you see a spider in Svalbard? Do bugs live in homes over the winter or is it too cold for normal house bugs (woodlice, centipedes, spiders) to survive?

Hi! Me and my brother are visiting Svalbard for the first time for new years! Can I have some advice of good brands for clothing, from thermals to outer layers. I’m from Melbourne and have only seen snow once so I’m kind of freaking out and feel a bit out of depth! Not looking to spend my life savings but I do understand that some of the better brands will be expensive so any suggestions would help! Every time I google it just says it just gives me items but not any brand names. 😊

https://preview.redd.it/ymom41k6vd1e1.jpg?width=2250&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4bbf39947cdce9051fbe116859aa16b1c93f9ab3

Greetings from Tasmania 🙃 This is my outdoor kit for day to day existence in Longyearbyen (and potentially doing a few hikes) in late December.

Serious comments on what I may have overlooked are welcomed.

• Beanie
• Balaclava
• Goggles (clear, when I find the lens)
• Neck warmer
• Hard shell 3 layer jacket
• Synthetic hooded jacket
• Synthetic vest
• Buffs
• Polypro gloves and inner mitts
• Thick woollen jumper (sweater)
• Thin woollen jumper
• 300 weight wool top
• 100 weight wool top
• Waterproof gloves
• Goretex mittens
• Hard shell 3 layer pants
• Thick polypro pants
• 300 weight woollen tights
• 100 weight woollen tights
• Gaiters
• Waterproof lined, insulated boots
• Microspikes
• Woollen socks of varying thicknesses
• Underpants (not shown)

I will also have hardware such as poles, snowshoes etc.

Hi everyone!

I'm 31M from Italy, coming alone for a week in a month (10-15th).

I am currently considering a permanent move to Svalbard. I had some health issues because of the hot temperatures and this might be a solution. Plus, I love the snow and the arctic weather.

This trip is mainly to speak with various people and spread my CV ... fingers crossed!

I would really love to know how life is there. I've watched a lot of videos on youtube so I've got the basics, but I would like to know more. If you wanna meet and talk first round is on me!

Any further tips are very welcome. See you in a month!

Are you hiring for Filipino worker and what are available job?

Hello, so i visited svalbard this summer and bought a 2 keychain accessories (the ones in the image below) in a shop. I want to buy one more of each but don't know where and how to buy it. Any help is appreciated:>

A simple question, if someone local or someone who has already been there can answer, thanks!

Hi! I am visiting in December and I have a lot of softshell, fleece lined water repellent winter pants. Literally if you pour water on them it slides right off.

Generally they're very easy to move in and to layer stuff underneath them and still move very comfortably compared to hardshell pants.

I will go on a couple of short hikes (max 5 hours)

Will that be enough for hiking or do I need to buy some hardshell pants?

Thank you!

We'll be taking our small sailing boat to Svalbard, and I'm trying to understand our options for sourcing gas for cooking. Our boat has only a small gas locker, so large gas bottles won't fit.

I believe the gas bottle in the picture are available in Norway, and we plan to buy one once we arrive in Norway

https://preview.redd.it/1mwd8b2apvzd1.jpg?width=224&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=14f895df92c1fd64b90460f74d3f3a87c7f0f742

Do you know if such bottles are available for swap/refill in Svalbard? (I have doubts because they are butane, not propane).

Is not, do you know what other options are available?

I am a professional brewer and am very curious about any brewing opportunities in Svelbqrd.

So with the requirement of having a firearm outside of Longyear, how do residents actually go about acquiring one? Is there a licensing program? Is it run by the Norwegian government? Is there a gun store on the island or are they brought in?

I'm coming to Norway at New Year's for two weeks and am specifically excited to come to Svalbard. I really want to buy a nice, classic Norwegian sweater for myself. Are there any good stores in Longyearben for these? I know there's no tax, so am wondering if it's better to shop there instead of Oslo. Also will be trying to hunt down some secondhand stores during the two days I'm in Oslo at the front end of the trip.

It also seems like there are other people there around that time, so if anyone wants to team up with a chill 41 year old from Minnesota for some excursions Jan 4-6, hit me up!

Visiting Svalbard early Jan. Wondering how easy it is to walk around the town.

Also it looks like the walk from Funken Lodge to the brewery is only a bit more than a mile. Is it actually walkable?

Anyone had an experience in volunteering in Svalbard? I already assume the chances would be low, but just in case..

Hi all,

I’m 25M spending 3 weeks in Longyearbyen in January. It’s always been on my bucket list to spend winter here and I have a bit of time before starting a new job so I’ve taken the plunge.

I have no plans at all yet! So any tips etc would be great - also would be very interested in meeting up with anyone there for a drink etc