What you get in this adventure: An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area Six days of backcountry ski touring Safety briefing on Day 1 of the tour Sailboat transportation and accommodations for the duration of the tour All meals for the duration of the tour Use of onboard SUPs What’s not included: Technical backcountry ski touring equipment (available for an additional fee) Transportation to Iceland Transportation from Reykjavik to the Isafjordur harbor and back Food and accommodations off the boat

How fit do I need to be?

To enjoy this backcountry adventure, you need to be in excellent physical shape. You will be on your feet for 6 days, covering miles of complex and glaciated terrain every day. You will need to manage steep, 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.

What if I’ve never backcountry skied before?

This tour is meant for intermediate to advanced skiers with previous backcountry skiing experience. You will be skiing, touring, and summiting on steep, complex, and glaciated slopes for 6 days. Your guide will take care of the planning, oversee your technique, and teach you how to better manage the terrain. They also have the experience and avalanche training necessary to keep you safe. If you’ve never backcountry skied before, we suggest joining a guide for a 6-day beginner-friendly backcountry skiing and van trip in Iceland .

What equipment do I need to bring?

For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring: Alpine touring skis, telemark skis or splitboard with skins (can be rented) Touring boots and poles (can be rented) Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented): Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon Lightweight snow shovel Avalanche probe Harness for glacier travel (for advanced touring) Crampons (for advanced touring) For personal items, we recommend bringing: Helmet Sunglasses or ski goggles Gloves and hat Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended) Ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended) Down jacket or vest Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks One triple-action locking carabiner or two conventional locking carabiners Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people) Water bottle and 1L of water Thermos with a warm beverage — optional Food you can eat on-the-go First aid kit Sunscreen Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-40L backpack) Camera — optional

What will the accommodation and food be like?

You will be sailing on the oak boat Örkin, beautifully restored to provide comfortable accommodation for Hornstrandir explorers. All amenities are included, with generous breakfasts and tasty meals to ensure strength for the days ski touring. During downtime, there are perfect opportunities to make use of the on-board SUP’s, or enjoy quiet moments on deck. You can even try a fortifying dip in the ice cold waters of the Westfjords peninsula!

Can I rent equipment?

All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent: Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel and probe from Fjallakofinn . Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots and poles can be rented from Fjallakofinn . Splitboards can be rented from Fjallakofinn . Skis, skins, crampons, and avalanche safety equipment can also be provided by your guide for an additional fee. 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 age requirements

Group sizes and pricing: For this adventure, the max client-to-guide ratio is 8:1. All prices are per person. Cost is per person and it doesn’t decrease as the group grows. Ski touring in the Westfjords 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.

Deposits and cancellation policy

A non-refundable 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. If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to one hundred twenty (120) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is entitled to a full refund minus the deposit. For cancellations ninety (90) to one hundred nineteen(119) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the total amount paid when Booking. For cancellations seventy five (75) to eighty nine (89) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of twenty-five percent (25%) of the total amount paid when Booking. After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund. Any reimbursable expenses arising out of the Booking incurred by Guide prior to the date of cancellation (including but not limited to plane tickets, car rental payments, and lodging or transportation fees) are non-refundable as soon as they are incurred by the Guide.

Getting there and meeting location

To get to the Isafjordur harbor, the starting point of this tour, most people fly into Keflavik International Airport near Reykjavik, Iceland. From there, take one of the 2-3 daily 40-minute flights to Isafjordur Airport . To ensure that you arrive at Isafjordur in time to meet with your guide, which will usually be around 11 am, we recommend flying into Reykjavik at least one day before the tour. Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the Isafjordur harbor or a predetermined location. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.

Covid measures in the Westfjords, Iceland

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 the Westfjords, please refer to Iceland’s official COVID-19 travel guidelines . 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!

Sailing and Ski Touring in Iceland’s Westfjords

A skier skiing near a ridge with some peaks in the background in Iceland’s Westfjords.

