Chasing Silence and Ice: Norbert Rosing’s Arctic Wilderness

Chasing Silence and Ice in the Arctic Wilderness

By Kathrine Krane, Synlighet 

In a world where Arctic wilderness is vanishing, photographer Norbert Rosing of National Geographic fame, continues to return-not for the fame or the thrill, but for the quiet, transformative power of the landscape.

Best known for his polar bear photography in National Geographic, Rosing has made over 50 expeditions to the high North. Today, he’s not just capturing it-he’s sharing it, thanks to his recent travels to the arctic wilderness with Arctic Wildlife Tours. 

A lifelong connection to the Arctic 

Rosing’s relationship with the Arctic began in the 1970s, when a train journey through Scandinavia opened his eyes to the purity of wild nature. “I saw untouched wilderness from the train doors,” he recalls. That spark became a passion in 1981 during a three-week journey through Canada’s remote northern regions. “It was endless land, nothing but animals. We fell in love with the arctic wilderness in winter.” 

His arctic story evolved through countless returns to Churchill and later through National Geographic assignments, often spending weeks in one place just to capture a single moment. “I once waited six weeks for fox pups to emerge,” he says. “That kind of patience becomes part of you.” 

First encounters with Arctic Wildlife Tours 

Rosing first met the team behind Arctic Wildlife Tours in Antarctica, but it wasn’t until a trip to Spitsbergen in 2023 that he truly experienced their approach. “You’re ten days on a ship (almost) without internet. That disconnect brings a deep presence. The crew and guests become like family,” he explains. 

What sets Arctic Wildlife Tours apart from other similar businesses isn’t just the smaller ships or the more agile itineraries-it’s the shared values, Rosing explains. “The crew tells you right away what to expect and what not to expect. This isn’t luxury travel. It’s about the mission: seeing, learning, and respecting the wild,” Rosing says. 

That philosophy can lead to truly immersive moments such as discovering and experiencing an uncharted glacier with towering blue ice cones-where a polar bear stood as if waiting for the perfect shot. On another, they observed a bear feeding on a kill just 50 meters away, surrounded by fog, blood, ice and silence. 

“Those moments proved to me what’s possible when you’re with the right people in the right setting. That’s why I’ve chosen to return with Arctic Wildlife Tours for new journeys.” 

Photography on nature’s terms 

For Rosing, the Arctic and chasing silence and ice teaches humility. “You have to go with no expectations. If you demand polar bears or whales, you’ll likely miss the beauty that’s right in front of you,” he explains. His advice to travellers is practical: know your gear, bring backup batteries and cards, and resist the urge to review your shots. 

“Look with your eyes, not through your screen.” 

He recalls one frustrating day spent waiting under grey skies-until the weather suddenly cleared and a bear descended the mountainside. “That’s the shot,” he says. “And it only comes if you wait.” 

The people behind the Svalbard tour 

According to Rosing, much of the success of Arctic Wildlife Tours comes down to its guides. Rosing highlights the leadership of Svein, Jeanette, and Vidar. “Vidar is like a walking encyclopaedia. His knowledge of Arctic history and wildlife is astonishing,” Rosing says. “And the chef? Excellent.” 

These arctic wilderness tours are not package tours for the casually curious. “If you want comfort and predictability, this is not your trip,” Rosing says. “But if you want nature, silence, knowledge, and raw beauty-you’re in the right place.” 

Freedom and focus 

Rosing is already preparing for his next expedition later on in 2025. This time, he’s heading into the back ice. “Maybe we’ll see bears. Maybe birds. Maybe nothing,” he shrugs. “But maybe everything.” 

Asked to describe Arctic Wildlife Tours in one phrase, Rosing offers: “Freedom and focus.” 

That’s what the Arctic wilderness still offers those willing to go slowly, wait quietly, and see deeply. And it’s what Arctic Wildlife Tours delivers-for those ready to trade comfort for connection, and routine for the raw wonder of the far North.