Alpine Ski Touring

Mountains & Fjords of the North

Ski touring in the world famous Troll Peninsula in the north of Iceland. A must do trip for all ski touring and back country skiing enthusiasts!

Tour code: IMG50

Mountains & Fjords of the North

Ski From Impressive Summits To The Ocean In North Iceland

Tröllaskagi [Troll-peninsula] is Iceland's no. 1 ski-touring destination – and for a good reason! The terrain is amazing, skiing to the ocean is beyond cool, avi 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 

With Icelandic Mountain Guides, you are getting expert knowledge of skiing in Tröllaskagi and the Icelandic experience from a guide who knows the ins and outs of living in Iceland. It´s beyond skiing!  

The accommodation is comfortable and self-catering. Full board is included and your guide will manage the cooking with as much input from you as you like. Or you can soak in the hot tub.

See video from The Mountains and Fjords of the North

Out dates for the 2024 Ski Season:

  • 27 March - 1st of April (Easter)
  • 1 - 6th of April
  • 7-13th of April

Tour Overview

  • Pickup

    Included

  • Group size

    4 - 12 participants (second guide for groups 9 - 12)

  • Language

    English

  • Accommodation

    Cottage accommodation with made up beds

  • Alpine skiing per day

    3 - 8 hrs

  • Max. accumulated ascent

    1500 m (5000 ft)

  • Difficulty

    Demanding

    Difficulty

    Demanding some effort and certain endurance. Good health and some hiking experience is required. 6-8 hours walk per day. Often involves carrying your own gear.

  • Availability

    Mar - Apr

  • Duration

    6 days

  • 18

    Minimum age:

    18 yrs

Book this tour

Customer Reviews

Tour Highlights

Included

  • Qualified and experienced local guide
  • Cottage accommodation with made up beds
  • All transport during the tour (from/to Reykjavík)
  • Full board - dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 6

Not Included

  • Lunch on day 1 or 6 (restaurant stop)
  • Entrance fees to swimming pools
  • Beverages
  • Personal equipment

Optional Extras

  • Accommodation in Reykjavík before and after the tour

Tour Map and Itinerary

Click map for detailed itinerary

Mountains & Fjords of the North

MAP & ITINERARY

Day 1

Reykjavík - Öxnadalsheiði - Eyjafjörður

Early pick up from accommodation at 8:00. An early morning departure from Reykjavík by road 1 to the north of Iceland. We arrive at our 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 we skin up before skiing down the 600 m (1300 ft) of elevation gained. The base camp on this tour is a country guesthouse.
Driving: 5 hrs  
Skiing: 3 hrs
Ascent/Descent: 570 m (1900 ft)

Day 2

Ólafsfjörður - Dalvík - 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 we have one run down some excellent ski slopes that goes straight down to the valley, before we 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 we can relax in the hot tubs of the swimming pool in the village of Dalvík.
Skiing: 5 - 7 hrs
Ascent/Descent: 900 - 1200 m (2900 - 3900 ft)

Day 3

Eyjafjörður - Kaldbakur - Grenivík - 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 descent 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 us from up on the summit. After removing our skins, we hit the slopes and ski down to the coast. On the way back we 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.
Skiing: 6 - 7 hrs
Ascent/Descent: 1100 m (3500 ft)

Day 4

Dalvík - 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.
Skiing: 6 - 8 hrs
Ascent/Descent: 1000 - 1500 m (3280 - 4920 ft)

Day 5

Eyjafjörður - Héðinsfjörður - Siglufjörður

Today we 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. Our first destination is in the uninhabited fjord Héðinsfjörður where we will find the mountain Vatnsendahnjúkur. There we 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 we head back to the guesthouse for a nice dip in the hot tub.
Skiing: 5 - 6 hrs
Ascent/Descent: 850 m (2780 ft)

Day 6

Siglufjörður - Reykjavík

Before heading back south to Reykjavík we are going to take advantage of the Siglufjörður ski area and use their lifts to get in position for one final ascent. Our target is Illviðrishnjúkur (Bad Weather Peak) sitting to the west of the fjord Siglufjörður, with a steep descent that will take us right back to your vehicle. Return to Reykjavík in the late afternoon.
Skiing: 3 - 4 hrs
Ascent: 250 m (820 ft)
Descent: 
700 m (2300 ft)

Please note

  • 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).

 

  • Day 1
  • Day 2
  • Day 3
  • Day 4
  • Day 5
  • Day 6
Click to activate the map

Practical Information

  • Hotel rooms have private bathroom facilities. Electricity, cold and hot water in the rooms.
  • Cottages have shared bathroom facilities. Electricity, cold and hot water in the cottages.
  • Linen is included in the price as well as duvets, pillows and towels
  • I am a vegetarian/vegan/gluten intolerant, will there be a food option for me, what is it?

Special dietary supplement, such as vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, gluten free or other supplements, can be ordered at some extra cost. The supplement will include meals that meet the requirements of your diet.

Yes, most of our ski-touring groups are private groups. Please contact [email protected] for a quote on a private departures.  

For your own wellbeing and safety, we strongly suggest following the advice of our equipment list, especially that cotton clothing is not appropriate for any strenuous outdoor activity. Modern outdoor clothing is by far more comfortable and will greatly improve your experience. 

  • Touring skis (AT – Telemark – Split-board)
  • Ski boots
  • Skins, cut for the skis, in good working conditions.
  • Ski-crampons
  • Ski poles
  • Avalanche beacon, probe, and shovel
  • Small first AID kit including a blister kit
  • Ski socks
  • Warm underwear / wool or synthetics
  • Pants, e.g soft-shell
  • Light fleece jacket
  • A soft-shell jacket or other windproof and breathable layer.
  • Waterproof jacket and pants.
  • Light puffy jacket (e.g. down or Primaloft).
  • Ski-goggles.
  • Sunglasses
  • Warm hat.
  • Water bottle/thermos (1 – 2 liters total).
  • Gloves – two pairs thin and thick
  • Sun block, lip balm, etc.
  • Back-pack with straps for skis (30 – 40 liters) / (1800 - 2500 cu in)
  • Ski helmet (optional)
  • Ski strap
  • Favorite sweets / energy bars (optional)
  • Harness
  • Crampons
  • Ice-axe
  • Comfortable clothes for indoor use and non-skiing activities.
  • Toiletries
  • Any medication
  • Sleeping bag – (Only for IMG55)
  • Headlamp - (Only for IMG55)
  • Bathing gear (most tours in Iceland)
  • Aperitif or likewise (optional)