Reykjavík Grapevine - apr. 2022, Síða 30

Say what you like about the Icelandic
winter—and you can, because it won’t
make the slightest bit of difference—it
sure does have staying power. Pausing
from pushing your snow-bound car for
the umpteenth time to shake your fist
at the sky might give you momentary
relief, but the true secret to surviving
the seemingly endless brumal months
is actually to embrace them.
With record-breaking snowfall this
winter, skiing seems the obvious way
to get out there and at least attempt to
enjoy the colder days. If you’ve already
sampled some other favoured Icelandic
winter pastimes, (drinking, going to
a cabin, drinking in a cabin), and are
looking for an expensive new hobby
then you’re in luck! Turns out, skiing
in Iceland is totally approachable, even
for adult learners.
Step one: where the heck
are we going?
There are 11 ski resorts in Iceland,
two of which, Bláfjoll and Skálafell are
conveniently located near the capi-
tal. However, skiing conditions in the
south of the country are notoriously
unreliable, as the weather tends to lean
wetter and milder. It’s unsurprising
then that the majority of commer-
cial ski slopes are found in the north.
One of the most popular locations is
Hlí!arfjall, which is near Akureyri. And
really, we mean it’s very nearby: you
can basically ski right into town if you
want. Hlí!arfjall boasts a total of 24
marked ski slopes, most of which are
suitable for beginners.
Step two: acquiring gear
If there’s one thing you probably
already know about ski equipment, it’s
that it’s not cheap. As a newbie, there
is absolutely no need to invest in gear
until you’re sure this is something you
want to commit to doing regularly. In
the meantime, Fjallakofinn offers a
full rental service from their base at
Hlí!arfjall, including skis (duh), boots,
poles, and helmets. The latter is impor-
tant. You’re going to fall down a lot, my
friend, and it’ll be a more enjoyable
experience for both you and your fellow
mountain dwellers if you don’t mash
your noggin into the ice as part of that
process.
Besides actual ski paraphernalia, the
other element you will require is some-
thing to wear. The challenge is picking
something light enough that you won’t
overheat—skiing is surprisingly ener-
getic, who knew—but still protective
against the rushing winds as you grace-
fully speed down the slopes. As always,
check vedur.is for an idea of what the
weather will be doing during your trip
and dress accordingly. Hiking trousers
and a lightweight puffer jacket paired
with thermals is a good option, or alter-
natively, trawl vintage and secondhand
stores for a rad 80s one-piece. Bonus
points if you can get all your friends to
dress up with you.
Step three: BUT HOW?
So you’re suited and booted, and have
somehow already taken enough selfies
to fill your grandma’s scrapbook twice
over. One slight issue though: you have
no idea what you’re doing.
Our advice: do yourself a favour
and get an expert involved. Even if
your kindly pal offers to show you the
ropes, you’ll learn more, and faster,
from a trained teacher. Plus, it’s never
fun to babysit the new kid as they
skitter down the nursery slopes like
a new-born deer, when everyone else
you know is carving it up elsewhere. So
tell your friends you’ll catch them later,
and book in with Iceland Snowsports. A
one-hour one-to-one lesson is enough
to cover the basics, and you’ll be flying
with the rest of them in no time. Our
instructor, Ásdís, was patient, infor-
mative, and graciously put up with
the fact that we skied into her. Several
times.
Once you’re ready to be let loose
on the grown-up trails, don’t let your
enthusiasm over your new-found skills
carry you away—literally. Most colli-
sions are caused by
carelessness and a lack
of control. Be aware of
the people around you,
and stay out of the way
as best you can. You’ll
discover very quickly
that with skiing, the
line between ‘looking
cool’ and ‘looking like
a dickhead’ is wincingly thin.
Step four: ready for
more?
Congratulations! You’ve done it! You’re
officially enjoying winter. Your insta-
gram stories are full of #apresski and
you’re already saying insufferable
things like, “Gnarly!” for no discern-
able reason.
If you do decide that you want to
stick with skiing and buy your own
gear, Fjallakofinn also offers a handy
‘try and buy’ service where you can test
run a variety of skis
before committing.
Secondhand groups
on facebook are also
worth keeping an eye
on if you’re looking for
cheaper options. In the
meantime, we’ll see
you on the hill.
Distance from
Reykjavík:
392 kilometres
Experience
provided by:
hlidarfjall.is
icelandsnowsports.com
fjallakofinn.is
Be!inners Guide to Skiin! In Iceland
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Snow is generally necessary for the sport of skiing A Bacofoil onesie will keep you as warm as a turkey
Travel
Ever wanted to !o very fast down a hill with two
sticks attached to your feet? Here’s how!
Words: Josie Anne Gaitens Photos: Norris Niman
“You’re going to
fall down a lot,
my friend, and
it’ll be a more
enjoyable expe-
rience if you
don’t mash your
noggin into the
ice as part of
that process”