Snowmobiling in Iceland: All You Need to Know

With proximity to the Arctic Circle, deep volcanic activity, and many snow-capped glaciers, snowmobiling in Iceland is breathtaking. While it all sounds very exciting, you probably also have many questions.

Is it safe? What do I need to bring? Where can I go snowmobiling? This ultimate guide will answer all your questions about snowmobiling in Iceland, including the necessary gear, safety precautions, and the best place to snowmobile in Iceland.

Snowmobiling in Iceland has been a mode of transportation ever since the ‘30s. Icelanders use it to reach remote and often snowed-in places where other means of transportation simply cannot enter. Also, snowmobiles are used by Iceland’s mountain rescue teams to help out adventurers caught in bad weather.

The mode of transport is so dear to Icelanders that they even have a special snowmobiling slang. For example, snowmobilers call each other “sledheads,” refer to their vehicles as “snowscooters,” and call the act of snowmobiling simply “‘billing.”

Hooked already and want to try out ‘biling in Iceland? Book a snowmobiling tour and start your adventure now!

Have you booked a tour already? Here’s a list of the snowmobiling gear you’ll be provided on the tour:

• Helmet. A helmet will protect you from the wind, cold, and in case of accidents.
• Snowmobile suit. We provide a one-piece suit before your ride.
• Balaclava and gloves. Balaclava and gloves will keep you warm during chilly rides.

• Layers to keep you warm. Since you won’t move much, staying warm under the suit is essential. Warm wool or fleece layers easy to remove or apply will help you out in case you get hot or cold. 
• Hat, scarf, and gloves. We do not provide these. However, you should have them!
• Sturdy boots. If you don’t have boots, you can rent them from us upon booking.
• Hand warmers. These are not necessary but helpful if you tend to have cold hands.

Since snowmobiling requires snow, many think that it’s a winter sport. The Arctic climate makes snowmobiling in Iceland possible all year round! During the winter, combine it with a Northern Lights hunt. During the summer, combine it with a dip in the Secret Lagoon.

January is a deep winter in Iceland, with short days and long nights. This makes it an excellent time for snowmobiling, especially if you're keen on experiencing the Northern Lights. The snow conditions are optimal, and the landscapes are breathtakingly serene, covered in a blanket of white.

February continues the winter trend with more snow and cold temperatures. It's another prime month for snowmobiling, especially for those looking to explore the vast icy expanses without the crowds.

As spring approaches, March sees slightly longer days, but the snow conditions remain excellent for snowmobiling. It's a transitional month where you can still catch the Northern Lights while enjoying relatively milder weather.

April marks the beginning of spring, and while there's still plenty of snow for snowmobiling, the days are noticeably longer. It's a great time to explore the glaciers and enjoy panoramic views of the thawing landscapes.

The summer starts to set in in May, but the glaciers are still thick and perfect for snowmobiling. The days are long, and the weather is milder, making it a pleasant time for outdoor activities.

June is the onset of summer, and while the lowlands see snow retreat, the glaciers remain the go-to spots for snowmobiling. The midnight sun phenomenon during this month adds a unique touch to the experience.

Snowmobiling in Iceland in summer provides all travelers with slightly more freedom. You can access glacier base camps by yourself instead of being picked up from Reykjavik or any other location. Hence, less time is needed for the tour and cheaper prices. During the summer, base camps invite everyone who wants to try snowmobiling in Iceland in summer, but you need to book a tour first.

August is similar to July in terms of snowmobiling conditions. The glaciers are still thick enough for the sport, and the weather is pleasant. It's also a great time to witness Iceland's diverse flora and fauna.

September marks the beginning of autumn. The weather starts to cool down, but snowmobiling conditions remain good. It's also a time when the Northern Lights start to appear again.

October is one of the best months to visit Iceland. Everyone is gone after the summer rush, the winter festivities have yet to start, and the bad weather isn’t due for another month. You’re guaranteed to beat the crowds. Snowmobiling in October is also a delight, especially due to having slightly milder weather than in December and longer days than in November.

