Our Svalbard retreat is based at the Funken Lodge in Longyearbyen – a stylish, welcoming base that blends Arctic character with modern comfort. From here, we set out each day into the wild to experience the raw beauty of the High Arctic.
One day you might find yourself wrapped in the stillness of the snowfields, gliding behind a team of huskies across frozen valleys. Another, you’ll be on a snowmobile, following icy tracks deep into untouched backcountry, where the silence feels almost unreal.
April in Svalbard is known as the “Sunny Winter” – a season of deep snow, bright skies, and some of the best conditions of the year for Arctic adventures. With long daylight hours, we can journey far into the wilderness: snowmobiling into hidden valleys, mushing your own husky team across vast plains, or exploring ice caves and remote viewpoints. The light at this time of year is extraordinary – clear, pure, and endless – making every day an opportunity to soak up the scale and beauty of this polar landscape.
Between adventures, we’ll gather for daily yoga and meditation to balance the energy of the Arctic with grounding and restoration. A visit to the SvalBad floating sauna in Longyearbyen harbour offers another kind of exhilaration – alternating between a bracing Arctic plunge and the warmth of a wood-fired sauna with epic views. Evenings are for sharing stories over dinner, warming up by the fire, and soaking in the quiet magic of Svalbard – a place that stays with you long after you’ve left its snowy shores.
Who's Teaching: James Rafael

James is a vinyasa yoga, movement, and meditation teacher. He teaches a slow and strength based, lighthearted but challenging style of yoga. His classes combine fluid, slow flowing sequences of postures linked through breath and awareness. There will be a focus on building strength and flexibility in a balanced way while connecting body to heart and mind. Options will be offered for all levels throughout depending on how nourishing or fiery you like your practice, but some previous experience of vinyasa yoga is recommended.
On most days you’ll have either two or three yoga classes a day, including meditation, breathwork and an asana practice. Depending on our travel schedule, there may be some days when we will have just one practice.
Find out more about James and try some free classes or join a live online class.
Our base in Svalbard is the beautiful Funken Lodge, a boutique hotel perched on the hillside above Longyearbyen. Once the reception centre for the local mining company, it now offers a stylish and welcoming retreat, just a short stroll from the town centre. Its elevated location in Haugen gives you the best panoramic views in town, with sweeping vistas over Hiorthfjellet and the colourful houses of Longyearbyen – all visible from both the restaurant and many of the rooms.
The entire hotel has been recently renovated, with well-appointed rooms and inviting public areas, including a cosy library and comfortable salongs. There’s also a dedicated yoga room and two saunas – perfect for warming up after a day in the Arctic air.
We have just 10 places available for this retreat, staying in 4 single rooms and 2 twin/double rooms. All rooms have ensuite bathrooms with modern facilities. While we don’t have exclusive use of the hotel, our group enjoys private yoga space, dining areas, and Arctic activities to ensure a warm, connected group dynamic.
During our stay, we’ll dine at Funktionærmessen Restaurant – voted Longyearbyen’s best restaurant and celebrated for showcasing the finest produce from across Norway. Each day begins with a sumptuous breakfast, followed by a light lunch, and ends with a hearty three-course dinner to warm you after a day in the Arctic air.
The menu includes both meat and fish, with vegetarian and vegan options available on request. As with all our retreats, this is an alcohol-free experience, allowing you to fully enjoy the clarity and energy that comes from a yoga retreat in this remarkable environment.
This retreat is for our Bold Travellers*
We have created this retreat for small group of adventurous yogis ready to step far beyond the usual. You’ll need to be fit, healthy, and resilient – this is a remote, wild environment where nature takes centre stage. April in Svalbard is still deep winter, with snow-covered landscapes and long, bright days that invite big adventures.
This is an active retreat, with days spent snowmobiling into the backcountry, mushing your own husky team across frozen valleys and venturing into vast snowy terrain on foot. You’ll need to be an energetic person who enjoys being outdoors in cold conditions and is comfortable with varied weather.
The rewards are immense – pristine white landscapes, the clarity of spring light, and the thrill of exploring one of the most extraordinary places on earth – but they come with the need to pack and prepare well, embrace the unexpected, and keep an open mind when conditions shape the plan.
*Read about our traveller categories.
Responsible Retreating in Svalbard
We are committed to operating in an environmentally and socially responsible way which includes being transparent about the current eco-credentials for each retreat.
Coming soon…