Iceland review - 2013, Blaðsíða 75

ICELAND REVIEW 73
sKiing in iCEland can prove as thrilling as at
any foreign ski resort. there are lovely (small)
ski resorts in every part of the country except
the extreme south. Many families spend a fair
amount of time on the slopes during winter
weekends. For the daredevils, tröllaskagi penin-
sula in the north is heaven for off-piste downhill
skiing. the interior, around landmannalaugar, is
perfect for cross-country skiing with natural hot
springs to relax in after the arduous crossing of
mountain passes and lava fields.
the best time to explore iceland on skis or
snowboard is from mid-January—when the light
returns—to mid-april. For all-year enthusiasts,
more than ten percent of iceland is covered in
glaciers, where you can explore your skills off
season. Check the weather first. iceland review
takes a look at the biggest and best ski-resorts
in the republic.
Bláfjöll/reykjavík (southwest iceland)
it’s closer than you think; less than half an hour’s drive
from downtown reykjavík to the ski resort’s 16 lifts and
endless possibilities for downhill skiing and snowboard-
ing, as well as kilometers after kilometers of well-
prepared cross-country skiing tracks. this is iceland’s
biggest ski resort. skidasvaedi.is
tungudalur/íSafjörður (West Fjords)
a very special ski resort, it’s so close to the town of
Ísafjörður that you can almost walk to the three lifts.
the surroundings are beautiful but the slopes could be
steeper. there are great cross-country tracks close by,
though, in seljalandsdalur valley. isafjordur.is/ski
tindaStóll/Sauðárkrókur (northwest iceland)
a great place for skiing, even though there is only one lift.
the area is very well maintained, well suited for families—
but not for daredevils. the lower part of the skiing area is
rather flat. tindastoll.is/skidi
SkarðSdalur/Siglufjörður (northeast iceland)
the resort has good snow conditions, steep slopes, and
a fantastic view from the top lift. Many consider these
northernmost slopes in iceland to be the country’s best
for downhill skiing. Charming siglufjörður, the former her-
ring capital of iceland, is well worth a visit, even if it’s too
windy for skiing. skard.fjallabyggd.is
tindaöxl/ólafSfjörður (northeast iceland)
the slopes at this neighboring resort of siglufjörður are
steep, but there’s only one lift. however, ólafsfjörður is
the only skiing area in iceland with a ski jump platform,
and it’s one of the best—if not best—for cross-country
skiing. skiol.fjallabyggd.is
BöggviSStaðafjall/dalvík (northeast iceland)
it’s usually the first skiing area to open in iceland in the
autumn. the resort is excellent for families and beginners
and is conveniently located half-way between akureyri
and siglufjörður. skidalvik.is
Hlíðarfjall/akureyri (northeast iceland)
it’s one of the largest and best skiing areas in iceland
and the location is perfect, just eight minutes by car from
akureyri town centre. during winter holidays and Easter,
residents of the capital region crowd the resort to enjoy
the virgin snow up north. hlidarfjall.is
oddSSkarð/fjarðaByggð (East Fjords)
located high above reyðarfjörður fjord, this skiing area is
one of the most beautiful in iceland. it’s neither the big-
gest nor the best, but boasts some of the best views and
snow conditions. oddsskard.is
Hlíðarfjall, akureyri.
tindastóll, Sauðárkrókur.