A skier on a summit-to-sea line in the Westfjords

A skier looking at the horizon from his sailboat in the Westfjords.

The Orkin sailboat gliding along the seas in the Westfjords, Norway.

Skier after a ski run in the rain in Hornstrandir Nature Park, Iceland.

A skier enjoying a beautiful vista before his run in the Westfjords.

Skiers happily posing for a pic in the Westfjords.

A skier on a fresh track in the Westfjords, Iceland.

A skier traversing a shallow creek in the Westfjords, Iceland.

A skier paddling on Iceland’s frigid seas.

A skier smiling with a sailboat and the Icelandic seas in the backdrop.

Skiers on the shore with sea in the background

A skier looking at a stunning slope in front of them

Skiers making plans for skiing after reaching the summit

A man skinning with the sailboat in the background

Westfjords | Iceland

Sailing and Ski Touring in the Westfjords, Iceland

5.00 ()

Season

April through May

Nearest city

Reykjavik, Iceland, is a 40-minute flight away from the starting point of this tour

Duration

6 days

Difficulty

Guide

Soti Summits

From $3,830 () / 6 days

Got any questions? or Talk with us

Overview
Itinerary
Brochure
Guides
Reviews
Things to know

Ever dreamed of sailing to the furthermost reaches of the Earth, shredding untouched pow for days on end without seeing another person? If so, make your way to the Westfjords. Populated solely by ocean birds and arctic foxes, the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve promises peace, solitude, arctic scenery, and fantastic ski runs. With a dense snowpack, steep couloirs, and long summit-to-sea lines, it’s some of the best skiing you’ll find in Iceland (and in the world!). You’ll be gliding from slope to slope on the Örkin, a charming oak sailboat with a spacious deck and SUPs for apres-ski action. As soon as you find an alluring fjord or glacier, drop anchor and tour to your heart’s content. It’s a type of freedom that can only be found at the ends of the world.

Book a call

Adrenaline-packed days

Sail, tour, and ski tour in one of the most remote regions of Iceland
Pristine slopes await

Sample the Westfjords’ legendary summit-to-sea lines and shred untouched pow for days on end
Untouched landscapes among labyrinthine fjords

Explore the fjords and glaciers of the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve

Itinerary

Spend six days sailing, shredding, and ski touring in the most remote reaches of Iceland! Join an experienced local guide and embark for the Westfjords in a cozy, rustic sailboat. Tour the fjords and glacial valleys, find your ideal summit-to-sea line, and shred pristine mountain pow far from the crowds. Off the slopes, chill out on your spacious deck, have fun on the onboard SUPs, or take a dip in Iceland’s refreshing seas.

Meet your guide at the Isafjordur harbor around 11 am. After a quick safety briefing, board the Örkin, a beautifully restored oak boat with all the necessary amenities, and embark for the remote fjords of Hornstrandir. Anchor in a secluded cove and squeeze in an introductory ski run before dinner!
Embark on a fjord-to-fjord ski tour among the beautiful Westfjords. Load up with a generous breakfast, and sail the chilling seas of Iceland until you find a good slope. Then, it’s anchors away and time to tour! Summit-to-sea skiing is the name of the game, and if opportunities arise, you may ski some of the steep couloirs straight down to the fjord.

When you’re off the slopes, enjoy the views from your spacious deck, make use of the onboard SUP-s, or if you’re feeling fearless, take a revitalizing dip in the ice-cold waters!
Get up early to enjoy a final ski run before motoring back to Isafjordur. Your guide will have you back in the harbor in time for your flight to Reykjavik.

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Meet your guide

5.00

Soti Summits

Based out of Siglufjordur in the heartland of the Troll peninsula, Soti Summits hosts adventure tours, quality accommodation & guiding services all over the north of Iceland. They use their extensive experience in tour operation and hospitality services to show you Iceland’s paths less traveled, and they’re always excited to share the best of North Iceland with their customers.

