Most of the papers in this issue of Polar Record are a result of research performed by a cadre of scientists specifically dealing with remote sensing applications in the Arctic environments. These studies, and other similar activities, were presented originally at the 9th Circumpolar Remote Sensing Symposium held in Seward, Alaska, from 15–19 May 2006. The symposium provided a forum to the 40 international scientists attending it for the exchange of current applied research, the presentation of new technology, and the advancement of internal co-operation in the circumpolar Arctic and Antarctic regions. Oral presentations in the 10 plenary sessions focused on snow, ice, and cryosphere studies, climate and the environment, environmental monitoring, arctic vegetation inventory, monitoring and analysis, databases, data processing and GIS. In addition there was a special plenary session on remote sensing for the International Polar Year. At the end of the symposium, there was a special panel discussion on recommendations for future sensors for boreal and polar remote sensing.