Dog sledding in Bolterdalen

Their Royal Highnesses The Crown Prince and Crown Princess started the day at Polarflokken Kindergarten. Polarflokken is designed for Svalbard’s climate, with a play area sheltered from weather and wind, and the Crown Prince and Crown Princess met people of all ages out in the playground.

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess visited Polarflokken Kindergarten. Photo: Simen Sund, The Royal Court

Polarflokken has a large outdoor area with a sledding hill, grill hut and play equipment. A sports hall, ski trail and ice rink are close by, so there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor play and fun. 

Visit to Longyearbyen School

A five-minute walk from Polarflokken brought the Crown Prince and Crown Princess to Longyearbyen School, which is attended by pupils at primary, lower and upper secondary levels. It may be the world’s northernmost school.

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess joined in some of the classroom instruction before heading to the outdoor equipment storeroom, which contains gear used in teaching and gear that pupils can borrow for private recreational use.

About 170 pupils gathered with the Crown Prince and Crown Princess to see performances in the school’s assembly hall. Youngsters from all levels of the school contributed. Photo: Sara Svanemyr, The Royal Court

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess enjoyed a lunch of fish soup before setting off for scenic Bolterdalen. They wanted to meet a family that is living there and to experience a little of what Svalbard has to offer tourists, who are now starting to return after the pandemic.

Dog sled trip in Bolterdalen

In Bolterdalen, a valley east of Longyearbyen, the Jordbrudal family operates a husky kennel and provides dog sledding trips for adventurous nature lovers. The kennel houses 45 dogs, including veterans of the Iditarod and Finnmarksløpet races.

The kennel is relatively small. According to Tommy Jordbrudal, it is important to have time to care for each dog. Photo: Sara Svanemyr, The Royal Court

The family that the Crown Prince and Crown Princess met put down roots in Svalbard 15 years ago. Tommy Jordbrudal is an avid dog sledder, as are Tiril (10) and Gaute (12). Tiril was not yet 3 when she took part in her first sled dog race, and she is the youngest musher ever to compete in the Junior North American Championship. Gaute was just 4½ years old when he became the North American junior dog sledding champion.  

The Arctic Husky Travellers kennel has 45 dogs. Photo: Sara Svanemyr, The Royal Court 

After the dogs were harnessed the Crown Prince and Crown Princess went sledding across Bolterdalen behind their dog team. Leading the way was Foxi. Foxi was born the runt of the litter, but proved herself Jordbrudal’s best dog ever when she ended up at the front of the team during the world’s toughest dog race, Iditarod.

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess drove a dog team on a visit to Arctic Husky Travellers outside Longyearbyen. Photo: Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB

Evening reception

In the evening, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit hosted a reception for some 60 guests at the Svalbard Museum. Guests included individuals the Crown Prince and Crown Princess had met during their visit and many others who helped to organise the many activities they have experienced during their time in Svalbard.

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess delivered a joint speech to welcome their guests.

“Haakon and I are very, very grateful to be back in Longyearbyen once again,” said the Crown Princess. “I think you who live here know how much the Royal Family enjoys visiting Svalbard. What strikes us each time we come is that this is a very special meeting place – even if it’s a bit off the beaten track.”

The Crown Princess highlighted Longyearbyen’s diversity and international character. Crown Prince Haakon pointed out that Svalbard is one of the places on earth where the effects of climate change are most apparent:

“In Svalbard, we see with extra clarity the fundamental challenges of our time: the melting ice, the threatened species, the changing climate. This is nature at its harshest, and at the same time its most vulnerable.

With dog team in Bolterdalen. Photo: Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB

This issue will be part of the backdrop for the programme tomorrow, when the Crown Prince and Crown Princess pay a visit to the Svalbard Satellite Station and meet with students and researchers at University Centre in Svalbard. Crown Prince Haakon will also visit Gruve 7, Norway’s last coal mine.