Backcountry skiing in Iceland is a bit like the final frontier, out of the mainstream, and plenty of wide-open spaces. Some of the peaks still haven’t had a ski track etched into them. With no trees to block your view it’s easy to scout any line you want, whether you’re in the convenience of a helicopter or taking the time to earn your turns while ski touring.
Iceland Skiing Can’t Be Matched
The Troll Peninsula is on the northern coast of Iceland and combines the usual highlights of backcountry skiing with some unique new features. For instance, you can fly or climb to the top of a mountain and then finish your run on the volcanic black sand of an ocean beach. The second half of the Arctic season allows you to ski all night under the rays of constant sunlight. Its proximity to the Arctic Ocean means the snow is usually very stable and minimizes concerns about avalanches. Combine this with easy navigation and terrain variations from steep and narrow, to smooth and rolling, and you have a recipe for outstanding backcountry skiing.
Another novelty is that the heli ski and touring season is significantly later in the year than normal (unless you go to South America). It starts in late February and goes into early June, so your legs will already be in shape for long days of touring or extra heli drops. This far north the sun barely sets, and with all the bonus daylight you can plan your ski day to hit long runs of perfect untracked corn snow. If you go during the earlier portion of the Icelandic winter you’ll see less sun but way more Northern Lights, and experience more typical powder skiing rather than spring conditions. Although weather in the Arctic winter can be “interesting”, the temps aren’t nearly as savage as you might expect, averaging 20-35 degrees Fahrenheit.
Local Knowledge
You may not be very familiar with Iceland geography, so here’s some info that will give your heli or ski touring trip a bit of context. The Troll Mountains are on a peninsula between the East and West Fjords of Iceland. They top out at 4500 feet, but their location just below the Arctic Circle results in plenty of snowfall. This elevation is also friendly to your lungs when ski touring and makes it easier to do long laps in the heli without your legs giving out. Glaciers are scattered throughout the impressive mountains, and in places you can ski from one glacier to another all the way to the ocean shore.
The Mid-Atlantic Ridge that Iceland lies across produces active geysers and volcanic activity. This means there are plenty of hot springs and pools to soak in after a day of touring or heli skiing. The ski terrain produced by this unique geology is both predictable and full of options. The mountains are steepest at the top and gradually lessen in pitch as you ski down the lavaflow formed slopes. Tight chutes are found up high, and you can drop off the side of sharp ridges into gullies that were formed by the erosion of glaciers and melting snow. As you approach the sea, the runs smooth out and create stunning opportunities for photos of shredding above the ocean.
Your initial landing point is Akureyri, northern Iceland’s biggest city. From there, go further north to the Skioadular Valley for heli skiing, or Dalvik for a ski touring base. Both of these locations clearly portray traditional Icelandic vocations of fishing and farming, and you may feel as if you were transported back in time. The locals are friendly and happy to share more about life in the beautiful Troll Mountains.
Experience the Magic
When you go heli skiing in a place named the “Troll Mountains” you can’t help but think that itwill be an adventurous and legendary experience. Time may seem to slow down in this rugged wilderness that is largely unharmed by the rapid-fire modernization of the rest of the world. Sure, you may be flying in a high tech helicopter, and your ski gear might use some carbon fiber and titanium, but these things just help you get more fully immersed into the unpretentious Icelandic way of life. Ski touring or heli skiing in Iceland will leave you spellbound of how simple an epic trip can be.
