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TROLL PENINSULA SKI TOURING PROGRAMS

We will base out of our very own Karlsá Lodge in the middle of the best ski terrain that the Troll Peninsula has to offer. Karlsá Lodge is the only ski in ski out ski touring lodge on the Troll Peninsula and is located on the spectacular East coast of the peninsula, overlooking the Eyja Fjord and the spectacular Gold coast of the Hidden Land on the other side. Karlsá Lodge is a luxurious base for ski touring with its ocean view hot tub and Sauna and splendid in house chef specializing in hearty gourmet feasts of fresh local ingredients. Karlsá is without any doubt the pinnacle of ski touring lodging options in the North of Iceland.

The skiing area offers a great variety of mountains and slopes for every level of skier, from those who seek steep couloirs to those who like to let her loose on the big open slopes. The choice is endless and one could easily spend a lifetime exploring the peaks and valleys of the region. After each day of skiing we might soak our weary but happy feet in one of the regions many geothermal baths and catch up on the local gossip as farmers and fishermen alike religiously attend their afternoon soak or simply relax in our own outdoor spa at Karlsá Lodge.

HELI ASSISTED SKI TOURING PROGRAMS

Add a "heli-assist" to the 4 or 6 day Troll Peninsula ski touring program. The "Heli Assisted Ski Touring programs" are offered on the same dates and offer the same inclusions as our 4 and 6 day Troll Peninsula programs but with 60-90 minutes of flight time for helicopter transfers included. We will start each morning with a helicopter transfer to the top of a peak. Warm up with a long descent before you start touring up for a 2nd descent or move on to a nearby summit. This is a great way to explore the Troll Peninsula allowing you to go a little further into the terrain.

  • Heli Assist Group size: 4 or 9
  • 4 Day program includes 60 minutes flight time
  • 6 Day program includes 90 minutes flight time

2025 dates & prices Troll program

4 day
program
€2300*
HELI ASSISTED
€3700*

February & March
ST4-00 Feb 23-27
ST4-01 March 1-5
ST4-02 March 7-11
ST4-03 March 13-17
ST4-04 March 19-23
ST4-05 March 25-29
ST4-06 March 31-April 4
April & May
ST4-07 April 6-10
ST4-08 April 12-16
ST4-09 April 18-22
ST4-10 April 24-28
ST4-11 April 30-May 4
ST4-12 May 6-10
ST4-13 May 12-16

6 day
program
€3200*
Heli assisted
€5300*

FEbruary & March 
ST6-00 Feb 23-March 1
ST6-01 March 1-7
ST6-02 March 7-13
ST6-03 March 13-19
ST6-04 March 19-25
ST6-05 March 25-31
ST6-06 March 31-April 6
April & may
ST6-07 April 6-12
ST6-08 April 12-18
ST6-09 April 18-24
ST6-10 April 24-30
ST6-11 April 30-May 6
ST6-12 May 6-12
ST6-13 May 12-18

*Prices are subject change due to exchange rate fluctations between ISK/EUR .

Included 

  • Transportation between Akureyri and Karlsá Lodge
  • Transportation in 4x4 vehicles for the duration of the trip
  • Accommodation in double rooms with shared bathrooms for 4 or 6 nights
  • Entry fee to town pools (this does not include geothermal baths such as the Forest Lagoon, Myvatn nature baths or GeoSea)
  • Full use of Lodge Spa facilities
  • All meals starting with welcome dinner on the day of arrival and lunch on the final day (breakfast buffet, packed lunch, aprés ski snacks and three course dinners prepared by our lodge chef)
  • The services of Internationally Certified ski guides

Not included 

  • Transportation between Reykjavik and Akureyri before and after the program
  • Equipment Rental
  • Alcoholic Beverages
  • Personal Accident Insurance
  • Helicopter drops for ski touring (unless you are on our "HeliAssisted" program)
  • Gratuities

A typical day-to-day itinerary

ARRIVAL DAY

Pick up in Akureyri the capital of northern Iceland in the late afternoon followed by a 40 min transfer to our Karlsá Lodge for a meet and greet. Welcome dinner is served and we go over the week's agenda.

DAY 1

Our first day of skiing above Karlsá Lodge. The morning is spent on detailed avalanche transceiver and avalanche rescue training, followed by our first peak of many. Our average daily vertical ranges from 1000-1800 meters depending on the group. For those that want more we can go until your legs say stop as there is endless terrain to choose from. 

DAY 2-3 (or 5)

Our guides set the pace and rhythm of the program so that everyone enjoys it to the fullest.  After each day of skiing we will relax and enjoy Karlsá Lodge lounging in the hot tub, or relaxing in the sauna followed by one delicious meal after another feasting on organic lamb, fish and game prepared by our gourmet chef. 

DAY 4 or 6 (DEPARTURE DAY)

This is the last day of skiing.  After a good breakfast and sorting our luggage we head out for our final day. We will enjoy more great turns and good times followed by lunch in the field.  After another great day we transfer the group to Akureyri where guests can catch a flight to Reykjavik or continue their travels in Iceland. We say our goodbyes and head home with the memory of a unique ski touring holiday and already have our plans for future adventures falling into place.

