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Group Size
8 guests
Terrain
Table Top mountains
and Couloirs
Up & Down
800-1600m
per day
Accommodation
Bunk beds
aboard the sailboat

The combination of a fully equipped yacht, superb ski touring terrain and the breath taking beauty of Hornstrandir Nature Reserve is the recipe for this unique ski adventure. Based out of our floating mountain hut Byr we explore the remote Cape Horn region of NW Iceland. We ski from one fjord to another whilst our floating home sails around to meet us. Here there are no roads and no people, only the arctic fox and seals that curiously eye these bizarre creatures that slide around on the snow. The sailboat has been outfitted to ensure comfortable accommodation and spacious communal areas for guests. Onboard amenities include central heating, hot and cold water, 2 bathrooms, a shower and electricity for charging devices. 

Our adventure starts in the fishing port of Ísafjörður in the NW of Iceland where we meet up with our crew and Captain Siggi. Jökull Bergmann the owner of Bergmenn Mountain Guides teamed up with him in 2006 to make the first ever sail boat ski touring trip happen in this region, and since than this unique product has gained great popularity. This is truly a different experience. First descents and exploration is the name of the game in between feasting on fresh seafood and local produce prepared by our gourmet captain and his crew.

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Dates & Prices

6 Night
program
6,100 EUR

2025 Dates
GLF-01 May 5-11

Included

  • 7 Days / 6 nights aboard vessel
  • All food on board the boat from the first to last day
  • Accommodation on board (bunk style)
  • The service of two crew members
  • The service a professional mountain guide
  • Guided land and water excursions
  • Use of Stand-up Paddleboards (SUP)
  • Use of wet-weather sailing clothes
  • Use of sailing clothing and safety gear
  • Transportation to and from Ísafjörður airport

Not included 

  • Transportation between Reykjavik and Ísafjörður before and after the program
  • Equipment Rental
  • Alcoholic Beverages
  • Personal Accident and Medical Insurance
  • Food on the first day until boarding
  • Gratuities

Itinerary

Please note that this is a suggested itinerary and will vary depending on weather, conditions and the group.

DAY 1

Arrive in Ísafjörður around noon where we board our floating home for the week . We set sail around 14:00 and head to our first anchorage at the abandoned whaling station and village of Hesteyri. We will have time in the evening for a stroll around the beach and checking out the old station that now stands empty, a sign of times past. For those keen there might even be the time for a short midnight ski run.

DAY 2

We go over avalanche rescue procedures and do a bit of practice with our beacons to prepare us for the week. On this first big ski day we traverse over to Veiðileysufjörður - ''The fjord where no fish gets caught''. Passing through the high cols and over the peaks we catch a glimpse of the north side of the Cape Horn peninsula where no one except the Arctic Fox roams at this time of year. Anchorage in Veiðileysufjörður.

DAY 3

The ski over to Lónafjörður - Lagoon fjord is excellent with numerous options for descents into the steep protected fjord. Right above the anchorage looms a great slope and for those that are still craving more turns after dinner, there is always the possibility for the Midnight run(during May)

DAY 4

We spend the whole day exploring and skiing the slopes of Lónafjörður where dozens of virgin slopes and couloirs await. Another option for those looking for some quiet time is to take one of the kayaks for a spin or doing some Seal watching.

DAY 5-6

Skiing over to Hrafnfjörður - Raven fjord takes us to the highest peak of our trip. The complex terrain offers great terrain for those who know where they are going. The shoreline of Hrafnfjörður is one of the best in Iceland for Mussel picking, guess what's for dinner.

DAY 7

Depending on conditions we go for a short ski in the morning and than set sail back to Ísafjörður. The journey across the bay of Ísafjarðardjúp gives us ample time to contemplate and enjoy the last hours of this unique adventure. Arriving in Ísafjörður in the late afternoon the options are to catch a flight back to Reykjavik or enjoying the evening in town.

THE BOAT

Packing List

CLOTHING

  • Wind and waterproof shell jacket (Gore Tex or equivalent)
  • Wind and waterproof pants (Gore Tex or equivalent)
  • Soft Shell (or fleece) jacket and pants (optional)
  • Base layer (wool or synthetic)
  • Light down or fiber jacket
  • Hat
  • Gloves and/or mittens (2 pairs)
  • Ski socks (wool or synthetic, avoid cotton)
  • Casual clothes to wear ashore or on the boat
  • Boat shoes or slippers with rubber soles for below decks
  • Swim suit and towel

MISC.

