ICELAND
Backcountry skiing
Guided Backcountry Skiing on the Troll Peninsula of Iceland
Join the AMG team in Iceland to ski world class backcountry terrain overlooking the Norwegian Sea. Our 2023 trip is based out of Hauganes near the northern tip of the Troll Peninsula. Here, in the land of the midnight sun, you will find endless opportunities to ski rarely skied lines that can even take you from summit to sea! The Troll Peninsula boasts a wide variety of terrain making it ideal for both strong intermediate and expert skiers who want to go off-piste. After a full day of touring, you can relax in geothermally heated baths and our on site hot tub.
- Who’s it for? Strong intermediate and expert skiers/riders who have ski touring experience looking to explore one of the worlds hottest fringe ski destinations
- How we go? Participants may take this course on backcountry skis or split board
- Where do we go? We will explore the northern tip of Iceland’s Troll Peninsula seeking some of the most fabulous open faces, expensive bowls, and tight couloirs
- Why go with AMG? Acadia Mountain Guides has been traveling to Iceland sense before it became one of the most sought after international ski destination
- Pre-requisites: Fitness, clothing, and equipment to ski or hike up to 8 miles round trip with a 10-pound pack on a daily basis for 7 day
- Avalanche Refresher/Introduction
- Basic Companion Rescue Clinic
- Beautiful/Spacious Lodging in Hauganes Iceland
- Two meals a day (Breakfast & Dinner)
- Beacon, probe, and shovel for use during the trip
- Acadia Mountain Guides avalanche decision-making field card
- Van transportation from Akureyri to lodging as well as to a from trail heads returning to Akureyri
- Ratio: maximum of 4 clients / guide
- All group and emergency gear provided.
- Personal gear
- Airfare
- Transportation to / from Akureyri
- Evening beverages / pub visits
- Instructor / Guide Gratuities
2024 Trips:
- Day 1 – Travel Day: Clients should arrive at the Akureyri Airport no later than 4PM local time. Dinner and appetizers will be served upon arrival to our lodging accommodations.
- Day 2 – 6: Wake up, breakfast served. Review weather/avalanche conditions and plans for the day in a collaborative group meeting setting, prepare appropriate gear or learning materials for the day ahead. Drive to the trailhead of the day and begin a full day ski tour.
- Group energy management is a priority of our guides so we will work in rest days/late starts/early end days. We do aim to ski as much as possible.
- Day 7 – Travel Day: Wake up, breakfast served. Pack personal items, assist instructors/guides with hut clean up, and pack up. Begin travels back to appropriate individual locations. All flights should be departing from Akureyri Airport
Course Schedule:
Date | Arrival/Departure Location | Lodging Location |
April 3rd- 10th, 2024 | Akureyri, Iceland | Hauganes, Iceland |
April 12th- 19th, 2024 | Akureyri, Iceland | Hauganes, Iceland |
April 21st-28th , 2024 | Akureyri, Iceland | Hauganes, Iceland |



