Hitting the slopes - Blue Mountains & Skálafell

WORK/PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers will be working with the City of Reykjavík in two of the main skiing areas in the capital region of Iceland, Bláfjöll (or the Blue Mountains) and Skálafell.

In Skálafell the ski slopes are turned into a bike park during summertime and mountain bike enthusiasts can nourish their passion. The main tasks will include renovation and maintenance work on the bike trails; mainly raking and scraping them up. Other possible tasks may be related to general cleaning of the area.

In the Blue Mountains, the main tasks will be maintaining the slopes and preparing them for the next ski season. The city and a few sports associations run lodges and mountain huts there and they might also need some renovation jobs, such as painting and/or cleaning.

The working plan is flexible and it will depend on the needs of our local hosts. Volunteers need to be motivated to work mainly outdoors on physical jobs and under changeable weather conditions. As the landscape is raw, the work is physically very demanding but also rewarding. Volunteers should have a motivation for working outdoors and to experience very isolated areas close to the capital.

As it is outdoors work, volunteers shall be ready to adapt and be flexible with the working and free-time schedule, as depending on the weather, we may not be able to perform some of the tasks or activities planned.

Weather in Iceland is unpredictable, so be prepared for all kinds of weather and be sure to bring warm winter clothing since most of the work will take place outdoors and it can get cold in the mountains. The camp happens around the summer solstice, when the sun hardly sets and the nights are almost as bright as the days. The bright nights are magical and staying awake enjoying the beautiful surroundings is a unique experience.

ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS volunteers will stay in one of the ski lodges in the mountains and sleep in a sleeping bag accommodation, sharing rooms. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

Volunteers will receive food supplies and be in charge of the cooking and cleaning activities. Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for an international evening.

LOCATION: The skiing areas of Bláfjöll and Skálafell are both about 30 minutes drive away from the city. Bláfjöll is south-west of the city and Skálafell is located to the east of Reykjavik. Both areas have great slopes for downhill skiing and snowboarding as well as tracks for cross-country skiing. Bláfjöll has 16 lifts and Skálafell has 4 lifts. The sports area in Skálafell  is situated between the elevations of 380 and 700 m.

The Blue Mountain range stretches to the west from the mountain Vifilsfell near the main road (#1) from the capital area to the South-western lowlands.  The highest mountain in the range reaches 600 m and in 1968 the district became a very popular skiing resort among Icelanders.

The areas are excellent for recreation, not only for alpine and cross country skiing, but outdoor activities as well such as hiking and mountain biking.  Nature lovers are certain to find something they like there, but it’s important to be careful crossing the rugged lava fields because of the numerous caves underneath.

LANGUAGE: English will be the language in the camp; basic conversational skills are needed.

TERMINAL: Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 300 (Euros). Please note that these fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic krónur..

The fee includes the domestic transportation from Reykjavík to the campsite and back (on the first and last day of the camp) and the Golden Circle excursion. Departure time will be 10:00 in the morning on June 27 from the meeting point at SEEDS office in Reykjavik. After the camp we will return to Reykjavík in the afternoon of July 13.

The locations of the camp are remote and isolated, even though still close to the city. Free time activities in the surroundings are mostly hiking and trekking.  Volunteers shall be prepared for physical outdoors work & should bring good working shoes and clothes, even though it is summer, it can still be cold and hats and gloves might be necessary. Volunteers need to be prepared for all kinds of weather. In the mountains, the weather can change quickly and drastically.

Excursions can be arranged in the free days or after working hours for SEEDS volunteers at discount fares (for example South Shore, Reykjanes or Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Hot River hike, etc.).