Included: An experienced ski guides with extensive knowledge of the area 6-day Iceland ski and sail expedition (5 days of ski touring) Accommodation for five nights aboard the BYR yacht All meals from dinner on Day 1 to lunch on Day 6 Expedition kayaks, paddles, lifejackets, skirts, and safety equipment Experienced skipper Sailing instruction Not included: Flights to Iceland Airport transfers Accommodation in Ísafjörður Ski equipment Breakfast and lunch on Day 1 Guide gratuities — optional Travel and medical insurance — optional

How fit do I need to be?

This Iceland ski and sail expedition requires great fitness levels and previous ski touring experience . You’ll be skiing up to 1,500 m / 4,921 ft of vertical elevation over 5 consecutive days . If you can confidently ski black diamond resort runs in various conditions and have multiple ski touring adventures under your belt, you’ll enjoy this expedition. For more backcountry skiing adventures in Iceland, click here !

What do I need to bring?

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring: Ski touring equipment: Personal ski touring equipment (skis, poles, boots) Avalanche safety equipment (transceiver, probe, shovel) Ski crampons Helmet Clothing: Waterproof jacket (GoreTex or similar) Ski pants (GoreTex or similar) Base layers Ski gloves or mittens Spare clothes for layering Warm hat or beanie Casual wear for onboard Accessories and gear: 30-40L backpack to carry your belongings Water bottle or hydration pack Sunscreen Personal toiletries Sunglasses Camera — optional (but recommended)

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and pricing This Iceland ski and sail expedition is a private guided adventure. The usual client-to-guide ratio is 8:1. The group size is set at 8 participants. A ski and sail expedition in Iceland can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.

Getting there and meeting location

The starting point of your Iceland ski and sail expedition is Ísafjörður. To get there, most people fly into Keflavik International Airport (KEF) . From there, you will need to transfer to the Reykjavík Domestic Airport (RKV) , 40 minutes from Keflavik Airport, and book a flight to Ísafjörður Airport (IFJ) . The flight usually takes under an hour, and multiple daily flights operate to Ísafjörður Airport. From the airport in Ísafjörður, you can take a taxi or hop on a bus to reach the Ísafjörður harbor, which is where you will meet your guide at 12pm on Day 1.

Safety measures and insurance

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection . To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible , simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner! Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered. Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

ÍSAFJÖRÐUR | ICELAND

Ski & Sail Expedition in Iceland

5.00 ()

Person skiing on a snowy slope with a sailboat in the water below

Group of people smiling with a sailboat in the background on a snowy shoreline

Skier skiing down a steep slope with a panoramic view of a fjord and mountains

Northern lights and the sailboat in the distance

A skier and skiing equipment in a dinghy

Skier tasting mussels aboard the sailboat

A skier touring snowy slopes with a fjord in the distance

The bow of a sailboat with rigging overlooking snowy mountains and the sea

Four skiers ascending snowy slope with the sun shining in the background

Four skiers crossing a snow-covered stream with icy banks under a cloudy sky

The guide and group ascending a slope with the sailboat, sea and mountains in the background

Two skiers ascending a slope with the boat, a fjord, and mountains in the background

From $5,860 ()

Duration

6 days

Season

March to May

Book a call

Intro
Itinerary
Brochure
Guides
Life on board
Reviews
Things to know

Ski touring doesn’t get much wilder than this. In Iceland’s remote Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, the only way in is by boat. That’s where our 60-foot sailing expedition yacht comes in—anchored in empty fjords, dwarfed by peaks plunging straight into the Arctic Ocean. For six unforgettable days, we’ll sail, skin up from sea level, and pick our playground: mellow glacier laps or steep, spicy couloirs. Every run ends right back at our floating basecamp, where we’ll plan tomorrow’s first descents over dinner. No crowds, no roads, just untracked lines and endless adventure. Out here, if you can see it, you can probably ski it.

