If you have been pondering the location of your next exhilarating helicopter skiing adventure, why not consider Iceland which has an immense amount to offer? In this brief guide, we will focus on our Icelandic excursions, looking in depth at snow conditions, remote lodges, local activities, some interesting facts about Icelandic culture, and more. Our helicopter skiing trips to Iceland are easily some of the richest and most unique experiences we have to offer.
At Pure Powder, we assist our customers in heading to incredible destinations all over the world, including Japan, Canada, Chile, Turkey, Sweden, Alaska, and more. Whether you are new to the heli skiing world, or you have been enjoying these sorts of adventures for years, we know how to create the ideal tailored experience for you. So, if you think the land of ice and fire might be the perfect destination, we encourage you to read on and find out more.
Helicopter Skiing: The Remarkable Beauty Of Icelandic Landscapes
Helicopter skiing in Iceland is one of those extremely rare experiences that will no doubt stick with you for a lifetime. People travel from all four corners of the globe to ski these remote slopes, and once you hear more about them, it becomes quite easy to understand why. The landscapes truly are a sight to behold, from jagged glaciers and black sand beaches to fields of hardened lava rock, not to mention the extraordinary mountain ranges that stretch as far as the eye can see.
Between the months of March to May, the slopes become a skier’s paradise, and you may even come face to face with the Northern Lights while out and about in the snowy wilderness. To add to this, you will have the vantage point of a helicopter, which allows you to see for kilometres in every direction – easily some of the most scenic flying you can do anywhere. These adventures are a dream come true, and we can say with certainty that you will forge memories and connections that will likely never be lost.
Helicopter Skiing: Snow Conditions And Terrain
With the use of a helicopter, your experienced guides and pilots will have ample choice and can pick and choose the best skiing spots as you go along – this is helped by the fact that there are 1,500 square miles of skiable terrain at your disposal.
The terrain is where Iceland really shines – the varied mountain ranges, open bowls, and exciting steep slopes facilitate a wide range of skiing experiences and challenges. To get a sense of what to expect, we suggest having a look at our helicopter skiing gallery. There, you will find images of the untouched Troll Peninsula, featuring an almost unlimited number of fjords and peaks just waiting to be skied. The variety of terrain enables you to choose what kind of ski experience you want. If you want to take it easy and make your way down a mellow long descent, you can. Alternatively, if you would prefer to get your heart racing a bit, try one of the many steep couloirs, bowls, or slopes, which should certainly do the trick.
Iceland is also known as the Land of the Midnight Sun, and that means you should expect extended daylight hours, providing you with plenty of time to soak in the excitement and make as many runs as your legs can handle. This kind of skiing is one of those things that needs to be experienced to be fully understood, and we have had a long line of ecstatic clients who can attest to this.
Helicopter Skiing: The Breathtaking Deplar Farm
The Deplar Farm remote lodging might be one of the most magical accommodations of all the destinations we frequent. This luxury lodge has been designed in a traditional, yet beautifully modern Icelandic style, with many amenities to get excited about. From all twelve rooms, you are treated to majestic views of the sprawling ice-capped mountains and wintery wilderness of the Troll Peninsula. To sweeten the deal even further, all meals are included and prepared by the in-house private chef, so you have free rein to indulge in the Icelandic Char or locally caught trout, among a host of other options.
Once you have had your skiing fill for the day, you can head out for several relaxing activities, including a minimalist spa, geothermal indoor-outdoor pool, open-air hot tub, yoga classes, library, flotation tanks, media room, and hotel bar. Essentially, there is very little chance that you will get bored with all the options on offer. This lodge is also remote, so you are far away from all the hustle and bustle of busy cities or packed ski resorts, allowing for some time to escape and bask in the beauty surrounding you. It also helps that this location is only a stone’s throw away from the rest of Europe, so travel costs are appealingly affordable.
Helicopter Skiing: Small Group Helicopter Skiing Programme
If you decide to opt for an adventure in Iceland, the helicopter skiing programmes are limited to four individuals in a group, as this makes the most sense for the experience as a whole. There are a few reasons why this is the case, allow us to walk you through them. Firstly, small group heli skiing enables you to get the most from the excursion, as with fewer skiers in the group, turnaround times are significantly faster – meaning you get more exhilarating runs down the powdered slopes.