Check availability

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 top and bottom (wool or synthetic)
  • Light down or fiber jacket
  • Hat
  • Gloves and/or mittens (2 pairs)
  • Ski socks (wool or synthetic, avoid cotton)
  • Bathing suit
  • Casual day-to-day clothing for dinners at lodge and town visits
  • During March-early April we recommend winter boots as there is often snow surrounding the lodge. 

MISC.

  • Sun and lip cream
  • Sunglasses
  • Small first aid kit with personal medications, 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)
  • Power adaptors and necessary chargers for your electrical devices (Iceland uses Northern European electrical standards 50 Hz/220 volts)
  • Toiletries (toothbrush, paste, shaver etc.)

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 20-40 liters (with ski/board attachments)
  • Thermos or water bottle (1-2 liters)
  • Ski Goggles
  • Helmet (optional)

Please have your ski boots in carry-on baggage during your flights to Iceland. If your skis get temporarily lost we can provide excellent rental gear. Arctic Heli Skiing | Bergmenn Mountain Guides offer some equipment for rent, please contact us for information and availability.

*Most backcountry ski bindings offer integrated ski crampon systems. Ski crampons work in conjunction with your skins to save you energy providing efficient skinning in firm snow situations. Ski crampons are lightweight and easy to carry and a great tool to add to your backcountry kit if you do not already own them. Please contact us if you are not able to find this piece of equipment for your trip. We do not have any available for rent, however we may be able to help you find an online retailer.

DOWNLOAD PACKING LIST

FAQ

  • How does heli assisted touring work?

    Heli assisted touring allows you to get a lift with the helicopter in the morning into the field for an extra run and the the possibility of doing super cool traverses that you could not otherwise do. With this option you can access some amazing terrain within 20 minutes of flying. There are 4 guests on the first load and then up to 5 guests on each load after that. Please keep in mind that this option is highly time dependent as it has to be coordinated with our heli ski groups on 4 and 6 day programs. We generally drop the ski touring groups in the morning before operations with the heli groups start. 

    A lift with the helicopter is based on 3,000 EUR/hour of flight time and would typically include 1 drop in the morning. We would simply add the flight minutes used by the group and charge at the end like a taxi. The amount would then be divided by the number of skiers and added on top of the cost for the ski touring portion of the trip. Please note that the entire ski touring group has to agree if this option is chosen, since there is only one ski guide for each group. 

  • Is single accommodation available?

    Our programs are based on double occupancy. For guests traveling alone we do our best to accommodate you in a single room if there is space at the lodge.  For the Siglo program it is possible to pay a supplement for a single room at the time of booking.

  • How do I get to Akureyri?

    Once you arrive at Keflavík International Airport (KEF) in the south a 45 minute mini bus or taxi ride will bring you to the capital of Iceland, Reykjavík. The domestic airport in Reykjavík is in the centre of the town and most buses from the International airport will drop you off there. The flight with Icelandair from Reykjavík to Akureyri takes 35 minutes and there are a number of departures throughout the day. We recommend a late afternoon departure around 17:00 or 18:00. We have limited staff to do airport transfers so if you arrive to Akureyri earlier in the day we will not be able to pick you up until the evening. You can also charter your own flight with Eagle Air Iceland or Norlandair straight from Keflavík International airport to Akureyri. 

    PLEASE NOTE: You need to allow yourself a minimum of 2.5 hours from the time your international flight lands in Keflavík until the departure of the domestic Icelandair flight in Reykjavík due to the fact that it can take some time to get through customs and collect your baggage. You need to be at the Reykjavík domestic airport at least 30 minutes prior to your departure.  The domestic airport is very small and easy to navigate. 

  • Where is the Troll Peninsula

    The Troll Peninsula is located in the North of Iceland. The Peninsula extends north into the Arctic Ocean northwest of the town of Akureyri. The peninsula lies between the fjords of Skagafjörður and Eyjafjörður. 

  • Do I bring my own skis or do you rent out equipment?

    For our Troll Peninsula north Iceland programs we do have a limited supply of rental equipment. This includes touring skis with skins, poles and avalanche safety equipment (transceiver, shovel, probe). We do have a small selection of ski boots at the lodge intended for emergency use only.  We ask all guests to bring their own ski boots as it is much more comfortable to use your own. We also recommend that guests put their boots in a carry-on bag to ensure there are no problems.  

    As for type of ski best suited for our conditions a mid fat to fat ski, and not too soft, would be the ideal. If you take your skis to the shop for a tune up before your trip make sure to ask for a warm temp wax. We do have a  ski shop for repairs and hot waxing at the lodge in case of repairs or someone not advancing downhill due to wax (or no wax) problems.

    For our Eastfjords and Westfjords Iceland programs and our International programs rental equipment can be arranged if done so well in advance.