August 5, 2015, Dalvik, Iceland

During the planning for my 12-day trip to Iceland with my son, I figured that there would likely be at least a chance that some snow still existed in the higher (above 1500 ft.) altitudes. After inquiring with a few mountain/guiding-related folks, I came across Bergman Mountain Guides. I sent an e-mail to Jokull Bergmann (JB) , owner, about my situation as an around-the-calendar ski addict, and he replied that he was curious about my endeavors, and could likely help me. Given that his hometown, Dalvik, is in the far north of Iceland, I believed him. First, he said that if I had an entire day to spend, that great touring was still available higher and further inland. I said that, regrettably, I only had a few hours, so he told me of Plan B. As luck had it, there were good, smaller snow patches directly above town, and that the approach was only about a hour, and 1000 feet gain. He also told me he could arrange for me to have gear to use. So, after my son and I had driven 650 km last Wednesday (from the far west near Isafjordur), I started my approach at 7:00 PM. Hiking up past some of the many Icelandic sheep, I was able to ski 300 feet of vertical, on nice firm corn. My bigger take-away was that I'll be returning to Dalvik, and JB's guiding acumen, sometime in the next couple of years. I'm deeming it the "Summer Solstice Skiing Saga", as late June still holds great skiing possibility there. If any of you are ever in Iceland, give JB a call; he'll take good care of your skiing ailments! Here's his website address: http://www.bergmenn.com/en/trips/ski-touring