North Pole Ice Airport

Episode 1 (1x1)

Air date: Dec 07, 2012

A team of Russian paratroopers skydive onto the frozen Arctic Ocean to build this extraordinary ice camp. Battling temperatures as low as -40° C, they will carve a unique airport on the drifting ice. From here tourists, scientists and explorers will set out to conquer, investigate and discover the secrets of the North Pole. They have just three weeks to realise their dreams before Barneo melts into the sea. While the advance team build the airport, Barneo's logistics team are based in the Norwegian town of Longyearbyen, 600miles south. Their job is to handle the demands of the hundreds of visitors heading for the area. Amongst the polar hopefuls are six UK office workers, making a trek to the pole to raise 250,000 for a children's health charity. Twenty year-old skydiver Johnny Strange is attempting to enter the record books as the youngest person to complete the 'Adventurers Grand Slam' by climbing the highest peak on each continent and standing at both poles. Also on the way are a group of Japanese tourists on a luxury trip to the pole by helicopter. For each person who makes the journey, the experience will be a mix of mental strength, physical determination and raw natural beauty.