Snowmobiling in Iceland in November can be a special experience for all adrenaline junkies. Once the darkness of November hits the sky, there’s a high chance to see the Northern Lights! Witnessing this breathtaking phenomenon on top of the biggest glaciers in Europe is a bucket-list adventure.

December is a festive month in Iceland. The snow conditions are perfect for snowmobiling, and the chance to pair it with Christmas celebrations in the Icelandic countryside makes it even more special.

If you are seeking a unique experience, to snowmobile on glacier in Iceland is a must-try adventure. Eleven percent of Iceland’s landmass is covered with glaciers, so no wonder it’s one of the best countries in the world for snowmobiling. Three main glacial areas on the island are appropriate for snowmobiling. Read on to find out whether Langjokull, Vatnajokull, or Myrdalsjokull Glacier is right for you.

If you’re wondering, what’s the best place to go snowmobiling in Iceland? The first prime snowmobile spot, Langjokull, is an easy drive from Reykjavik and the Golden Circle. Langjokull, whose Icelandic name means “long glacier,” stretches out over a huge part of West Iceland — over 953 sq km of highlands, to be exact.

Langjokull is Iceland’s second-largest glacier after Vatnajökull. The ice sheet is thick even for Iceland, reaching up to 500 meters at some points. Within the ice are several ice-filled volcanic craters, ice valleys, and massive fields of snow that stretch out over the horizon.

Hopping on a snowmobile will reward you with gorgeous vistas of this wintry wonderland and the country’s largest table mountain, Eiríksjökull. With its vast plains of ice and snow, the glacier is a bit of a playground for outdoor enthusiasts. Take an unforgettable adventure out on the slopes, surrounded by mountains and snowfields as far as the eye can see.

Langjökull Glacier is the most popular location for snowmobiling tours, in no small part, thanks to its proximity to Reykjavik. And that is why many consider it the best glacier to snowmobile in Iceland. You can meet our snowmobile guides at their camp if you have a rental car. It takes about 2.5 hours to drive from Reykjavik to the base camp, where most of our Meet on Location tours start.

Langjökull is great if you’re staying in Reykjavik and looking for a snowmobile day trip. Snowmobiling on Langjokull also makes a fantastic combo with another day tour, like the Langjokull ice cave, Northern Lights, or the Golden Circle.

Bring together the best of Iceland’s amazing sights — Gullfoss, Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, and Aurora Borealis — in one action-packed day trip from Reykjavik. To join a snowmobiling tour in Langjokull, select your pick-up from Reykjavik or meet us at our Langjokull base camp or Gullfoss Cafe by Gullfoss Waterfall.

Vatnajokull is the biggest ice cap in Iceland and one of the biggest in Europe. Vatnajokull National Park contains many sights, but chief among them is the most majestic glaciers in the whole country. You’ll also be rewarded with panoramas of beautiful valleys and ice-capped peaks.

Vatnajokull, whose name means “the river glacier,” is actually one massive ice cap that hides many peaks, volcanoes, ice sheets, and running rivers. There are many active volcanoes under Vatnajokull that sometimes rumble, like Bardarbunga and Grimsvotn. Every so often, tremors shake the Earth and cause glacial floods in the region.

Here you’ll also find Iceland’s tallest peak, Hvannadalshnjukur, towers 2,200 meters high (more than 7,000 feet!).

The ice cap covers around 8% of Iceland’s surface area and boasts the Guinness record for “World’s Longest Sightline.” It’s said that the glacier can be seen from Slættaratindur, the Faroe Islands’ highest mountain — more than 500 km away!

Rev up your snowmobile on top of this icy wilderness! The beauty of Vatnajokull is rarely so accessible anywhere else on Earth. Explore this ghost-white world from the back of a snowmobile and set your heart racing.

Choose Vatnajokull for your snowmobiling adventure if you’re traveling around Iceland. Maybe you’re driving around the South Coast or joined a multi-day tour that includes Jokulsarlon and Reynisfjara black sand beach.

