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Types of Skiing Explained: Alpine, Nordic, Touring & SkateIceland
Dec - Mar
Learn to cross-country ski, ride Icelandic horses, snowshoe and look out for whales in North Iceland. Multi-activity winter adventure with a luxury lodge, thermal spas and seriously good food.
Beginner
Moderate
A Little Luxury
From
£2,250
(USD $3,532.50)
North Iceland, in deep winter
Think you need to choose between adventure and luxury? This Iceland trip proves you don’t. Learn cross-country skiing across Arctic wilderness, ride Icelandic horses through snowy valleys, snowshoe with locals who’ll tell you how their ancestors survived here, and cruise through fjords looking for whales.
After each day pushing yourself, retreat to thermal spas and a plush lodge serving gourmet three-course dinners. Plus there’s possible Northern Lights viewing from your doorstep.
An Active Agenda
No Hidden Costs
A day and a half of expert instruction. All equipment included
Three hour experience with Icelandic horses and local farmers
Guided trek through remote valleys with local stories
Forest Lagoon spa plus thermal pool at your lodge
Three hour boat tour with marine biologist guide
Three nights in a plush lodge on the Troll Peninsula, one night in an Akureyri hotel
4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 gourmet dinners
Local guides for all activities plus your Gutsy Girls host
Pick up and drop off from Akureyri airport
Activity Overview
New to winter sports? This is your gateway. Cross-country skiing takes you across Iceland’s backcountry on rolling terrain – no chairlifts, no crowds, just you gliding through wilderness.
It’s easier to learn than downhill skiing and kinder on your knees. The expert instruction will get you from wobbly beginner to confident explorer.
Fair warning: it’s a proper workout, but the remote locations make every burning thigh muscle worth it.
Activity Overview
Winter hiking made simple. Strap these wide frames to your boots and walk on top of snow instead of sinking through it. No technical skills needed, just put one foot in front of the other to access winter landscapes that would be impossible to reach otherwise.
You’ll explore three different valleys while your guide shares stories about Iceland’s tough communities and how they survived harsh winters in remote locations.
Activity Overview
Meet Iceland’s legendary horses. These compact, hardy animals are built for Iceland’s tough terrain and aren’t your typical riding school ponies. They also have a unique tölt gait – a smooth, four-beat movement that’s surprisingly comfortable.
Local farmers who know these horses inside out will teach you the basics and get you familiar with their special gait.
Then it’s out on the same snowy trails that these horses have been using for over 1,000 years.
Activity Overview
Your muscles will be demanding this after days of skiing and trekking. The Forest Lagoon sits in Vaðlaskógur forest with seven geothermal pools of varying temperatures, plus a Finnish dry sauna and cold plunge that’ll shock your system back to life.
The infinity pool overlooks Eyjafjörður fjord, so you can soak in mineral-rich water while taking in views of the landscape you’ve been exploring for the last few days.
Activity Overview
Just a short walk from your lodge, Barðslaug thermal pool is where you’ll want to end each day. Sink into naturally heated water, hit the traditional sauna, then try the flotation session in the mineral-rich pool.
Your muscles will thank you, especially after all that skiing and horse riding.
Hardly anyone around, just you, mountain views, and that lovely geothermal warmth.
Activity Overview
Nature’s most spectacular light show – when she’s in the mood to perform. You’re in prime aurora territory with zero light pollution, perfect conditions for when solar activity hits Earth’s magnetic field just right.
Activity Overview
Head out into Eyjafjord, searching for humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins and other marine wildlife. Winter brings them closer to shore to feed, which ups your chances considerably.
A marine biologist comes along to point out things you’d miss – like tell-tale spray before a whale surfaces.
There are no guarantees with these wild animals, but worst-case scenario? You’ve sailed through dramatic fjords surrounded by snow-covered peaks.
The Destination
Your Adventure Starts Here
Land at Akureyri airport and hop on our 90-minute transfer to the lodge. Check into your room, then it's time strap on snowshoes for a two-hour trek through Brunnárdalur Valley.