Adventure highlights

Chase first tracks

Ski peaks straight from the sea in a place where untouched snow is the norm
Basecamp on the water

Anchor in secluded fjords and relax on a comfortable sailboat built for this kind of adventure
Eat like a local

Savor hearty Icelandic dishes crafted from fresh, local ingredients aboard the sailboat

Download itinerary

Itinerary

Join this 6-day Iceland ski and sail expedition for an unforgettable adventure in the remote Hornstrandir Nature Reserve! For 5 days, we’ll ski pristine snow and diverse terrain with an experienced guide who knows the area inside and out. We’ll stay aboard the Byr yacht for six nights, with all meals provided after a day on the slopes. An experienced skipper will navigate the waters, and we’ll also receive sailing instruction to fully embrace the unique combination of skiing and sailing. This expedition blends adventure, comfort, and the untouched beauty of Iceland’s wilderness into one incredible journey.

Our expedition starts at Ísafjörður harbor, where we’ll meet at 12pm. We’ll move our gear onboard and have a safety briefing. We’ll aim to depart Isafjordur harbor at 2pm and sail into Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, a journey of about one to two hours. Then, we’ll anchor at Hesteyri and if there’s time go for a short evening ski.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Byr expedition sailing yacht
We’ll begin the day with a safety briefing, avalanche search exercise, and an explanation of what to do in case of emergency. We will then ski from Hesteyrarfjörður to Veiðileysufjörður. The climb up Hesteyrarfjörður is easy and the ski slopes on the other side offer many possibilities. We may end the day by skiing the steepest slope of the trip, 45°-50° in steepness (this is optional, of course—you can head down to the boat if you prefer!). Dinner will be at anchor in Veiðileysufjörður.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Byr expedition sailing yacht
Today we will ski to Lónafjörður (Lagoon fjord), often described as one of the most beautiful fjords in Iceland. We’ll begin the day by climbing up to one of the cols to take a look at the bays on the north side. Then, we’ll ski down to the first valley in Lónafjörður and climb at least two more mountains before returning to our sailboat in the afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Byr expedition sailing yacht
The fourth day of this expedition is normally reserved for the beautiful Rangali Anchorage, offering endless opportunities for skiing, from steep couloirs to rolling hills! One route will take us to the Snókur mountain with a good view of the coastal mountains on the east side of Hornstrandir. There’s often an opportunity to pick mussels for an après ski snack!

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Byr expedition sailing yacht
Today we’ll skin up from the Sópandi inlet and over to Hrafnfjörður (Raven Fjord), where we’ll enjoy not only great skiing, but also stunning views! The mountain cirque at the head of the fjord is truly beautiful, and the anchorage is the perfect spot to spend our last night aboard the sailboat.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Byr expedition sailing yacht
We will get in our last lines in the morning before sailing back to Ísafjörður, arriving around 4pm. You can catch the last flight from Ísafjörður that night, though we suggest staying at least one night in Ísafjörður to relax and get to know this old and beautiful town.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Ski & Sail Expedition in Iceland

Adventure Brochure

Brochure sent, check your inbox

If you have questions or need help with planning a trip, schedule a call with one of our adventure experts.

Meet your guides

5.00

Matt Edwards

Finding out what’s around the corner or at the top of the next mountain has taken Matt to some of the remotest places on the planet. He’s been organizing and guiding custom adventures for guests all over the world, for over a decade. Matt has been to Antarctica, Fiji, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Greenland, Iceland, Kamchatka, Alaska, and Northern Canada. He has a genuine passion for adventure, a wicked sense of humor and a love of life.

5.00

Angela Bueckert

Angela’s enthusiasm for sharing new experiences with her guests is ever-present. She has been guiding water-based expeditions for over 15 years, and she’s guided sea kayaking expeditions in Iceland, Greenland, Palawan, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Antarctica, South Georgia, The Falkland Islands, Alaska, Svalbard, Myanmar, Kamchatka… She has also led ski touring trips throughout British Columbia. Angela has a passion for multi-day expeditions around the globe.

5.00

Expedition Engineering offers custom-designed tours that blend the best of local cultures with adventure travel, exploration, and being in tune with nature. Apart from their focus largely being on fun and discovery, they care even more about their clients’ safety—Expedition Engineering staff has the highest level of certifications available in the guiding industry. They’ve pioneered expeditions to some of the farthest flung corners of the world, including Raja Ampat, East Greenland, Myanmar, and Anctartica.

Life on board

Accommodation

Our floating home will be the Byr, a 60-foot (18-meter) Dutch-built ketch. With space for 8 guests across 4 heated cabins, two heated bathrooms, and a shower room, is the perfect expedition boat for exploring Iceland, offering equal parts comfort and adventure. We can relax in the spacious saloon over a hot meal, or perhaps grab an exploration book from the detailed library. For the best views of the scenery, we’ll head to the heated pilothouse and watch fjords drift by. And for those of us who are brave enough to challenge the cold, there’s plenty of open deck space to sit outside!

