Strongest solar storm in over 20 years hits Earth
Marcel Schütz, 01/20/2026

Strongest solar storm in over 20 years hits Earth

Northern Lights over Zurich – for Mike Jakob, it was a magical moment to witness the usually Arctic phenomenon in his own sky. Northern lights over Zurich’s local mountain “Uetliberg”Image: Mike JakobNorthern Lights Across Europe and North AmericaOn 19 January 2026, skies over large parts of Europe

Postage Stamps Marking 100 Years of Marine Science
Heiner Kubny, 01/11/2026

Postage Stamps Marking 100 Years of Marine Science

With a special stamp issue, the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) is honoring a key chapter in international marine research. On 18 December 2025, the fifth and final set of a multi-part series was released, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the so-called Discov

Agreement on Air Traffic Control Signed in Nuuk
Heiner Kubny, 12/28/2025

Agreement on Air Traffic Control Signed in Nuuk

In light of Nuuk’s growth as Greenland’s commercial and administrative center, as well as increasing tourism, there was a need for improved flight connections to the capital. The previously required transfer in Kangerlussuaq for most international flights has now been eliminated. (Photo: onemileatat

Putin approves North Pole base and additional Arctic projects by decree
Marcel Schütz, 12/20/2025

Putin approves North Pole base and additional Arctic projects by decree

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin ordered by decree on 15 December the construction of a non-permanent ice base at the North Pole. The planned Artur Chilingarov Ice Base is to be established on Arctic drifting sea ice near the North Pole and is intended to serve both scientific purposes and short-te

“Arctic Watch” Ceases Tourist Operations
Heiner Kubny, 12/19/2025

“Arctic Watch” Ceases Tourist Operations

One of the highlights at Arctic Watch were the belugas. (Photo: Rosamaria Kubny)Nunavut / Canada – Arctic Watch, one of the northernmost tourism operations in the world, is permanently discontinuing all tourist activities after 25 years. The decisive factors are ongoing political and regulatory cond

From Berlin to Svalbard – The History of the Ny-Ålesund Locomotive
Marcel Schütz, 12/15/2025

From Berlin to Svalbard – The History of the Ny-Ålesund Locomotive

Locomotive at Ny-Ålesund (79° N), before restoration.Photo: Marcel SchützOn the wide western coast of the Norwegian archipelago Svalbardlies the settlement of Ny-Ålesund. Today, it is an international research hub and one of the northernmost permanently inhabited places on Earth. Yet among modern me

Dani Arnold achieves the first winter ascent of the Tarantellen in Svalbard
Marcel Schütz, 11/24/2025

Dani Arnold achieves the first winter ascent of the Tarantellen in Svalbard

Tarantellen on Svalbard – Photo: Marcel SchützA medical emergency, a spontaneous change of plans, and a striking rock formation in one of the most remote corners of the Arctic: Swiss extreme mountaineer Dani Arnold has written a new chapter in his adventure career with an extraordinary winter ascent

Swiss Seed Samples for the Global Seed Vault in Svalbard
Rosamaria Kubny, 11/07/2025

Swiss Seed Samples for the Global Seed Vault in Svalbard

Svalbard – On October 21, 2025, the Global Seed Vault on Svalbard was opened once again. More than 21,000 new samples from 20 international gene banks made their way into the frozen mountain above the airport of Longyearbyen. The Global Seed Vault on Svalbard. It is opened about three times a year t

Launch of New South Georgia Entry Permit System Halted
Dr. Michael Wenger, 08/12/2025

Launch of New South Georgia Entry Permit System Halted

The Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands had planned to implement a new ETA system for visitors but had to delay these plans now. The Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) has announced a last-minute postponement of its new Electronic Entry Permit sy

Tourism in Greenland: a fragile balance, an update after the elections
Gastautor, 03/19/2025

Tourism in Greenland: a fragile balance, an update after the elections

In an article for Polar Journal AG, Marie-Noëlle Rimaud advocates “finding a way out from the top, through intelligence”. The lecturer and researcher in tourism economics and management calls for the development of a win-win strategy between foreign investors in the tourism sector and the island’s i

Adult-Themed Cruise to Antarctica: Theme Park Tourism or Isolated Incident?
Dr. Michael Wenger, 03/13/2025

Adult-Themed Cruise to Antarctica: Theme Park Tourism or Isolated Incident?

