Bláfjöll Ski Resort Iceland
The most popular ski resort in Iceland, Bláfjöll is close to the capital Reykjavik. A small but super-fun ski area, it provides a leg-warming ski across 15km of trails on mellow terrain and also provides some fun lift served backcountry access when the snow is deep.
Only a few minutes drive from the centre of Reykjavik, Blafjoll is a great place to come and get to know the locals. And as an added bonus, in 2021 a new volcano sprouted nearby spewing a spectacular lava show. Mount Fagradalsfjall is 20km south west of the ski area as the ptarmigan flies, or about 58km (1hr) by rental car.
For more information on getting to & around the region, plus driving tips, see our Travel to Iceland page.
We recommend staying in Reykjavik if skiing Blafjoll. It is a fun city with several great hotels, bars & restaurants down on the waterfront. The Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Marina is a wonderful, quirky hotel with a bespoke style perfect for its location. Search & book here for all Reykjavik accommodation.
Whilst we slowly build up info on this resort, check out the Bláfjöll ski trail map.
Pros & Cons for Blafjoll Ski Resort
Pros
- Great place to stretch the legs and get a few laps on snow.
- On the rare powder days (afternoons!), fresh tracks available everywhere with extraordinarily little competition off the piste.
- No lift lines.
- Several quality on-piste trails for beginner & intermediate skiers & snowboarders, plus a terrain park.
- Fun off-piste freeride terrain, including a few steeper pitches for advanced/expert riders.
- Ample, free, ski-out/ski-in parking right at the lifts.
- Day lodge has facilities (microwave ovens etc) for picnickers (brown-baggers), there are lots of public toilets & a well-stocked ski & snowboard rental shop.
- Friendly, easy-going ski area.
Cons
- Short skiable vertical.
- Relatively small amount of piste trails & off-piste terrain.
- Snow often wind impacted.
Pro or Con (depending on your perspective!)
- Only a short drive from Reykjavik.
- Opening hours are different to most ski area - late afternoons etc.
- Only basic snacks available at the café, no real yum, interesting local food.
- Night skiing is big here but bloody cold! Skiing in the evening twilight is fantastic before the lights come on.
- Can get a little busy some days on weekends, but it is fun meeting the locals!
- Comparatively expensive lift pass, but it is all relative to the wonderful weirdness of the whole experience.
Review
The Powderhounds reviewed Bláfjöll in March 2020. What we found was some fresh powder in a resort not known for it, an enthusiastic & friendly local crowd plus gorgeous late afternoon arctic light. Click on the review link in the left column (or top of the page if on a mobile) to read all the reviews.
See how Blafjoll compares to the rest of the European ski resorts on the Europe ski resort ratings page.
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