Iceland Winter Games (IWG) is running into its 5th year and is one of the fastest growing winter festivals. In 2019, it will be held March 22nd -24th. Starting in 2014 as a single event, AFP world tour Freeskiing competition, IWG has become one of the biggest winter festivals in Europe, with events ranging from ski- and snowboard competitions, on jumps carved from the snow like Icelandic volcanoes, to the Icelandic National Dog sledding championship. Outdoor and winter sport activists will find a great variety of events to enjoy or partake in... and in breathtaking landscape!
Iceland Winter Games hosts events found nowhere else, like the "Volcanic Big Air" freeski and snowboard competition, "Peak to Surf" ski tours on the Troll peninsula, Arctic horseback riding, snowmobile competitions and many more.
Iceland Winter Games hometown of Akureyri is a small city in comparison to almost any city in the world, but still one of the biggest in Iceland with a population of just under 20.000 inhabitants. Located in north-east Iceland, Akureyri is in one of the longest fjords in the country and is surrounded by mountains reaching 1000-1500 m. The Arctic Circle in only 60 km north of Akureyri but still the climate is mild, with summer temperatures up to 25°C and winter temperatures in average around 0˚C. Despite the small size of the city, it's buzzing with life and everyone seems to be involved in some type of outdoor winter sport and activity. Earlier this year, Lonely Planet chose Akureyri as the Nr. 1 "Best place in Europe 2015" and Mt. Hlíðarfjall Ski resort was nominated as one of the Top 12 most exotic ski resorts in the world.
In 2015, Iceland Winter Games merged with the North-Icelandic festival, "Blizzard", making it the biggest winter festival in Iceland with over 60 events in the course of just one week. This year we will have a 3 day festival from friday to sunday. The events showcase all that the north of Iceland has to offer in winter activities, with all the major tour operators working with Iceland Winter Games, taking their guests on breathtaking tours in their modified super jeeps, helicopters, snowmobiles or even by "green energy" Schooner boats.
Apart from the great variety of events hosted by Iceland Winter Games, opportunity for amazing and "once in a lifetime" experience is all part of Iceland Winter Games. Having the chance of skiing under the northern lights in Mt. Hlíðarfjall's beautiful and diverse slopes, Outback Heli- or Catskiing from the mountain tops of the Troll peninsula, ending the ride on an Icelandic black sand beach and going for a surf in the Arctic Ocean, is something that can't be experienced anywhere else in the world!
Iceland Winter Games Events 2019
Icelandic Championship in Alpine Skiing and Cross-country skiing.
Icelandic Championship in Alpine Skiing and Cross-country skiing will take place all weekend from Friday to Sunday. The championship is for teenagers (12-16 years) and it will start every day from 09:30 in the morning. Everyone is welcome to come and cheer!
More about: http://bit.ly/SkiingChampionship2019.
Sled Dogs Freestyle.
Go hard or go home. Well, these guys go hard only. The event a.k.a. the great show starts on Friday 22nd at 18:30, with Bonefight continuing with Freestyle Jump contest and you shouldn’ t miss it!
More about: http://bit.ly/SledDogsFreestyle2019.
Ey-Lív Snowmobile Drag Race.
Snowmobiles are part of Icelandic life and after watching the Sled Dogs show, all you have to do is just to stay and watch this another extreme, noisy and speedy race on Friday 22nd from 20:00!
More about: http://bit.ly/EyLivSnowmobile2019.
Mountain Bike Downhill.
We know we are writing “come and watch because it´s gonna be fun” for every event, but we mean it! Mountain Bike Downhill is an event organised by Akureyri Cycling Club and it´s another show which you should watch for yourself and enjoy it. Starts on Saturday 23rd at 16:15.
More about: http://bit.ly/MountainBike2019.
IWG Freeride Open.
If you love to freeride or just to watch this extreme sport, Sunday is your day. The IWG Freeride Open is organised for the first time and it´s open for skiers and snowboarders. Great venues to ride and great spot up in mountains for those, who wanna just come and watch. Starting on Sunday at 11:00.
More about: http://bit.ly/FreerideIWG2019.
For more information about Iceland Winter Games, please contact us at The North Iceland Event Office:
David Gunnarsson: david@vidburdastofa.is
Links:
Iceland Winter Games Website: http://www.icelandwintergames.com/
Mt. Hlíðarfjall Ski Resort: http://www.hlidarfjall.is/en
Green Energy Schooner boats: North Sailing: A Milestone in Eco-Friendly Transportation: http://www.reuters.com/article/north-sailing-idUSnBw135345a+100+BSW20150713
Akureyri Nr. 1 "Best place in Europe 2015":http://www.lonelyplanet.com/travel-tips-and-articles/lonely-planets-best-places-in-europe-2015
Mt. Hlíðarfjall Akureyri; Top 12 most exotic ski resorts in the world:http://unofficialnetworks.com/2015/09/top-12-most-exotic-ski-resorts-in-the-world
North Iceland Event Office: http://vidburdastofa.is/
Visit North Iceland, the destination: www.northiceland.is