A holiday company called Superbreak has launched ski holidays to Akureyri, Iceland this winter.
Iceland is home to about 18 ski areas, most of them fairly basic, but there are several larger centres including Bláfjöll, which operates the most lifts, more than a dozen, close to the capital Reykjavik.
Superbreak is offering holidays to another one of the country’s best-known ski areas, however: Hlíðarfjall, near the northern coastal town of Akureyri.
Although smaller, it has built a strong international reputation as an action sports destination also offering coastal surfing and a long list of high-adrenaline activities.
The ski slopes are located 7km from the town and typically open at 10am daily – staying open till 7pm several evenings each week for night skiing. There are runs for all ability levels over a 540m vertical with four lifts, the longest being 1km in length.
The area is known for its high-quality snow, extensive cross-country tracks and exciting ski slopes, with breathtaking views of Eyjafjörður that extend as far as Mount Herðubreið.
Floodlighting for the slopes is provided during the short days of mid-winter, and there’s also extensive snowmaking covering the runs. There are also floodlit cross-country ski tracks.
Established in 1962, the centre has a highly regarded ski school, and children can learn their skills at the Hlíðarfjall Ski School for Children.
“Skiing in Iceland is pretty unique and perhaps something many customers don’t realise they can do. Our short breaks offer a great opportunity to sample the slopes, and perhaps, if lucky, even ski under the Northern Lights,” said Graham Balmforth, Superbreak’s National Sales Manager.
Available on selected dates in January and February 2018, the short breaks available from Superbreak are three- and four-night packages costing from £749pp, including charter flights from a selection of regional UK airports, return transfers, self-catering accommodation, ski equipment hire and a two-day ski pass.
