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28. Jul 202528. Jul 25
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5 min
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Best spots for skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling in Iceland
There’s something for everyone all year round in Iceland. Come and see for yourself!
Iceland doesn’t have the skiing reputation of other parts of peak-blessed Europe like Switzerland, Austria, or Norway, but the opportunities here are plentiful – especially for skiers and snowboarders looking for an off-piste adventure, and for visitors looking for extra adrenaline in the form of snowmobiling adventures.
Check out our list of where to go and what adventures to look for.
The typical Iceland ski season runs across the winter months from November through to April. Yet, you’re likely to have better ski conditions and more open resorts from February when there’s more daylight.
On the other hand, snowmobiling tours in Iceland are possible year-round, as they operate on glaciers.
Visit our guide on the best time to travel to Iceland for what to expect from the weather and what else is happening in each of Iceland’s seasons.
Traveling around Iceland is easy with our internal flights. From the domestic airport close to downtown Reykjavík, you can reach Ísafjörður in the Westfjords, Akureyri in North Iceland, Höfn in Southeast Iceland, and Egilsstaðir in East Iceland in under an hour.
Reykjavík Two resorts lie less than a half-hour drive from the capital and attract snow-loving city-dwellers: Bláfjöll is the larger option; Skálafell is also a popular choice for the best skiing in Iceland’s capital.
Ísafjörður In the far northwest, close to the Westfjords’ major town, lie ski areas Tungudalur and Seljalandsdalur, with ski lifts, cross-country trails, and a fun Easter celebration. The region is also popular for backcountry skiing.
Sauðárkrókur North of town is the looming mountain Tindastóll, with a ski area suitable for all the family, plus awesome views of Skagafjörður.
Tröllaskagi The ‘Troll Peninsula’ is a snow-lover’s dream, with super slopes and three resorts in close proximity, by the towns of Siglufjörður, Ólafsfjörður, and Dalvík. There are also snowmobile and snowcat tours, and bumper heli-skiing and ski-touring opportunities.
Akureyri The king of all the Icelandic resorts is Hlíðarfjall, with full facilities, a ski school, floodlit runs, and cross-country tracks.
Mývatn Cross-country skiing, sledding, and snowshoe walks across frozen lakes and lava fields are a big winter lure in this prime ‘fire and ice’ location.
Seyðisfjörður Just 10 minutes outside this perfectly picturesque town is Stafdalur, with one lift plus kids’ lift, as well as cross-country skiing opportunities.
Eskifjörður In the ‘Alps of the East Fjords’ sits Oddsskarð, a small resort high above the towns of Eskifjörður and Neskaupstaður, with good backcountry access. Visit in March for the Austurland Freeride Festival, an annual mountain-skiing and snowboarding event headquartered in Eskifjörður and using the Oddsskarð ski area as its base.
Hvannadalshnjúkur Iceland’s loftiest peak (6,923ft or 2,110 meters) offers springtime ski mountaineering opportunities for those with plenty of experience.
For a heart-thumping romp across the icy landscape, get yourself on a snowmobile. Besides the obvious thrill factor, this travel method offers two distinct advantages: it gives you access to terrain too tricky to explore by foot or car, and high speeds allow you to cover a lot of landscape in a short space of time.
Snowmobiling generally isn’t offered at ski resorts – rather, Iceland’s numerous glaciers are the most popular places for snowmobile touring, particularly Langjökull, Mýrdalsjökull, and Vatnajökull. Frozen lakes are another option, and Mývatn in North Iceland is a popular spot.
As they’re conducted on glaciers, snowmobiling tours in Iceland are possible year-round. You’ll need to hold a valid international driver’s license to operate a snowmobile, though passengers don't require one. Children aged around 8 and up can generally ride as passengers.
Tours will provide a helmet and windproof overalls, but be sure to dress in snug layers and good winter boots to stay toasty on your tour. The starting points for the tours are often in remote, glacier-edge locations, but pick-up is offered by tour operators from places that are easier to access in a regular car. Getting to the snowmobiling base in a large super-jeep is often half the adventure!
Read on for where to go snowmobiling in Iceland.
Langjökull This is a very popular option for snowmobiling, with tours available on both the west side and the east side of the glacier. Pick-up is usually done in Húsafell (for the western part of the glacier, including the Into the Glacier experience), or from Gullfoss waterfall on the Golden Circle. Our Golden Circle and glacier snowmobiling day tour from Reykjavík offers snowmobiling on the eastern part of Langjökull, accessed via the highland road known as the Kjölur route.
Mýrdalsjökull Another option that’s possible on a day trip from Reykjavík is to the south coast Mýrdalsjökull glacier. Tours operate on the Sólheimajökull glacier outlet of Mýrdalsjökull, roughly halfway between Skógafoss waterfall and the town of Vík.
Vatnajökull In the country’s southeast, there are snowmobiling opportunities on outlet glaciers that flow from the magnificent ice cap Vatnajökull. Pick-up is from easy-to-reach locations on the Ring Road.
Mývatn Mývatn’s namesake lake freezes in winter, creating snowmobiling opportunities.
Tröllaskagi Just like mountain skiing and heli-skiing opportunities in this region, you can also explore some excellent backcountry trails by snowmobile.
ACTIVITIES
Photography
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Cycling
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Westfjords
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Glaciers
Glacier lagoons
Ice caves
Hiking
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Snowmobiling
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Golf
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Horseback riding
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Whale watching
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