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North Iceland offers ski experiences for people of all ages and disciplines. Those keen on the backcountry and heli-skiing will find unique slopes with surroundings that are hard to find anywhere else. Skiing from a mountain top down to the shore in a remote fjord is a thrilling experience. Add the midnight sun to the mix during the spring season, and you’ll get an experience that leaves you with memories that won’t be so easily forgotten.

You’ll find a broad range of flood-lit ski areas for those seeking groomed slopes and lifts. Hlíðarfjall in Akureyri is the biggest and the most popular ski destination among Icelanders, the world's unofficial ski jump record was broken there in 2024. In the small fishing towns of Dalvík, Siglufjörður, and Sauðárkrókur, you’ll find well-equipped ski areas. There you can also get ski lessons. Ólafsfjörður, Húsavík, and by Lake Mývatn are smaller ski areas. All of the ski areas offer excellent cross-country tracks.


The season can extend from December to May. Early in the season, the floodlights come in handy as there are only a few hours of sunlight. Later in the winter, the weather is a bit calmer and the skies are more often blue. It’s ideal to travel between those destinations and try out the different features of each one. Ski equipment is available for rent in most areas. Add other activities to your itinerary, like whale watching, northern light tours, snowmobiling, dog sledding, or soaking in a bath. A ski trip to North Iceland combined with activities such as these is sure to be unique.

Ski Areas

Travel Time from Akureyri Airport

Heli Skiing

Arctic Heli Skiing
Jökull Bergmann is the founder and lead guide of Arctic Heli Skiing. As Iceland'sfirst and only UIAGM-IFMGA certified mountain guide it is his and the entire team’spleasure to make your mountain adven…
Viking Heliskiing
 Founded in 2013, Viking Heliskiing is aheliskiing/heliboarding company that specialises in bringing the uniqueskiing/snowboarding experience possible while staying in Iceland.   Jóhann Hafsteinn Hauk…
Sóti Summits
Sóti Summits is a North Iceland travel agency, operated by Icelanders with a desire for adventure travel and inspired by the pristine nature of northern Iceland and the Troll Peninsula  We design our …

Ski Touring and Backcountry

Other (2)

Top Mountaineering / Top Trip Hverfisgata 18 580 Siglufjörður 8984939
Amazing Mountains Hrannarbyggð 14 625 Ólafsfjörður 863-2406

Cross Country Skiing

Cross-country skiing has enjoyed increasing popularity in recent years and today is one of the most popular winter sports in Iceland. The sport is suitable for everyone and in North Iceland you can find cross-country ski trails for all abilities. The trails can be flat and comfortable for beginners or longer and more challenging for advanced skiers. The trails are often opened much earlier than the slopes at the ski resorts because it does not require as much snow, which is certainly a great advantage. On a beautiful winter day, its refreshing to take few miles of cross-country skiing.

In North Iceland, it is easy to find cross-country ski trails. Almost all ski areas offer trails; Tindastól, Skarðsdalur by Siglufjörður, Ólafsfjörður, Dalvík, Akureyri, Húsavík and last but not least, Mývatnssveit. You can also find cross-country ski trails in other places, for example in Kjarnaskógur woodlands and along the hiking trail that leads to Hrafnagil. The environment around the trails is often magical with a great view.