Skiing, crosscountry skiing, snowboarding

Skiing, skiing, and skiing again.....

Last week looked promising when it came to snow in the north of Iceland.
I happened to be in the south of Iceland last week, where we had clear sky and lots of sun, although rather chilly.
Right before flying north back to Akureyri on Wednesday, believe it or not, it started snowing in Reykjavík and we even had to wait for 15 minutes circling on the runway while the it was being cleaned for us. However, arriving in Akureyri, it felt like coming to a different world....there was loads of snow in comparison to the south....

And, if you happen to be in the north of Iceland over winter time, trying out winter sports, eventhough you haven't tried skiing before, is a must, especially when the conditions are favourable.

Eyjafjördur - fjord where Akureyri lies - is one of the best places in Iceland for cross-country and downhill skiing. The area is very well serviced and the ski slopes, on Hlíðarfjall mountain, 5 km above the town, are unique in many ways. Their elevation ranges from 500 m to 1000 m above sea level, and thus there is plenty of snow during the winter.

Hlíðarfjall ski resort offers ski and snowboard lessons for both children and adults, at all times, just that the lessons must be booked in advance. The gear can be rented on spot and you can check all the prices and other details on the web-page, which has been udpated and has a very good set out.

There are some new features and in order to get information about openinghours, weather and other details, press here.

The front page has a detailed overview of updated weather conditions on the mountain, which comes extremely handy for everchanging Icelandic weather
There are still some challenges and things to be improved.
One of them is an English version of their web-page.
Another one is actual accommodation on the slope. There is none and also a pick up service is missing, which is normally combined with the accommodation. For the time being, of you need a place check out the possibilities either in Akureyri or along the fjord...there are many to choose from.

So let´s see what will future bring.

The following contact number works really well, so if you decide to check this place out, do not hesitate and call (+354) 462 – 2280.

I myself tried some cross-country skiing there and that was awesome....overlooking the long fjord and enjoying well maintaned paths was just a pleasure that I definitely recommend.

A brochure presenting the Hlíðarfjall ski area as well as other ski areas in the neighbourhood, can be found here (NB! 2007 edition).

Looking forward to getting your comments.

Skiing in the northmost village of Iceland

It seems that winter is coming back to the north of Iceland.
There´s a snowstorm starting right behind my windows, as I´m writing this from Dalvík, so no wonder that skiing area of Siglufjordur, I want to introduce today, northwest of us, is closed for today. You can see the video-camera shots online here

Nevertheless, skiing there, is worth trying out, as it´s one of the best in Iceland, so here is some inspiration for all those, interested in winter sports.

Skiing area of Siglufjordur, not far away from Akureyri, offers a great view over the fjord and also a famous herring village itself. There are 3 lifts available and the details are as follows:

The lowest lift:
Starts at 205 metres and ends at 300 metres and is 430 metres long.

The middle lift:
Starts at 300 metres and ends at 520 metres and is 1050 metres long.

The highest lift:
Starts at 470 metres and ends at 660 metres above sea level and is 530 metres long.


The hill itself belongs to one of the best in Iceland and there´s a good service offered to guests at a skiing chalet at the bottom of the hill.

The locals will gladly assist you with skiing gear, if you need to borrow anything and also give you good advice on cross-country skiing possibilities in the area.

Opening hours are to be checked here and the prices range from as low as 600 ISK per adult for half a day up to 1500 ISK per adult for a weekend day.

Once, you´ve had enough of skiing, it´s a must to try out local hot pots in the open air, as well as local food.
Last but not least, truly a living museum that will take you to the herring era, when Siglufjordur was once the most important town of Iceland.
It would be a sinn to miss it, as this museum was built with heart and sweat of local volunteers and enthusiasts and has deservedly won many national and international prizes for its uniqueness.

If you´re in need of accommodation in Siglufjordur, contact egillrogg@simnet.is and I'm sure he will gladly assist you.

Enjoy Siglufjordur as well as your skiing there and we're looking forward to receiving your feedback, once you will have tried this exceptional skiing area of the northmost village of Iceland.

THE LONGEST SKI RUN IN ICELAND

Eventhough winter in Eyjafjörður doesn´t have as much snow these days as the skiers would wish for, there are many opportunities that one can try out, once in the north, close to Akureyri.

Today, we´re introducing so called KALDBAKSFERÐIR, which translates to English as 'tours on the mountain Kaldbakur'.

The company operating these special tours owns 2 snow cats that will take you to the top of Kaldbakur, the longest ski run in Iceland, 1173 meters high.

Once on top, you can enjoy the panoramic view over the whole fjord. Afterwards, it´s up to your own choice, whether you decide to ski, snowboard, walk, sled or just sit back and enjoy the ride down in the snow cat.

The snow cats have a combined maximum capacity of 52 adults. Both are open air so it is necessary to dress warmly.

The snow cats depart from the parking area north of Grenivík, just 30 minutes drive from Akureyri. It takes around 45 minutes to get to the top of the moountain.

Tours must be booked in advance, so in case you´re interested don´t hesitate and

phone up: 867 3770 or e-mail: icekiwi@internet.is

If the conditions are good, the season can last from January all the way to May and there can be up to 3 scheduled tours per day: 10 am, 1 pm, 4 pm, if the minimum number of passengers is booked.

The specialty for the year of 2010 is a locally produced sled that you can borrow and enjoy the downhil sledging to the full.

The prices are as follows:

• 4.500 ISK / adult
• 2.500 ISK / children aged beween 6 and 12 years old
• free for children under 6 years old

Interesting? Sounds like something worth trying while you´re in the north of Iceland?

Don´t hesitate a minute, check out this web-page for more pictures and simply try it out.

HAVE FUN.

P.S.: I´m planning to try it myself soon and will post the impressions as soon as the trip is over.