How to get started

The ISOSCAN Testing Campaign of 2025 has now ended. If you have a kit that you still need to return, please email post.isoscan@uib.no. 

For more information about the next snow collection campaign, please check back in December 2025.

 

The first step to becoming an ISOSCAN’er is to pick up an ISOSCAN’er Kit from one of the locations listed below. It is completely free of charge, but we do expect you to use the kit to collect the sample and return it with the sample. This will allow us to analyse the sample in our laboratory, reuse the kit and reduce waste.

In April 2025, we tested the kit and process using a limited number of kits, which were available at the following locations in Tromsø:

ISOSCAN poster and kits in boxes

Look out for the ISOSCAN poster and the boxes with the ISOSCAN’er Kits

Once you have picked up your ISOSCAN’er Kit, it is important that you read all the instructions found in the kit. We recommend that you also read the more detailed instructions.

In addition to the ISOSCAN’er Kit, you will need a smartphone to complete the sampling process, as you will be asked to provide information about the time and place of sampling via a web form. Take the kit (and your smartphone) with you when you go to snowy areas.

Fresh snow is the most valuable for sampling, and samples from more remote areas are more interesting, but please make sure you stay safe. Always check the local weather forecast, and avalanche warnings before going to the outdoors!

Once you have followed the sampling instructions, return the sample and kit. If you wish to collect another sample, simply collect another kit.

Keep your ISOSCAN’er Card for each sample delivered as proof of the number of samples you have collected, and to remember which sample you took.