This is a story of our awesome Worldloppet ski trip to Iceland from 28th April to 5th May 2015. Ursbrungsland Biathlon Team was presented by Marja and Jukka.
We booked our flights from SAS. The flights were much cheaper than we assumed, about 220 euros per person with return. There are even many cheap airlines flying to Iceland nowadays! We needed to change the plane in Oslo. A small car was rent from Avis and it was just enough for us. While staying on the main roads, 4WD is not necessary, even not in the winter. Just take care the car is big enough to fit the skis.
TIP! Once you leave the airport arrival hall, the strength of the wind might surprise you! At least we lost part of our papers on the lava field.
We started our vacation with the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, which is easily reached from Keflavik airport, on the same Reykjanes peninsula. On the way there we checked the bridge between the continents and the mud pools in Gunnuhver. It was a real lava field, steam and mud, very stinky, nothing we have ever seen. No entrance fee, just next to the main road 425. We highly recommend!
In Blue Lagoon we enjoyed the lunch, stayed hours and hours in the spa, and even took in-water massage. It was the best way to relax and start the holiday mood. It costs 50 euros each, included the towel and some face stuff, a mud mask and a drink. Cheaper entrance is also available. Later we noticed that somewhat similar experience can be reached just in any town spa, operated by the municipality, and for something like 5 euros.
TIP! It’s worth to pay for the 50 euro set to Blue Lagoon, the drink would anyway cost 7-8 euros and also the towel is handy to get from the spot and not to carry from home.
Driving in Iceland was easy as you could see far, not much traffic and “normal” Scandinavian rules to obey. Hotels were 55 to 90 euros per night (for a double room with bathroom). The food was a bit expensive, but taking care where and when to eat, it wasn’t bad.
TIP! Skyr is available in every shop and keeps you going!
The next day we took so called Golden Circle. There are plenty of information about the circle in internet, so no need to describe it here in too details. Everything was easy to reach, just park the car and walk a bit. And moreover, no entrance tickets, apart from crater Kerið, which cost two (!) euros. There was the biggest water fall we have ever seen (Gullfoss), and the original, one and only, geysir in Haukadalur. We also visited the national park, Þingvellir. These places are “must”, so just go! The weather was about 3-6 degress, and very windy, but sun was shining, it made all so clear. The locals were talking about “window weather”; looks like the shorts are T-shirt would be the outfit to use, but actually opening the door, you realize that it’s freezing!
After the day trip of the Golden Circle, we drove more north on road 1, closer to the actual competition center, towards Westfjords. That’s the large peninsula in northwestn Iceland. We stayed over in a farm next to road 1. It was in Reykholt and called Hraunsnef Country Hotel (http://en.hraunsnef.is/). It was sooo lovely little place, tho the appreance wasn’t so pretty by first sight. The room was just like in a very good hotel, with very nice decoration. In the farm there were horses, cows, pigs and sheep. The breakfast was incredible, tho it cost extra (about 15 euros per person). They had baked us the bread, and even some waffles (luckily the long distance ski was awaiting us – had the excuse to eat so much). Oh, and to make you the most jealous… It was so nice in the night to go out in a bath rope, slippers on, and drop to the hot pool, beer in the hand.. and watch the northern lights!
Then the next day, on 30th April, was the time for the first ski race at 17 o’clock. We started to drive in the early morning, and around 14 we were in Ísafjörður. So, it would take about 5 hours from all way from Reykjavik to Ísafjörður. On the way the scenery was the best we have ever seen (or are we repeating this already too much…?). The magical Westfjords, no houses, the glacier on the opposite site of the gulf, on the next peninsula…
In Ísafjörður we stayed in a house of a family, found through Airbnb. We had an own flat; room, small kitchen and the bathroom. The hotels (if there is more than one) are fully booked way before the competition weekend. So, take care you are on time! Supposedly the capacity of accommodation is the bottle neck not to have more skiers in the race.
The ski center is close to the village. We just drove to the mountain (5 minutes) and started the race of 25 km. It was on skating style, so better for our team. A big hill to start, but after that it eased up. We met plenty of people from Finnish Worldloppet ski team, we got to know them already on our first Worldloppet race Jizerska Padesatka in Czech Republic. Besides, one of the top Finnish skiers, Riitta-Liisa Roponen was there (to win of course!).
