Iceland review - 2016, Page 86

84 ICELAND REVIEW
Just a one-hour drive from Akureyri, se-
cluded Fjallabyggð is one of the most
breathtaking regions in all of Iceland. It’s
easy to fall in love with its beautiful harbor
towns of Siglufjörður and Ólafsfjörður for
their bustling harbors, small town charm
and several region-specific museums. The
municipality is home to roughly 2,000 peo-
ple, and travelers are attracted to the re-
gion for its outdoor winter activities, such
as skiing and snowboarding. Fjallabyggð
offers guests the chance to relax and enjoy
the breathtaking scenery and rich culture,
or indulge their daring side with thrilling
snow sports.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Fjallabyggð is a world-class destination
for outdoor sports. The region, which is
situated just below the Arctic Circle, is
home to two fantastic ski resorts where
visitors can experience cross-country ski-
ing, a slalom ski trail and even heli-skiing
for thrill seekers. The ski resorts, locat-
ed in Skarðsdalur and Ólafsfjörður, of-
fer modern facilities, well-maintained
trails and awe-inspiring views of sloping
mountains and vast snow covered plains
alongside placid fjords. In addition to
skiing, there are opportunities for snow-
mobiling, snowboarding, and cat skiing.
NORTHERN LIGHTS
The northern lights attract visitors from
around the world, hoping to catch sight
of the dancing green lights flickering
among the stars and looming moon.
There is no better place to see the mag-
nificent northern lights than in Héðins-
fjörður, where the air is clean and there
is no light pollution to spoil the magnif-
icent view. Seeing this natural lightshow
against the backdrop of towering moun-
tains, vast valleys and the sweeping
fjords on the edge of the Arctic Circle is
an unforgettable experience.
NEW WINTER FESTIVAL
There’s also a rich cultural scene in Fjal-
labyggð. Skammdegishátíð (Midwinter
Festival) is a new initiative, launched to
celebrate the creative endeavors of trav-
elers who make their way to the north.
The idea for Skammdegishátið came from
Listhús SKAMMDEGI AIR, an artist-in-res-
idency program. Eleven artists were se-
lected to create projects during the dark
winter months of December 2014 and
January 2015. Ultimately, 15 international
artists joined forces and established a mini
festival. An open call was announced this
past March and 71 artists applied, with 24
being selected, ranging from musicians
to filmmakers to visual artists. Skammde-
gishátið will be held from January 28 to
February 21 and there will be four week-
ends with different events, exhibitions and
performances. The aim of the new annual
festival is to attract travelers and introduce
Fjallabyggð nationally and internationally.
fjallabyggd.is, visittrollaskagi.is
FANTASTIC
FJALLABYGGÐ
Explore the stunning landscape
and adventure activities in
Siglufjörður and Ólafsfjörður.
SPECIAL PROMOTIONTHE ARCTIC NORTH
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