Iceland, the continued hot-spot on travel lists and a conversation folks can’t stray from when they hear others talk about it. From the Blue Lagoon (One of the top 25 Wonders of the World) to the vast road-side waterfalls, glacier tours, puffins, sheep farms, fermented shark and the northern lights; Iceland offers something for everyone. So, what about skiing?

If you have traveled the ring road before, you may or may not have had your nose pressed against the window daydreaming of skiing from the top of a mountain directly to the ocean side. Scouting lines that you could charge down after a quick ski-tour or helicopter ride up.

Sail to Ski

The Icelandic ski scene is small yet mighty. The favored Trollaskagi Peninsula, or Troll Peninsula, hosts an extreme variety of aspects from all directional faces giving way to day-long skiing and in the late spring and early summer, midnight skiing too. Though the average peak sits around 3,000 ft above sea-level, the surrounding terrain provides ample ski opportunities for all levels. There are other locations and outfitters located in Iceland's Westfjords with opportunities for intermediate to advanced skiers and spirited adventurers which provide ‘sail’ to ski experiences such as the Aurora Arktika, a first generation Clipper yacht as well as a restored fishing vessel named Orkin that is operated by Soti Summits, an outdoor guide service.

Heliski Options

Viking Heliskiing, currently based in Siglufjordur in the Troll Peninsula, is Iceland's premier guiding service and luxury stay resort that provides heaps of winter ski packages and summer activities. From one-day to multi-day heliski offerings, heli-assisted ski-touring and ski-touring packages offered from Scandic Mountain Guides (a sector of Viking Heliskiing), and various down-day activities to keep active and feel like a local when the weather turns poor or your legs are burnt out.

Be ready for an incredible Après-Ski experience with food, drinks, and music at the lodge. Viking is opening a new 5-Star luxury resort in summer 2024 named Hofdi Lodge which will be located 25 minutes outside of Akureyri, the ‘capital of the north’. With added activity offerings such as a private golf simulator, luxury bar and restaurant stocked with authentic Iceland food and drink, full gym, geothermal infinity pool and fleet of helicopters to fly you to the close-by 18-hole course in the summer to tee-off under the midnight sun, whale watching and e-biking to name a few.

With non-stop flights directly serving Akureyri from Reykjavik and Londons Gatwik airport, or a scenic 5-hour drive from downtown Reykjavik, getting to Hofdi Lodge is accessible and breathtaking. Viking Heliskiing and Hofdi Lodge provides everything you can want on an Icelandic ski get-away in the winter and then some in the summer.

Deplar Farm by Eleven is a picture-esk resort and sheep farm tucked away in the Troll Peninsula. From celebrity sightings like Justin Bieber and Photographer Chris Burkard to ski movie productions, Deplar Farm is a friendly rival to Viking that offers a luxurious and private stay in North Iceland. Like Viking, Deplar comes with a hefty price tag with priceless views. With less terrain access than Viking, there are limited runs yet the guides will still find stashes of fresh snow or the perfect spring corn to ski throughout the season.

Iceland Ski Season

The ski season gets going as soon as December for the locals who are well nuanced in the surrounding terrain. From ski-touring or lapping the one-chair Dalvik ski resort, even the former cat-skiing company that was in Olafsfjordur, Icelanders love their skiing. Viking, Deplar, and other heliski operations like Arctic Heliskiing consistently welcome their guests for guided services as soon as March, depending on the season.

While you can be guaranteed a good time the entire season, the prime time to go is early April. The snow is excellent and it's shoulder season, which means; the northern lights still come out to play, last light colors will blow your mind, and the final runs of the day are getting later each evening.

As you move later into spring and even into early summer, the sun stays out much later, providing guests a once in a lifetime experience to ski directly from the summit of the mountain down to the oceanside to be picked up by helicopter and do it all over again.

Did I mention at skiing at midnight? For this unique midnight experience, I’d recommend joining one of the guide services late May and sometimes even into early June. In 2016 we were skiing fresh powder with Viking Heliskiing in early June.

March: Season opens with a high probability of northern lights and powder.
April: Starting to get more day-light longer and smaller chances of northern lights. Still able to score powder and really good corn.
May: Spring Skiing with amazing views and weather, the sun goes down later which is great because the helicopter is grounded one hour before the sunsets. An amazing month for ski-touring missions.
June: End of the ski season with that sweet sweet corn and cold plunges into the ocean.

Off Day Activities

Iceland's weather can be unpredictable and temperamental, there are down-days due to overcast weather that grounds the helicopters if you heliski. Other winter activities in the north that you can do are: ski touring, whale watching, cold water diving, sea kayaking, surfing, exploring towns, hot springs, geothermal spas and pools, museums, bars, and more.

Check out my Iceland map for down-day locations and other activity spots such as restaurants, bakeries, skiing, surfing, photography and aerial photography, hot springs, and more across all of Iceland.

In a nutshell, if you're a skiing enthusiast looking for an adventure this ski season, Iceland's Troll Peninsula is the place to be. The article showcases awesome options like Viking Heliskiing and Deplar Farm, offering not just great skiing but also cool summer activities. From early New Year to June, including midnight ski touring and northern lights, Iceland's ski scene is a total win for anyone up for an unforgettable experience with their sea to summit slopes.