Polar ski manhauling expeditions and trips

Access to certain protected areas requires specific authorisations depending on the destination. In Antarctica, all activities are subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment by the competent national authority, in compliance with the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. In Svalbard, a camping permit must be submitted to the Governor (Sysselmannen) at least four weeks before departure, and a qualified guide is mandatory in protected areas under regulations that came into force in January 2025. For Greenland crossings and Canadian Arctic routes, registration with local authorities may be required depending on the itinerary. All permit procedures are handled by the operator on behalf of participants.

Entry requirements vary by destination and nationality. Norway (including Svalbard) and Finland are part of the Schengen Area. Mongolia requires a visa for most nationalities, now available online before departure. Russia (Lake Baikal) requires a consular visa obtained in advance. Antarctica has no conventional border; access authorisation is handled at the operator level. Each participant should verify requirements specific to their passport with the relevant consulate or embassy, and consult their government's official travel advice for each destination before booking.

The primary risk in polar environments is hypothermia, which can occur even at moderate temperatures if effort levels drop or equipment is inadequate. Frostbite typically affects extremities, fingers, toes, ears, and nose, and is prevented through careful management of perspiration and equipment drying. Cumulative fatigue over long crossings (20 to 35 days of continuous progress) and the psychological effects of isolation must also be anticipated. No malaria or tropical disease risk applies to these destinations. A medical check-up before departure is strongly recommended; some programmes require a medical fitness certificate for extreme-effort activities.

In areas frequented by polar bears, Svalbard in particular, a continuous bear watch is maintained at camp. Svalbard regulations require a minimum distance of 300 metres from polar bears (500 metres between 1 March and 30 June), with a mandatory retreat if a bear approaches. Guides are trained in bear safety management and appropriately equipped. Bear safety protocols are an integral part of the logistics for every expedition in affected areas.

Insurance covering search and rescue costs, medical evacuation, and repatriation from extremely remote areas is essential. Evacuation costs in polar environments, by plane or helicopter depending on the zone and season, can reach tens of thousands of euros and are never covered by standard travel insurance policies. It is essential to verify that your policy explicitly covers high-risk activities, the relevant geographic areas (including Antarctica and the Arctic Circle), and the full duration of the expedition. Proof of insurance may be requested before registration is confirmed.

A round-the-clock medical helpline is available throughout the expedition. In the event of a serious medical emergency, evacuation depends on the zone and weather conditions: in the Arctic, helicopter evacuation is possible when conditions allow; in Antarctica, evacuation relies on available logistics by air from the nearest base (Punta Arenas or Union Glacier). Response times can range from 24 to 72 hours depending on distance and weather. This is why evacuation and repatriation insurance is a non-negotiable requirement for all participants.

A minimum athletic level of fitness is required. Manhauling involves progressing 6 to 8 hours per day while pulling a sled weighing 20 to 35 kg, covering 15 to 25 kilometres per day depending on terrain. For introductory programmes (Jura stages, Lake Inari, 9-day Spitsbergen), good cardiovascular fitness and a regular endurance training routine are sufficient. For major crossings (Greenland, South Pole, North Pole), a structured preparation programme of several months is expected, including weighted towing simulation. No alpine skiing ability is required, Nordic touring ski technique is taught during preparation courses.

For long crossings (Greenland W-E 34 days, Northwest Passage, South Pole), at least one prior polar or winter wilderness expedition experience is strongly recommended. A preparation course (3 or 5 days in the Jura, or a week in Finland) allows participants to acquire core technical skills, validate their personal equipment, and assess their psychological resilience in isolated conditions. Guides help each candidate identify the programme that best matches their profile during a pre-registration interview.

A medical fitness certificate for physical activity in extreme conditions is required for expeditions rated Difficult. For introductory and intermediate programmes, a prior health check is strongly recommended even if not always formally required. Any cardiovascular, respiratory or musculoskeletal condition must be declared at registration: some absolute contraindications apply in extreme cold. Exact requirements are detailed in the registration file for each programme.

The catalogue covers four main zones. Europe (Jura massif, Lake Inari in Finland) offers 3 to 8-day expeditions from December to March, ideal for initiation. The Arctic (Svalbard, Greenland, North Pole, Northwest Passage in Canada) runs from February to May, when sea ice is stable and progression conditions are optimal. Central Asia (Lake Khovsgol in Mongolia, Lake Baikal in Russia) is accessible from January to March. Antarctica (South Pole, Queen Maud Land, Mount Vinson) operates during the austral summer, from November to January. Each seasonal window is narrow; programmes are scheduled around optimal meteorological conditions for each zone.

Initiation courses (3 to 8 days, Jura or Finland) focus on acquiring towing technique, equipment management, and bivouac skills in cold conditions, without venturing far from accessible rescue zones. Major crossings (Greenland W-E 34 days, South Pole 18 days, North Pole 16 days) involve complete isolation, full self-sufficiency in food and equipment, and the capacity to maintain daily progress for several weeks despite cumulative fatigue. Intermediate expeditions (Spitsbergen 9 days, Lake Baikal 15 days, Mongolia 17 days) form a natural progression between the two.

For a first introduction, the 3 or 5-day Jura courses or the 8-day Lake Inari programme in Finland are the most appropriate entry points. They allow participants to assess their aptitude and motivation before committing to longer expeditions. A first 'destination' expedition of 9 to 17 days (Spitsbergen, Mongolia, Baikal) is the natural next step for participants who have mastered the basic techniques.

Programme fees range from €980 for a 3-day initiation course in the Jura to €109,500 for the combined Mount Vinson and South Pole expedition (29 days). Serious first expeditions typically fall between €2,900 (Lake Inari, 8 days) and €15,500 (Greenland W-E crossing, 34 days). The great polar flagship expeditions (North Pole, South Pole, Mount Vinson) range from €56,000 to €109,500, reflecting the very high cost of air logistics specific to these extreme destinations. International flights are not included in any of these fees.

Fees generally include professional guide leadership, field logistics, local transfers from the destination airport, collective expedition equipment (polar tents, stoves, safety gear), and the 24/7 medical helpline. Costs typically remaining with the participant include: international flights (always excluded), specialist polar expedition insurance (mandatory), personal technical equipment (pulka, extreme-cold sleeping bag, clothing layers), hotel nights before and after the expedition, and personal expenses. The precise list of inclusions and exclusions is set out in the technical file for each programme.

Expeditions are led by French and international guides with recognised polar expertise. Certifications include affiliation with the IPGA (International Professional Guide Association). Group sizes range from 3 to 12 participants depending on the programme, with guide-to-participant ratios adjusted to difficulty level: major expeditions in remote zones typically run with a maximum of 4 to 6 participants. A personalised weather routing service is provided for programmes that require it.

A round-the-clock medical helpline is available throughout all expeditions. It enables remote medical consultation in the event of concerning symptoms, frostbite, hypothermia, cold-related disorders, and guides field teams in managing on-site emergencies. For the most committing expeditions (South Pole, North Pole, Mount Vinson), the possible presence of an expedition physician is to be confirmed programme by programme in the corresponding technical file.

Expeditions in protected polar zones (Antarctica, Svalbard, Arctic national parks) are conducted in full compliance with applicable environmental regulations: IAATO protocols for Antarctica and Governor of Svalbard regulations for Norwegian protected areas. Leave-no-trace principles are applied across all routes: no waste is left in the field, and regulatory distances from wildlife are strictly observed. Participants are briefed on the conduct rules specific to each zone before departure.