Easy to reach; let the adventure begin when you arrive in Iceland!

Visiting the largest waterfall in the Westfjords

Spring sunshine welcomed Lumi guests to the land of fire and ice last week as they traveled to Ísafjörður, in the remote Westfjords of Iceland.

Starting in the capital of Reykjavik, the journey north to Ísafjörður offers the opportunity to see Iceland’s scenic countryside and craggy coast, with visits to cascading waterfalls, a volcanic crater and the opportunity to soak in geothermal pools. Along the route, weather ranged from blue skies and sunshine to a whiteout blizzard. With the snowglobe swirling around them, guests were able to relax and stretch out in the coach bus, knowing they were in the capable hands of driver Sóley, who has driven the roads since she was a kid. After all, the weather in the Westfjords is known for being fickle.

Icelandic horses

Upon reaching Ísafjörður, trip leaders Florian and Anna got to work waxing skis for the next morning. The Iceland-Fossavatn trip is a little different from other Lumi trips in that the first couple of days are focused on sight-seeing, before the skiing starts in Ísafjörður. The journey to the Westfjords is an example of the journey being part of the destination; after all the volcanoes, waterfalls, seals, fjords and hot springs are Iceland’s main draw for most visitors. On the Lumi trip, however, you get all of those highlights, plus several days of very scenic skiing and the opportunity to ski a Worldloppet event!

Weini from HWK Skiwax getting skis ready

“What a trip so far and we haven’t even started skiing yet” 

– Fannie from Seattle, WA

Spring skiing conditions and a full sampler of Icelandic weather welcomed skiers to the Ísafjörður trails. For Thursday’s 25 km sunset skate event, guests skied through sun, sleet, rain, and wind – the perfect mix of weather for the Skida hats that Lumi guests receive at the start of their trips.

All Skida, all the time

Friday’s weather turned even more dramatic, with a full-blown wind storm. The photos remind me of the weather for the 50 km Fossavatn event I skied last winter. I remember wondering “how is it possible to ski in a straight line and have a head wind, side wind and tailwind?” That’s what happened during last year’s race.

A windy day in Ísafjörður

Aside from the windy race conditions, I had a blast in Iceland last April with Lumi guests and my dad Jim. There’s something very special about parents and their adult children sharing this kind of adventure. This year, it was really fun to see parents and kids Gretl & Libby, Peter & Fannie, and Bobbie, Chris & Christian traveling together.

Mother-daughter duo, Gretl & Libby

For the big 50 km event on Saturday, skiers were treated to sunshine, blue skies and firm tracks. Their climb to the top of the course was rewarded with breathtaking views to the fjord below. The final 6km descent? Fast, fun and just a little terrifying:

“It was fabulous but I felt like I was flying downhill without disc brakes! I am in one piece though. So fun. Trip leaders Anna, Florian and Isley are incredible people! The storm coming in may give me my wish to stay longer. I made a noble effort to go home with them (even had adoption papers prepared) …” – Peter from Greensboro, VT

Race day sunshine, corduroy & firm tracks

One of the biggest highlights of April’s Fossavatn are the post-race events, and this year’s celebrations were extra sweet – it was the 90th Fossavatn. The town hosts a Cake Buffet that has the feel of a community event everyone has been looking forward to all winter – with dozens of homemade cakes to taste from Iceland’s famous Happy Marriage Cake, to homemade birthday cakes, brownies and muffins. Later on in the evening, Lumi guests were dancing away to the local band at the Worldloppet’s season-ender seafood party.

Happy 90th birthday, Fossavatn!

A storm rolled in on the Sunday departure day. Local flights out of Ísafjörður were cancelled, but fortunately, the Lumi group was already planning to take the coach bus back south, with scheduled stops for Icelandic waffles and a soak in another hot spring. The route for the Lumi group’s bus could have been an episode of Ice Road Truckers, fortunately, again in Sóley’s capable coach. A final dinner in Reykjavik was a fitting close to the whirlwind week of waterfalls, geothermal pools, skiing, seafood, cakes, volcanoes, weather, Icelandic horses and fjord views.

“What a fabulous trip. Awesome trip leaders, fun sightseeing and an exciting mix of ski conditions. The whole trip experience exceeded our expectations.”

 – Margie from East Hardwick, VT

The dramatic landscape of the Westfjord’s

Want to extend your ski season next winter? Lumi’s Iceland-Fossavatn trip starts in Reykjavik, which has affordable, non-stop flights from several large US airports. Let the adventure start when you arrive!

Reach out to see the 2026 trip itinerary and save your spot. We’re currently offering a $200 / person early booking discount for any 2026 trip reservations made by Wednesday, April 30. Several 2026 trips are already full, but we do still have space on the Iceland trip and many other popular trips like Marcialonga & König Ludiwg Lauf, Finland & Estonia even the 2026 Olympic Games!

See you on the trail,
Garrott Kuzzy
garrott@lumiexperiences.com