The Ultimate Volcano Ski Touring in Iceland

Things to know

• Covid measures in Iceland

  57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
  We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Iceland, please read the Official COVID-19 updates by the Icelandic Government.
  Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

• What’s included?

  What you get in this adventure:

  • • An experienced, qualified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • Transportation in a minibus
    • Accommodation in twin/double rooms in 3 star hotels for 5 nights
    • Full board
    • Safety equipment

  What’s not included:

  • • Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
    • Transportation to and from Iceland
    • Accommodation in a single room in 3 star hotels for 5 nights
    • Accommodation in Reykjavík before and after the tour
• How fit do I need to be?

  To enjoy this backcountry adventure, you need to be in excellent physical shape. You will be on your feet for 4-12 hours a day for 6 full days, covering 6-10 miles (10-15km) of terrain every day. You will need to manage controlled descents in variable conditions. All participants should feel comfortable on challenging blue or black-level resort runs and be able to carry a loaded daypack while skinning up variable degrees of terrain.

• What if I’ve never backcountry skied before?

  To participate in this tour, you need to have previous powder skiing experience. You will be skiing, touring, and summiting on glaciated terrain for 5-7 hours every day. Your guide will take care of the planning, oversee your technique, and teach you how to better manage the terrain. They also have the experience and avalanche training necessary to keep you safe.

• What equipment do I need to bring?

  For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:

  • • Alpine touring skis, telemark skis or splitboard with skins (can be rented)
    • Touring boots and poles (can be rented)
    • Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented):
      • Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
      • Lightweight snow shovel
      • Avalanche probe
      • Harness for glacier travel (for advanced touring)

  For personal items, we recommend bringing:

  • • Helmet
    • Sunglasses or ski goggles
    • Gloves and hat
    • Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended)
    • Ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended)
    • Down jacket or vest
    • Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks
    • One triple-action locking carabiner or two conventional locking carabiners
    • Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people)
    • Water bottle and 1L of water
    • Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
    • Food you can eat on-the-go
    • First aid kit
    • Sunscreen
    • Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-40L backpack)
    • Camera — optional
• Can I rent equipment?

  All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent:

  • • Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel and probe from Fjallakofinn
    • Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots and poles can be rented from Fjallakofinn
    • Splitboards can be rented from Fjallakofinn

  Keep in mind that renting ski touring equipment in Iceland can be tricky, and you’re better off bringing your own equipment if possible.
  Ski rental locations are in Reykjavik and should be picked up the night prior to your outing. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and prices:

  • • The guest to guide ratio for this hiking tour is usually 4 to 12 guests and two guides.
    • Pricing is per person, and the cost does not decrease as your group grows.

  If your skiing party is larger than six people, please contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
  Because this tour requires a minimum enrollment of four people, if you are booking alone, your reservation is subject to change up until the last day if the minimum enrollment is not reached (but fear not, as that is rarely the case!).

  Min. age requirements:

  • • Anyone over the age of 18 can join this adventure
• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to Reykjavik, most people fly into Keflavik International Airport, about 45 minutes away. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service. Once you get to Reykjavik, your guide will pick you up before heading out of the city towards the Snæfellsnes peninsula

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Registration for an adventure with your guide requires a 50% deposit. The balance of program fees will generally be due 90 days prior to the starting date of the program. It is your responsibility to adhere to the fee payment schedule. Late payment will result in cancellation of program reservations and forfeiture of all fees paid.

  All cancellations must be made by letter or e-mail. In conformity with business practices within the Icelandic travel industry, the travel agent is obliged to charge cancellation fees to passenger(s). If clients formally cancel their participation:

  • 15% of the tour price is non-refundable
  • 50% of tour price is refunded if cancelled 30-59 days prior to departure
  • 25% of tour price is refunded if cancelled 16-29 days prior to departure
  • 0% of tour price is refunded if cancelled 15 days prior to departure.

  Icelandic Mountain Guides reserve the right to alter tours and itineraries due to weather or road conditions. All programs can be changed or cancelled at any moment during the trip to assure the safety of the clients and staff.  No responsibility is accepted for losses, expenses due to delays, changes of flights, or other services or because of strikes, accidents, sickness, damage, negligence, weather, war, changes in schedules, or other similar causes. Icelandic Mountain Guides does not assume responsibility for accidents or death that can be traced to the participant’s negligence, acts of third parties or exterior circumstances such as weather, natural occurrences, war or other similar causes.

  Any eventual changes in rates (due to purchasing prices, currency fluctuation and such) will not be made with less than 8 weeks’ notice prior to arrival.

  After the invoice has been issued, the price is guaranteed against any surcharge, unless an increase is due to government laws or currency changes. Your guide will absorb an amount equivalent to 5% of the package price. Amounts that exceed the 5% will be charged and clients will be entitled to cancel their booking with a full refund if the surcharge exceeds 10%.