Adventure Skiing in Iceland, skitour & ride experience

Iceland, land of fire and ice. The island is situated at the edge of the Arctic Circle and is unique in the world. It's the land of smoldering volcanoes, geysers, bubbling pools, impressive waterfalls and magnificent glaciers. In the north of the country, on the Eyjafjörður Fjord - Iceland's longest Fjord lies Akureyri, often called the northern capital of the country. Our base is located at the west side of the fjord. Here, on the Troll Peninsula, we find the most beautiful ski touring mountains with peaks of between 900 and 1500 meters high.

Highlights:

• Perfect ski destination: snow and beautiful ski mountains in a wild nature with fjords, volcanoes, geysirs, glaciers and wild waterfalls
• Enough alternative activities in case of bad weather;  hotpools, musea, whale watching, horseback riding etc
• Guided ski trip to Iceland in a unique, peaceful setting

Just like in Northern Norway and Swedish Lapland we enjoy the winter beauty with rugged mountains, frozen waterfalls and deep blue fjords. The area has guaranteed snow and a benefit is certainly that you do not need to acclimatise as you would need to do in the Alps. Mountain ridges connect closely to the fjords and there are endless possibilities for  skitouring and backcountry skiing. This magical island with fjords, volcanoes, geysirs, glaciers, waterfalls and mountain ridges is ideal for a guided randonnee ski holiday. Luckily, it still has not been discovered by the masses, but as a skitouring destination it is definitely marked on the world map.

From our comfortable hotel we will decide each day where we're gona go that day, depending on weather and snow conditions. Private transportation gives us the freedom to go anywhere we like. Siglufjör∂ur, the village where we will be staying, once was a bustling town of fishermen and whalers. There is an interesting museum which gives you a good idea of the past. It used to be a tough world and Siglufjör∂ur was a safe haven because of its natural inlet.  Generally clear skies helped the fisherman navigating and obviously this is not a disadvantage for us skiers. Though don't expect blue skies, Iceland is known for very changeable weather.  There is a small family skistation, consisting of  just a few lifts and often open in the afternoon and evening. It gives access to quite big terrain and the couple of lifts give us access to beautiful skitouring and freeride runs. From here, we can ascent some nice peaks and bowls are available on several sides. You will enjoy its beautiful views, a perfect start of the week!  The hotel is very comfortable and situated in the harbor which provides extra charm.

Tentative program:
Iceland Air has daily direct flights to Reykjavik (Keflavik) from all major European airports and also from Canada and North America and continue with a domestic flight to Akureyri in the North (note: only one domestic flight per day leaves from Keflavik; other flights from the domestic airport of Reykjavik - please contact us prior to the booking of your flight!). Edward will pick you up from the airport in Akureyri and drive with our minivan to the far northern place of Siglufjör∂ur on the Troll Peninsula. From here we will pick a daily ski destination, up to a 1 hour drive away by car. This way we are very flexible and we can choose the right region under the circumstances.  Almost always we will be overlooking a fjord and possibly we can sail to the other side of the Eyjafjörður, to the mountains of Latraströnd, where no vehicles have access to. An exceptional solitary ski touring trip! Upon return at the hotel, you can relax outside in the large hotpool.

We take the evening meals at the hotel but sometimes on the way back from a trip in an Icelandic pub with billiards and Icelandic lager. A further variation, which allows us to greatly expand our range,  is by using the helicopter of our Icelandic friends and heliskiguides. Not to go heliskiing, but to give heli-assisted skitouring a try.  In the early morning we fly up to a first peak where we get out. When the helicopter is gone we are on our own and it feels good! We first take a good look around, there is no time pressure. Then we start off with a first nice glacierrun, alpine skiing on the glacier, very enjoyable and with still good legs! When it flattens out we put the skins under the skis to hike back up to the second peak. And we can do it again. And why not, again! On a beautiful spot we have our lunch. The last descent takes us back into the valley, the Ski∂adalur or Svarfa∂ardalur.

If we want to enjoy some more alpine skiing or freeriding, we can use the few ski lifts close to Siglu. From the highest lift we can make some nice freeride slopes overlooking the fjord and by using our climbing skins we can reach several peaks followed by nice descents. There is even a descent that is pointing straight at the sea, this is very special! At the end of the week we have the choice to do another short ski tour and then fly to Keflavik and further home. The last night we'll stay in Akreyri in order to cath the first flight to Keflavik in the morning. 

Nature of the trip:
Basically this is a guided ski touring trip in a unique peaceful environment; we will also make some nice long descents. Technical aids such as lifts, a snowcat or helicopter may be used to extend our range; it is adventure skiing, but in a relaxed way.  Nothing is mandatory and if you prefer to skip a day to be able to relax and read a book: this is all quite possible.