An unusual event in Antarctic tourism unfolded in January 2025, prompting discussions about the evolving nature of travel to this unique region. The expedition vessel of a well-known cruise line was fully chartered by a travel agency to host an “adult-themed” voyage, marketed as the “7th Continent A

Managing the route, from Australia to Greenland’s Arctic Circle Trail
Mirjana Binggeli, 11/19/2024

Managing the route, from Australia to Greenland’s Arctic Circle Trail

When a passion for hiking, writing, and photography leads to managing Greenland’s most famous trail. Lisa Germany’s job allows her to combine some of her greatest interests. Photo: Lisa GermanyHiking in the magnificent Greenlandic backcountry as your job? For many, this may seem like the ultimate fa

Marie-Noëlle Rimaud, islander, polar explorer and pioneer
Camille Lin, 11/08/2024

Marie-Noëlle Rimaud, islander, polar explorer and pioneer

Her passion for sailing opened up opportunities in Greenland. Illustration: Gisèle Durand RuizPolar tourism in Greenland is not a subject frequently addressed in French economic and social sciences. Yet Marie-Noëlle Rimaud is now able to capture what was once just over the horizon, and observe it th

“In the Arctic, there are no small accidents”
Camille Lin, 10/22/2024

“In the Arctic, there are no small accidents”

Safety is an issue for shipping in the Arctic, where emergency infrastructures are rare. Over the last ten years, the distance covered by the Polar Code has doubled, and the number of ships has increased. Image: Air Force / Joint Arctic CommandThe challenges of maritime safety in polar zones were d

Podcast Radio Arctic – Tourism Trajectories
Julia Hager, 10/19/2024

Podcast Radio Arctic – Tourism Trajectories

The Arctic has become an increasingly popular travel destination in recent years. In the new podcast, Radio Arctic discusses the future of tourism in the Arctic with various experts. The Arctic is no longer just a destination for daring explorers and adventurers but has transformed into an increasin

The Polar Retrospective – Antarctic awakening
Dr. Michael Wenger, 10/14/2024

The Polar Retrospective – Antarctic awakening

The Antarctic season start at Port Lockoy will kick off soon. (Photo: Michael Wenger)The Polar Retrospective looks at stories of the past week that are related to the Arctic and Antarctic and focuses on one or more aspects. This week will look at the start of the Antarctic tourism season along the A

When regulation is lacking and demand growing, whales should not pay the bill
Gastautor, 09/28/2024

When regulation is lacking and demand growing, whales should not pay the bill

From whaling to whale watching, our relationship with these animals has improved considerably, but they continue to suffer from infractions or the absence of rules. Image : Michael WengerThe attraction and curiosity about whales can be mutual if all the conditions are met. But when economic attracti

Small passenger vessel sinks in South Greenland – concern about oil pollution
Julia Hager, 09/27/2024

Small passenger vessel sinks in South Greenland – concern about oil pollution

The area around Nanortalik is characterized by numerous skerries – one of which was the Adolf Jensen’ s undoing. Photo: Wikipedia/Jensbn The passenger ship Adolf Jensen ran aground and sank off Nanortalik in southern Greenland last week. All passengers and crew members managed to evacuate and are sa

The Polar Retrospective – Alaska, arctic region of contrasts
Dr. Michael Wenger, 09/23/2024

The Polar Retrospective – Alaska, arctic region of contrasts

In the opinion of the editor-in-chief, the largest and northernmost state of the USA is fascinating in its diversity, but it also shows some contrasts in the relationship between the US and the Arctic. The Great Bear (aka Big Dipper), the Arctic constellation, and the Polar Star (top right), in the