Prinoth's Bison Antarctic in action in Antarctic

Antarctica is one of the most demanding environments on Earth. Wind, cold, ice, vast distances, and rapidly changing conditions leave little room for error. Every movement must be planned, every decision counts, and every machine must function reliably from day one.

For the Bison Antarctic, the past season marked its first operational deployment in Antarctica – and at the same time, a compelling confirmation of what it was designed for. The machine is based on a proven vehicle concept: Since 2008, the Bison has been successfully operating in ski resorts around the world. For use in Antarctica, this established platform was adapted to the specific requirements of polar logistics, long-distance operations, and extreme environmental conditions.

Ready from day one

The Bison Antarctic arrived at Ultima Airbase at the end of November 2025, flown in by Ultima Antarctic Logistics using their own cargo plane. The aircraft was immediately integrated into daily operations on site.

Their task was clearly defined: to support snow removal, maintain drivable routes, accompany logistics operations and secure essential movements across the ice.

“The machine was in operation from the very beginning and quickly became an important part of our daily operations,” Utlima reported. “In Antarctica, reliability is not an option – it is essential.”

Proven over long distances

The operational area around Ultima Airbase demands more than just short-range capability. Missions can extend far beyond the immediate vicinity of the base; round trips to the ice barrier can reach almost 300 kilometers.

Throughout the season, the Bison Antarctic supported both daily operations and long-distance logistics missions on soft snow, hard ice and changing terrain.

“During the season, the Bison Antarctic demonstrated stable and reliable performance on extremely demanding routes,” said Ultima. “It gave our team the confidence needed for long-range missions in a challenging environment.”

Trust for the driver

In Antarctica, the driver's trust in the machine is a crucial factor. Vast distances, few visual landmarks, and changing weather conditions demand a machine that gives the driver a clear sense of control at all times.

“The central seating position, the excellent visibility from the cabin, and the good lighting conditions were clear advantages,” the driver team explained. “In an environment with very few landmarks, a good overview makes a real difference.”

The spacious three-person cabin also supported comfortable and efficient operation and allowed for collaboration among several crew members when needed. The steering system also contributed to precise and controlled handling, helping the driver to remain focused even on demanding missions.

Strength under load

The Bison Antarctic also proved its capabilities in demanding logistics operations. During the season, the machine pulled up to 30 tons on four sleds, remaining stable and controllable on long Antarctic routes.

“We used the Bison Antarctic for heavy transport tasks with loads of up to 30 tons on four sleds,” the customer reported. “The machine remained stable, controllable, and reliable.”

For logistics operations in Antarctica, precisely this combination is crucial: traction, stability, predictability and trust.

Reliable when conditions change

The weather in Antarctica can change rapidly. Reliable machine performance becomes particularly crucial when visibility and orientation are limited.

During the return trip, wind speeds reached around 25 meters per second, and visibility dropped to just a few meters. Under these conditions, the Bison Antarctic remained calm, controllable, and reliable.

“The lighting, traction, and stable handling of the machine were very important under these conditions,” said the customer. “When visibility is reduced to just a few meters, you need a machine you can trust.”