As in previous years, the Toppturfestivalen Svalbard puts safety first. With us we have handpicked and experienced tour guides and polar bear rangers.
Safety and equipment
Packing list
Careful assessments of the conditions will be made before we move out into the terrain and during the trip itself. In Pyramiden, it is the festival management together with the employees at the hotel who ensure safety.
60 - 80L backpack
60 - 80L backpack
Backpack and storage
Winter clothing (Shell clothing, mid-layer, down jacket and woolen underwear)
Hat and gloves and mittens
Swimwear (Yes, everyone has to swim!)
Indoor shoes/slippers (for use in the hotel)
Backpack and storage
Ski/splitboard, boots and poles
Traps
Sunglasses and goggles
Backpack and storage
Avalanche detector (Mandatory)
Spade (Required)
Search bar (Required)
Helmet (Strongly recommended)
First aid kits and chafing plasters (to take care of minor injuries such as small cuts and other bleeding)
Backpack and storage
Various snacks/drinks to take with you on your trip
Water bottle (enough water for a day on the summit trip)
Thermos, cup and possibly cutlery (if you plan to eat, for example, real tour food)
Backpack and storage
Sunscreen (the sun takes just as much in Svalbard as elsewhere)
Toiletries
Backpack and storage
Safety brief on departure
On departure, we will take a general safety briefing for the festival itself. We have some equipment requirements for all our participants who must be present in order for you to be able to join the top tours:
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Helmet (recommended)
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Shovel
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Search bar
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Avalanche finder (Transmitter/Receiver)
In addition, it is of course practical to have sunglasses and sunscreen, so you don't get snow-blind or sunburned.
We plan trips with safe route choices and avoid driving in terrain that requires special equipment. If you are unsure of your own skills when it comes to different types of snow and traversing, it may be good to bring crampons.
Otherwise, the standard equipment for the summit tour applies. The approaches can be long, and we therefore recommend skis or splitboards.