Get to know your group over a three-course dinner and fuel up for tomorrow's adventures.
After breakfast, start your first cross-country ski lesson. Your instructor will talk you through the basics, your first moves, and finding your feet on the snow.
Build on the morning's technique with lesson two. You'll start getting the rhythm down, covering 3-4km without wanting to collapse. This is where it starts clicking.
Visit to the thermal pool, three-course dinner back at the lodge and keep watch for the northern lights.
Time to put those cross country ski skills to work properly with a longer ski through Fljót Valley. You’ll be covering varied terrain over a greater distance, with the possibility that you feel like you know what you're doing by the end!
Meet Iceland's compact, sturdy horses. Learn their unique tölt gait and head out onto the ancient trails though the valley.
Aquatic stretches and a flotation session in the thermal pool (your legs will thank you) followed by a three-course dinner.
Breakfast, then a two-hour snowshoe through Flókadalur Valley. Wide frames on your boots, untracked snow underfoot, and the whole valley to yourselves.
Lunch at the lodge, then we drive to Akureyri, heading south through Skagafjörður. Check in at the hotel, then head straight to the Forest Lagoon - geothermal pools looking out over the fjord.
Final group dinner in Akureyri.
Breakfast and checkout, then down to the pier for whale watching. Humpbacks, minkes and white-beaked dolphins all come to the fjord to hunt. No guarantees, but the odds are good.
Back to shore, then meet the transfer to the airport for the flight home.
Rest & Refuel
Three nights at a plush lodge on Iceland's Troll Peninsula with mountain views, private and twin ensuite rooms and access to a geothermal pool. Your final night is at a hotel in Akureyri - modern and central.
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Breakfast buffets and lunches during activities. The real highlight? Seriously good dinners at the lodge using the best local ingredients - fresh fish, regional meats and seasonal produce from the area.
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Book now
The Essentials
| Accommodation |
A Little Luxury Comfortable and stylish accommodation in the heart of Iceland’s adventure zone. With incredible views of the Troll Peninsula, private and twin ensuite bathrooms, a lounge space and a geothermal pool on the doorstep.
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|---|---|
| Food |
All meals are included, from dinner on arrival day to breakfast before your journey home. If you have a severe food allergy, please get in touch before you book.
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| Fitness Level |
2
Moderate You’ll be on the go for 6-7 hours a day across multiple activities. Cross-country skiing is the one that’ll test you most as it’s often described as running on skis. You’ll cover 8-10km on ski days, and you’ll feel it in your legs by the end. Horse riding and snowshoeing will also work muscles you forgot existed. The whale watching and spa days offer a bit of breathing room, but this is still an active trip. You'll Need to Be
|
| Skill Level |
1
Beginner No experience needed for any of the activities. Even if you have done them before, it won’t have been in a place like this. Beginner is the skill level. It’s not an easy trip. Check the Fitness Level above. Not sure what level you are? Our Trip Rating Guide explains how we score fitness and skill. |
| Packing List |
Below are a few specialist items you will need or might have to invest in before your adventure. For a full list of what you’ll need to bring, check out the trip guide. We Provide
You'll Need
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| Travel |
The meeting point for this trip is Akureyri Airport. For alternative routes and travel information, please see the trip guide. |
| Not Included |
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| Trip Code |
ICESOTXSH |
The answers
The only direct flights to Akureyri from the UK are from London Gatwick, and they work with this trip:
Flights:
Transfers:
Book these and everything lines up.
You can get to Akureyri other ways, usually by connecting through Reykjavik, and you are welcome to.
Just know that our transfer is timed to the Gatwick flight and will wait for that one only. If you come another route and get delayed, the group will have gone and you will need to make your own way to the lodge.
Leave yourself plenty of time between connections, and check your travel insurance covers extra transfer costs, because taxis and private transfers in Iceland are expensive.
None at all. Our expert guides will take you from wobbly first steps to exploring Iceland’s backcountry. Cross-country and alpine skiing are completely different sports and even seasoned downhill skiers start as beginners here. Our guides cover everything from putting skis on to navigating hilly terrain.