  • Sleeping Bag +5c
  • Headlamp
  • Sun and lip cream
  • Sunglasses
  • Small first aid kit with personal medications, sea-sickness tablets,  blister kit etc
  • Repair Kit - Bring any spare parts specific to your bindings. The guides will carry a full repair kit so keep yours light.
  • Camera (optional)

SKIING & RIDING GEAR

  • Boots - Alpine touring, plastic telemark or comfortable snowboard boots
  • Ski touring skis, telemark or split board (we recommend skis with a waist width in the 95 to 120 range. We are unable to accommodate snowshoes as a mode of uphill transportation.
  • Skins and ski crampons (Ski crampons are not optional)*
  • Ski poles (adjustable recommended, snowboarders should have 3-section poles that fit nicely on your pack)
  • Ski Straps - used for holding your skis together on your pack or your shoulder.
  • Avalanche transceiver, shovel,  probe (240 cm or longer)
  • Backpack 30L liters (with ski/board attachments)
  • Thermos or water bottle (1-2 liters)
  • Ski Goggles
  • Helmet (optional)

Please use a soft duffel for the trip, no hard suitcases. Please have your ski boots in carry on baggage during your flights to Iceland. If your skis get temporarily lost we can provide rental gear.

DOWNLOAD PACKING LIST

FAQ

  • How do I get to Ísafjörður?

    Once you arrive in Iceland you can chose to fly or drive to Isafjordur in the Westfjords of Iceland where our the Glacier Fjords and Kviar hut programs begin. Icelandair offers between 1-2 flights daily to Isafjordur (flights are around 40 minutes in duration). Flights depart from Reykjavik Domestic Airport which is approximately 45 minutes from the Keflavik International Airport. You can take the Fly-Bus between the airports and most of the time you can continue same day. Please visit our Getting Here page for further details.

    You can also rent a car and drive to Isafjordur. The drive is approximately 440-500 km depending on which route you take.The drive will normally take you 5-6 hours.

  • What is the weather like?

    April and May tend to be stable in terms of wind and precipitation on the Troll Peninsula with long spells of calm, but there are also storms that can last for a day or two. Bad weather happens and you must be aware of the fact that you are up in the high Arctic in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. This is all a part of your adventure ski touring experience.

    Our position in the middle of the Atlantic also means that bad weather never lasts for long with fast moving low-pressure areas striking and then leaving as fast as they arrived. Temperatures in April and May are mild, usually around -10 to 0 degrees Celcius up in the mountains but can rise up to +10 degrees on a good day but drop to  -10 on a cold day.

    One huge advantage of our northerly position is the continuous daylight, meaning that as we move closer to summer we can have bad weather until the afternoon but still get out in the evening since the sun is not setting until around midnight. 

    All that said there is another Icelandic saying that goes like this "If you do not like the weather in Iceland, just wait 5 minutes"

  • Can you accommodate skiers with special dietary needs?

    Please advise us by making note of any special needs or allergies on your booking form when reserving your trip. If we know in advance we can prepare and accommodate you no matter what your dietary needs are. The only food not readily available in Iceland is Kosher food.

  • Can snowboarders join your programs?

    Of course!  We do not discriminate against our single board friends as long as you bring your own split board.  Although our guides use skis for guiding they have years of experience guiding snowboarders and are very conscious in choosing the appropriate terrain when necessary (so no long flat runouts!).  Please be aware that we do not carry split boards in our rental fleet guests must bring their own splitboards. 

  • How much experience do I need to have?

    It depends on a few things such as your group and program, but every skier needs to be a fit intermediate skier and be able to ski under control in off-piste terrain. Keep in mind that ski touring does require a certain basic level of physical fitness to minimize risk and be enjoyable. We recommend that you have the basic core strength to ski in a variety of conditions. The best training you can do for ski touring is ski touring. It is best not to go into any extended trip without finding the time to get in a few days of ski touring in advance to make sure that your feet are conditioned to your boots and that you are comfortable with using the equipment. We strongly recommend guests to bring their own ski touring equipment, especially their own boots. 

    We recommend that you are able to do the following: 

    - Ski fall line in most snow conditions (powder to wind affected snow). 
    - Make parallel or stem-christie turns on 35° groomed or firm snow. 
    - Side-slip on firm slopes up to 35°.
    - Kick turns facing in or facing out on 30° slopes.
    - Skate on level terrain
    - Ski black diamond runs at ski areas efficiently and in most snow conditions.
    - Climb at least 1000 meters per day.

    The amount of skiing done in a day is up to you and your fitness level but as an average I would say that we get around 1000-1800m of climbing and descent in a day with our typical moderate to strong guests. 

    *If you are concerned about being joined with other skiers of different abilities then we recommend joining a Private program.