Start date
End date
Travellers
Ísafjörður 4-day ski touring trip
Enjoy the best backcountry skiing with Runar, an experienced mountain guide. Join him for this 4-day ski touring trip in one of the most beautiful places in Iceland, Ísafjörður.
Description
Some of the most stunning fjords are located in Iceland. And within this small, yet impressive country, Ísafjörður is home to the best spots to admire, hike, and ski!
One of the biggest advantages of Ísafjörður, is that you don’t require a boat, or sea transfer to reach its best skiing spots. This lovely town offers majestic mountains and great accommodation options for all types of skiers. Moreover, its delicious cuisine and welcoming inhabitants, turn this into a true paradise. So, it’s the perfect place for those that like exploring new places and meeting new people.
Ísafjörður is known for its warm hospitality. But, it is also famous for the excellent skiing spots it has. Because of its isolation, far away from packed skiing resorts in Europe or North America, that might be people’s initial choice, it offers incredible and exclusive options. So in many cases, you might even do the first descents down the mountain you choose to explore.
Additionally, the Icelandic westfjords always have wonderful thick snowpack. And the top of its peaks offer mesmerizing sceneries. From the top, you’ll get to see everything, from pristine natural sights to vast mountainous landscapes and an incomparable view of the ocean.
And most importantly, most of the skiing locations are very close to the town. So, we’ll only have to drive short distances to reach them. Thus, giving you the option of feeling like you are a true explorer of the Arctic Circle, while remaining close enough to town.
If you are up for this adventure, don’t hesitate and contact me. It would be my pleasure to guide you across the fjords of Iceland so you get the absolutely best skiing!
Are you looking for a longer adventure that also combines travelling by the sea? Check out this 6-days Speedboat-assisted skiing that I guide too.
Details
Accommodation There are many options to choose from at Ísafjörður |
More info I recommend you bring the following items: skis, boots, poles and skins; avalanche gear (beacon, shovel and probe) for the backcountry trips (if you need to rent any just let us know in advance); thermal underwear, (wool or synthetic, no cotton); wool or fleece thermal mid layer; waterproof and breathable pants and jacket; thermal jacket; wool / fleece hat; 2 pairs of gloves and one pair of mittens; 3 to 4 pairs thick wool / synthetic skiing socks; casual clothes to wear in the evenings; slippers or crocks to wear inside; soft hiking boots; soft travel bag (no hard suitcases); sunglasses, sunscreen / after sun cream; swimsuit and towel; backpack. 30-40L is the right size; personal medical kit; 1 litre water bottle; small thermos. |
Meeting point Our office in Aðalstræti 17 (downtown main street) https://www.boreaadventures.com/about_borea/location/ |
Photos
Itinerary
Day 1: Botnsdalur Valley
After meeting in our offices, we’ll gather all our ski equipment and get ready for the adventure ahead. Then, we’ll drive around 20 minutes from Ísafjörður through the tunnel to Botnsdalur Valley. We’ll stop at the Búrfell Mountain (745m) for the best descents! After a few runs, we’ll take a lunch break. And then head to the top of Kistufell. Finally, we’ll end our day driving to the Suðureyri village and back to Ísafjörður for dinner.
Day 2: Mt. Kalbakur
On our second day our goal will be to ski the tallest mountain in the Westfjords, Mt. Kalbakur (998m), with jagged peaks much like the ones in the Alps, and the best views of the area. If we can’t reach the summit due to snow conditions, I have plenty of surprises and other amazing spots we can visit.
Day 3: Mt. Rauðkollur
After a short drive, we’ll arrive at the town of Sudavik. Then we’ll skin up to the bowl under Sauratindar, and up to the top, until we reach 856 meters. Thereupon a thrilling descents awaits. After it, we’ll head to the top of Mt. Rauðkollur, from where we’ll get amazing views of Isafjordur. But, there will be a huge challenge: chose which glacier-carved bowl we want to ski down!