Cross-country skiing feels like “running with skis on” – those long flat sections and uphill climbs will test your cardio. As this is a beginners trip you’ll be taking it much more steady, with plenty of breaks to learn new techniques and skills, however you will be active 6-7 hours daily across consecutive days. Due to this you’ll need a good base fitness with activities such as running, cycling and gym classes – stuff that gets your heart pumping.
You’ll take tumbles while learning – that’s part of it. Falls are softer than alpine skiing since you’re on flatter terrain moving slower. You need to be comfortable with hitting the snow and getting back up though. If falling makes you nervous then we recommend looking at another trip.
Absolutely. The stable owners will teach you everything, from mounting to getting comfortable in the saddle. You’ll spend three hours with the Icelandic horses, known for their calm temperament and unique tölt gait (a smooth four-beat movement). These hardy animals have been working Iceland’s terrain for over 1,000 years, so they know what they’re doing. They have a weight limit of 100kg, but let us know if you’re over this and we can check with the stables.
No. Iceland has strict biosecurity laws to protect its icelandic horses from external illness. Unless your own horse riding gear has been deep cleaned you will not be able to wear it. We provide safety standard helmets and ask that you opt for shoes with a small heel to stop your feet from slipping through the stirrups. Sturdy waterproof hiking boots can do the job. You can also wear any trousers, as long as they don’t have a thick inner seam that might rub.
We collect the group from Akureyri Airport on arrival day and drop you back there on the last day.
Transfers:
Both are timed to the London Gatwick flight and are included in your trip price. Getting yourself to Akureyri is up to you, and there is no discount if you decide not to use the transfer.
Arrival day: you will need to make your own way to the lodge. Rental cars are available at the airport, there is a bus to Siglufjörður with a private transfer on from there, or a direct taxi for around £250. This is exactly why travel insurance that covers delays is worth having.
Departure day: you spend your final night in Akureyri and the airport is a 5 to 10 minute taxi ride away, so you can make your own way there at a different time if you need to. You will need to cover the taxi fare.
We run this trip from December through to March, and North Iceland does not do the same winter twice, so it is hard to promise you a specific forecast.
As a rough guide, expect anywhere from around -10°C to just above freezing, and colder in some weeks. It is a dry cold, which feels kinder than a damp UK winter, though wind can change that quickly. The weather also moves fast: you might get sunshine, cloud and snow in the same morning, which is why your guides plan each day around what is in front of them.
Daylight is short in December and January, around four to five hours concentrated in the middle of the day. From late February it comes back quickly, and by March you have close to equal day and night.
Absolutely. Weather changes fast, so our guides adjust daily plans to make the most of conditions while keeping everyone safe. Poor visibility might mean switching skiing for snowshoeing, or using different routes. You’ll still get your full adventure – just potentially in a different order than planned. We may also need to travel to find the best snow sometimes.
Cards work everywhere, so no need for much cash. Budget a bit for personal extras. Fair warning: Iceland’s expensive, so factor drinks into your budget if you want them. Tipping isn’t compulsory on our adventures, but if you’ve had a great trip and brilliant service, a tip for your guide or host is always appreciated.
No, and we would rather tell you that now than have you arrive expecting something we cannot promise.
In a good week there is enough snow to click into your skis at the lodge door and go. In a leaner week we drive to the local ski centre, where snow is made and the trails are groomed, and the skiing is still good. Now and then there is not enough for either, and on those days we swap in more snowshoeing, horse riding, spa time and time out on the fjord.
The last few winters have been mixed and our guests have still gone home having had a brilliant trip, because there is a lot to this trip beyond the skiing. Come with an open mind about the running order and you will get plenty out of it.
If your heart is set on cross-country skiing specifically, and a swapped activity would leave you disappointed, book one of our cross-country ski trips in Norway instead, where the snow is dependable. We would rather point you at the right trip than sell you the wrong one.
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