Generous snowfall on the backbone of fjords and V-shaped valleys makes Iceland’s Troll Peninsula a unique skiing destination. Despite altitudes rarely surpassing 1,200m (3,900 ft), its corn-laden and treeless slopes stretch and stretch, offering surprising steeps along with long and laidback descents—all the way to the ocean. With 3,400 square kilometers (1,300 square miles) of mountainous terrain, you and your guide can pick from a myriad of untouched slopes and some of the best skiing in the world. Spring near the Arctic Circle also means long days, ensuring daylight for off-piste objectives, while giving you plenty of time to unwind—whether in a hot tub or at a local brewery. Find out more about ski touring in Iceland from Jökull Bergmann, the first IFMGA-certified Mountain Guide in the country.
Summit-to-sea adventure near the Arctic Circle
Easily accessible steep runs due to low elevations
Long, treeless slopes with views of fjords and the Atlantic Ocean
Your guide will pick you up from your accommodation in Reykjavík at 8:00, followed by a departure to the north of Iceland. The first destination is located west of the Eyjafjörður fjord, where you will arrive in the early afternoon. The first skiing objective will take place in Öxnadalur and at Kinnafjall (1104 m/3620 ft), where you will skin up before skiing down the 570 m (1300 ft) of elevation gained. Your accommodation will be a country guesthouse.
Skiing: 3 hrs
Ascent/Descent: 570 m (1900 ft)
Meals: Dinner
On Day 2 skiing will take place between the villages of Dalvik and Ólafsfjörður. During a gentle climb up the Gvendarskál valley, you will be rewarded with views of the Eyjafjörður fjord and the Atlantic Ocean. There are different possibilities when it comes to descents from this point. You can either ski down to the valley, or take a steeper approach which includes skiing in the direction of the fjord, with the ocean right below you. After a long day of skiing, you 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)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
On Day 3, the tour will take you to the east side of the Eyjafjörður fjord and a mountain named Kaldbakur (1200 m/3900 ft), boasting one of Iceland’s longest descents. Humbling views await you atop the mountain featuring multiple peaks of the Icelandic Highlands and the impressive fjord. After removing your skins, get ready for a good dose of adrenaline as you hit the slopes leading you all the way to the coast. Experience a little bit of the local culture with a visit to a tuff farm at Laufás and the town of Akureyri, a great place for relaxing baths in the jacuzzis.
Skiing: 6 – 7 hrs
Ascent/Descent: 1100 m (3500 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
This day will be centered around the mountains overlooking the village of Dalvík, which boast many ski routes, namely those found around the Sauðaneshnjúkar peak (992 m/3250 ft). The climb to the top is relatively easy and from there you’ll ski down the couloir taking you back to the valley.There is also an option of going deeper into the valley and opting for the steeper descents. Relax in a nearby microbrewery and get a taste of the local beer.
Skiing: 6 – 8 hrs
Ascent/Descent: 1000 – 1500 m (3280 – 4920 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Moving further north, on Day 5 you will enjoy a couple of ski routes at the very tip of the Troll Peninsula. Your first destination is in the uninhabited fjord Héðinsfjörður at the foot of the Vatnsendahnjúkur mountain. Skiing today ends with another impressive descent that offers arresting views over the fjord and the ocean. Spend your last evening of the tour by relaxing in your guesthouse and taking a dip in the soothing hot tub.
Skiing: 5 – 6 hrs
Ascent/Descent: 850 m (2780 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Before heading back south to Reykjavík, take advantage of the Siglufjörður ski area and their lifts for a great slackcountry experience. The target will be Illviðrishnjúkur, dubbed the Bad Weather Peak. A rather steep descent that will take you right back to the vehicle. You can expect to return to Reykjavík in the late afternoon, marking the end of your trip. Say goodbye to Iceland or continue touring on your own.
Skiing: 3 – 4 hrs
Ascent: 250 m (820 ft)
Descent: 700 m (2300 ft)
Meals: Breakfast
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in North Iceland, please refer to these official COVID-19 guidelines for traveling to and from Iceland.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
What you get in this adventure:
What’s not included:
To enjoy this backcountry adventure, you need to be in excellent physical shape. You will be on your feet for up to 7 hours a day for 6 days, along with daily ascents of up to 1000+ m. You will need to manage controlled descents in variable conditions. All participants should feel comfortable on challenging blue or black-level resort runs and be able to carry a loaded daypack while skinning up variable degrees of terrain. That said, your guide can pick more and less challenging routes according to your skill level, including more gradual and less demanding slopes.
To participate in this tour, previous backcountry skiing experience is highly preferable. You will be skiing on varied terrain for up to 7 hours every day. If you’ve never backcountry skied before, but feel comfortable on blue and black resort pistes, heading out with a guide is your best bet. They will take care of the planning, oversee your technique, and teach you the backcountry basics such as skinning and steep skiing. They also have the experience and avalanche training necessary to keep you safe.
For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:
For personal items, we recommend bringing:
All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent:
Keep in mind that renting ski touring equipment in Iceland can be tricky, and you’re better off bringing your own equipment if possible.
Ski rental locations are in Reykjavik and should be picked up the night prior to your outing. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.
Group sizes and pricing:
Ski touring in Iceland’s Troll Peninsula can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
A 20% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 3 months (90 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
To get to the Troll Peninsula, most people fly into Keflavik International Airport, 40 minutes from Reykjavik. Your guide will pick you up in the city at around 8 a.m. on Day 1, so an overnight stay in Reykjavik the day before is recommended. You will arrive at your first skiing destination in the Troll Peninsula in the early afternoon.
