Party 'Hardy' And You Can Enjoy Iceland Skiing -
Skiing in Iceland requires a somewhat more hardy approach than might be appropriate elsewhere in the world.
Imagine a winter landscape of snow and glaciers, with few lodging accommodations outside the cities and towns, and ski areas where facilities are for the most part rudimentary.
Icelandic names evoke images of an Arctic land peopled by Vikings and, indeed, the island was settled by Norseman more than 1,000 years ago. It is reputed to have one of the highest standards of living in the world and welcomes visitors with warm hospitality.
Outside of the resorts which are found around the island, Iceland also offers some of the best long-distance ski touring in the world, thanks to consistent snow cover and wide open landscape.
Bláfjöll Recreation and Ski Center is the biggest skiing resort in Iceland, a half hour drive from Reykjavík. There are 11 lifts in three different areas of Bláfjöll, including two chairs and a surface lift. All the major slopes are well lit at night.
Skálafell Skiing Area in Skálafell also is a half hour from Reykjavík, with one chair and three surface lifts.
Snowcat skiing tours operate on the Snæfellsjökull Glacier, which also offers a 450-meter long lift.
Tungudalur/Seljalandsdalur Ski Area in Ísafjörður, in Tungudalur and in Seljalandsdalur has three lifts, one dedicated the children.
Tindastóll Skiing Area near Sauðárkrókur has a 1,200-meter long lift and night skiing.
The newly constructed Siglufjörður Skiing Area near the town of the same name has two lifts.
Hlíðarfjall Skiing Area above the town of Akureyri has four lifts and a vertical of 500 meters. Böggvisstaðafjall Skiing Area in Dalvík has two lifts, 500 meters and 700 meters in length, one above the other and quite near the town.
Tindaöxl Skiing Area in Ólafsfjörður has one lift, 600 meters long, well suitable for beginners and experts alike. Húsavík Skiing Area is situated on the slopes just above the town of Husavik, and offers one disklift and night skiing.
Stafdalur Skiing Area is a 10 minute drive from Egilsstaðir Airport and the same distance from the town of Seyðisfjörður. It has a 1-kilometer-long lift, and night skiing.
Oddsskarð Skiing Area in Fjarðarbyggð is the biggest skiing area in eastern Iceland, with three lifts capable of transporting 2,000 persons per hour, cross-country skiing, a ski lodge with sleeping bag accommodation for 40 persons and a cafeteria. The area is partly illuminated for night skiing and riding. Bundle up.
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