Interview with an Arctic Guide: Elise S. Hagen

Guide Elise S. Hagen grew up in southern Norway, but spending time in Longyearbyen, Svalbard sparked a fascination with the town, its people and the high Arctic.

We spoke with Elise about how she got started with guiding, what surprises guests, and their top questions about polar bears.

How did you get into Arctic guiding?

My bachelor’s degree in Arctic Outdoor Life and Nature Guiding brought me to Svalbard for a year. I became deeply fascinated by this small town, its surroundings, and its people. That experience made me choose to stay.

I did not initially plan to become a guide, but I enjoyed an internship with Basecamp Explorer immensely. They offered me a position, and I have been drawn into the profession ever since. Now it’s my third year up here, and I still feel the urge to continue exploring more of the island.

What are some common questions you get from guests?

Many questions revolve around polar bears: Have you ever seen a polar bear? How long ago did you last see one? Have you ever had to shoot at a polar bear?

What surprises guests?

Arctic silence: It seems that many guests are no longer used to true silence. Most are accustomed to constant noise and stimulation. We try to incorporate moments of “Arctic silence” into our trips; simply taking the time to pause and let the quiet take over. Even I do not always fully grasp its impact, but the effect of silence can be surprisingly powerful, sometimes even shocking for the guests.

What do you like best about Arctic guiding?

I feel at my best in the field when a sense of community forms between me and the guests. That can happen in many ways: quietly observing a ptarmigan together, everyone fully present in the moment; pushing limits and achieving something challenging as a team; creating new shared experiences; or simply sharing laughter. Those moments of connection are what make the work meaningful.

What are some interesting things you’ve seen?

I have not been here for many years, so I do not necessarily have the strongest basis for judging what is unusual or part of a larger trend. However, last summer I noticed that the migratory birds seemed to stay much longer into the autumn than expected. Many others commented on the same thing. Whether this is connected to warmer autumn conditions, I am not qualified to say, but it does make one wonder.

For more insight into Arctic guiding, see our interview with Hilde Fålun Strøm.