The need for a change of scenery and a new adventure - that’s what made Lisa Djønne from Geilo quit her job and move to Longyearbyen in 2016. She hasn’t looked back since, and highlights mastering the Svalbard wilderness as one of the best parts of living here.
The 32-year-old explains that ski trips, cabin visits, snowmobile and tenting tour have filled her time, and that she has felt pushed to keep learning something new.
Living on Svalbard is exotic, and Lisa has had a lot of visitors, particularly her mother who is a big fan of Svalbard.
With its distinctive seasons and great changes throughout the year, Svalbard is an exciting place to be both summer and winter, but one season has definitely become Lisa’s favourite.
The light winter! When the sun comes back in February - March. When the sky is blue, purple, pink and white, it looks nearly surreal, it is just so beautiful!
Throughout the year, I try to be outdoors as much as possible. One of the most amazing tours I have been on was to Wijdefjorden, in the north of Spitsbergen. The sun was shining, we visited an ice cave, and enjoyed the simple life, far from any other people. Here in Longyearbyen I enjoy hikes up to Sukkertoppen, to Varden or Trollsteinen. These mountains are close to town, but offer amazing views. Or maybe a snowmobile tour to Lusitaniafjellet, where you have views towards Mine 7, Billefjord and Fredheim. That is an amazing trip.
What do you always have with you on every trip?