Food

Our captain serves exactly what adventurers need: hot, hearty meals made with local produce and ingredients as possible. Expect fresh-baked bread, cod and lamb dishes, and Arctic char that rivals any salmon. Don’t skip dessert—the berry and rhubarb pies are worth saving room for! Special diets are welcome (let us know when booking), though bringing your favorite substitutes is always a good idea.

5.00 (3 reviews)

Anthony Carter (source: Facebook Reviews)

What can I say accept we have now followed Matt & Ang to both ends of the earth. Just do it.

Allan Ghiassi (source: Facebook Reviews)

Without doubt the best and coolest guides taking you to the most memorable places on the planet. Matt, Angela and the rest of team are rockstars. 5 stars!

Adrienne Kirby (source: Facebook Reviews)

Ange and Matt are fun but professional. You will have a great experience with them.

Things to know

Included:
- - An experienced ski guides with extensive knowledge of the area
  - 6-day Iceland ski and sail expedition (5 days of ski touring)
  - Accommodation for five nights aboard the BYR yacht
  - All meals from dinner on Day 1 to lunch on Day 6
  - Expedition kayaks, paddles, lifejackets, skirts, and safety equipment
  - Experienced skipper
  - Sailing instruction
Not included:
- - Flights to Iceland
  - Airport transfers
  - Accommodation in Ísafjörður
  - Ski equipment
  - Breakfast and lunch on Day 1
  - Guide gratuities — optional
  - Travel and medical insurance — optional
This Iceland ski and sail expedition requires great fitness levels and previous ski touring experience. You’ll be skiing up to 1,500 m / 4,921 ft of vertical elevation over 5 consecutive days. If you can confidently ski black diamond resort runs in various conditions and have multiple ski touring adventures under your belt, you’ll enjoy this expedition.

For more backcountry skiing adventures in Iceland, click here!
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

Ski touring equipment:
- - Personal ski touring equipment (skis, poles, boots)
  - Avalanche safety equipment (transceiver, probe, shovel)
  - Ski crampons
  - Helmet
Clothing:
- - Waterproof jacket (GoreTex or similar)
  - Ski pants (GoreTex or similar)
  - Base layers
  - Ski gloves or mittens
  - Spare clothes for layering
  - Warm hat or beanie
  - Casual wear for onboard
Accessories and gear:
- - 30-40L backpack to carry your belongings
  - Water bottle or hydration pack
  - Sunscreen
  - Personal toiletries
  - Sunglasses
  - Camera — optional (but recommended)
Group sizes and pricing
- - This Iceland ski and sail expedition is a private guided adventure. The usual client-to-guide ratio is 8:1.
  - The group size is set at 8 participants.
A ski and sail expedition in Iceland can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
The starting point of your Iceland ski and sail expedition is Ísafjörður. To get there, most people fly into Keflavik International Airport (KEF). From there, you will need to transfer to the Reykjavík Domestic Airport (RKV), 40 minutes from Keflavik Airport, and book a flight to Ísafjörður Airport (IFJ). The flight usually takes under an hour, and multiple daily flights operate to Ísafjörður Airport.

From the airport in Ísafjörður, you can take a taxi or hop on a bus to reach the Ísafjörður harbor, which is where you will meet your guide at 12pm on Day 1.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Deposits

You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

Cancellations

Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

Basic
- - In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  - For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
  - For cancellations 0-89 days before the trip, there is no refund.
Flexible
- - In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  - For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
  - For cancellations 60-89 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
  - For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.
Super Flexible
- - In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  - For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
  - For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
57hours partners with Redpoint Travel Protection, offering you a fully integrated program with a single point of contact for all your needs, from emergency services to travel assistance and protection claims. We highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive protection policy from Redpoint, which will protect you both before and during your travels. Before your departure, your investment is protected by the trip cancellation benefit. Once you depart, your policy provides coverage for trip interruption, medical assistance and rescue, baggage loss, trip delay, and more. Once you complete booking with 57hours, we'll create bespoke quote for you (and your group), making sure you're fully protected for the adventure ahead.