Explore the backcountry of the beautiful Tröllaskagi Peninsula on your skis
Tröllaskagi [Troll-peninsula] is the #1 ski-touring destination in Iceland – and for a good reason! The terrain is amazing, skiing to the ocean is beyond cool, avalanche conditions are relatively stable and often allow for long days and steep runs – and if that is not your cup of tea – then there are plenty of feel-good slopes – long carefree skiing towards the ocean. Just what you want for your ski-holiday.
This tour not only provides an expert knowledge of skiing in Tröllaskagi – you are also getting the Icelandic experience from a guide who knows the ins and outs of living in Iceland. It´s beyond skiing!
The accommodation is comfortable self-catering. Full board in included and your guide will manage the cooking with as much input from you as you like. Or you can just go soak in the hot tub.
The day to day activities are subject to change according to weather and snow condition and will not necessary be in the described order. Final decision on which routes will be skied each day is in the hands of the guide, and is based on snow conditions, avalanche danger etc. All times are approximate. There are abundant possibilities for skiing in the area. For example we might do some classic routes like Hesturinn (the Horse), Hestaskarðshnjúkar or Fýlaskarðshnjúkar, or we might try our skills at some known steep descents like Rimar or Finninn (the Finn).
Highlights of the Mountains and Fjords of Northern Iceland
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Mountains and Fjords of the North Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Ski at Öxnadalsheiði and Eyjafjörður
Early pick up from your accommodation at 8:00. An early morning departure from Reykjavík by road 1 to the north of Iceland. The group will arrive at your destination, west of the Eyjafjörður fjord, in the early afternoon. The first skiing will take place that day in Öxnadalur at Kinnafjall (1104 m/3620 ft) when you ski up before skiing down the 600 m (1300 ft) of elevation gained. The base camp on this tour is a country guesthouse.
Overnight Location: Cottage at Tröllaskagi
Distance: 3 hours, 570m of ascent
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 Ólafsfjörður, Dalvík and Eyjafjörður
Múlahyrna is a small peninsula situated between the villages of Dalvík and Ólafsfjörður, and here we will find today's skiing. A gentle climb up the Gvendarskál valley is rewarded with view to the dim blue sea of the Eyjafjörður and the North Atlantic Ocean. From here there are various possibilities of descents. Often you can have one run down some excellent ski slopes that goes straight down to the valley, before you climb up again and choose a different descent. In good snow conditions it is possible to ski down a steep open slope that faces Eyjafjörður, with the ocean directly below your skis! After a good day of skiing you can relax in the hot tubs of the swimming pool in the village of Dalvík.
Overnight Location: Cottage at Tröllaskagi
Distance: 5-7 hours, 900-1200m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 Kaldbakur, Grenivík and Akureyri
At the East side of the Eyjafjörður fjord a beautiful mountain named Kaldbakur rises from sea-level to an altitude of 1200 m (3900 ft). The name Kaldbakur means “Cold back” and cold it can be! This impressive mountain boasts one of Iceland’s longest descents that has abundant snow in the winter time. The scenery from the top is least to say incredible. A magnificent view of nearby mountains, the fjord and into the Icelandic highlands will salute you from up on the summit. After removing your skins, you hit the slopes and ski down to the coast. On the way back you will experience a little of the local culture and history with a visit to the tuff farm at Laufás and the town of Akureyri, where it is possible to go for a relaxing bath at the Jacuzzis of the town’s swimming pool.
Overnight Location: Cottage at Tröllaskagi
Distance: 6-7 hours, 1100m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Dalvík and Eyjafjörður
The mountains over the village of Dalvík offer several good ski routes and a few of those can be found on the Sauðaneshnjúkar peaks (992 m/3250 ft). The climb to the top is easy and from there we get a long descent down a great couloir back down to the valley. We can also take a detour to the Jökulbakstindur further in the valley for a choice of different and possibly steep descents. On the way back we will visit a nearby microbrewery for a taste of the local brew.
Overnight Location: Cottage at Tröllaskagi
Distance: 6-8 hours, 1000 – 1500m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 Héðinsfjörður and Siglufjörður
Today you will pick up and move further north to enjoy a couple of ski routes on the tip of the Tröllaskagi peninsula. This area only came recently accessible with the opening of a new tunnel, and at the same time new possibilities for exciting ski routes came available. Your first destination is in the uninhabited fjord Héðinsfjörður where you will find the mountain Vatnsendahnjúkur. There you will climb up the Möðruvallaskál for a rather steep descent that offers an impressive view over the fjord and the ocean. After a good day of skiing, you will head back to the guesthouse for a nice dip in the hot tub.
Overnight Location: Cottage at Tröllaskagi
Distance: 5-6 hours, 850m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 Siglufjörður and Back to Reykjavík
Before heading back south to Reykjavík you are going to take advantage of the Siglufjörður ski area and use their lifts to get in position for one final ascent. The group’s target is Illviðrishnjúkur (Bad Weather Peak) sitting to the west of the fjord Siglufjörður, with a steep descent that will take you right back to your vehicle. Return to Reykjavík in the late afternoon.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: 3-4 hours, 250m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Mountains and Fjords of the North Tour Price and Dates
This guided ski touring tour in Iceland is always run as a fixed-departure tour for a mixed group and the price per person is fixed.
Prices below are per person:
Accommodation on Mountains and Fjords of the North Tour
This tour is based in a countryside cottage in northern Iceland. Standard rooms are of double occupancy; however, you will be sharing common spaces and facilities with other travellers.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Cottage in Northern Iceland
Despites being a countryside guest house, your cottage will have all the amenities needed to relax after long days of skiing.
What’s Included in the Mountains and Fjords of the North Tour?
Meals
5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 5 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 5 nights are included. Accommodations before the tour in Reykjavik and after are not included but can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation in 4x4 minibus is included for you and your luggage throughout the tour, including transfers to and from Reykjavik. Airport transfers are not included.
Also Included
- English-speaking guide
- All transfers
Not included
- Flights to and from Reykjavik
- Lunch on day 1 and day 6
- Gratuities for tour guides or other staff if desired
- Ski gear
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
Frequently Asked Questions about Mountains and Fjords of Northern Iceland
Icelandic Mountain Guides are a boutique adventure tour company that has been sharing the best of Iceland’s beautiful wilderness since 1994. Their passion for nature and adventure drives them to provide quality, fun and educational experiences for their guests. They are also committed to the environment, carbon neutralizing all of their day tours.
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