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
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
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
Polar bear family, Churchill, Hudson Bay – © Bob SmithChurchill, CanadaIn the midst of the barren vastness of the tundra, scientists have witnessed a moment that made even seasoned polar bear researchers pause. Near the small town of Churchill in northeastern Manitoba, a mother polar bear was spotte
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
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
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
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
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
The Polar Retrospective looks at recent stories from around the world’s polar regions. This week we take a look at new regulations on subantarctic islands for visitors, the solution to a 66-year old Antarctic mystery, and a grim outlook for reindeer populations due to the changing climate.The changi
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
Professors Darla Hatton MacDonald and Elizabeth Leane explain how new market based tools can help to prevent overtourism in Antarctica in this article provided by The Conversation. Space for tourists and wildlife is limited even te seemingly vast wilderness of Antarctica. (Image: Michael Wenger)Darl
The absence of an insurance offer adapted to polar operators linked to France is felt by professionals in the sector who responded to a survey by the Chaire Enjeux Polaires.Customers and polar guides take turns looking after the itinerant camps on Arctic excursions. Image: Julia HagerAvalanches, bea
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
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
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
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
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
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
This year, Aleš Česen will return for his sixth season in Antarctica and the otherworldly continent continues to fascinate him. Photo: Courtesy of Aleš ČesenAleš Česen is a celebrated mountaineer but stresses that no special training is required to work in Antarctica. All you need is reliability and
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
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
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
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
