Tarfala Research Station, SE

Tarfala Research Station is a centre for glaciological and alpine research, operated by Stockholm University, Sweden.

The station is Sweden’s only research station in an Arctic alpine environment, surrounded by glaciers and grazing areas of Sami reindeer herding communities. Research on glacial and emerging postglacial environments, including hydrology and permafrost can be conducted at the station.

Contribution to POLARIN key research challenges:2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Contact:Â

Director: Nina Kirchner: nina.kirchner[at]su.se
Station manager: Johanna Dahlkvist: johanna.dahlkvist[at]su.se
General contact: tarfala[at]su.se

Website

https://www.su.se/tarfala-research-station/
https://interact-gis.org/Home/Station/2

Location

Tarfala Research Station is located at 1130 m a.s.l. in the high-alpine Kebnekaise Mountains, northern Sweden. It is Sweden’s only research station in a high alpine arctic environment surrounded by glaciers. The nearest settlement is the Sami village Nikkaluokta, 24 km southeast of the station. There is a mountain tourist station (STF Kebnekaise fjällstation) ca. 7 km from the station, and a tourist hut (STF Tarfalastuga) ca. 1 km from the station.

Facilities

Tarfala Research Station is usually open from the March to the beginning of May, and from the end of June to mid- September.

The station can accommodate up to 28 guests at a time, in 2- and 4-person bedrooms in houses with running water and dry and/or incineration toilets. All outdoor activities, including transport to and from the station, are dependent on the variable mountain weather. It is therefore recommended that users reserve some extra time into their stay at the station to allow for periods when fieldwork and/or transport may not be feasible.

The location in an Arctic and alpine setting far from the nearest road and medical assistance, imposes particular requirements what comes to safety, both during fieldwork and at the station. The station therefore has safety and etiquette rules which shall be followed by everyone at the station, both staff and visitors, so that people can experience our beautiful workplace in a safe and enjoyable way. The safety regulations are based on recommendations from the Swedish Consumer Agency (a government agency whose task it is to safeguard consumer interests) and have been produced in collaboration with representative from the Swedish Mountain Rescue.

All meals are included in the access– breakfast and dinner are served in the galley; lunch is usually a packed lunch for all heading into the field. There are no possibilities for self-housing. The station facility has two showers in the service building, where also the sauna is located. Tarfalajokk runs by the service house, providing refreshing cold water between sauna rounds.Â

Services offered

Tarfala Research Station offers both in-person and virtual access (access to data) to users.

TRS has a modern lecture hall seating ca. 30 persons, a mechanical workshop and a simple wet laboratory. Mobile phone reception is unreliable around Tarfala, but usually works relatively well in the Tarfala valley if you use the operators Telia or Tele2.

The station manager has to be contacted beforehand for the use of the workshop and/or the laboratory.

What is included in the Access

Unit of access: User/day

Modalities of Access: in-person access, remote access

The access includes accommodation and all meals, Internet access, sauna, and – upon request – laundry facilities. The typical duration of work is 4-10 days. Users must respect the risks of working in glacial environments and will be briefed on the safety regulations. Independence of users depends on their knowledge and skills. The station can assist in hiring e.g., mountain guides for work on snow covered glaciers.

Availability for access in the 2024 call

1 March – 30th April 2025
1 July – 20th September 2025
1 March – 30th April 2026

Time frame for access preparations

Information on the arrangements for the spring season (March-April) should be provided to the station at latest in November if they involve snowmobile driving, and otherwise in January. For the summer season (June-September), the information should be sent in at latest during February.

The users should contact the station manager for consultation in cases where these timelines cannot be met.

Permits, licenses and training

TRS is located in an area where the use of snowmobiles is not permitted. Exceptions can be granted by the County Administrative Board Norrbotten (Länsstyrelsen Norrbotten), and TRS applies annually for an exemption. If you plan to conduct spring field work (March-April) including the use of snowmobiles for transportation, you need to contact TRS in November the year before your planned field work. TRS will then include your project in TRS’ annual application to the County Administrative Board Norrbotten.

Working under a TRS exemption ensures that all regulations and best practices as established by TRS and the local Sami communities regarding winter work and travel are respected and followed. It is not recommended to submit an individual application to the County Administrative Board Norrbotten if your project is based at or supported by TRS. TRS cannot provide snowmobiles for external projects, but can assist the external project lead in renting snowmobiles (and sledges if needed) from local enterprises in Nikkaluokta, Kiruna or Abisko, and transporting them to TRS.

Certification or training required from RI users and Risk assessment and/or HSE requirements.  The PI is responsible for making sure that the entire group reads the TRS Safety info & station etiquette (addressing risk assessment and HSE requirements) and that they all sign the TRS Safety agreement when arriving at TRS.Â

Medical guidelines

No formal requirements, but users need to have physical capacity to work in a remote arctic mountain environment. Any known illnesses/allergies/medication need/disabilities/etc. need to be communicated to the station when preparing to the access. The station manager will evaluate the extended risks this might entail when staying in a remote location such as TRS. Any dietary requirements must be included in your application. TRS may not be able to cater to all needs and if so, guests need to bring their own food.