Reykjavík Grapevine - 05.03.2010, Síða 27

The Icelandic ski season is surpris-
ingly short, and we sure as hell haven’t
managed to produce the same number
of top skiers as our neighbouring coun-
tries. There is still a proud skiing tra-
dition in Iceland. Icelandic ski resorts
usually open during winter, depend-
ing on weather and road conditions,
and stay open for a couple of months.
Most resorts offer ski rentals and in-
structors. Below is a list of some of the
most promising prospects for a skiing
sojourn in Iceland – but do make sure
to check for weather and snow condi-
tions.
Reykjavík
Bláfjöll
Bláfjöll is the largest skiing area in
Iceland with 15 lifts. 3.5-10 km cross-
country trails are made, weather
permitting, and a 5-km section is
lit. Bláfjöll is a 30-minute drive from
Reykjavík.
Tel.: 561 8400, www.skidasvaedi.is
Skálafell
Skálafell is a rather large resort in the
vicinity of Reykjavík. 5 lifts, 6 trails,
and a 10 km cross-country ski track.
Tel.: 896 1318, 530 3000, www.skidas-
vaedi.is,
Hengill
Hengill is located in the midst of the
volcanic Hengill mountain range and
offers a unique opportunity to ski in
a geothermal area. 6 lifts and a cross-
country track when conditions allow.
Tel.: 530 3000, www.skidasvaedi.is
Outside Reykjavík
Dalvík
Böggvisstaðafjall in Dalvík is a large
ski resort in the north, about a half-
hour drive from Akureyri. 2 km of
cross-country paths and two lifts with
a combined length of 1,200 metres. Of-
ten open by request for groups.
Tel.: 466 1010, www.skidalvik.is
Ísafjörður
One of the more exciting resorts in Ice-
land is in Tungudalur and Seljalands-
dalur, above the town of Ísafjörður. The
mountain offers three cross-country
ski circles totalling 11 km, and 1860
meters of combined lifts. Well suited
for snowboarding.
Tel.: 456 3793, www.isafjordur.is/ski
Siglufjörður
A great ski resort in Northern Iceland
offering more than 1990 combined
meters of lifts. 10 km of cross-country
trails, 5 km of which are lit. Open every
day, except Mondays.
Tel.: 878 3399, www.siglo.is/sss
Hlíðarfjall
One of the most popular resorts in Ice-
land, a 5-minute drive from Akureyri.
The mountain has four lifts, 9 trails
and 5 km of lit cross-country trails.
Suitable both for beginners and inter-
mediately experienced skiiers.
Tel.: 460 1000, www.hlidarfjall.is
Stafdalur
Stafdalur is located about a fifteen-
minute drive from Egilsstaðir in east-
ern Iceland. The mountain offers a
kilometre-long lift and a slope suit-
able for both skiers and snowboarders.
Sledding is also easily available in the
surrounding area.
Tel.: 878 1160, www.ski.is/svaedi.
asp?skiid=11
Oddskarð
Between Eskifjörður and Norðfjörður
in eastern Iceland is Oddskarð, one
of the highest mountains in Iceland.
Three ski lifts and over 1800 meters
of combined lit trails make this a great
stop for downhill skiing.
http://www.ski.is/svaedi.asp?skiid=12
There’s a lot going on in Iceland’s capi-
tol this month. We’re sure you’re all
hyped up for DesignMarch, Reykjavík
Fashion Festival and the Reykjavík
Blues Festival. These are all surefire
events, and it will be time to find time
to go to work and stuff between all the
parties and hangovers and cleaning
broken bottles and condoms out of
your back yard and all.
Yeah, Reykjavík is all fine and
dandy, but the rest of the island can
be pretty damn awesome too, as you
should learn for yourself. And you
know what – they have festivals out
there too! That’s not all; two of the
more awesome ones are happening
THIS VERY MARCH. Namely Aldrei
fór ég suður (“I never went south”) mu-
sic festival in Ísafjörður and the 700.is
Reindeerland experimental film and
video festival in Egilsstaðir. You should
go there.
700.is Reindeerland – March 20-27
For the fifth year running, the good
people of Egilsstaðir are staging an in-
sanely ambitious film and video festi-
val in the East Iceland. This weeklong
film festival has been steadily gaining
acclaim and momentum since debut-
ing in 2006, and for good reason too.
The programme is meticulously put
together and will screen a total of 77
pieces over its weeklong. There are
furthermore lectures, exhibitions and
parties to your heart’s delight. Grape-
vine urges you to expand your hori-
zons and check out the artiest film-fest
Iceland has to offer. The East of Iceland
is also freakishly beautiful to boot.
More info at www.700.is.
Aldrei fór ég suður, April 2-4
Any plans for Easter? If yes, dismiss
them. Now. Seriously, there is but one
Easter activity worthy of your atten-
tion. And boy is it worthy. So secure
your ride to Ísafjörður NOW and be
prepared to enjoy two days of the fin-
est music Icelandic has to offer at
Aldrei fór ég suður. This legendary
bash has been an annual event since
2004, and is definitely not an insider
tip any more. It’s still just as awesome
as when it was. This year's line-up is
very promising already, even though
they haven’t announced half of it yet:
Bloodgroup, Hjaltalín, Morðingjarnir,
Hudson Wayne, Ólöf Arnalds and
legendary Ísafjörður grungemasters
Urmull are all confirmed to play. By
the way, there are no tickets available.
Why? Because the whole thing’s for
FREE! See y’all there.
27
The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 03 — 2010
Travel | Festivals Travel | Skiing
SVeInn BIRKIR BJöRnSSOn
GaS
Your Last Chance To Go Skiing
Always best price online.
Various online-offers to all Air Iceland's destinations.
www.airiceland.is
websales@airiceland.is / tel. +354 570 3030 Contact Air Iceland or
travel agent for reservation.
ÍS
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IA
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F
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69
1
0/
20
09
KEFLAVÍK
BORGARNES
STYKKISHÓLMUR
SNÆFELLSJÖKULL
DRANGAJÖKULL
FLATEY
NESKAUPSTAÐUR
BLÖNDUÓS
SIGLUFJÖRÐUR
BOLUNGARVÍK
HRÍSEY
NARSARSSUAQ
Greenland
FAROE ISLANDS
REYKJAVÍK
AKUREYRI
EGILSSTAÐIR
VESTMANNAEYJAR
ÍSAFJÖRÐUR
VOPNAFJÖRÐUR
ÞÓRSHÖFN
HÚSAVÍK
GRÍMSEY
KULUSUK
Greenland
Blue Lagoon
AKRANES Geysir
Gullfoss
Jökullónið
Kárahnjúkar
Krafla
Hallormstaður
NUUK
Greenland
ILULISSAT
Greenland
www.airiceland.is
CONSTABLE POINT
Greenland
Your complete, updated, Aldrei fór ég suður schedule may be
found at www.aldrei.is. Again, see you there!