Snowmobiling in Iceland

For the more adventurous-minded, racing across icy wilderness, surrounded by nothing but mountains and fresh powder, is a heart-in-the-mouth thrill.

Snowmobiles (also known as a skidoo) are surprisingly fast (you can hit speeds up to around 45mph/70kph), and they enable you to reach remote areas inaccessible on foot.

Best places to do it

Vatnajokull is the best glacier for snowmobile adventures, with large expanses of ice and snow to race across, and several offshoot glaciers in addition to the main ice sheet. Its size means it can accommodate a number of different operators, all of who offer slightly different routes. Trips onto Vatnajokull can easily be arranged in Skaftafell and the surrounding areas.

Langjokull, the ‘Long Glacier’, is another great place. Tour companies like Arctic Adventures combine a snowmobile trip with a visit to one of the glacier’s many ice caves.

Myrdalsjokull is a glacier on the south coast, often used for day trips from Reykjavik. Snaefellsjokull on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula also has tours.

If you want to see the infamous Eyjafjallajokull volcano up close (or at least as much as you can see of it, since it’s buried under ice), the easiest way to do it is by skidoo. South Adventure offers a couple of possible trips.