SNOW AND ICE ACTIVITIES IN ICELAND

Iceland has a wide choice of downhill ski resorts and also offers extensive cross-country skiing with a variety of prepared trails. In recent years the snow record has been mixed but the ski resorts in the north enjoy excellent winter skiing conditions. The environment is safe and children are welcome. The standard of service and equipment is also very high.

The main skiing resorts are the Bláfjöll and Skálafell slopes near Reykjavík, together with the mountains beside Akureyri, Dalvík, Siglufjörður and Ólafsfjörður in the north, Ísafjörður in the West Fjords and Oddskarð in the East. A summer skiing school operates at Kerlingafjöll mountains in the interior and skiing is possible on some glaciers although conditions should be checked out locally before setting off. Ski equipment can be rented at resorts.?

Snowmobiling on glaciers is a once-in-a-lifetime experience which is becoming an increasingly popular activity. Such tours are available on many locations on the glaciers. Snowcat tours are also available. Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe, is the country's main snowmobiling destination, offering the greatest choice of routes and sights.

Glacier touring involves a certain amount of risk. People on the tour are therefore advised to follow the guides' instructions at every moment