The race was just fine, we had even some success, and were happy of the day. After that the organizers held a small reception for the skiers holding the Worldloppet passport. We went there, it was in a city hall or library. There were the Finnish too, and it was so nice to share the ski experience with other skiers from all over the world. There was a chance to give some feedback too, as the organizers were around. We told them to heat up the drinks which were given on the track, cold drink kills you. And for the next race it was done! We had nice food at the reception, and besides wine and beer. So, you better belong to the Worldloppet team!
TIP! All the Icelanders speak excellent English! (at least better than us!)
The next day was free from the races. We hanged in the center of this small town, and met more skiers, just on the streets. Also we saw local march for the first of May. We also visited the local ski shop, and bought Craft jackets with Fossavatn texts.
TIP! The tax 15 % is paid back per receipt. So, the individual item can be cheaper, the final sum in the receipt counts, and must be over 4000 krones. The tax is refunded at the airport to your credit card. The transaction is only happening in 2-3 months (at least in our case), so don’t get nervous, it will come!
In the center of the competition, in the hotel Isafjordur, they have lunches and dinners available for the participants. The food unfortunately (at least in the pasta buffet we took part) wasn’t anything too special. There is always possibility go to the supermarket, buy local groceries and cook yourself.
On Saturday 2nd May was the day for the real Worldloppet! The 50 km in classic style! And we’re telling you, it was terrible. So, Marja’s skis, there was way too much of grid. After 20 meters, it was full of snow from the bottom. She couldn’t move. So, once at the starting area, people are laughing at us, while Jukka is desperately trying to take out the snow from Marja’s skis. And the glide, it just wasn’t there. So, it was 25 km round twice. Originally the route was supposed to be something different, but it was very bad weather, the track was all the time full of snow as it was snowing and windy. First round was ok, but the second was only to survive alive. The track wasn’t seen anymore, we felt like Roald Amundsen, finding the South Pole. Jukka’s skis worked better, he waited for Marja (who would have killed him if he hadn’t). So, it took 6 hours 45 minutes. And that’s a lot. A lot to be outdoors, and lot to be on the move…. It was cloudy, rainy, dark, windy… and we loved it!
TIP! Never be without sunscreen.
So, after finishing (the snow mobile rescue guys were about to take us out from the track), we were in terrible condition. But who cares, let’s drink! Quick shower at home, and then… a cake buffet was included in the price of the race. So, we went there, it was in a sport hall nearby in the town.
TIP! Cake buffet is the best you get for your enroll payment!
Then later in the evening there was the actual party of Fossavatn. There was a band playing, mainly local “cool” songs, so the organizers of the Fossavatn went crazy and were dancing like never before. We took some wine, and joined the party! I guess after heavy work by the volunteers to organize the race, it was their time to relax and just collect the fruits from this great event! We were lucky to be invited to the same table with the master Riitta-Liisa Roponen. With her there was also Russian Olympic medalist Ilia Chernousov. Great to meet great athletes! The real athletes went to bed early, but we continued.
We ended up in a local pub with the Icelander. They had a live guitarist performing, and he was basically playing hit music, and was really talented. So, our early morning on Sunday heading back to Reykjavik turned out to be more like afternoon.
TIP! Follow the locals to find a place for a party.
TIP! Note that there is really only one way to drive to Reykjavik, all the other roads are closed in the winter (May is considered as winter). On the way it’s possible to see seals around Westfjords. Keep your eyes open!
Reykjavik is such a pretty small place. The houses are beautiful, people happy. The food is absolutely the best. It’s lovely to see just average family houses in the middle of the town, everything feels so welcoming. For shopping you can go to a shopping center called Kringlan. We got the best service ever in a shop called Urban (http://www.ntc.is/english/). Thank God for the tax refund! We stayed in Reykjavik two nights, which is just enough to see the main sights and eat well.
TIP! Use the lunch time, eat the menu (half the price of the dinner), share the started and desert to save even more, but to taste all the new things!
The morning in Reykjavik we started as the locals do. Yes, back to the locals. They start their day in these spas, or geothermal swimming pools. So, we went to the Laugardalslaug. There are outside pools, and water is really warm. So, just like the other grandmothers, we were sitting in the pool. There were many different pools, for professionals, different temperature and also for children with a “wipe out” track, this were you must jump around and not fall to the water. The entrance was about 5 euros, and they open at 6 in the morning, and stay open until 22.
TIP! Use the municipal swimming pools, those are cheaper and just as nice as the commercial ones.
All in all, Iceland surprised us with its beauty, changing nature and happy people. Just like they say in all the guide books (but that’s the truth!). We have booked already our next trip to Iceland for Fossavatn 2016! See you there too?
Ursprungsland Biathlon Team 