Secondly, we have mastered the art of tailoring groups and matching up skiers with comparable abilities, so you won’t need to worry about feeling out of your depth at any point. You can decide whether you would like to make a booking as a full group of four, or simply join other skiers of a similar level. Smaller groups also make it easier for your guides to pay close attention to each individual skier, providing advice and ensuring your safety throughout the duration of the trip. If you already have a small group in mind and you want a dedicated helicopter, we recommend checking out our private trip options.
A Few Interesting Facts About Icelandic Culture
Beyond the incredible skiing and the magnificent accommodations, the unique culture of Iceland is another major draw card. Let’s get into some fascinating facts about the people, food, and language of the Land of the Midnight Sun:
Icelanders Love To Socialise In Swimming Pools – Iceland is renowned for its remarkable geothermal baths, pools, and hot springs, but you may not know how much Icelanders love to spend time in these naturally heated havens. Locals often spend hours soaking in the warm water, chatting with those around them, forming connections and deepening bonds. So, if you have some time to explore after your helicopter skiing exploits, we highly suggest checking out some of Iceland’s famous, mineral-rich pools scattered all over the island.
Locals Are Still In-Tune With Their Norse Roots – It is said that Icelanders originally descended from the old gods themselves, whether or not you choose to believe that is entirely up to you. However, most of the population can still speak and read the old Norse language, which is almost identical to the way Vikings would have sounded long ago. Of course, Iceland is quite isolated from the rest of the world, and so there was little outside influence to alter their original mother tongue – around 97% of the locals speak the old Norse language.
Icelandic People Don’t Have A Family Name – In almost every other culture, family names are an essential part of our identities, but it works a little differently in Iceland. In line with their Nordic roots, they utilise a patronymic naming system that combines a portion of their father’s name with the suffix ‘son’ for boys, and ‘dottir’ for girls. Essentially, each child has an entirely new surname, and their children’s surnames will be the same. Oftentimes, even brothers and sisters might have completely unique ‘family names’.
Icelandic People Love The Outdoors – Whether it’s fishing, skiing, hiking, swimming, or heading out on a skimobile, Icelanders love to be outside. For adventure tourists like yourself, this opens the doors to plenty of opportunities. If you meet a few locals and befriend them, you might find yourself heading out on many exciting day trips and excursions. To add to this, it certainly helps that locals are exceedingly friendly and should be more than happy to show you the sights.
Preparing For Your Icelandic Adventure
So, you’ve decided on Iceland as your next destination and you’re wondering what you might need to be fully prepared – allow us to fill in the gaps. As you can imagine, Iceland is cold, and in the remote, mountainous regions it can get extremely cold. With that in mind, it is a good idea to ensure that you are properly dressed for the conditions; this means plenty of layers, and a few raincoats in case rain or hail decides to roll around.
Synthetic or wool base layers are an ideal choice. When paired with a sweater and a waterproof jacket, you have a good, warm base to work from. Long wool underwear is a must on colder days, and a good-quality pair of waterproof ski pants can make a world of difference on the slopes. While it may not always be necessary, we recommend picking up a pair of waterproof ski boots just in case, as wet socks are never a pleasant time. Moreover, consider bringing waterproof gloves, a scarf, extra socks, and a hat, to be ready for anything.
For all of your equipment, clothing, and gear needs, look no further than our friends at Ellis Brigham and Surefoot. They have stores all over the UK and they stock some of the best brands in the industry, such as Icebreaker, Scott, Arc’teryx, and more. Beyond equipment and gear, it is important to take steps to get your skiing fitness to a decent level. This is crucial for a few reasons – firstly, the fitter you are, the more runs you can do, and the more enjoyment there is to be had on the slopes.
Secondly, ensuring that you are ski-fit makes a big difference to your safety while skiing because if you become heavily fatigued on a run, it’s much easier to make mistakes and misjudgements. To help our customers with this, we have prepared a comprehensive ski fitness programme with the help of some highly reputable experts – you can find this in the “Ski Fitness” tab on our website.
Hopefully you now know what to expect should you choose Iceland as your next helicopter skiing destination! If you have any questions or you would like to make a booking, do not hesitate to get in touch with us today.
