Blafjoll Ski Resort

Iceland's Closest Ski Resort to the Capital

Blafjoll (Icelandic: Blafjoll, meaning "Blue Mountains") is a mountain range on the Reykjanes peninsula in southwest Iceland, roughly 30 km south of Reykjavik. The ski resort that occupies its slopes is the largest in the country and the most accessible from the capital region, making it the go-to winter destination for Reykjavik residents and visitors looking for a half-day on the snow.

The resort sits at an elevation range of 460 to 700 metres, giving it a vertical drop of 240 metres. The terrain is spread across two connected areas served by 14 lifts, including chairlifts and surface drag lifts, with a combined capacity of around 12,000 skiers per hour.

Slopes and Terrain

Blafjoll offers 15 km of groomed downhill runs. Roughly two-thirds of the slopes are graded easy, with the remaining third rated intermediate. There is no formally graded advanced terrain, though off-piste opportunities exist when conditions allow. The beginner slopes sit close to the main lodge, making it easy for first-timers and families to get started without a long trek to the lifts.

For cross-country skiers, the resort maintains over 30 km of groomed trails across varying skill levels. Selected cross-country routes are lit for evening use.

A snow park with jumps and features caters to snowboarders and freestyle skiers.

Night Skiing Under the Aurora

One of Blafjoll's most distinctive features is its weekday evening schedule. With the resort open until 21:00 on Monday through Friday, powerful floodlights illuminate the main slopes after dark. Because Reykjavik's winter days are short, with sunset arriving as early as 15:30 in December, most weekday skiing happens under artificial light. On clear nights, this creates the surreal possibility of skiing beneath the northern lights, something few ski resorts in the world can offer.

Facilities and Services

The main lodge, Blafjallaskali, serves as the hub for everything. It houses the ticket office, equipment rental, a cafeteria with hot food and drinks, and the ski school office. Four additional lodges operated by local ski clubs are scattered across the area.

The ski school runs weekend group courses for children and offers daily private instruction for beginners and intermediate skiers. Equipment rental covers alpine skis, snowboards, cross-country skis, and helmets.

Weather and Conditions

Blafjoll's operation is at the mercy of Icelandic weather. The resort has no snowmaking equipment and relies entirely on natural snowfall. Strong winds, poor visibility, or insufficient snow cover can close the resort with little notice, sometimes for days or weeks at a time. Always check the official website or social media channels on the day of your visit before making the drive. Road conditions on Blafjallavegur can deteriorate quickly in storms, so check road.is as well.

When conditions align, the snow quality is excellent. The maritime climate produces consistent, packable snow, and the grooming team keeps the main runs in good shape.

Practical Tips

Bring warm, windproof layers. Temperatures at 700 metres with Icelandic wind chill are significantly colder than in Reykjavik. Goggles are more useful than sunglasses, as conditions can shift from sunshine to blowing snow within minutes. If you do not have your own gear, the rental shop at the lodge covers everything you need, but arrive early on weekends to avoid queues.