5.00 (1 reviews)

Marion V. (source: Google reviews)

Perfect harmony between nature, host, and guest. What an exceptional place!

Things to know

What you get in this adventure:
- - An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - Six days of backcountry ski touring
  - Safety briefing on Day 1 of the tour
  - Sailboat transportation and accommodations for the duration of the tour
  - All meals for the duration of the tour
  - Use of onboard SUPs
What’s not included:
- - Technical backcountry ski touring equipment (available for an additional fee)
  - Transportation to Iceland
  - Transportation from Reykjavik to the Isafjordur harbor and back
  - Food and accommodations off the boat
To enjoy this backcountry adventure, you need to be in excellent physical shape. You will be on your feet for 6 days, covering miles of complex and glaciated terrain every day. You will need to manage steep, 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.
This tour is meant for intermediate to advanced skiers with previous backcountry skiing experience. You will be skiing, touring, and summiting on steep, complex, and glaciated slopes for 6 days. Your guide will take care of the planning, oversee your technique, and teach you how to better manage the terrain. They also have the experience and avalanche training necessary to keep you safe.

If you’ve never backcountry skied before, we suggest joining a guide for a 6-day beginner-friendly backcountry skiing and van trip in Iceland.
For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:
- - Alpine touring skis, telemark skis or splitboard with skins (can be rented)
  - Touring boots and poles (can be rented)
  - Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented):
    
    Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
    
    Lightweight snow shovel
    
    Avalanche probe
    
    Harness for glacier travel (for advanced touring)
    
    Crampons (for advanced touring)
For personal items, we recommend bringing:
- - Helmet
  - Sunglasses or ski goggles
  - Gloves and hat
  - Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended)
  - Ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended)
  - Down jacket or vest
  - Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks
  - One triple-action locking carabiner or two conventional locking carabiners
  - Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people)
  - Water bottle and 1L of water
  - Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
  - Food you can eat on-the-go
  - First aid kit
  - Sunscreen
  - Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-40L backpack)
  - Camera — optional
You will be sailing on the oak boat Örkin, beautifully restored to provide comfortable accommodation for Hornstrandir explorers.

All amenities are included, with generous breakfasts and tasty meals to ensure strength for the days ski touring.

During downtime, there are perfect opportunities to make use of the on-board SUP’s, or enjoy quiet moments on deck. You can even try a fortifying dip in the ice cold waters of the Westfjords peninsula!
All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent:
- - Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel and probe from Fjallakofinn.
  - Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots and poles can be rented from Fjallakofinn.
  - Splitboards can be rented from Fjallakofinn.
Skis, skins, crampons, and avalanche safety equipment can also be provided by your guide for an additional fee.

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:
- - For this adventure, the max client-to-guide ratio is 8:1. All prices are per person.
  - Cost is per person and it doesn’t decrease as the group grows.
Ski touring in the Westfjords 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.
A non-refundable 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.
- - If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to one hundred twenty (120) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is entitled to a full refund minus the deposit.
  - For cancellations ninety (90) to one hundred nineteen(119) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the total amount paid when Booking.
  - For cancellations seventy five (75) to eighty nine (89) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of twenty-five percent (25%) of the total amount paid when Booking.
  - After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund. Any reimbursable expenses arising out of the Booking incurred by Guide prior to the date of cancellation (including but not limited to plane tickets, car rental payments, and lodging or transportation fees) are non-refundable as soon as they are incurred by the Guide.
To get to the Isafjordur harbor, the starting point of this tour, most people fly into Keflavik International Airport near Reykjavik, Iceland. From there, take one of the 2-3 daily 40-minute flights to Isafjordur Airport. To ensure that you arrive at Isafjordur in time to meet with your guide, which will usually be around 11 am, we recommend flying into Reykjavik at least one day before the tour.

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the Isafjordur harbor or a predetermined location. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.
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 the Westfjords, please refer to Iceland’s official COVID-19 travel guidelines.

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!