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
Included:
Not included:
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.
Discover more backcountry skiing adventures in Iceland here!
Liability waivers are a standard part of all guided outdoor adventures. Recently, the requirements have become a bit more rigorous for ACMG guides—meaning that you’ll need to agree to the signing of the waiver at the time of booking.
Prior to booking, we ask you to review the waiver. During the checkout process, you’ll have to acknowledge the risks and agree to the signing of the waiver. You are required to bring a printed copy on the trip.
Please note that signing and agreeing to the terms of the waiver is required in order to join this adventure. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us prior to booking.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Ski touring equipment:
Clothing:
Accessories and gear:
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Group sizes and pricing
A ski and sail expedition in Iceland can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
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 insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors 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.