Troll Peninsula Ski Touring
Ski to the Sea, Hot Springs & Northern Lights - 8 Days of Adventure in Iceland
Experience ski touring at Iceland's fabled Troll Peninsula with an expert guide doing peak to ocean descents. Days of incredible backcountry powder skiing, hot springs, northern lights & sightseeing. Stay in a cozy lodge near the sea & amongst the mountains, plus spend the final night in Reykjavik.
Highlights
The tour is loaded with highlights, but here are a few of them:
- Summit to sea ski descents.
- Untracked powder.
- Breathtaking sights & scenery.
- Exhilarating climbs.
- Hot springs after skiing.
- Northern Lights.
- Local cuisine that will challenge & delight!
- Led by an experienced ski guide.
- Lifelong friends, stories & memories.
Program
The tour starts and finishes at Iceland's main international airport at Keflavik (KEF) (south of the capital Reykjavik). From the airport the group will take the vehicles and drive north to the Troll Peninsula. A cosy, self-contained lodge which will be your base for most of the week. 5-days of stunning ski touring in the region will follow (with the possibility of an additional sneaky morning ski on Day 7!!). Each day will end with the option for a soak in local thermal pools, and after dark, awaiting the northern lights. For detailed information on the day-to-day activities, see the Itinerary tab.
The Skiing
The Troll Peninsula in Iceland is a renowned ski touring destination. Surrounded in the north, east & west by a number of fjords, it is one of the places where the saying "skiing from the summit to the sea" makes absolute sense. The mountains in the Troll Peninsula range in altitude from 700 to 1,200m above sea level. The peninsula is linked by a series of road tunnels that provide great opportunities to start on one side of a mountain and end on the other side.
Because of the (at times) harsh climate and human factors(!), there are no trees, so poor visibility days can be challenging. The guide will adapt the program to more sheltered areas or suggest alternative acvies such as safety training, a visit to Akureyri, or relaxing in hot springs. Flexibility is key in Iceland.
During late march & early April, the days are getting longer, and daytime temperatures can range between 0°C and 15°C, with variable weather possible. Expect nights to be below freezing. Cold storms with fresh snow are always a possibility.
Lodging & Meals
Whilst at the Troll Peninsula, the tour utilises a private house exclusively for the group. It comes with a fully equipped kitchen & lounge, plus bed linen and towels for each guest. The cosy lodge is located at the foot of the mountains on the Troll Peninsula. In Reykjavík, the final night of the tour is spent in a hostel near the airport.
For meals, a common shop will be made, with the costs divided among all participants. The tour guides will be in charge as organisers and based on their experience of many trips will help with the management of the purchase and quantities. Food is purchased together at the supermarket in Akureyri (approx. €150 per person). Participants will share cooking duties in the house, coordinated by the guide. If you have allergies or preferences, let the tour operator know before departure.
An evening trip into the main town of Akureyri for dinner and/or beers may be possible if the group wishes. On the final night, dinner will be had at a restaurant in Reykjavik.
Ski Ability, Fitness & Gear
For this ski touring trip, an intermediate or better level of off-piste skiing/splitboarding and having previously done some ski touring activity (randonnée / ski touring / backcountry skiing) is required. Participants should be comfortable with daily ascents of 900 to 1,200 m and able to ski safely on variable snow (powder, crud, crust, ice). Depending on the physical and technical level of the participants, plus the snow and weather conditions, the mountain guide will adapt the outings for maximum enjoyment. Do not hesitate to make a booking enquiry to jointly evaluate whether you have the appropriate level of skiing.
For this tour, all participants will need to bring their own ski-touring & splitboarding gear, including all avalanche safety equipment.
Booking & More Info
For one of the two fixed date tours in late March, early April, submit a tour booking request via the date listings above. You can join the tour as a solo, couple or small group.
If you have any questions or want to book a private tour (maximum capacity 6-people + mountain guide), please submit a general booking request