What to pack for Arctic

Miscellaneous: If you want the very best buy a Canada Goose parka. This is what you will find most people in the Canadian Arctic wearing. They are expensive though, around $500- $600CDN. I have an LL Bean Baxter State parka that was perfect at -40C and cost me less than $200.

3 more images

Photo Equipment: Be sure to bring plenty of film or memorie cards with you, plenty of batteries, a good tele lens, maybe some filters and - very important - protection from water! While on the zodiacs it might get wet and that is not good for any camera!

3 more images

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: When travelling to the Arctic it is essential to have water proof clothing with you! You cannot expect to have blue sky and sunshine all of the time plus the land excursions will take you to slowly melting permafrost areas - and to get there you might have to sit in a zodiac. This alone can be a little wet plus leaving the zodiac will most likely have you make one or two steps in the water! So be sure to check your rubber boots before leaving, because there is nothing worse than having wet feet while walking through the Arctic!

Luggage and bags: Bring a hockey bag as the air planes are small and your luggage will get tossed around considerably and you wont want to damage your bag. Plus if you take a bag with cheap zippers they will be frozen!

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Bring an Arctic Goose jacket because they are long and they are the warmest jacket on the market. They are expensive but soo worth it. You can buy them in any Northern store. Buy your boots and gloves and hat when you arrive in the Arctic because Southern or Western gear is useless and the best and warmest gear is the traditional jackets and pants and boots. They are brilliant.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Bring all supplies as everything is so damn expensive in the Arctic. You may want to bring contact solution, visine etc.

Miscellaneous: Bring great sunblock as you will get a vicious burn and a pair a good Oakley sunglasses will be a benefit in the tough Arctic sun!

Photo Equipment: wanna know what are these men doing here ?

yes

no

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: For the summer season bring solid treking boots and warm windproof clothes if you plan to go treking or boat trips etc.
For the vinter season bring really warm clothes, you can hire special clothing for dogsled trips etc.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: You can get all necessities you need in the shops in Longyearbyen.

Photo Equipment: The basic selection of 135mm and APS films and batteries are available in the shops in Longyearbyen.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: Arranged trips ranging from a few days to several weeks weeks traveling by ski, dogsled, scooter or boat are available from variuos tour operators. See www.svalbard.net for more info.