Specific Info
General Info
Iceland backcountry skiing is designed as a guided backcountry skiing trip. All participants should be experienced backcountry skiers/split boarders.
Fitness, clothing, and equipment to ski or hike up to 8 miles round trip with a 10-pound pack. Particpants should be advanced enough to ski ungroomed intermediate terrain at major northeast ski resorts safely.
Comfortable skiing/riding around/above 35 degree snow slopes.
Acadia Mountain Guides has been traveling to Iceland since 2016. Led by IMFGA guide Jon Tierney all of our lead guides and tail guides have been trained under his tutelage.
Many well known New England avalanche educators first started with an AMG course. See instructor bios.
Personal Equipment
Any gear you may need can be purchased ahead of the course from our gear store – Alpenglow Adventure Sports – where you get a 25% off purchases made prior to the course and up to a week later as well as 15% discount off MSRP for life!!! Purchases may be made in-store or online. Gear purchased in advance of course can often be brought to you on the course. Alpenglow will also price match any in stock inventory if you find a better deal on the web for the same item. Simply send a link when you are ready to order to shop@alpenglowgear.com.
It is about 100yds to the hut from parking area. Please try to pack things in a pack or tote that can be easily carried or dragged on the snow.
Travel
- Passport
Ski Clothing
- soft shell
- soft shell pants
- 1 R1 top or similar mid weight base layer
- 1 light top or similar baselayer
- Base layers
- 2 prs of ski socks
- Heavy gloves
- light gloves (soft shell, windstopper)
- Ski hat/helmet
- Down coat/puffy/insulation layer
- Goggles
- Sunglasses
- Balaclava
Lunch Food, Snacks and Drinks (as desired)
- cliff bars/energy bars
- jerky
- Mixed nuts (put into 5 baggies)
- Chocolate
- Hot chocolate/tea/coffee/etc
In the Hut
- 30 degree sleeping bag or sheet/blankets, pillow
- Hut shoes or slippers to hang out in the hut
- A boot or overboot to walk to the bathrooms / down bootie.
- pants
- Shirt
- Shorts
- T shirt
- Socks
- Personal Items – Towel, Toothbrush, etc.
- Canadian quarters for shower
- Plate, Cup, Utensils
In the field
- Skis, poles, boots or splitboard
- Probe, transceiver, shovel if you have or we supply
- Ski crampons (nice to have)
- Skin wax glob stopper
- Skins
- Ski pack (30 L or bigger)
- Thermos
- Compass with baseplate
- Sunscreen / lip balm
There is always the opportunity to learn while on a trip with Acadia Mountain Guides. While the primary focus of this trip is to ski or ride some of the best snow in the northeast, there is plenty of skills to be learned depending on your interests such as:
- Developing backcountry tour plans both digitally or with tried and true map and compass
- Practicing effective companion rescue
- Skinning skills – kick turns, edging, etc
- Carrying it all – how to set up you ski pack
- Improving downhill ski technique
- Practicing travel skills in avalanche terrain
- Any number of winter travel skills
- Improving your avalanche awareness
Each day we will choose appropriate ski objectives based on weather, snow and avalanche conditions, and personal interest. Here is a sample from a prior year.
Go skiing or riding.
Enjoying the outdoors necessitates a certain degree of risk-taking. You are participating in this trip and entering the winter backcountry environment at your own risk. You are choosing to engage in an activity in which participants have been injured and killed. While such accidents are rare, they may occur at any time and be out of our control. Our guides draw upon solid guide education coupled with extensive experience to manage significant hazards inherent to mountain travel. Some of the hazards that can lead to injury or death associated with this trip include but are not limited to extreme weather, demanding physical travel, avalanche, vehicle transportation and falls or collisions while skiing or snowboarding. Please be sure that you are fully aware of such risks. It is our goal to interpret the environmental, situational and group variables and to make educated decisions to minimize dangers to you while at the same time providing an enjoyable and memorable experience.
Ultimately, it is your responsibility to minimize various hazards through the application of good judgment gained from a foundation of education and experience. On this course we ask that you ski or ride with good control at all time.
Self-reliance in the face of adversity is expected on the part of the wilderness traveler entering the wilderness. Rescue is not automatic. For all practical purposes, our party is alone and must depend upon our own resources for self-rescue and be equipped for an extended emergency. Cellular phones and radios should not be relied upon in an emergency.
Finally, this is a group trip and good expedition behavior is critical. Participants are asked to stay with the group until everyone has safely exited the backcountry.
Cancellation:
When you book a course with Acadia Mountain Guides you are agreeing to our cancellation policy. Please realize that if your travel does not go according to plan in any way and for any reason, we are unable to provide credits or refunds outside of what is described below. We strongly recommend that you purchase trip insurance to protect your activity purchase against unforeseeable circumstances which include but are not limited to:
- Anticipation of Inclement Weather
- Flight and Travel Delays and Conditions
- Personal or work schedule changes
- Injury or illness of self or family member
Inclement weather is to be expected at this time of year. Snow is what we want. Please adjust your travel plans to accomodate weather and travel conditions
Tipping is never expected but always greatly appreciated. Like many in service industries, instructors and guides supplement their income with tips generated from satisfied clients.
There are several potential summits we can reach and areas we could potentially travel in. We will make every reasonable effort to reach desired summits and provide great lines of descent, however, extreme weather, avalanche conditions, inadequate personal fitness, difficult terrain, or park weather / travel closures may make it impossible to achieve our desired summit or descent objectives.
A minimum of four (4) participants are needed to run this program and there is a maximum of seven (7). The decision to run the program will be made at three weeks prior to the start date. In the case of low registration, you will have the options of joining another trip, receiving a refund or possibly paying an additional amount to allow the trip to run with low numbers.
Are you part of a college organization, ski club, etc.? We are happy to schedule a customized course for organizations, small groups, and individuals through New England and Eastern Canada. Of course, if you would like to schedule a course or trip in Iceland, Colorado, or Japan, etc. we would be very pleased to work with you.
Acadia Mountain Guides Climbing School is certified through the American Mountain Guide Association and the Professional Climbing Instructor Association. Acadia Mountain Guides actively supports furthering their guide’s development throughout their career. That means our guides are constantly taking steps to progress their skills and will provide you with an exceptional experience. AMG is also a proponent of helping clients reach their goals, whether its having an epic day in the mountains or gaining skills to get into other terrain, Acadia Mountain Guides Climbing School can get you there.
A History of
Leading the way…
Acadia Mountain Guides Climbing School is the preeminent frontrunner in climbing instruction and guiding in Acadia and across Maine. Since 1994 we have specialized in designing customized experiences or training for you, your family, your group or company.

AMGA ACCREDITED
• Since 1994 •
AMGCS is one of 32 AMGA accredited programs in the US and was one of the earliest to pursue and achieve accreditation. AMGCS is the only climbing school in Maine to remain continuously AMGA accredited. We have had one or more full time AMGA rock guides on staff each year since 1994.


PCIA Accredited
• Since 2007 •
AMGCS has the distinction of also being accredited to the highest standards of the Professional Climbing Instructors Association. The PCIA requires all staff to be individually trained and certified.
Save 15% on
All Gear and Clothing
Become a client of Acadia Mountain Guides and receive a permanent 15% off MSRP on purchases in our stores or at AlpenglowGear.com.
AMGCS also rents outdoor equipment for your convenience. All clients receive 25% off rental equipment for use on our courses.
See what we have.