Arctic Light

This year winter came early for me. I found it in the frozen archipelago of Svalbard; hunkered in the Norwegian Sea between the northern cap of Norway and the North Pole. I have to say it really couldn’t come soon enough; Svalbard is in my heart and I feel at home in this ice world.

- Kari Shibevaag

I love the town, the nature and also the people who live there. Sval-bard is the home of the polar bear where for most of the year, the mountains sit shrouded under a cover of snow and ice. From the first time I set foot on the place on a snow kite expedition last winter, I felt a strong connection. But, I had yet to hit the water on my sup so this new adventure had been simmering away on my bucket list for some time now.

I landed early October and the snow had just arrived. It was just how I remembered it from last year. The soaring mountains dominating the view all the way down to the ocean. The cosy little town already with a thick dusting of snow. It felt like I was home again.

This time my bag was paced with kit for the ocean but there was so much snow I could have brought my skis along and made a biathlon of it. I had my fingers crossed for some clear weather, but when it comes to sunny days in Svalbard you need a bit of luck.

EXPLORING THE NORTH.