The flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen takes only a few hours – yet it feels like entering another world. The contrast to mainland Norway is immense: here, nature dominates, vast and unbroken, clear and impossibly beautiful.

In Longyearbyen, our mountain guide will meet you upon arrival. He has already prepared the vessel and logistics for the days ahead. From the small airport, we head directly to the nearby harbour where Ylva awaits.

That same evening we set sail, leaving the last traces of civilisation behind as we glide through the ice-free Isfjorden toward Oscar II Land. Behind us, the lights of Longyearbyen fade. Ahead lies the wide stillness of the Arctic.

By late evening, we reach the sheltered Trygghamna fjord and drop anchor. Surrounded by steep mountains and year-round open water, this quiet anchorage gives a first taste of the terrain to come.

Onboard, our first shared dinner awaits. Outside, Ylva rests calmly in the cold, clear water, embraced by rock, snow, and silence. Overhead, the midnight sun lingers above the horizon, painting the landscape in deep golds and reds. Day and night merge into one long Arctic glow. It’s the beginning of a remarkable week – of ski touring, vast horizons, and an intimate connection with the far north.

After our first night aboard, the day begins with a shared breakfast in the soft glow of Arctic light. Outside, the midnight sun glides gently across snow-covered peaks — the perfect moment to prepare for our first adventure.

By late morning, we set foot on land for the first time in this wild, untouched landscape. Using our sturdy Zodiac, we reach a suitable landing site — chosen flexibly according to weather, snow, and ice conditions. Among our possible routes are striking summits like Protektorfjellet (849 m), the distinctive Alkhornet (616 m), or Värmlandsryggen (575 m) further east.

From the top, an immense panorama unfolds: glaciers, fjords, open sea — and silence, broken only by the whisper of skis on snow. The vastness and stillness of the Arctic reveal their full power.

Under the midnight sun, there is no rush — the day never ends. Those who wish can take a second tour in the golden evening light, when the low sun transforms the landscape into a scene of deep glow and calm. Others may linger aboard the yacht: a cup of tea in hand, watching drifting ice pass quietly by. The day fades softly, filled with stillness and satisfaction.

In the days ahead, our route is guided by the arctic sea ice — and with it, the choice of our daily ski objectives. When conditions allow, we follow the Forlandsundet north, between Oscar II Land and Prins Karls Forland, all the way to Ny-Ålesund — one of the northernmost inhabited settlements on Earth. The further we venture into this remote region, the greater our chances of spotting the Arctic’s monarch: the polar bear. For safety, our mountain guides are always armed and trained for all eventualities.

The landscape around us is one of overwhelming beauty — steep mountains, glittering glaciers, sculpted icebergs drifting across open water. A world both raw and graceful, silent and immense. Between ski tours, we return to the warmth and comfort of our sailing yacht — our floating refuge in the frozen wilderness. Meals prepared in the galley become something more than food: shared moments of warmth and quiet celebration.

Each day brings new encounters. We are likely to see seals or walruses resting on the ice. Sometimes a whale glides silently past the boat — or, with luck, a polar bear crosses the ice in the distance. These moments — unplanned, unfiltered, unforgettable — stay with you long after the voyage ends.

Late on the seventh evening, we sail back to Longyearbyen. But the journey isn’t over yet. The small Arctic capital has its own charm — perhaps time remains for a drink in one of its cozy bars, sharing stories of the days behind us.

Our final night is spent aboard, with the midnight sun still hovering above calm water — and the quiet satisfaction of knowing we have been part of something truly rare.