To join a snowmobiling tour in Vatnajokull, meet us at our base camps at Flatey or Gljufrabui Base (depending on the tour).

Last but not least is Myrdalsjokull, the snowy slopes that cover Iceland’s famous Katla Volcano. This ice cap’s Icelandic name means “mire valley glacier,” which doesn’t do justice to its vast blue fields or ash-streaked ice.

Myrdalsjokull lies just north of the town of Vik and is the southernmost glacier in Iceland. At around 600 sq km, it’s the fourth-biggest glacier in Iceland and conceals many incredible ice caves that change each year. The famous Fimmvorduhals Pass runs between Myrdalsjokull and Eyjafjallajokull.

Snowmobile adventures on Myrdalsjokull are filled with breathtaking panoramas of the South Coast. The tour gives you an hour to explore the glacier’s snowfields with incredible panoramas. Zip by on your snowmobile, and don’t forget your camera!

Choose Myrdalsjokull Glacier for your snowmobile tour if you want to combine it with other South Coast attractions. It’s conveniently located near Vik, Reynisfjara black sand beach, and Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss Waterfalls.

Decided you want to try out snowmobiling? Join one of our tours on the Langjokull, Vatnajokull, or Eyjafjallajokull Glaciers and explore the Land of Fire and Ice. Combine the thrilling ride with the Northern Lights, Secret Lagoon, or ice caving for an ultimate once-in-a-lifetime experience! If you're looking for the best snowmobile tour in Iceland, look no further; our expert guides and well-planned routes promise a remarkable experience.

Combo snowmobiling tours:

• Snowmobiling and ice caves. The tours take place on Langjokull Glacier, the second-largest glacier in Iceland. Our glacier snowmobile and natural ice cave tour takes you across the icy expanse and into a natural ice cave in the depths of the glacier.
  
  
• Snowmobiling and Golden Circle. Our Golden Circle and snowmobiling tour also takes place on Langjokull Glacier. On the tour, you’ll go around all the best Golden Circle sights as well as get some extreme on a snowmobile.

Other snowmobiling tours you might like:

• Snowmobiling on a volcano. Iceland is the only place in the world where you can ride a snowmobile on top of a volcano! Our Eyjafjallajokull snowmobiling tour takes you across a glacier that hides a notorious secret underneath — the infamous Eyjafjallajokull Volcano that caused mayhem in European airports in 2010.
  
  
• Snowmobiling on Vatnajokull Glacier. Vatnajokull Glacier is the largest ice cap in Europe and tops many adventurers’ bucket lists. Our Vatnajokull snowmobiling tour takes you atop the glacier, where breathtaking views of Iceland’s South Coast open up.

Travelers from all over the world come to experience the best snowmobiling in Iceland, taking back memories of icy terrains and thrilling speeds.

From the adrenaline-filled rides across Langjokull to the serene beauty of Vatnajokull, snowmobiling in Iceland is an unparalleled experience. In this guide, we looked together through the icy terrains, understanding the nuances of the gear, the best times to visit, and the prime locations that promise an adventure of a lifetime.

Are you prepared to explore Iceland's snow-covered landscape and carve your path through the Arctic winds and glaciers? Don't let this adventure remain just a dream. Take the leap and book your snowmobiling tour.

Wear warm fleece or wool easy-to-remove layers. It’s always good to have an extra fleece if you’re cold. Also, hand warmers are lifesavers. Slip them in before the ride, and your hands will be instantly warm. Good, sturdy shoes will also go a long way.

Yes, snowmobiling in Iceland is possible all year round.

Yes! With its breathtaking landscapes and glaciers, snowmobiling in Iceland offers a unique and thrilling experience. Once you're out there on the snow, you'll know it's worth every second!

Popular locations include Langjokull, Vatnajokull, and Myrdalsjokull Glaciers.

Yes, snowmobiling in Iceland is possible even in July, with glacier base camps accessible for tours.