Ice Town: Life on the Edge

Episode 1: Welcome to Svalbard
Meet the residents of Longyearbyen, where guns are mandatory, and bears outnumber people.

Longyearbyen on Svalbard is the most northern town in the world and home to an international community of residents who have all chosen to live in one of the most remote and extreme environments on the planet. This is a place like no other, a place where you aren’t allowed to be born or die, carrying a gun outside of town is mandatory and where polar bears outnumber the human residents.

Episode 2: Life is Fragile
The dark season arrives on Svalbard, when the residents won’t see sun for three months.

The dark season arrives on Svalbard, the northernmost town on the planet, where for the residents, the sun won’t shine for the next three months. Wiggo, the local taxi driver (who’s a dead ringer for Santa), has a plan to capitalize on the tourists coming to see the Arctic Northern lights. Meanwhile Ben, an American chef, is attempting his own food revolution, starting with worm cookies.

Episode 3: Out of the Darkness
A natural disaster results in a tragedy which has far reaching repercussions for the town.

The residents of Longyearbyen are in the grip of winter, which means 24 hours of total darkness and extreme Arctic weather. After one of the worst storms to hit the town in 30 years, the residents are struggling to come to terms with a huge tragedy. An avalanche has slid down the mountain wiping out many houses. It’s a massive blow to the community and its effects are far reaching.

Episode 4: Into the Light
Christine puts her new dog sledding skills to the test by entering a demanding dog race.

Transport is always an issue in the world’s most northern town. Christine decides to try dog sledding and puts her new skills to the test by entering a 40 km dog race into the Arctic wilderness. It’s the furthest she’s ever been on her own and will be a test of her skill and endurance. Elsewhere, Mary Ann hires a new chef to take over her kitchen. But it proves to be a recipe for disaster.

Episode 5: Good Tracks or Bad
The warmest winter ever recorded has dramatic effects on the residents of Svalbard.

As the region experiences its warmest winter ever recorded, the residents of Svalbard witness the effects of climate change firsthand. Chris takes a group of students out onto a glacier to check whether it has gained or lost mass and is surprised by the results. Lara faces up to their least favorite activity, cleaning up the mess of nearly 200 dogs. And that’s before they deal with the humans…

Episode 6: On Thin Ice
A journey to a remote cabin in the wilderness highlights the dangers of living off grid.

If life in the world’s most northern town wasn’t remote enough, Christine and Grace decide to head to a cabin in the Arctic wilderness. On the way they cross a frozen sea on thin ice, and come across a cabin vandalized by bears, a stark warning of the perils of surviving off grid. Elsewhere, Wiggo scares tourists with his grizzly tales of death and the dangers of living on the edge of the world.

Episode 7: Worlds Apart
Christine’s sister, Catherine gets to grips with Arctic life when she visits from England.

Visitors descend on the world’s most northern town, including Christine’s sister Catherine who tries to get to grips with Arctic life. Meanwhile, Mary Ann’s son Vidda comes to her rescue in the kitchen. Pastor Leif’s nephew, an international opera singer, comes over from Copenhagen, bringing culture to his uncle’s parishioners. And snowmobile guide Alex takes his girlfriend on a romantic trip.

Episode 8: People Die Here
Christine prepares for the Trappers Trail, Svalbard’s biggest, and most extreme, dog race.

Christine and her lead dog Frantz prepare for the Trappers Trail, Svalbard’s biggest dog sled race. But the ordeal is fraught with danger. Taxi driver Wiggo is aiming to quit smoking tobacco using e-cigarettes, but faces mixed results. Elsewhere, Doctor Martin explains how his small team have dealt with frost bite, polar bear attacks and many death-defying emergency rescues.

Episode 9: Svalbard Solutions
Could rock superstar Bruce Springsteen really be tempted to play a show in Svalbard?

Svalbard’s annual ski marathon is one of the biggest events of the year. But Professor Chris must check on an avalanche site before it can safely take place. Meanwhile, Pastor Leif opens up about his hopes for a family ahead of recording a song with his band of vocalists. And hotelier Mary-Ann continues her plans to host a concert with rock superstar Bruce Springsteen. But will The Boss come?

Episode 10: An Uncertain Future
What will be unearthed during a stay in the world’s most northerly uninhabited ghost town?

Summer finally comes to Svalbard, and the quirky residents quickly take advantage. Ben is close to launching his local food business. Wiggo and his wife Claudia set out in sear ch of the season’s first Arctic Cod. Journalist Mark joins the 11 hour round trip for tourists visiting Pyramiden, the world’s most northern ghost town. And local guide Sasha gives an entertaining tour to the visitors.