Hitting the slopes - Blue Mountains (2:2)

WORK/PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers will be working once again with the City of Reykjavík in the main Skiing area in the capital region of Iceland, Bláfjöll or the Blue Mountains.

The main tasks in this workcamp will be maintaining the slopes and preparing them for the next ski season. The city and few sports associations run lodges there and they might also need some renovation job, such as painting and/or cleaning. The working plan is flexible and it will depend on the needs of our local host. Volunteers need to be motivated to work mainly outdoors on physical jobs and under changeable weather conditions.

The camp starts shortly after summer solstice, when the sun never fully sets at this latitude 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 partly in charge of the cooking and cleaning activities. During week days lunch will be served.

Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for an international evening.

LOCATION: The project takes place in the Blue Mountain Range area, which is about 30 minutes drive from Reykjavík. The range stretches to the west from the mountain Vifilsfell near the main road (#1) from the capital area to the Southwestern lowlands.  The highest mountain in the range reaches 600m and in 1968 the district became a very popular skiing resort among Icelanders and the favourite for skiers in the Capital region.

This area is 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 they have to be careful crossing the rugged lava fields because of the numerous caves underneath. The caves here are actually among the most interesting tourist attractions in the capital area and our volunteers will be given the change to explore them. The Blue Mountain Range area is a place of extreme beautiful natural surroundings with countless opportunities to hike and discover it by foot.

Iceland is chilly, even in summer. Expect nights to dip down to 10 Celsius and days to warm up to the mid-high teens Celsius and warmer. In mountains, weather can change quickly and drastically.

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 250 (Euros). Please note that these fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic kronas.

Volunteers have to bring good working shoes and clothes, even though it is summer, it might still be cold and hats and gloves might be necessary.

In the Blue Mountain Range area, volunteers will be given an extraordinary opportunity to explore a hidden world beneath ours in an amazing trip to the underworld! Beneath the lava field in the area the volcanic eruptions have left behind caves with magical rock formations.  Exploring the dark and hidden lava tubes is a fantastic addition to your volunteer adventure in Iceland and a perfect way to see how Iceland was created.

Our hosting partner will organise free time activities in the area and tours and excursions can be arranged for SEEDS volunteers at discount fares as well (for example Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon, South Shore, etc.)

Age: 18+