Svalbard Turn: Ski to the edge of the world

By Celina Tran

In one of the world’s northernmost inhabited locations, Svalbard Turn is a sporting institution that embodies resilience, community, and a deep love for Longyearbyen. Established in 1930, Svalbard Turn is not just the club hosting the Svalbard Skimaraton, but also a cornerstone of the community, weaving fitness, wellness, and fellowship into the fabric of life in Svalbard.

In the high reaches of the Arctic, where the sun dips below the horizon for months on end and icy winds sweep across rugged, snow-draped peaks, lies Svalbard – a remote, dramatic landscape just over 1,000 kilometres from the North Pole. Here, amidst glaciers and stark mountain ridges, Svalbard Turn has built a thriving community around sports and endurance.

“Svalbard Turn is a sports club that provides diverse sports activities for our community,” says general manager Elisabeth Leinan Johannessen. “Our base is the sports complex Svalbardhallen, which features facilities for everything from football and volleyball to swimming and climbing. We even host sports such as smallbore shooting and chess, catering to the broad interests of our members. The alpine slope SkiLongyear is a recent addition that opened in 2024, expanding our range of winter sports.”

The club’s marathons, events, and athletic gatherings attract participants who crave the extraordinary –braving unpredictable weather that swings from fog and wind to bursts of Arctic sunlight. For nearly a century, Svalbard Turn has embraced the extremes of its surroundings, fostering a spirit of adventure and resilience that reflects the very character of Svalbard itself.

Svalbard Turn: Ski to the edge of the world

Photo: Svalbard Turn

A century of community spirits

The roots of organised sports in Longyearbyen go back to the early 20th century, with the original Longyearbyen Ski Club active from around 1916. By the time Svalbard Turn was established in 1930, it represented a turning point – offering structured physical activities and a vital reprieve for local miners, whose work was physically demanding and isolated.

Sports like gymnastics, skiing, and shooting were introduced early on, with Longyearbyen’s early leaders like Joakim Lindholm, a proficient gymnast, and Einar Sverdrup at the helm. The club gained support from the mining company Store Norske, which recognised that recreational sports played an essential role in sustaining workers’ physical and mental well-being.

“Over the years, Svalbard Turn has become integral to community life,” says Johannessen. “Our values of fellowship, health, and honesty are reflected in how we build community around sports. We encourage a healthy lifestyle for everyone, from young children just beginning to explore sports to seasoned marathon runners challenging their limits in an Arctic marathon.”

Photo: Svalbard Turn

Join the Svalbard Skimaraton

Through fostering competitive spirit and providing a gathering place in venues like Gammelfæmma in the early days or the modern Svalbardhallen today, the club has grown alongside the town it calls home.

Today, the club might be best known for arranging Svalbard Skimaraton, the largest single event on Svalbard where participants get to experience the extraordinary sights, sounds, and perhaps even wildlife of Svalbard – think Arctic foxes, reindeer, eiders and more. “We invite locals and visitors alike to join us at the end of April as participants, volunteers or spectators, in celebrating and preserving the sporting spirit of Svalbard,” says Johannessen.

As Svalbard Turn approaches its centenary, it continues to be a vital part of Longyearbyen, bringing together people from all walks of life. The incredible view is of course just a bonus so while at the edge of the world, make sure to explore the area and take time to enjoy the dazzling sky above.