Pure Island

Desolate wilderness

Iceland, an island nation in the north Atlantic, with a dramatic landscape of volcanoes, geysirs, hot springs and lava fields. The island is Europe’s second-largest, and is situated close to the arctic circle, between 63 and 67 degrees north. The bulk of the population is found in Reykjavik itself. We’re driving northwards all the way to the coast, past the city of Akureyri, and onwards to the village of Dalvik where we have our base. Dalvik is a tiny old fishing hamlet right by the fjord Eyjafjördur on the Tröllaskagi peninsula.

Typical for the region is the desolate, open landscape with peaks jutting to just over 1000m asl. There are no trees at all to see for miles around, and when we’re there in the month of March it can appear as a single undulating mountainscape dressed in white. Having access to our own minibuses gives us the freedom to get to where we want to go, and transfer times are short, around 20 to 40 mins each way. We have four full ski touring days, and we’ll average between 800 to 1000 vertical meters of ascent per day. The arctic winds from the north dominate, but on a clear, still day, Dalvik has one of the most impressive mountain backdrops in the world.

Pure Ski Touring only hires IFMGA Mountain Guides

What is a Mountain Guide?
A Mountain Guide is a specially trained and highly experienced professional who is certified by authorities or mountain guide associations. They are considered experts at a high level and are hired to instruct or lead individuals and small groups in mountain environments that require this advanced expertise. The profession of mountain guide originated in the mid-19th century when alpine climbing became recognized as a sport.

IFMGA Certification
The title IFMGA Mountain Guide is reserved for individuals who have received full certification through their country’s national mountain guide association, whose curriculum and training are approved by the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA). Certification is obtained through a rigorous examination process that includes rock climbing, alpine climbing and ski mountaineering. Certification usually takes between three and seven years to complete.

Swedish Mountain Guide Organisation
The Swedish Mountain Guide Organisation (SBO) is Sweden’s only professional organisation for mountain guides. SBO trains and examines guides and offers further training. The organisation promotes the interests of its members nationally and internationally and administers information, fees and meetings. The requirements for authorisation are high and include technical skills, teaching and leadership skills. SBO cooperates with other organisations and is a member of the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA), which gives Swedish guides the right to work internationally according to the federation’s standards.

Read more here:
SBO
IFMGA

Our IFMGA Mountain Guides at Pure Island is