Polar bears in Svalbard
 

I know this is not an aviation post, but my wife wants to go and see polar bears in the pristine arctic wilderness.
I've tried the usual tourist sites, but in Svalbard, they all include a voyage on a cruise ship, albeit a small one, something she will not do! or include Churchill in Canada, long flight, jet lag and too many tourists.
Do any of you fellow Pruners in the far north have any ideas/tips on seeing these critters in Svalbard, preferably along with someone with a skidoo and a big gun!!

Thanks.
Andy Knowles
Former Air Traffic Controller
and now
Railway Incident Controller.

:)

uffington sb,

Try this website:

http://www.svalbard.net/index.php?sel=997&lang=0

There is no guarantee to see any polar bears, but there are many alternatives to explore the phantastic nature on Spitsbergen.
On layovers (too few these days) ,the most popular activity for our crews is to rent snow scooters.There are several possibilities of other activities as well.

As the bears for the most part are hard to find, I would recommend a trip up there anyway.

If you are going in the wintertime, I would suggest april/may as the sun is back and the weather is more stable.

Send them an e-mail and I am sure they are more than willing to give you advice.

rgds

A&A