10 Best Ski Resorts In Iceland

Describing Iceland as a tourist location is one of the hardest tasks one writer can deal with. The reason is simple – describing the thrill and the feeling a person gets during some of the trips through this Nordic country located in North Atlantic can’t be done by simply using words.

It is not just mystic, but it is also dramatic, unbelievably photogenic with some of the most breathtaking sightseeing places you’ll ever encounter… And you may even run into a reindeer!

Also known as the Blue Mountains, Bláfjöll, located about 33 kilometers from the city of Reykjavik, is considered to be one of the most popular resorts for skiing in Iceland mostly because of the ease of access. It doesn’t take more than half an hour to reach from Reykjavik, and as soon as the temperature falls, this place becomes the center of all happenings.

Next in line of the best ski resorts in Iceland is Dalvík ski resort. Located a bit more than half an hour away from Akureyri, this small but meaningful resort is called “second home” by many ski and snowboard professionals from Iceland. It has only two lifts and about 5 kilometers of ski tracks, but you’ll get the chance to feel what it’s like to be a skier in Iceland. What makes this resort even more special is the fact that it is still unique and offers you the chance to meet the Icelandic culture as it is while you admire the view from some of the tracks that groomed many former World Cup and Winter Olympics competitors.

Some call it “Fjord Alps”, others regard it as a real eastern Iceland ski jewel, but one thing is certain – Oddsskard should be on the top of your “to visit” list when it comes to Iceland. It is located between the villages of Eskifjörður and Norðfjörður, so you’ll be able to feel the real Icelandic culture and enjoy their local cuisine. It is small, with a single ski lodge of a capacity of 40 people in sleeping bags, so you’ll most likely have to try to find accommodation in some of those two villages, but once you step on one of the runs or start your cross-country skiing adventure, you’ll be glad you’ve decided to check this ski resort out. And if you’re lucky enough, you may encounter Icelandic fox or some other domestic wild animal along the way.

Many recent generations grew up reading Harry Potter books or watching movie adaptations, so you’re most likely familiar with trolls and elves. By visiting Siglufjordur, you’ll get the chance to see for yourself the place where trolls and elves used to live. Located in Trollaskagi, or Troll Peninsula, Siglufrordur if mostly famous by backcountry ski trails and off-piste skiing. Some people love to call this area a natural phenomenon thanks to the fact that it is surrounded by volcanoes, rocks, fjords, waterfalls…

Although not a ski resort, Lake Myvatn is one of the most attractive locations in Iceland. It is located near Akureyri which means it is easily accessible from Dalvik or Hlidarfjall and has many different snow and ice activities offered. What makes it even more attractive is the fact that a part of Game of Thrones was filmed on Lake Myvatn, so as you hit the trails during your cross-skiing adventure or feel the wind in your hair while on the dog sled you can say that you’ve been following the footsteps of Jon Snow.

Probably the best place for skiing beginners, Husavik is also quite popular among snowboarders and it is regarded as one of the best places for snowboarding in Iceland. There are many interesting and challenging trails for snowboarders which makes it favorite, while it also has something interesting to offer for freestyle skiers.