Day 4: Bolungarvík
Our last day will be full of great adventures. We’ll ski through the peaks between the towns of Ísafjörður and Bolungarvík. After a short drive to the Hanholl Farm in Bolungarvik, we’ll follow a river covered in snow until we reach the Heidarskard Pass. Then, we’ll climb Mt. Heidnafjall, from where we’ll get some awesome descents to the Hnífsdalur Valley. We’ll stop for lunch and go to Mt. Eyrarfjall. There, we’ll find the remains of what was once the best ski lift in Iceland. Our run will end at the absolutely best, if not only tree run in the country before reaching the valley of Tungudalur, right outside its downtown.
About the guide
I hold a degree in geography and started my guiding career as a mountain biking and hiking guide in the summer for different adventure companies in Iceland. I also worked as a tourism consultant for few years but felt it was time to put my skills into practice and put up an adventure operation in cooperation with other good people.
I was a boy scout when I was younger and learned to love the outdoors, especially the mountains. Skiing, ice & rock climbing and kayaking are my favorite sports and a part of his job. I have for years led mountaineering and avalanche SAR courses for the Icelandic Rescue Team Association.
Among other things, I have scaled 6000 m peaks in Peru, done skiing and kayaking expeditions in Greenland, climbed in the Alps few times and done paragliding in the Pyrenees.
I have finished WFR first aid training, hold a BCU 4 star kayaking certificate, have finished my marine CTCW training to be qualified as a professional crew member and Canadian Level I and Level II avalanche training.
My great experience and expertise means that you're in safe hands.
What people are saying about Borea Adventures
Marla Wolkowicz
4.00
September 2019
Marla Wolkowicz
4.00
September 2019
Runar Karlsson was not our guide. We were surprised to discover, only on the day of our hike upon our arrival to your office, that he wasn’t. A disappointment, after we had received a detailed explanation from Runar describing his skills and CV days before. Perhaps it was a misunderstanding on our part, but we were under the impression we had booked this hike as a private venture for the four of us well in advance, since the date we requested was not part of the dates standardly offered. Therefore we thought we were going to benefit from Runar’s geologic expertise and personal attention during our hike. Instead, again we were surprised to discover another hiker was joining our group to whom our guide directed most of his attention and time. The two of them hiked well ahead of the rest of us for most of the hike. Also, we were offered little unsolicited geologic or local information from our guide, which was an important aspect of this hike and something we were all looking forward to learning. It was an exhilarating hike and the views were spectacular but it was not the experience we were led to believe it would be.
2.00
September 2019
Runar wasn\'t our guide. I already sent a review to Boreas Adventures. We were disappointed with the hike. It was much shorter than we expected and less challenging than we expected. The guide wasn\'t very knowledgeable and we probably could have done the trip without him. The best part of the trip was on the boat when we saw 2 humpback whales.
Prices per person
Group of 1 | ISK 125671 each |
Group of 2 | ISK 125671 each |
Group of 3 | ISK 125671 each |
Group of 4 | ISK 125671 each |
Group of 5 | ISK 125671 each |
Group of 6 | ISK 125671 each |
Group of 7 | ISK 125671 each |
Group of 8 | ISK 125671 each |
Want a different number of travellers?
Price includes
- Guiding fee
- Accommodation
- Transport during the trip
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Price details
Price per person to join a group from 4 to 8 people.
For booking assistance
Have any doubts? Talk directly with an Explore Share assistant.
The Concierge service is a great tool for when you still haven't decided what kind of Adventure you're looking for and you're open to suggestions
We did not have Runar Karlsson as our guide. Instead we enjoyed the expertise of a young Icelandic woman who also serves as an Olympic Cross-Country coach for Icelandic youth. She guided us along the Hornstrandir coast towards one of the Arctic Fox habitats. Although no foxes were seen we learned much about the area, the fjord and its history. We also enjoyed a walk with her to a lovely waterfall behind the farmhouse.