International Guiding with AKG

Exotic yacht-based touring in the Western Fiords of Iceland! Dates between March-May. Each guide will take 4 guests on an incredible six days of ski touring on this excellent icy island nation.  We’ll move from bay to bay each day to explore and ski as much as we want and return to the cozy yacht at night for gourmet meals.  Having a nice low 1:4 guide: guest ratio in each group ensures flexibility for meeting ski aspirations.

This trip is suitable for a wide variety of skiers and abilities but is recommended for intermediate to advanced backcountry skiers who are equally strong skiing both uphill and downhill in a variety of off-piste conditions. Just like New Zealand! Depending on weather and conditions, days might include as much as 1300m/4000’ of vertical and 10-15km of touring while carrying a 10kg pack.  

AT or telemark skis are preferable but experienced splitboarders are welcome, too.  Fly from the capital Reykjavik to the fishing town of Fly from the capital Reykjavik to the fishing town of Isafjordur.  From there we sail to the remote Hornstrandir Nature Preserve and spend our days skiing deep in Iceland’s fjords, just a few miles south of the Arctic Circle.  While we probably won’t see another skier out there, we will likely see northern lights, Arctic Fox, seals, whales, and Eider ducks.

Day 1:   You’ll meet me in the morning on day 1 in Isafjordur for a welcome brief.  Then we head to join the yacht Aurora for our journey. Depart from Isafjordur at 14:00, with 2-4 hours of sailing to Hesteyri in the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. We will relax at anchor and maybe explore on the Zodiac and take a look at the old whaling station that once was the driving force in this now abandoned settlement. Since it will still bright in the evening in May, we’ll have the option for a short ski run.

Day 2:  We’ll begin the day with safety briefing, avalanche search exercise, and an explanation of what to do in case of emergency. We will then ski from Hesteyrarfjörður to Veiðileysufjörður. The climb up Hesteyrarfjörður is easy and the ski slopes on the other side offer many possibilities. We may end the day by skiing the steepest slope of the trip, 45°-50° in steepness (of course this is optional—you can head down to the boat if you prefer!). Dinner will be at anchor in Veiðileysufjörður.

Day 3:  Today we will ski to Lónafjörður (Lagoon fjord). Our day begins a climb to one of the cols to look at the bays on the north side. We’ll ski down to the first valley in Lónafjörður and climb at least two more mountains before meeting Aurora again in the afternoon.

Day 4:  Here, we normally spend an extra day at the beautiful Rangali anchorage. There are endless opportunities for skiing – from steep couloirs to rolling hills. One route will take us to the Snókur mountain with a good view of the coastal mountains on the east side of Hornstrandir. Often there is an opportunity to pick mussels for an après ski snack!

Day 5:  Today we skin up from the Sópandi inlet and over to Hrafnfjörður (Raven Fjord). The mountain cirque at the head of the fjord is very beautiful and the anchorage is a perfect spot to spend the night.

Day 6:  We will have a morning ski session before sailing back to Isafjordur, with arrival around 16:00 in the afternoon. You can catch the last flight from Isafjordur that night, though we suggest staying at least one night in Isafjordur to relax and get to know this old and beautiful town.